Just to keep things short, my 5 year old shih tzu just went through an enucleation procedure last Wednesday due to an allergy flare-up that injured both his eyes and caused an infection. That infection led his right eye to prolapse and be removed. He got home this Saturday and everything seemed okay; he was adapting well to the loss of an eye. Although his left eye was still clouded, the vet assured us that it would pass within a couple of weeks. But this Sunday, despite the countless medicine and collyrium that we applied (under vet’s orders) and constant attention, his left eye started to look a lot like his right one right before the prolapse. We are taking him to the vet again this Monday, but I can’t help but overthink (and cry) about the fact that he might lose what little vision he has left. At this point, what can I do? Prepare for the worst-case scenario? Not to mention another two thousand dollar bill coming our way. Is there any way I can help with the recovery?
Double helping of experience here… I took in a chihuahua that was almost 11 years old and had one eye. Much to our surprise, her remaining eye was completely blind. We learned that keeping consistency was key—don’t move furniture and keep a routine. Also, it’s much better to have an eye removed than losing sight gradually. Your pup will adapt better this way. You might consider getting a halo harness, which can help him navigate without bumping into things.
Yes! A couple of my childhood dogs were blind. Consistency in schedule and environment really helps them learn to navigate. A blind dog can have an excellent quality of life if a person is willing to put in the effort!