Has anyone had a dog who has had to have an eye removed? How did the dog cope? Did a specialist do the op or your own vet? Were there any complications?
What was the cost? 
Be grateful for any info.

Yes. The cornea ruptured due to the fact that she had repetitative corneal ulcers which weakened it.  She also had a graft on her other eye giving her peripheral vision but she coped well around the house and garden.  

It was removed by my own vet.  Unfortunately I cannot remember the cost as it was some years ago.

I hope your dog recovers well.

My sisters Boxer had one eye removed as a pup (damadged beyond repair from a cat scratch). I think she was about 10weeks old at the time.
If I remember rightly it was an eye specialist that did the OP (at her vets) and it cost around £900.

She healed up great with no problems and copes brilliantly with it. The only thing is, she is nervous of other dogs (after being attacked on-lead) so is a little defensive if dogs come up to her closely on her blind side, eg. when she first met my dog, he poked her int he head on her blind side (his way of trying to instigate play), she wasn't impressed so growled at him, but I don't blame her!
Apart form that I can't see that she behaves any differently. She loves to play-fight with me and has no problem with me grabbing her face on her blind side when we are 'fighting', she also has no problem with me stroking her on her blind-side (including the bit where the eye should be).

It's very sweet to see her 'peek' around a door - she only needs to pop just enough of her face around for the one eye to see :)

ETA, the op was about 4 years ago.

The BC next door (rescue, had been dumped in the New Forest covered in petrol ..... ) had to have her eye removed about 2 years ago (genetic problem, I think). She recovered very quickly and manages fine with just one eye :) :)

I had a bitch that had her eye removed when she was around 8 years old.  She injured her eye and it caused glaucoma.  An eye specialist checked that it was glaucoma and my own vet did the operation.  After the operation I found it hard to look at the wound but it healed well.  After the operation she still enjoyed life and coped very well with the one eye.  Sorry I dont remember how much it cost. 

Hi WolfieStruppi

I've owned 3 one eyed dogs over the years.  :-)

Although it's natural to feel protective (I had a Toy Poodle attacked by a GSD) I take the dog out fairly soon after surgery.  It was something that I overheard, about a cat being fearful after losing an eye, that decided me really. 

I took my Poodle out to car boot sales and markets, just because I knew that she would have to walk past loads of people.  She had been trained to walk to heel, I just found that she felt more comfortable walking with her seeing eye next to me.  I had thought that she wouldn't want her stitched side in the open, and exposed.  But I let her choose.

Because I didn't make a big deal of it, neither did she.  It was difficult, because all I wanted to do was love her and protect her, but that would have done her no favours.   I had a dog with PRA that had an eye removed back in the 70's.

And I currently have a one eyed Long Coat Chihuahua bitch.  Total accident.  She was racing with big dogs, and ran underneath one.  A big paw came down on her head, and the eye flew out.  I bundled her in a bath towel, and jumped in the car, racing to the veterinary hospital.  I never want to see the back of an eye again!  But she has no problems with me stroking her on that side, and it doesn't stop her playing and acting daft.

That was around 3-4 years ago, and I think I paid around £600, but can't remember exactly.  All of my eye removals have been done at my own vets, but different surgeons each time.  No problems, no infections, and healed very well.  With my last one, I was asked if I wanted the eye "saved" but I refused.  Leaving an eye in that can't see is just for cosmetic reasons, and there is always the chance of infection, when they would have to re-operate to remove it anyway. 

A large veterinary practise should have vets experienced in eye removal, as it is so common in cats due to road accidents.  So go for your own vet if you trust him.  And I can say that the dog will cope very well, so don't worry.

Jean

> A big paw came down on her head, and the eye flew out

:-o That must have been horrific!

Thanks for all the replies folks, it's reassuring to know that the dogs cope well.

Is everthing ok WS? Not spoken to you in ages xx

Not bad thanks all things considered, will you be going Sunday? Look forward to meeting Nala.

Apologies for being thick, whats happening sunday?

ETA: I should be at ringcraft on wed - our first one as well...

My Scarlet had to have both of her eyes removed due to having Glaucoma. That was 9 months ago that the second was removed, she lost the first about three years ago. The surgery was performed on both occasions by the local vet not the specialist. There was about two weeks when it was not pretty and the second eye wept a bit but it heals well. We did not opt for a prosthesis or anything and after the first eye removal she coped beautifully. This have obviously been very different since her total blindness. By default I have become something of an expert so if I can help please feel free to email me . Good luck.

