Yesterday, Ray had another eye appointment. I hadn't been liking the look of his 'bad' eye; the one with the glaucoma, cataract, and detached retina, so we headed back to the doggy eye doctor.
"His eye pressure is up," said the doctor. "It's gone from 21 to 45."
"Can we try the other drops?" I asked.
"Sure," she replied, then laid out the other three options I have if the new drops don't work.
We have another appointment in three weeks to re-check his pressure.
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You can always call me anytime if you want to discuss any of this. Tonka and I have been down this road. Here is hoping the new drops work. Tonka and I are sending prayers and pawsitive thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAlice
Thanks for the offer and the good thoughts! Ray and Gregg and I are not really worried about anything except possibly the surgery (anesthesia). There is always the chance that something unpredictable could happen with that (whenever anesthesia is involved...) and it's not like we can do anything about it if it does. We have every confidence in our doctor and I like her matter-of-factness in discussing options. If Ray's pressure is still up in three weeks, surgery will take place on the day we bring him in.
DeleteOh, dear, I know you're worried. But I suppose the worst case scenario is that Ray ends up as Captain Ray, the blind pirate dog? I can def see Ray sporting an eyepatch... No doubt you've probably read everything out there concerning this; nevertheless, this article seems logically laid out and informative: http://www.animaleyecare.net/diseases/glaucoma.htm
ReplyDeleteArrrgggh matey! I like the sound of Cap'n Ray or maybe Red Ear the Pirate (kinda like Black Beard) or Ray LaFeet (he does have big paws) in the manner of Jean LaFitte. (I see a halloween costume in his future.) You're right about the worst case scenario. It's not like he is going to go blind or anything (been there, done that, got the white cane). As I responded to Tonka, we're worried more about the surgery itself.
DeleteAh crap. However, glad to see you're keeping your sense of humour! Just curious, would your vet perform enucleation on both eyes or just the one? My Hiker (blind since birth) only had troubles with one "eye" (using that term very loosely!) but had both removed. Kinda gross, but if you are interested, I could send you some photos of the "after" so you have an idea of what it looks like. I must admit, I wasn't quite prepared once the bandages came off. The ACD pack and I are keeping all of you in our thoughts and hoping for the best!
ReplyDeleteWell, we're not going with the enucleation option right off. That will happen only if the first option doesn't work (first option - gentocin injection). I'm curious as to why Hiker had both eyes removed. Were they expecting problems with the second one?
DeleteSince Hiker's eyes were undeveloped and therefore no vision, we decided that since she was having surgery to remove one, might as well remove both. Both eyes required drops twice daily (no big deal) for dryness and likely her other one would need removal at some point. Since there was no vision we opted to not have two surgeries. Her left eye was only about half developed and the right was about a quarter of an eyeball. I still chuckle to myself when people whisper, "Can I ask what happened to her eyes?" Why whisper?! Oh well, they are being polite!
Deletehahahaha. not about the eyes but about people whispering. It must be a natural human reaction to whisper when they think there's a tragedy involved. I get that with Ray sometimes when people find out he's blind.
DeleteAnd thanks for the offer of photos but I think I'll pass. I'm extremely squeamish and will deal with what I have to when I have to. Otherwise, Greggie will. He's good at bandages and gross stuff.
Sending an abundance of pawsitive thoughts winging across the Atlantic to Ray
ReplyDeleteAre you concerned in general about the op or for Ray in particular?
Just a general concern. Putting anyone under anesthesia (animal or human) is always tricky and can go wrong so easily. And some animals react so badly to it. So that's the worry. Still, if the drops work the surgery may not happen (although I got the impression from the Dr. that it's more likely than not). But she also said that the gentocin injection which will save the eye, was successful in 98% of cases. So here's hoping that Ray is not an overachiever and go for the 2% of cases where it doesn't work.
Deleteafter fizzie had her eye removed due to glaucoma we were advised it was more likely she would get it in the other eye too but we kept on with the eye drops and having it checked, I don't think she could see in the end but surgery on it did not happen. She looked like she was permanently winking at us. Fingers crossed for Ray, but he won't be worrying, he leaves all of that to you two !
ReplyDeleteYeah, you're right. Despite the fact that Ray has that hound dog sad face (except in his 'school picture' ) where he looks like he has all the cares of the world on his shoulders, he is, in fact, not the worrying type. I'm not either (until the day before, then I go into overdrive). So we will keep on carrying on until his re-check.
DeleteI understand your concern about anesthesia - I had all three of mine put under for dentals a few months ago, and I was really nervous - especially about Josey; she had a hard time shaking it off after her spaying, and she did this time, too. Nevertheless, it all ended up fine :)
ReplyDeleteYep. It's that dang anesthesia that is worrisome.
Deleteif it is any comfort I have had many animals operated on over the years including some quite elderly ones and all have recovered fine with no bad effects.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know, so have we.
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