OK, my LAB is 9 years old and just was diagnosed 2 months ago with diabetes. In the past two weeks, she has gone totally blind in both eyes. We can’t get her numbers below 350 and are up to 28 units of insulin twice a day….we go back next week to see if this works.
Now, here is the latest. The vet just called ( by the way she is great ) and said that the pressure is so great in her eyes and that the drops given to her and the anti-inflammatory are only a temporary fix for something that won’t get better. She says that the most humane thing to do would be to remove both eyes. I just don’t know if I can do that. Her eyes now look like giant pearls ( no pupils anymore ) and I realize she can’t see but I just don’t know if I can remove both eyes, especially since we can’t seem to get her numbers regulated for the diabetes.
She is a great dog and I don’t want her to suffer…..I just don’t know what to do…..
If the vet has said that the ‘pressure is so great’ then that will mean that your dog is in a lot of pain. Your dog may not show it, but she will be suffering.
I know this is a difficult decision and I can’t tell you what to do, but all I can say is that if it were my dog, I would be wanting that operation done today. I wouldn’t want my dog to suffer.
My 11year old pekingnese Popeye had a double eye removal about 2 months ago,he was diagnosed with glaucoma and his vet said he was in bad pain like he had a migraine always. Since his surgery he is so much better and active he bumps into things sometimes but other than that he is back to his normal perky self!
Pressure in the eyes is very painful. My little Papillion had a rare eye disease and we had to remove both her eyes. It hurts your soul to have to do that. But let me tell you, she “sees” better than we do! Even with no eyes! She is the pack leader! It takes a bit of time, but they adjust amazingly well. She has been without eyes for just over a year. At first their brain has to adjust to the lack of input. That is a bit hard to figure what to do for them. But patience and verbal guidance is key. The surgery itself is difficult to see on your baby. But just be kind to yourself, grieve the change but move forward. Having the pain gone is worth it to your baby! Dogs with no eyes are AWSOME! You never would wish it, but if faced with it. Do it. You will want your dog to know up, down, stop, and we say careful when it’s iffy and she understands to change what she is doing. We knew she was going to loose her eyes so we got her a companion dog. The companion has a tiny cat bell on her collar so the the one with no eyes can hear where she is. Interestingly the sighted dog relies more on the blind dog than the blind dog relies on the sighted dog. When the sighted dog can’t find a toy we say tell the blind dog to show the sighted dog where the toy is. She takes her right to it. The blind dog can’t play fetch very well but she tries! Weird because she knows right where the lost toys are!
I tell you all this because I know how you feel. How can I take the eyes when they are already going through so much! Our dog with no eyes has had a multitude of problems! But, as heart wrenching as it is. Your dog will adjust, will be better off. Maybe the stress from the severe pain in her eyes is affecting the blood sugar? Stress affects people’s blood sugar. Have you ever had eye pain? It causes great stress. You will make the best decision you can. But let me assure you, eye removal is worth considering. I will never heal from having to make such a hard choice, but my lil dog….she has healed and moved on! It takes my breath away sometimes to watch her and think of all she has overcome, how amazing she is! We did not have the false eyes made, I do not regret that. Seeing her with no eyes keeps me humble. Reminds me how wonderful she is!
Hope this is helpful!
My Mazy had both of her eyes removed before her first birthday. She is a very happy healthy dog at 3 1/2 years old. She is no longer in pain. She plays and cuddles.
I would not hesitate to have my dog’s eyes removed if I was ever in the situation again. Hope this gives you some comfort.
Paula is right; glaucoma isn’t painful in humans, but it’s very painful in dogs, so do your dog a favor and have the eyes enucleated as quickly as possible. I don’t see how this has anything to do with her uncontrolled diabetes, unless you’re worried about the surgery affecting that. Otherwise, schedule the surgery ASAP – your dog’s in pain, which I’m sure you don’t want to go on a minute longer than it has to. Mine’s done just fine with both eyes enucleated, and yours will, too.
I have a jack Russell, when she was 3 she had both eyes removed because of glaucoma. elly is 8 now and she copes really well, I taught her “step” for going up and down curbs, I think they adapt better then we do, her smell and hearing gets better to, elly can smell and hear another dog before I see it. My vet told me that elly was in a lot of pain and I had to make a decision there an then as they scheduled surgery the next day, broke my heart when I picked her up. because elly is rough coated people don’t realise shes blind until they get closer and think shes amazing but then so do I. We love em don’t we. good luck