Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara logo

Rita’s Eyes

Just a bit of background for those who haven’t followed this whole glaucoma saga with Rita . . For several months in late spring/early summer last year, I took Rita to our local vet telling him she was having problems with her eyes. He said it was allergies and told us to get OTC allergy eye drops. I took her back on several occasions and the last time I took her, which was the last time we used that vet, he really blew me off. The next day, I took her to another local vet because I could tell her eyes were bothering her way more than they should have been with allergies. He said he thought she had glaucoma but didn’t have the tool to measure the pressure in her eyes; told us no one in town could do it and the closest place we could have it done was Dallas or Austin. We scheduled an appointment with a pet ophthalmologist in Austin for that next week. That was early July. The vet in Austin confirmed that she did, in fact, have glaucoma. Her pressure should be 12 – 16 whatever measurements they use and hers was over 100. She had already lost most of her vision at that point.

We were left with two choices .. three if you include putting her down, which was not a real choice for us if we could keep her comfortable. We could use two drops several times per day to control the pressure/pain or we could have her eyes removed.

The thought of removing her eyes was more than I could handle. We went the drop route. The vet prescribed one drop twice a day and the second drop three times a day (two different meds). Then we found a vet in Abilene who was able to check her pressure so we’ve done monthly visits since July. The vet in Abilene has worked with me to show me signs (pupil size, partially closed lids, etc.) to watch for and to adjust the drops according to when we think she needs them. I’ve done pretty good with the drops until now.  I feel like she’s in pain and I’m not able to control it with the drops. The vets have told us that at some point, in some dogs, the drops stop working effectively.

I had held out hope that she wasn’t totally blind. Some days she would do things that had me swearing she could see. No longer. I don’t think she sees anything these days. Before, when I would tell the vet that I thought she could see some things, she said “I’m not going to say there isn’t some nerve in there that’s working but for all practical purposes, she’s a blind dog.”

So, I’m at the point where . . if she’s hurting, and if she’s totally blind, why keep the eyes? It breaks my heart to think about removing them . . I’m bawling as I’m trying to type this. I do not want her in pain.

The practical side of me says: If her eyes are worthless as far as seeing, and they’re causing her pain . . remove them. The “mama” side of me says NO!  I can’t remove my baby’s eyes!

I’m definitely struggling.

Costwise, it’s going to cost about $1,500 to remove her eyes. The meds, and the trip to Abilene once a month are about $100 per month so, cost isn’t really an issue because over a period of a little more than a year, it’s going to equal out to be about the same. There will be a few followup trips to Abilene post-surgery but once she’s given the all clear, we’ll only have to go back to the vet if there’s a problem, and for annual visits. The vet told me they take out all the glands, tear ducts, etc.; they put in “orbs” to keep the shape of the eye socket intact, and they sew the lids closed. They don’t have to leave any areas for draining because all the tear ducts, etc. are removed. It’s actually a fairly simple procedure – we take her home the same day.

I don’t want to be the adult today!  🙁

Next week I take her back to the vet in Abilene. I’m trying to prepare myself but all I’m doing is crying every time I think about it. You would have thought that having had almost a whole year to deal with this and know it’s a real possibility . . I’d be better mentally prepared . . but I am not!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. So very, very sorry to read this……I can only imagine how had this decision is. Thinking of you, Vince and Rita. HUGS

  2. So not an easy decision. It took me several months to finally make the decision to have Little Latte’s eye removed. I knew it was painful as when I’d wipe tears from her eye she would yip. She was only 4 when she went blind. Hugs for you both. If she is in pain now she will be a much happier pup after the surgery. The vet gave me pre filled syringes to give her sub Q for pain for 4 days. She had no clue what was going on.

  3. Aww, I know that’s hard on you. But I guess if you think about Rita no longer being in pain (and she already knows her way around), that might help a tad. But probably not. I think about the day I may have to put my old Fang down and it makes me so sad. He’s the only one to talk to here.

  4. I’m so sorry you have to go thru this. It is really hard , harder for us than our fur babies. Just keep thinking about the fact that you will be taking away her pain. If she can’t see, and her eyeballs are causing pain, take em out. You’re doing the best thing for her.

  5. Judy – look up Sunny Blue and Blind on FB…..these people have a pup that firts of all they had to decide whether to keep and then ended up deciding to have the eyes removed. They struggled with some of the same emotions you are.

  6. Oh Judy, I am so sorry to hear this. I was so hoping it would all work out. What a horrible decision to have to make. But if it is going to help her and keep her out of pain, we have to do what we can to make sure they are safe and healthy. I have always heard, if you don’t rearrange the furniture, the dogs do just fine. They know where things are and know what their limits are. I am not one to tell you what to do. You will have to decide that. I will be there for moral support and a shoulder to cry on. May God be with you and Vince and help you get through this. Love you my friend.

