Stormy Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 One of our boys has lost sight in one eye and may need to have it removed a bit further down the line. He's seen an ophthalmologist, it's not repairable and no tumours are present. Just looking for information as to whether it's worth putting in a Orbital Prosthesis or not - either way his eye would be sewn shut so not for cosmetics (we don't care how it will look) but wondering if the prosthesis offers any protection to his eye socket should he walk into something etc Would love to hear from anyone with experience or advice, thanks :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 My foster kitten "ahem" failure had his eye removed as a young kitten due to cat flu. His recovery and adaptation has been nothing short of extraordinary....he wrestles with the dogs and zooms around the house like the crazy cat he is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjrt Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I have known dozens of dogs through eye injury/disease who have eventually had the eye removed. In every single case the dogs has been so much better off and recovered perfectly. None I've ever known have had a prosthetic eye though. It all looks a bit awful at the time of surgery but once healed and the shaved area has grown in, they just look like their winking at you :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Thanks TSD & blinkblink - he's already walking into door and and walls - not the sharpest tool in the shed considering he's live here eight years so thought the prosthesis might help prevent him damaging his eye socket (or brain). Our preference would be for none as there's less chance of irritation / infection but not sure which is the best way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjrt Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 It's not something I would personally consider for my own dog (the prosthesis that is) unless it was very strongly advised as necessary by the vet. I'm not aware of any of the Pirates I've known injuring their socket or face post removal. I'm really interested to see if someone here has experience with the prosthetic now ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjrt Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Too be honest, as I'm sure you're aware, the health of the remaining eye would be my priority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 dogs don't seem to worry too much about losing an eye ..it is most often less painful than before :) As to a prosthetic - never heard of /seen it done . I doubt it would provide protection ... perhaps it would also CAUSE injury by damaging adjacent tissue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Thanks blinkblink - the vet hasn't advised it as necessary but we were just wondering as to what is the norm I guess. And yes, his remain eye is a priority as you mentioned - he'd need a crash helmet if he loses both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 a couple of suggestions ? do LOTS of practice with food ..access to pats & cuddles where he needs to really turn his head & use his good eye - so he gets used to doing that more .. also, consider a "halo" :) - or D I Y ;) click HERE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denali Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 was also going to suggest a halo Perse :) you beat me to it! I too feel the prosthetic is uneccessary. I doubt it would offer much protection. Maybe something to raise with your vet though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 We have a one eyed shihtzu who coped disarmingly well with losing her eye. She does get nervous on some new surfaces as her depth perception probably isn't that great now but a prosthetic wouldn't fix that. I wonder as well about the extra risks of adding what's essentially a cosmetic element to a major surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Thanks pers and denali - by the sounds of it no prosthesis is more common/the norm. Until now it's not even something I've ever thought about! I'm thinking we may have to train one of our other dogs as his seeing eye dog if he ever needs it :laugh: He's not in any pain but when/if that happens that's when the eye will come out (he has retinal detachment, so no infection/trauma/puncture etc). We wouldn't let him suffer :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) Steph M - apparently they can put a silicone/plastic ball into the socket when they remove it. The eyelids are still sewn shut so you don't see an "eye" so to speak it just fills in the orbital cavity. There was another procedure they mentioned where they scoop out the contents of the eyeball and then place a prosthetic eye inside so it looks like he has two normal eyes but we aren't doing that - unless he could look like Mad Eye Moody :D (joking - we're not even considering that option!) Edited June 30, 2015 by Stormy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I haven't seen it done but I understand your reasoning, having it there as protection for the socket. I would get your vets advice and go from there but I imagine he would be fine without it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Steph M - apparently they can put a silicone/plastic ball into the socket when they remove it. The eyelids are still sewn shut so you don't see an "eye" so to speak it just fills in the orbital cavity. That sounds to me as though the specialists have already thought of the protection issue. Hope all goes well when the op has to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) I work at an animal eye specialist and I wouldn't get the intra-ORBITAL prosthesis. There is really no point. It doesn't reduce pain and it has little cosmetic effect. Eye removal is quick and safe and the dog will recover quickly. The only thing I will suggest is that you ask for decent pain relief. We put all of ours on tramadol post-op, but many vets will just give a NSAID which really isn't enough. We do intra-OCULAR prosthetics, where you remove the inside contents of the eye and put the silicone prosthetic inside the eye. This procedure provides a cosmetic eye and is believed to be less painful because you don't cut the optic nerve. Edited June 30, 2015 by *kirty* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) Double post. Edited June 30, 2015 by *kirty* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Dame Aussie - Thanks, the Specialist was happy just to do the eye removal with no prosthetic, which is looking like the most likely atm. Though still keeping fingers crossed he can keep his eye even if it's not working (so long as it's not causing him issues like pain/discomfort etc) Thanks DDD :) *kirty* - Thanks, they did mention pain relief but not which type they use - I will check it out. I also wasn't aware that the intra-occular prosthetic option was less painful. Would you be able to give me an idea as to length of time pain relief is needed for either option? Is the pain factor greatly increased with the optical nerve being severed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Recovery time is shorter with an eye removal (10-14 days), because its really just skin that needs to heal. The intra-ocular prosthetic takes about 3 weeks to fully heal. There have been cases where dogs develop nerve pain after an eye removal but its rare. As long as the dog is on good pain killers, I think it's much of a muchness. We usually give tramadol the night of surgery, and then for about a week afterwards. Why does your dog need his eye removed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCresties Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Louis is another member of the pirate gang ;) His eye was removed after treatment for glaucoma stopped being effective after 18 months, removal was the best option in his case. I was amazed how well he recovered from the surgery and also how easily he has adapted. He can't catch treats like he used to as him aim is a bit off :laugh: but on the whole he does really well and has only bumped into a couple of things on his blind side. His interaction with the other dogs remains the same, and he still plays and wrestles with Poppy as before. All the best for your boy Stormy :) I took daily recovery photos after the removal if you are interested to see what it was like post surgery? Love my little pirate boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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