I have a 12 1/2 year old miniature schnauzer who was diagnosed almost a year ago with severe pancreatitis and diabetes. He also has a grade 3 heart murmur and abnormal liver enzymes, which have been worsening for several years.
We have provided the best care we can, but his diabetes was very difficult to get under control, and about 6 months ago he developed cataracts virtually overnight, causing both lens’ to rupture into the body of his eyes. He was not deemed a candidate for surgery and has been blind ever since.
He has adapted fairly well to the blindness, and finds his way around most of the time, only occasionally getting lost and barking for help.
Recently he developed a new infection in one eye, with fungal growth that is eroding his cornea. Aggressive medication has not helped at all, and he is unable to grow the new blood vessels that would be required for healing.
Enucleation surgery seems to be the only remaining option, but with his health it is hard to decide whether we should take this step. The only other option would be to let him go. We don’t want him to suffer and he is clearly in pain. Has anyone else been through something similar? His liver enzymes are the biggest barrier to surgery because of the anesthesia risk. We are struggling to make a decision. Other perspectives would be appreciated.
You are stuck between a rock and a hard place. I had this issue when deciding whether to get laser surgery for my dog. It was a risk as she wouldn’t necessarily get her sight back and it was going to cost a few thousand dollars which I had to struggle to get at the time. It was a tough choice but I went with the surgery. It didn’t actually help. She didn’t get her sight back but she did get to keep the other eye even though she was blind in it.
It’s a tough decision. You really aren’t going to know what the future holds, so I think you just have to go with your gut on this.
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I am facing the same issue. I have a 10yr old or so terrier mix with a complex diabetes management (he takes 4-6 insulin shots/day), stage 2 kidney disease, liver issues, pancreatitis, etc. And now, his left eye had retinal detachment and has now developed into glaucoma.
He is a high risk for surgery due to his diabetes and all his illnesses. My dog’s internal medicine specialist and his ophthalmologist both said that he needs to have enucleation (to remove his left eye) since he has developed glaucoma and is in a lot of pain. I asked, given his health, is this something that we should even consider? I don’t know how long he has left and if its not long, do I put him through this risk and pain from surgery and recovery? The doctors said, “regarding how long he has left, we don’t know what the future holds. BUT his eye is painful, and it has to be addressed. He has a chance where he could do could do well with surgery and he will definitely feel better after it.” And the ophthalmologist also added that even if he has two months or two days left, it is the best option to remove his eye to relieve him of this overwhelming pain.
After much thought, and prayers, we are moving forward with scheduling his surgery. He is at a high risk but to not do this for him would be more painful for him. Whatever time he has left, I want to give him the best outcome where he is not dealing with debilitating pain that prevents him from living life the best he can.
also, if you can, go to a specialty vet where they have an anesthesia team knowledgeable of your dog’s risks so that they can be there to modify and support your dog during anesthesia. This will increase the chances of your dog, who is at high risk, having the best outcome for his surgery.
I have a 25-year-old Pomeranian yes I said 25 years old he was blind in one eye I went to Seattle to visit my daughter for five days and when I got back, he is completely blind. He can make his way around the house because he knows it. He has what I call Frick Heimer’s. His name is Frick clearly at this point all he wants to do is eat I think he forgets that he already ate. I have a two year old boxer pitbull mix who tries very hard to take care of him. Anybody that has Anything let me know