  9. I’m so sorry you are forced to make this decision. I can’t imagine, but, boy, I know now not to take eyesight for granted. Got a not great report at my retina check up yesterday. It sucks but could be worse so I’m dealing with it. Hugs for you and little Rita

  10. It is a hard decision but it sounds like Rita will be more comfortable and that’s what matters. Luckily dogs don’t feel sorry for themselves and will do just fine and then there won’t be any more worries about monitoring the pressure.

  11. Judy, we had a little cockapoo with glaucoma. One eye was worse than the other. We had the worst eye removed like you described. When the other eye became painful for her, the doctor was able to inject it with Botox rather than removing it. The eye was left in the socket, but she had no feeling or sight in it. She was a young dog and had juvenile glaucoma. She was able to get around the house fine as long as we did not move the furniture and adapted to her situation. We took her outside and stayed with her while she tended to business, but most of the time she stayed indoors. You might ask about the Botox injection and see if it is an option for Rita. It was much easier on our dog than the removal. You are doing the right thing in taking her to a specialist. I did not know they would remove both eyes at the same time. Prayers for you and little Rita.

    • The doctor said they’ve had limited success with the injections and he will go either route but we’ll check with them and talk to them before we make a final decision.

      Thanks for sharing your story.

  12. So sorry for poor Rita’s condition. You know you’ve done everything you can to save her eyes.

    We had a cocker spaniel, our wonderful pet Heidi, with glaucoma and had to have one of her eyes removed. She did fine. In fact, she was perkier after the surgery than before – I think she wan in so much pain and it was such a relief for her after the surgery. I think you would be making the right decision for Rita if you have her eyes removed. I bet shell do fine, just as our Heidi did.

  13. I’m so sorry you have to face this decision. You say you’ve had a long time to get used to the idea, but you’ve also had that time to think that things were OK as they are and build up resistance. God be with you.

  14. When your pets are family it is so hard t0 make these decisions. Peace be with you.

  15. I had to make the same choice for my cat, but as you said about putting her down, I really didn’t have a choice. I know it’s scary, but it’s really not that bad. It relieves the pain problem, she can’t see anyway, and it really won’t change her any. She just looks like her eyes are closed all the time. I really don’t think you will regret it. Best wishes.
    Karen

  17. I wish there was something I could say or do to help – you, Vince & Rita are in my thoughts and prayers.

  18. I cried when I read the story. What an awful decision. I am so glad that some of the folks here had similar things happen. I know it makes me feel better to know I am not alone….and the things the friends here posted seemed positive as far as the outcome, loss of pain and the way the doggies survived well after the operation. I will be sending you and Vince and Rita prayers for the best outcome.
    I am just so sorry to hear. Poor Rita. Her life has not been the easiest. I am guessing that from the way she wandered into your hearts/lives. I think she is a survivor and so are you. I know you will do the best thing for her. I am just so sorry. I am giving my dogs extra hugs tonight while I am praying for your family.

  19. Such a difficult decision but you’ve taken such good care of Rita I know you will do what’s best for her. I am so sorry Judy for you & Rita. Keeping you in my prayers & sending hugs!

  22. It breaks my heart when pets hurt. I’m sorry, Judy. Hang in there, you and Vince are so sweet and kind to Rita.

  23. so sorry for Rita and you. Such a hard decision to make but you’re such a loving mama, I’m sure you[‘ll make the right one. Best of luck to all of you. Please let us continue being a part of your journey.

  24. Judy, I’m so sorry it’s come to this. We adopted a kitten a few years ago that had one eye closed. When we took her to the eye specialist, we found that the eye had been punctured and was at risk of cancer if we left it in. We had it removed. Although it didn’t look to pretty at first, it healed beautifully and she is doing so well…and is no longer in pain. Ivy still has one eye, so isn’t completely blind like Rita, but the surgery is surprisingly simple and her recovery was quick, easy and seemed painless after the first day or two. We do the best we can for our pets and it sounds like the surgery is the best for Rita. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.

  25. Rita is blessed that you and Vince found her. You will make the right decision when you have to, ultimately it sounds like her pain level will be the deciding vote. Sending you all hugs and prayers.

  26. Oh boy. The decisions we as pet parents need to make are never easy.

    But, if you are relieving pain then it is a good decision.

    Prayers & good thoughts being sent your way.

  28. My friend just had cataract surgery urged you and he has glaucoma. While they were in there they placed a drain to allow the fluid buildup to drain off. Wonder why they couldn’t do that for a dog.

    • No one has mentioned that and we’ve seen three different specialists. Once they remove the eyes, some vets will put a drain tube but ours recommends removing all the tear ducts and glands and not having the tube because there’s always the risk of infection.

  29. Sending hugs for you and Rita & Vince, I can’t imagine having to make the choice for my ‘furbaby’.

Discover more from Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading