I have a 10 1/2 year old female black lab who has been diagnosed with an eye tumor. The vet says that the eye has to come out. Of course he also said that there is the possablilty that the tumor would not grow any more than it has. Of course it could grow further and expand the cancer beyond the eye. We noticed the spot about 18 months ago and the size of the spot has increased about 50% since then to about 3/16 of an inch square, just below the iris of her right eye. I don't want to take the eye if her quality of life is going to diminish markedly. She'll be 11 in december and is in otherwise good health except for the normal lab ailments associated with that age, i.e. small benien grouths here and there and getting a bit creaky in the joints. I've had labs for years and accept this as a normal process of ageing. She may only have a few years left anyway and I hate to deprive her of half her sight if she would not be happy, but I would reluctantly do it if she would accept it.
2007-05-04 12:56:17 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sometimes we've had to take both eyes out. Even blind dogs compensate beautifully.
2007-05-04 13:09:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most dogs actually do just fine with only one eye- it really shouldnt affect her quality of life negatively, she may take a little time to get used to it though. I have a dog that has lost sight in her left eye completely- she took a little time to adjust- but she is perfectly happy- occasionally bumping into things now and again- nothing major.- The recovery from enucleation(eye removal) is painful for a couple of weeks- but it should be manageable with medication. My suggestion would be to contact an opthamologist that specializes in dogs before you do the surgery- just so you know that you have covered all your bases. You may have done this already- your vet should know of one that you can talk to- or you can ask that your vet consult with the opthamologist to ensure that that is your best option. I have seen many dogs have the procedure for many different reasons- and all of them have done unbelievably well. She will need a lot of tlc for a couple of weeks- but they bounce back a lot quicker than we do- they dont feel sorry for themselves. Just do what you think is best for her and it certainly doesnt hurt to get all of the information you possibly can before hand. Good luck, and I hope everything works out for the best. I hope she does great no matter what you decide.
2007-05-04 14:06:54 · answer #2 · answered by vettech 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
do not wait til Tuesday, that is a recommendations too lengthy or maybe perchance volatile to attend til then. feels like the position you took her is the position you frequently take her, so why the precedence now? the unlucky mission develop into the motorcar hitting her contained in the first position...Now truly are you gonna let her struggle through til Tuesday and discover out she nonetheless needs that damaged eye bumped off? Wasn't getting hit with the help of the motorcar undesirable adequate? no matter if it will be kept, if the efforts to keep do not commence til Tuesday, nicely then, gee that purely seems incorrect to me... Do the right mission and let your vet do what needs to be performed and let her commence to heal once achievable.. feels like a good Vet to go back in on a visit and help your dogs, at the same time as the only you do not in many circumstances use besides isn't accessible til Tuesday..hummmm...
2016-11-25 02:55:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be in the best interest for the dog to remove the eye. I'm sure that it if it has grown 50% from what it was it will continue to grow. I'm sure that it would be uncomfortable to have a tumor pressing on the eye also. Dogs are pretty resilient to changes. I've heard of dogs loosing limbs and get up a week later and be totally normal. If her seeing is fine in the one eye that doesn't have a tumor she will see just fine. I've even seen dogs myself that are blind but they know how to manuvor their way around the house just fine. Her quality of life should be normal after her eye is removed, who knows she might even feel better and be happier.
2007-05-04 13:04:00 · answer #4 · answered by Alicia G 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I know one person who had to remove both eyes (had to due with pressure causing pain) the dog was already blind and was adjusting well, they chose to remove the eyes rather than letting her suffer, and not she does not regret as the dog still has qulaity life despite being blind, you dog will still be sighted, dog don't think in terms of handicaps like we do.
A lot of dogs undergo leg amputation and are up moving around in a couple days, and even learn to run and play again within weeks, they tend to adjust much faster to their handicaps than humans because they do not sit around trying to reason what they cannot accomplish they just go ahead and try
2007-05-04 13:12:15 · answer #5 · answered by OntarioGreys 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From your description I would go the safe route and have the eye removed. It will not affect the dog to and great extent and the dog will adapt to it. I've had dogs that lost and eye and you'd never know. Dogs do not know that they should have two eyes so to them it doesn't matter.
2007-05-04 13:01:46 · answer #6 · answered by DaveSFV 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i have not had this done to a dog, but have on a cat. i also worried about if i was doing the right thing. he seemed to do much better after his surgery. i would have it done. the poor dog probably can't see out of it anyway & i'm sure it causes her pain. she will still love you the same & will probably feel much better.
2007-05-04 13:26:02 · answer #7 · answered by rblankenship_rblankenship 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heck yeah. Dog didn't care at all and the infection could have killed it. You know dogs; they just want to be with you and play with you and be part of your pack.
2007-05-04 12:59:41 · answer #8 · answered by elcid812 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dogs get along just FINE w/one eye or 3 legs or no nuts,etc.
They don't NOTICE & ***CAN'T*** CARE!!!
F'r krissakes...they're DOGS!!
If you just want excuse to kill it,it's your dog. But having an eye removed is NOTHING!
2007-05-04 13:08:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