My Max has a cataract on both eyes and he is 99% blind - Please help

[Linda Bonnell]

Hi,

My name is Linda and I am a mommy to a male and female Yorkie (brother and sister). They will be 10 years old in January. They both have heart murmurs and the female has been on heart medicine for about 1 year. The male (Max) is pretty close to starting the heart medicine. I have them on an insurance plan that I pay for monthly and with their ailments several times a month, it helps somewhat. I am so sick right now. Max has a cataract on one eye (been there for about 6 months) and now within the last week has developed another one on the other eye. I have cried and cried because the surgery is not cheap and I have no funds to have the surgery done. He is almost blind now. And, he is so pitiful. He is running into everything, he's afraid to go outside and potty and he has to be led to his food and water bowl. He was a firecracker even with one cataract, but now all he does is lay on the floor or couch. I am crying just writing to you. He was so full of life and now he is lifeless. Can you please direct me to someone who might do the surgery even on one eye at a low cost? My husband is disabled and I take care of my mentally challenged and physically disabled sister who is in a wheelchair. I have taken care of her for more than 30 years now. I work but it takes everything I make along with two very minimal SS checks that my spouse and sister receive to even break even. I will do whatever you suggest I do. I will walk to the end of the earth if I could to find help for Max. I never had children and I have always had small dogs, Yorkies and Poms. Wondering how I could afford 2 Yorkies? My neighbor 10 years ago sold Max to me for almost nothing and 2 days later begged me to take the female because he had to get rid of them. I think he may have known both of them were not healthy then. That's beside the point, I love them more than life and I promise to do whatever it takes to get Max help.

Will you please guide me to someone that may be able to help? I live in Brandon, Florida, just outside of Tampa.

I thank you with all my heart.

Regards,
Linda Bonnell

[dottiesyrky]

So sorry to hear about poor Max's cataracts. It must be do sad to see him bumping into things or lying around. It is an expensive surgery I know, but I wonder why your insurance does not cover it? If not is there a local rescue who might help you with the cost? Praying you can find a solution and that your baby can get his sight back.

[yorkiemini]

Have you been to a doggie ophthalmologist (eye specialist)?
I am wondering if the doctor thought your dog could tolerate the surgery and that it would help that maybe with the doctors help you could ask your insurance company to cover it.

[Linda Bonnell]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

So sorry to hear about poor Max's cataracts. It must be do sad to see him bumping into things or lying around. It is an expensive surgery I know, but I wonder why your insurance does not cover it? If not is there a local rescue who might help you with the cost? Praying you can find a solution and that your baby can get his sight back.

Dear Dottie, Thank you so much for your response. I will definitely check into the insurance company assisting with this. Again, thank you for taking time to help me.

[gemy]

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/eme...vet-bills.html

This is a link to an article posted here in our library about some of the organizations that offer help for vet expenses.

I hope that you are able to find financial relief for your beloved Max.

[Nancy1999]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I agree with dottiesyrky the insurance should pay for a large part of this. Does Max have any of the symptoms of diabetes, for example, drinking lots of water? Diabetes can cause cataracts, and it would be important to diagnose and treat before it causes other things. Just wanted to tell you that I’ve read that other dogs do fairly well with little or no eyesight, their other senses take over. It’s probably best to not move things around and don’t have much clutter in the house. Sending prayers for you and your family.

[dottiesyrky]

When my dog had cataract surgery ( he was only just over a year, no diabetes, genetic) the insurance paid with no problem. I did the surgery as the dog was so young and the cataract immature.
I agree that often diabetes results in cataracts, but it just could be age or genetics. As your baby is ten years old the eye vet may not wish to put you and your dog through this procedure however. I, like Nancy have heard that dogs learn to live with little sight when they get used to it.
I do feel for you and pray that you are able to get the right treatment for Max.
Can you get a consult with the eye specialist and see what treatment he suggests, and then you will have a better idea of the costs?

[Linda Bonnell]

Originally Posted by gemy

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/eme...vet-bills.html

This is a link to an article posted here in our library about some of the organizations that offer help for vet expenses.

I hope that you are able to find financial relief for your beloved Max.

Dear Gemy,
Thank you ever so much for sending me this valuable information. I will contact each and every one of them until I find one that will help me. Gosh, how wonderful you are to do this for me. My sincere thanks to you for taking time to send this information. I will get back with you soon as to an update on Max and what I have accomplished.
Regards,
Linda

[Linda Bonnell]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I agree with dottiesyrky the insurance should pay for a large part of this. Does Max have any of the symptoms of diabetes, for example, drinking lots of water? Diabetes can cause cataracts, and it would be important to diagnose and treat before it causes other things. Just wanted to tell you that I’ve read that other dogs do fairly well with little or no eyesight, their other senses take over. It’s probably best to not move things around and don’t have much clutter in the house. Sending prayers for you and your family.