Thanks SueR, Scarlet sounds an amazing dog. It's incredible how dogs just accept their lot.

Suejaw, will remind you Wed, Buddy's mum will be buying the drinks!

I could really do with some support, my dog is at the moment having both eyes removed due to sudden onset glaucoma in both eyes less than 24hrs after diagnosis, so haven't really come to terms with what's happening. They have confirmed she is blind so after weighing up the pro's & cons of keeping both eyes & 4 hourly drops to keep the pressure down, we have opted for the eyes removed to avoid any trauma & will know that she will never have to go through that paid again if the pressure goes up. But it is so hard

Remember that you're suffering far more than she is now; once the pain from her eyes has gone she'll be very much happier. Her sight has already gone, so losing her eyes really won't affect her adversely in any way. I know a little dog who's lost both his eyes and he's remarkable - to look at his behaviour you honestly wouldn't think he couldn't see, and he's so very much happier and perkier than when he still had his hurting eyes. I do understand the anguish you're going through, but you've made the right decision - in a few weeks you'll be amazed. Be kind to yourself.

Although never having experienced it but having owned a breed that lives under the threat of this condition my heart goes out to you. 
If she was going to be blind anyway I feel you have made the right choice in having any source of future pain removed. 
I understand it is an operation that they recover well from and many dogs cope extremely well relying on their other senses although a lot of that is down to their general confidence I believe so I am sure you will be able to play your part in encouragement and I wish you both well.

I think there is a book out there called something like 'Living with a blind dog'.  The reason I remember it is because I remember one of the tips which was to make a frill of cable ties around the dogs collar and then apparently it learned to use them as 'feelers' when going through doors etc.

In many ways dogs are much luckier than humans - they can't remember what it feels like to be young and they also quickly forget what it was to see or hear.  I think as long as things are kept calm and the dog is happy, then having its eyes removed will only improve its life as it will take away any pain and the need for medication.   I think there's no reason to particularly pity a blind or deaf dog - but if I had a dog that lost its sense of smell I would probably have it pts.  Fortunately dogs seem to keep or even improve their sense of smell with old age.

There is a truly wonderful film on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXdxwnmg8xA of a border collie which was born with no eyes.  It's romping around with several dogs, and when a person throws a toy, the collie usually gets there first.

Best of luck - I am sure you will be amazed at just how quickly your dog bounces back.

Just want to offer you my support. Good luck.

What a wonderful video of Riddle, brings tears to your eyes he is such a happy dog and unless we had been told he was born without eyes it would be hard to tell.
Fingers crossed the surgery goes well.
Aileen

It has been almost a year since my Welsh Springer had both eyes removed due to Glaucoma. The first she lost in April 2008 and we kept the second going till eventually the drops failed to keep the pressure down and she lost the sight last August. We opted to have the second eye removed as the pressure was causing her immense pain. The recovery went well. It was about 10 days still the stitches were removed. I do not know how old your dog is. Scarlet slowly learnt to map the house and garden and we used scent and polystyrene pipe insulations to cushion corners and door as she bumped her way around. We taught her up and down for steps and her nose and ears help her. When you start walking again talk all the time and try to go on the same walks, I am sure Scarlet knows where she is. If you wish to let me have your phone number I will happily call you annd tell you more of my experience.

Oh you horror Ive got a BC and im in floods, Riddle is a gem all the fun and enjoyment - no eyes who cares. Now give me a tissue someone - oh dear. 

Anyway, you have made the right decision I agree with JeanGenie they will adapt and no more pain - dont be so hard on yourself!!

HUG!!!!!!!!!

My one boston Junior had his eye removed due to a squabble with our big dog we had (sadly he passed away due to old age), Junior was 4yrs at the time. Think that cost about $500- he's now 11 1/2yrs old. My vet did the surgery.
Tiva my other boston just had her eye removed in Oct she was 12yrs old- due to glacoma and the eye burst on us. A different vet since we just ran her in- she just turned 13yrs in June. Think the cost now was $1200. Did jump a fair bit from awhile back.

Both dogs coped good and wouldn't even no it they have lost an eye. When we 1st got Junior home he walked back and forth for a bit prob couldn't figure out why he couldn't see on the other side. But he was back to himself in a day or two hyper as all.

Tiva did have problems for the 1st couple days of poo just sliding out of her bum when she was laying there, but I put it down to all the meds- now she is pretty much deaf and blind- she's going a lil senile- so as long as everything stays the same she's still enjoying life.

