We continue to struggle with Rita’s eyes. I feel so inadequate as a pet owner. I mentioned already that the last time we went to the vet, the pressure in her eyes was too low. I thought the lower, the better but . . not so. It needs to stay 14 – 20 and it was down to 8, which they say is equally as painful as being too high. Her sight is gone so we’re not trying to save that . . just keep her comfortable.
Latanaprost is one of the drops we use and we had been using it three times a day. The vet told me to start using it once a day and continue the other drops, , three times a day. Without the Latanaprost, her eyes get cloudy and she will only open them halfway and I know they’re bothering her.
Rita
I don’t know if you can see it in the photo but this was taken this morning and her eyes are very cloudy. That’s after using the Latanaprost yesterday morning and not again til this morning. I’m going to try a cycle of using it every 18 hours and see what happens. I had asked the vet if it was ok if I experimented with the schedule a bit and he said that was fine.
It would be so much easier if I had the little tool for measuring the pressure, but it’s out of our price range. I could see what each change in the scheduled drops brings. The vet said I can drop in any time and get her eyes checked but it’s a 2 hour drive there and a 2 hour drive back.
I am definitely not comparing having a sick dog to a sick child but this has all made me realize how horrible it must be for parents to deal with a child having a serious illness, or even a spouse when the other is facing a horrible illness, and not be able to do anything and wonder if what you’re doing is right. So often the doctors give meds and they don’t appear to be working and all you can do is what the doctors say.
While I’ll forever be sorry Rita is blind, I keep thinking of how frustrating this would all be if I were trying to keep the pressure down, not only to keep her comfortable, but to save her eyesight. It seems like everything that matters to Rita is in my hands and I don’t feel like I’m doing a very good job.
Sherry Moran says
I think you’re doing a great job. It’s so hard, trying to know how to give them qualitu of Life and I think you and Vince are doing all you can. You’regiving her Love and safety. Hang in there, Judy, she knows she’s in good hands.
Cilla Tyler says
My Little Latte had glaucoma and was blind. It was very painful for her. Finally my vet asked “Why are you fighting to save her eyes when she cannot see anyway?”. So I had them both removed. She felt so much better afterwards. I did also. This was my 8 lb state champion agility Dachshund.
Jill In Ohio says
I think you are doing more than a few of my friends would even bother doing and it almost makes me afraid to count them as friends. You have gone above and beyond for this little girl. Trying to control something that is out of your control…. it is frustrating. But just focus on her and that you are paying attention to the signs from her and her eyes and doing everything within your power for her. You are a good person making the most of a bad situation!! Bless you!!!
montanaclarks says
You are doing a great job Judy but I also know how sad/frustrated you must be–Rita is so fortunate to have wandered into your lives!
donna says
Just think how much worse it would be for her if she was still living in the woods. She knows she’s loved and that’s what counts. Keep up the good work.
Karen says
I had a cat that had lost vision in both eyes and the vet recommended removing them to eliminate the likelihood of infection. The cat did very well and there were no more problems. It’s not a solution for everyone, but you wouldn’t have to worry about her being in pain anymore.
Jackie says
Your doing a great job and questioning this only reinforces that your doing a great job. Rita is blessed having you and Vince as dog parents.
Sara S says
I had the same thought as Donna, what if she were still living in the woods. She wouldn’t last long there, at least she is warm and loved. And she knows it! You are doing the best that you can, and that is all that any of us can do. We had a Labrador, who had diabetes for the last 3 years of her life. Managing her food and insulin shots was a challenge, but we did manage it. We can do no less, they are family members too. Hang in there!