Hello everyone
First off, I’m so glad I have came across this site as I was looking for a community for blind dogs, as I really need help and recommendation trying to adjust to our new routine. I’m really struggling and that’s more so emotionally and mentally, accepting the fact that my sweet 11 year old ShihPooh has lost her eyesight.
Just a little background: she was diagnosed with Cataracts about two years ago and we have been doing eye drops once a day for a year. And since last year we started doing two eye drops a twice a day; however her cataracts didn’t stop progressing. It was progressing slowly in the beginning but ended up progressing really fast within the past few months and now we are at a point that she is a good candidate for Cataracts surgery, however I’m not sure what to decide.
In one ones I’d like her to see again, like she used to. On the other end, I’m not sure if I would be up for the post surgery risks. And my only concern basically is that I don’t know how she feels now that she can’t see. It really bothers me and I spend a lot of time crying over it, but I’m not sure if she is bothered by it as much as I am or she is more than ok with it and can adjust well to it.
I would appreciate any comment and recommendations you could send my way both of the surgery, should I or should I not do it, and also your experience if you have any on blind dogs and how they adjust to their new life style?
Thank you in advance 🙂
Hello,
We have an 11 year old Springer Spaniel who has been diagnosed with cataracts which are progressing quickly. Uma is still full of energy and joy so it is difficult to imagine her being sightless.
We planned to have cataract surgery on the bad eye, however the financial costs are too high for us.
Now our goal is to get moved into our new home so she can memorize the space and feel comfortable and confident.
Hello.
First of all, although I’m happy to find someone else in the same position as me, I don’t wish it upon anyone and I am very sorry for you and your pet. I have a 13 year old Blue Heeler who was diagnosed with diabetes a couple months ago. She began getting cataracts in both eyes and in the matter of the last 2 weeks, she is now”functionally blind”, as the dog eye doctor puts it. She is not taking to it very well, and is becoming very depressed. It is so hard to watch and manage, and I too find myself crying multiple times a day over it, trying to wrap my ahead around the decisions to come. We have taken her to the eye doctor and they say she is a candidate for surgery, but we have to get her insulin levels balanced first. We have another check up appointment set for a few months from now. Until then, I’m going crazy trying to figure out what to do and get a routine established. I would have never imagined this situation could be so difficult and emotionally draining. I just started a new job, but the expenses for diabetic materials and insulin are hard to manage alone, but the surgery is going to be almost impossible. If I’m able to save the funds, I want to get the surgery for her. I want nothing more right now than for my dog to be able to see again and be a normal, happy, excited, playful dog again. The time it took from her being able to see to completely blind was just so drastic, and left no time for prep or even gaining knowledge of what having a suddenly blind dog entails. It has been a very hard year so far, and I’m looking for and support our information/tips I can get. I hope everything for you and your dog works out for the best, and I appreciate your post.
Thank you,
Jess
Hello Jennifer,
I have an 8-year-old Maltipoo who currently has a cataract in one eye and glaucoma in the other. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to afford the full surgery costs, but thankfully, two years ago I decided to get him insurance just in case something like this ever happened.
It turns out the insurance will cover 70% of the cost, although they will only proceed with surgery on one eye. Sadly, we weren’t able to save one eye, but we’re hoping to save at least the other before it progresses and develops glaucoma as well.
If we didn’t have insurance, I would probably be looking at getting the surgery outside of California — or even outside the country — since veterinary care here is extremely expensive. Honestly, having insurance is what saved us from going into major debt.
I hope my story gives you some encouragement, and that your pup continues to live a happy, healthy life. Wishing you all the best and hoping you find a solution that works for you and your furry friend.
Take care,