Cataracts - Help.. Now Pll Confirmed.

[Dogsfevr]

Thanks to everyone and a big thanks to Rappie.

Just got home and the lens has completely detached and luxated forward and is now in the anterior chamber, which is why it is now so visible. Vet couldn't even really see the pupil at all. She is now on hourly cortisone (prednisolone) drops and BID tablets and we have to go back tomorrow to see if it is helping. If it is not, we will discuss options then.

I will get a second opinion before deciding anything if it's not helping, but I'm almost sure I can see an improvement after only 2 doses. He said not to stay up all night to do the hourly drops, but I think it will be pretty close to it, just to ensure improvement.

Edit - I have no concerns about her being blind in one (or both) eyes as long as she is happy, although I'm sure I'll be on here asking questions about blind dogs if it gets to that stage. My concern was that she might be in pain (confirmed by vet tonight) and that is the condition that I will be treating/deciding on.

I had a dog with this & sadly with his other eye issues he was PTS.He was unable to deal with the pain & the whole change.

Our vet wanted to do surgery but it wasnt for him as he had to be separated for a few months from his kennel mate ,this alone would have finished him.They where 2 brothers who both where blind in one eye each,The one with the above complaint also had Glaucoma plus the detached lense.The 2 had become like twins .Both got around well using there good eye each & worked as a team.They learnt that if they stood together in the right combo they could see well & would go around,out of that combo & they had issues but when my boys len detached it was on his good eye .

Both where 12 yrs & had dealt with it well to this time.When i had the other at the vet to see what the issue was his brother was so distressed we had to take him so they could be together,They where given there wings together,

If he didnt have all the other issues in his case thing may well have been very different.

Hope all goes well for you its so hard in the oldies

Edited March 14, 2009 by settrlvr

[tramissa]

Thanks Settrlvr. I'm lucky in that, although she is not a good candidate for surgery (and separation during recovery is part of that), she is in fair health for an older dog and her comorbidities do not affect her quality of living at this current moment.

I just get petrified when anything new happens because it brings me that one step closer to the day I have to say goodbye and that is weighing heavier on me each time. I honestly thought this might be it, and I am so glad it is not. Although it is very difficult, I am trying to make decisions with only my head, not my heart, so that she will never suffer for a minute longer than is necessary. Hopefully that is some time off yet.

[tramissa]

I'm on cloud 9 atm! Vet actually muttered 'holy shit' when she was popped on the table and he could look at her eye, he was so surprised by how good it is looking. The lens is now sitting exactly where it should be, even though nothing is holding it there. I've been given instructions on tapering off the meds and signs to look out for that indicate another flare up, or a need to bring her in ASAP (and not to let the receptionists put me off if these signs happen) as well as instructions for how to use the meds if it does flare up. If I'm unsure of anything, I can bring her in, but otherwise her treatment is all home based for now

We may need to look at revisiting our options if the flare ups of inflammation happen often, but he is extremely happy and said it's the best resolved case he's seen to date.

[puggy_puggy]

Fantastic news.

I can't believe the receptionist didn't fit you in or send you somewhere else with the description you gave.

[tramissa]

Yup, I can't believe it either, and if I knew then what I know now, I'd have been more forceful. Thankfully it worked out okay.

[MolassesLass]

Fantastic news Tramissa!

[tramissa]

Thanks ML