Dog losing his eye

MissHell · 04-03-2009, 08:12 PM

My dog punctured his eye on 03/17, vet did emergency surgery and filled it w/saline and stitched the rupture. We think he caught it when cleaning his face with his paw.

Last Monday 30th, he was to have the stitches removed. When the vet tried to remove them, the eye ruptured again. This time she stitched it and also stitched the eyelid shut to try to help it heal.

Yesterday we took him to an animal eye specialist. He is an older dog (15) and he has cateracts. The specialist feels, due to the cataract, he had little or no vision in the injured eye. Her recommendation is to remove the eye.

Our options are:
#1 Surgery to repair the eye, no guarantee of vision. Cost $2500.
#2 Continue with meds/drops, like we have been. Can take 2-6 months to heal, again no guarantees on healing or vision. He may continue to be uncomfortable until fully healed.
#3 Remove the eye. Vet said it is relief from any pain/discomfort he is quick, in 2-3 days. Most animals do fine with one eye. Cost is appx $500.

Does anyone have experience with their pet losing an eye?

I am willing to pay the $2500 for surgery, but it’s not what was recommended. We figure we will trust the professional’s opinion on what is best for him.

Anyone who wants to suggestion putting him down, please keep it to yourself. In no way is that an option for us.

'73 H1 Triple · 04-03-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissHell

Anyone who wants to suggestion putting him down, please keep it to yourself. In no way is that an option for us.

It's not like the dog is a member of the family

We've always gotten good info from our vet. However, I would do a bit of a search on the web to verify this info as if you decide for removal, it is not reversable.

If you are completely comfortable with option #3, go with that one. Growing up, my dog had bad cataracts in one eye and did just fine.

Good luck
Jeff

Particle Man · 04-03-2009, 08:42 PM

I had a dog that lost her eye because she picked on a dog 5 times her size. She lived for about 12 years beyond that with no issues and acted normal the whole time.

YMMV

Smittie61984 · 04-03-2009, 09:12 PM

I'd probably take the eye. If it was a younger pup I'd say stick it out.

But one thing that is amazing about dogs is no matter what happens to them or what body part they loose. As long as they get some love and attention they will be happy.

ericr · 04-03-2009, 10:00 PM

Sorry to hear that Michelle

I'd personally go with removing the eye if the chance of it healing is slim. The corective surgery is a lot of money on a slim chance of it helping. That's just my opinion though, hope you can get it worked out soon.

MILK · 04-05-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smittie61984

I'd probably take the eye. If it was a younger pup I'd say stick it out.

But one thing that is amazing about dogs is no matter what happens to them or what body part they loose. As long as they get some love and attention they will be happy.

That is so true. Dogs rock.

I think removing the eye sounds best as well. I'm sorry.

Kaneman · 04-05-2009, 10:27 AM

I would definitely remove the eye considering his age, the financial cost and what it will actually do for him. There's no sense in having him go through more pain for something that *might* save his eye. I've met plenty of dogs with one eye, one leg, etc. and they all seem to get around just fine. Remember, dogs don't really feel sorry for themselves the way people do so he won't even miss it

I'm appalled that they would charge you $500 to remove the eye as well, but I guess that's the way it goes.
________
2SEXYHORNY4U

Trip · 04-03-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '73 H1 Triple

It's not like the dog is a member of the family

We've always gotten good info from our vet. However, I would do a bit of a search on the web to verify this info as if you decide for removal, it is not reversable.

If you are completely comfortable with option #3, go with that one. Growing up, my dog had bad cataracts in one eye and did just fine.

Good luck
Jeff

Reminder totally steal those and add them in as [sarcasm] [/sarcasm] smilies

Lucky3623 · 04-03-2009, 10:38 PM

When I worked at the vet, we had 1 or 2 dogs that lost their eye. It took a little bit for them to get used to, but after they do, you won't even notice a difference, with the exception they turn their heads more to make up for it.

Sorry this happened to your dog.

Dragonpaco · 04-03-2009, 10:39 PM

sorry to hear about the pooch, but dogs, like everything look more badass with an eyepatch

04-03-2009, 09:12 PM	#4
Smittie61984 I give Squids a bad name Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fly Over State Moto: 1996 CBR600 F3 (AKA the Flying Turd) Posts: 4,742	I'd probably take the eye. If it was a younger pup I'd say stick it out. But one thing that is amazing about dogs is no matter what happens to them or what body part they loose. As long as they get some love and attention they will be happy. __________________ lifts - R.I.P.

04-05-2009, 10:27 AM	#7
Kaneman AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Odessa, TX Moto: 2000 Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird Posts: 4,931	I would definitely remove the eye considering his age, the financial cost and what it will actually do for him. There's no sense in having him go through more pain for something that might save his eye. I've met plenty of dogs with one eye, one leg, etc. and they all seem to get around just fine. Remember, dogs don't really feel sorry for themselves the way people do so he won't even miss it I'm appalled that they would charge you $500 to remove the eye as well, but I guess that's the way it goes. ________ 2SEXYHORNY4U Last edited by Kaneman; 05-09-2011 at 08:38 PM..

04-03-2009, 08:12 PM	#1
MissHell Followed the crowd over. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hawaii Moto: '07 Yahama R6 Posts: 911	Dog losing his eye My dog punctured his eye on 03/17, vet did emergency surgery and filled it w/saline and stitched the rupture. We think he caught it when cleaning his face with his paw. Last Monday 30th, he was to have the stitches removed. When the vet tried to remove them, the eye ruptured again. This time she stitched it and also stitched the eyelid shut to try to help it heal. Yesterday we took him to an animal eye specialist. He is an older dog (15) and he has cateracts. The specialist feels, due to the cataract, he had little or no vision in the injured eye. Her recommendation is to remove the eye. Our options are: #1 Surgery to repair the eye, no guarantee of vision. Cost $2500. #2 Continue with meds/drops, like we have been. Can take 2-6 months to heal, again no guarantees on healing or vision. He may continue to be uncomfortable until fully healed. #3 Remove the eye. Vet said it is relief from any pain/discomfort he is quick, in 2-3 days. Most animals do fine with one eye. Cost is appx $500. Does anyone have experience with their pet losing an eye? I am willing to pay the $2500 for surgery, but it’s not what was recommended. We figure we will trust the professional’s opinion on what is best for him. Anyone who wants to suggestion putting him down, please keep it to yourself. In no way is that an option for us.

04-03-2009, 08:42 PM	#3
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	I had a dog that lost her eye because she picked on a dog 5 times her size. She lived for about 12 years beyond that with no issues and acted normal the whole time. YMMV __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

04-03-2009, 10:38 PM	#9
Lucky3623 Official Thread Killer Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 554	When I worked at the vet, we had 1 or 2 dogs that lost their eye. It took a little bit for them to get used to, but after they do, you won't even notice a difference, with the exception they turn their heads more to make up for it. Sorry this happened to your dog.