:-)

Reading some of the post here about having both eye's removed. I was toying with that with Tiva. I was told her other eye does have severe cateracts and now I pretty much no she is blind in it. She doesn't seem to be in any pain cause she still eats, plays a bit and doesn't rub her eye like she did with the other eye, plus sleeps a little more now. She being 13yrs old I don't think we will remove the other eye and if she does get worse think we would just pts (even though she pretty much is blind)- as hard as that is to say I no she's pretty old. If she was def alot younger I would go for that option.

Just want to say you can tell you love your dogs very much and alot of people wouldn't go down that road :-)

Thank you all so much. It has been such a roller coaster over the past few days. I got a call from the vet to say she was going into theatre to have both eyes removed, but then 30 mins later got a call to say on her way she'd negotiated a step so had taken her back in & found she did have some sight in one eye but they couldn't tell how much & did I want to go ahead with the removal of both eyes..I was in such turmoil, but they sort of guided me into just having one removed for now & have a while to look at the options
I'm giving her drops to try & keep the pressure down, but that isn't a forever option, they have talked about laser but that the success rate isn't that good so I know she will probably end up having the other eye removed as well, but hopefully the gradual change will make it easier for her. She only turned 5 at the end of July so still has a long happy life to look forward to. Meadow is still Meadow & will always be loved
The other dogs have been fabulous with her, my own vet bought me a copy of "Living with blind dogs" & I bought some falconry bells in different tones to go on the other dogs' collars
She came home on Friday & has humbled me how much she has coped. She has navigated round with no problem both inside & out & even managed to open the dog gate walk into the dogs room pick her way through them lying on the floor to drink out of their water bowl rather than the one right next to her in the front room...such a little thing but I was sooo happy!

So pleased that you are having a positive outcome. Don't they humble us.

Big lump in throat for your brave girl--it must be hard for you but it will get better when you see how quickly she learns to cope--hugs all round xxx

That is great news. The pressure in the eye does fluctuate and my Scarlet became blind and then regained her sight in total three times. Often the removal of one eye can prolong the site in other. There is I understand a school of thought that the pressure travels down the optic nerve and can affect the remaining sighted eye. So after we had Scarlets first eye enucleated in April 2008 it was not till August 2011 that the second became fully affected. We had to administer many eye drops during that period. Scarlets situation was aggravated by her having floating cysts and uveitus so she was also not a good candidate for laser surgery ( you very quickly become an expert on Glaucoma ). My best to you at this stage. I hope it will be a long time, if ever that the second eye is affected and by then you too will be prepared.

Just re read my post. I did of course mean 2010 that she lost the sight in her second eye. It has been nearly a year.

I to had drops for Tiva to keep the pressure down- but they also caused ulcers with to much use- with one day she ended up with a huge ulcer that started to spread (had a vet appt) but her eye ended up popping.

Glad to hear ur furkid is doing better- all the best :-)

Meadow had her first post op check up with the eye specialist & she is so pleased with her. Her pressure was 10 so we know the drops are keeping it down, as they were 73 & 62 when she was admitted & they couldn't get over how she didn't show any pain with pressure that high!!. The optic nerve is damaged in the remaining eye & she has no peripheral vision but she can see something which is a bonus considering this time last week we were prepared for her to lose both eyes. She'd lost over 10kg but is eating a little better now she's home & has put on 1.6kg since Friday so will soon regain it all I'm sure. I took her for an outing today & she negotiated everything just fine & met a couple of dogs & wasn't at all nervous - I was worried that she couldn't see body language & freak a little but she's her old rock steady self on that score :-) Think having the other 3 at home help her with that.. :-D

I have a wondrful little working cocker comes to my training classes, she lost an eye due to an infection. last week she passed her KC silver! she copes well. we just have to keep reminding ourself that she has only one eye when positioning her for recall when dogs are near her. so she doesnt scare.

Well it's been a roller coaster couple of weeks since the first eye removal. Unfortunately, despite the drops keeping the pressure down, my girl lost the sight forever in her 2nd eye just 10 days later. Then as if she hadn't been through enough, the day before her op to remove the 2nd eye, she took a tumble & became lame on her back leg. She was X-rayed during her op & found to have ruptured her cruciate ligament so went back 2 days later to have a TTA. I finally got her home yesterday evening & was greeted to a very waggy tail & lots of kisses which I had missed oh so very much

Aaahh poor girl being in the wars  - she deserves a big hug and lots of tlc which no doubt you'll provide! Best of luck with her recovery.

Poor lass, hurting her leg on top of everything else! I'm so glad she's home safely with you, and can start healing.