Flirty came to us from a breeder at age 4 yrs 9 mo after having been diagnosed with Pigmentary Uveitis, also known as Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis.We researched the disease prior to adopting her knowing that it could result in blindness.
We have had great results with Diclofenac drops twice daily with opthamologist visits every six months. Pressures have been great up until this past July, 2013. Ten days after a routine pressure checkup, on a Saturday (of course) she developed secondary glaucoma flare-up in her right eye. Just as we have heard and read, it comes on quite suddenly.
We chose to have that eye removed. You all know how awful it is to see them that first few days, right?! I felt so bad for her. The surgeon reassured us that she would be doing so much better by the third day but Flirty wasn’t. She wouldn’t eat or drink. I decided to remove the e-collar to see if that would make a difference and it was as if she was a new dog. Immediately. I was so relieved!
She healed quickly and really had so much more spunk than she had had in months so we think that eye had been bothering her for a while. She just had her two-month post surgery checkup and her remaining eye was fine but at the advice of the opthamologist we decided to be proactive and added more drops to the regime.
Three days later I came home to find her eye really red and just not looking right. As of today, we are aggressively treating that eye with hopes of saving it, at least for a while longer. Of course we want her to be comfortable and to have some vision (and give me a chance to build back up my savings account in case we need another enucleation).
Currently she is on the following drops: Diclofenac, Pred, Dorzolamide/Timol (Cosopt) and Xalatan.
Thank you for letting me share her story! She really is a sweetheart, a true example of the gentleness of the breed.
Paula says
We’ve had a few owners on this site that have had trouble with the e-collars. I think they are more trouble than they are worth in many cases. Dogs hate them.
When my dog came out of the vet, she wasn’t wearing anything and the vet never mentioned it. I think he realized that they aren’t always needed.
Of course, it will depend on the dog but I think vets should tell owners that if the collar isn’t working to remove it but keep a good eye on the dog to ensure it doesn’t do itself any damage.
Mary says
An update to this story: Flirty had her second eye removed on Tuesday 10/1/13. We really worked at saving it to no avail. I came home from work and she was completely blind in that eye so we chose to have it removed and get her out of pain. I am so upset and feel so bad for her but I know she will be fine in a few days. She is taking it all in stride.
Paula says
Thanks for the update Mary. Looks like Flirty is coping well. She sounds like a real sweety. It’s amazing how well these blind dogs cope with it all so she will be fine.