Eye advice please - sorry, long

M

muddy boots

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 August 2008
Messages
665
Visit site
Hello,

Following a bad injury, after a large scab coming off today at the vet's my small dog has lost his eyelid - the top totally and 50% of the bottom. This is really horrific. He has been at the vet's every day for wound cleaning. Other eye is fine.

I have been presented with 2 options. 1. Remove the eye and 2. reconstructive surgery to rebuild eyelids. The eye is, however, badly ulcerated and he can't see through it at the moment. The vet has been very clear that this could lead to more operations and has limited chance of success, but could possibly save the sight.

Cost is a factor, as stupidly not insured (yes, I know, stupid, stupid, stupid), there is £300 difference between the 2 procedures. But with reconstructive could be endless if repeat procedures needed. I have already spent a small fortune.

With the current 1 eye situation, he is very lively, despite being sore from the wounds. He is a VERY active dog and is already back up to mischief.

I am very upset and want to do whats best. I am one of those people who sees dogs and has said "would be kinder to pts", but now its mine, I have changed opinion.

I wonder if anyone had experience of these procedures or 1 eyed dogs.
 
In your situation I think I would have the eye removed. My GSD bitch had her eye removed at 10 years old, she had no apparent problems with her eyes, then one Sunday morning the eye was watering and partially closed. To cut the story short she had a tumour in the eye and 2 days later had an op to remove the eye. She adapted amazingly quickly, and as your dog already has little vision in that eye I imagine he would do the same. It took a little while to get used to the appearance of my girl, but to me it just mad her that bit more special. I know prosefullstop had a prosthetic eye for Stella, so that could be an option if you preferred but obviously that would be more expense.
Apologies to those who are bored with this picture, but here is Chaka . GinaB has recently posted pictures of her girl immediately after the op, and then as the wound heals, which are worth you searching for if you do decide to go with the removal.

IMG_0009_2.jpg
 
My girl lost an eye when she was five-years-old. You do not need to worry AT ALL about a dog living with one eye. You'll find they adjust very quickly and will remain just as active.

As MM says, we opted for a prosthesis, as we didn't know then whether it was a genetic issue affecting both eyes, or whether the necessary removal of the eye was due to a head trauma (this turned out to be the case). As we're in America and the prosthesis op is standard issue at the main veterinary hospital in NYC, the expense was only a few hundred dollars more than just removing the eye, and Stella was right as rain in a matter of days.
 
I would have the eye removed. Dogs cope remarkably well with just one eye. My dog had a severe injury several years ago, which an amazing vet in Cornwall managed to save by suturing and grafting the actual eyeball. For a while I think she had some vision, but as we were warned, a post-traumatic cataract has now formed and she is blind in that eye, but you wouldn't know apart from the look of it. She still tears round like a whirlwind and never bumps into things. One eye is as good as two as far as she is concerned, though obviously she no longer has a spare.

In your situation, it's a no-brainer. Just not worth the trauma to the dog and the expense of reconstructive surgery for an eye that may not even have full vision. Whip it out and it's over with and the dog can get on with its life.
 
Thank you again for your replies. Brightmount - I think your comments about the expense and trauma for the dog of reconstructive surgery back up my gut feelings. We are in a position where this has a very limited chance of success and at least with removal he can start to get back to as close to "normal" as possible. Reconstructive surgery could take weeks of repeated procedures. Yes I agree about no spare and this is a risk.

He is already starting to tear around again, and apart from catching his lampshade collar on things occasionally he's not bumping into things. The main time that it is obvious is when he jumps into the car because I think he has to think about the distance. He pauses rather than hurling himself in like a loony. He manages it though with a pause of approx 10 seconds and has also been back to his jumping and climbing habits in the garden and house.

Thank you to everyone for your replies. They have been a huge help to my OH and I.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top