My little dog has glaucoma , please help

[Sandy]

Our 14 year old little dog "Lucky " has glaucoma in one eye and has gone blind in that eye. He has very little site in his other eye because of cataracts. his earing is almost gone, but in saying this he eats great , sleeps on the bed with us and is quite perky . We love him so much. The opthalmoligst perscribed four different eye drops , he has been taking this for 6 weeks. The vet said his eye will get worse .He gave us several options . The one he most advised the removal of the eye. My husband and I are at a loss of what to do . We are worried he will be in permanent pain after the eye is removed . We are worried the surgery will be to much for him .Has any one had this experience . Please help

[Mary Plummer]

Sandy, I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's glaucoma! I don't have any experience with it, but here's a link to the Merck Veterinary book on it:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index ... d=glaucoma

Please let us know what you decide to do. It sounds like he's a happy, secure dog, and it's just heartbreaking when something like this happens!

[k9Karen]

I wish I could advise you on the removal of the eye, but I have never had to deal with something like that. I wanted to offer my sympathy, and let you know that my Mickey lived for several years after he totally lost his hearing and had only minimal eyesight. I lost him just a few months ago - well into his 17th year. My only suggestion is to see if you can find someone whose dog had this surgery and see what they have to say. If you are at all uncomfortable with your vet's advice, a second opinion may ease your mind. There are also veterinary ophthomologists that you can consult. Do you have a vet school anywhere near you? I see you're in Florida - UF (Gainesville) has the only vet school here in sunny FL as far as I know. If you're in north FL, Auburn has an excellent vet school that may be closer. That would be a good place to start. If you live near any of the large cities - check the phone book for a veterinary ophthomologist.

[JMM]

A number of our clients have has a laser procedure done by an ophthalmologist with success. It couldn't hurt to purse another opinion by an ophtho.

[Sandy]

Hi to all ,
Thank you all for your help . We will get a second opinon . The opthalmoligst Lucky boy is seeing comes highly recommened . I will visit the merckvetmanual site tonight . Again thank you .
Sandy

[DeVon]

Hi to all ,
Thank you all for your help . We will get a second opinon . The opthalmoligst Lucky boy is seeing comes highly recommened . I will visit the merckvetmanual site tonight . Again thank you .
Sandy

Sandy, I would like to wish you the best of luck with your dog. I agree with everyone else in getting a second opinion. I would also like to share with you a little story about a client at the clinic where I worked. She has a wonderful chocolate lab who had glaucoma in both eyes, and eventually controlling it with medication was no longer effective. She did lose sight in both eyes, and the client opted to take her to K-State for removal of the eyes and replacement with prosthetic eyes. She was a younger dog than yours at 7 years of age, but did very well, and is still going strong today. She still fetches the paper every day (she has a good idea where the paper boy tosses it into the fenced-in back yard), and plays catch with a toy that beeps when thrown. She also navigates her own home surroundings very well

[Sandy]

Thank You for the good news . This gives us new hope for our Lucky Boy .
Thank's again.
sandy