Dear Nancy,
Thank you for responding to my email regarding Max. I will check with the insurance company before week's end. The Vet has never indicated or said that Max has diabetes, and trust me, Max and his sister Meg are frequent visitors to the Vet. It seems like it is always something. But the cataracts are the last straw. I am so heart-broken seeing him lifeless, and I know it's because it can't see. I will be seeing his Vet this weekend. She has been out of town for Christmas. I will keep you updated as to how we are progressing. Again, thank you for your kind words and thoughts.
Regards,
Linda

[Linda Bonnell]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

When my dog had cataract surgery ( he was only just over a year, no diabetes, genetic) the insurance paid with no problem. I did the surgery as the dog was so young and the cataract immature.
I agree that often diabetes results in cataracts, but it just could be age or genetics. As your baby is ten years old the eye vet may not wish to put you and your dog through this procedure however. I, like Nancy have heard that dogs learn to live with little sight when they get used to it.
I do feel for you and pray that you are able to get the right treatment for Max.
Can you get a consult with the eye specialist and see what treatment he suggests, and then you will have a better idea of the costs?

Dear Dottie,
Thank you again for your kind thoughts and information. I have an appointment with Max's Vet this Saturday. She has been out of town for Christmas. We will see what she has to say regarding consulting with an eye specialist. She is not privy to the fact he has developed this second cataract on his other eye. This happened in the last 4 days. I will keep in touch with you as to my progress.

Again, thank you for your kindness.
Regards,
Linda

[Austins mommy]

My almost 12 yo chi has had cataracts for a while now. She can see shadows during the day so maybe 80% blind, but at night it is much worse. I try to leave lights on for her and when she goes potty at night, I use a powerful flashlight (even though I have lights on in the yard). She gets by reasonably well, has had a few close call with walls/furniture but manages to miss most stuff.
The surgery is out of the question for us. Just too expensive, no pet insurance. I do feel bad for her, but I also have heard the stories of how well animals can adapt.
Hope this makes you feel a little better.

[Linda Bonnell]

Originally Posted by Austins mommy

My almost 12 yo chi has had cataracts for a while now. She can see shadows during the day so maybe 80% blind, but at night it is much worse. I try to leave lights on for her and when she goes potty at night, I use a powerful flashlight (even though I have lights on in the yard). She gets by reasonably well, has had a few close call with walls/furniture but manages to miss most stuff.
The surgery is out of the question for us. Just too expensive, no pet insurance. I do feel bad for her, but I also have heard the stories of how well animals can adapt.
Hope this makes you feel a little better.

Dear Austins Mommy,
Thank you for your kind response. The Yorkie community has been so very thoughtful and responsive to my situation, including you. I have some major decisions to make regarding Max. He has an appointment Saturday with his Vet and we will go from there. I think the first thing is to see the specialist as to the severity, contact all the organizations that may be able to help and then make the decision. I agree with you about the fact he may be able to adapt. So, big decision for me. Of course, if I can find no help and the surgery is necessary, I'm in the same boat as you...no funds to do it with. So, like you, I'll have to help him adapt in anyway I can. I don't even want to think about that alternative.

Thank you again,
Regards,
Linda

[beachdog]

I am sorry you are going through this hard time. I hope you find some help for your pup. My Paris went blind in his last 2 years with me from Retinal Atrophy. I made a blog to show some of the things you can do to help a low-vision/blind dog. Paris had a full life even after his blindness, They do adjust way better than we do to the situation. Keep in touch. (Paris's blog is in my signature.)

[Wylie's Mom]

I'm so sorry your little guy is suffering and I hope he will feel better soon.

My concern is how you're describing him just 'laying around'. To me, that symptom points toward something other than his vision -- and I'd want a full blood panel done (incl testing for diabetes). Most dogs who lose their vision do freakishly well, so that's why I'm a bit worried that something else is going on with him along w/ the vision. If something else *is* wrong and it gets fixed, you may find afterward that he does really well w/ his vision loss. Of course, who knows, everything else may be perfectly fine and then you're right back where you are now.

My Wylie has a big cataract in 1 eye and now a new/smaller one in the other eye. A couple years ago we went to the Vet Ophthalmologist - that appt was $400. They do a really comprehensive eye exam (both eyes) that all takes around an hour or so; then they describe the options, one of which is surgery.

Please keep up posted .

[beachdog]

I agree. Lying around isn't a symptom of blindness. Unless the eyes are causing pain? You can have pressure and that would cause pain.