Need Opinions Please
 

This is never an easy topic for us to discuss but here goes.

Two months ago I posted about our little shih tzu (Cassie) being diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes and glaucoma in one eye. she got better for a while but has been going downhill at a rapid rate. We don't see the vet till this Saturday but I am fearful that we will need to have her pts.

She can only see shadows and her hearing is so bad now that she can't follow the sound of my voice. The eye with glaucoma is weepy and red. It just looks so painful and the other eye has a a bad cataract. It hurts me to look into what used to be her beautiful brown eyes.

Cassie is 12 and has been loosing weight too. I think she just doesn't want to put the energy into going to the food dish because she eats from my hand with no trouble. She is usually sleeping.

She startles easily even when I gently touch her to let her know I am there.

Here is the question. Do I want to see if they can remove the cataract in her left eye when they end up removing the right eye? How much do I want to put this sweet little thing through?

If you know me at all you know how hard I am taking this and how painful the whole thing is.

Poor baby. I think I would ask my vet this question. Maybe the vet can tell if it is best to get everything done at once or not. I know you are going through a lot. It is hard on us trying to make the right decisions for our furbabies. Good luck and keep us updated. I will keep Cassie in prayers.

Lou, I'm sorry to hear about Cassie. Their aging is one of the hardest things we have to deal with as a pet parent.

About her being easily startled - have you tried putting your fingers in front of her nose for a few seconds so she can smell you before you touch her? This might give her a little notice that you're near and she can expect your touch.

I definitely think you need to at least discuss it with your vet and see what the possibilities are. Even if he doesn't think this idea is good for Cassie, he may have other ideas that can help her (and you) adjust to the loss of hearing and sight.

No matter what you decide, I know you'll do the very best for Cassie just as you've always done. I wish I had better words of comfort for you my friend. I'm here if you need to talk.

Hugs,
Bonny

It is very hard to know when is the right time. Nikki is 17 or so and has cataracts in both eyes and can't see much at all. He spends most days sleeping only getting up to use the pads. Lately, he doesn't always come for his meals so I bring them to him in bed. I know he is not in any pain, if he were then I would have to discuss the best way to go with his vet. If Cassie can no longer enjoy life or is in pain that can't be stopped then I would have that talk with your vet. I know how terribly difficult this must be. Hugs

Thanks you guys. You always come through for me don't you.

I forgot to mention that I think she is also suffering from dementia. She seems so lost sometimes. She is starting to just sqwat and pee whereever she is. We have started carrying her ouside to theher favorite grassy area. If we don't she just stands in one spot.

Bonny, dh reminded me about her grief when Ivan had to be put down and how happy she would be to see him. Of course that made me cry but the two of them were like mother and son so they will both be elated. She has been mama to every puppy brought in to this house so I'm sure she will continue to keep that job.

Patti, I will make sure I let you know about the cataract issue. and BabyGirl, prayers are great especially YT prayers. Thanks.

I know that it is coming soon. I am not going to have the luxury of having her die in her sleep. Damn it all.

I am so sorry to hear, Lou, that Cassie is not doing well. It just breaks your heart, I know. I also have no advice other than to discuss things w her vet. You have taken such good care of her. I know you will do whatever is best for her. I will keep you and Cassie in my prayers.

I'm so sorry.

The best person to talk to is her doctor. They will be realistic with you about her quality of life. If the quality of life is thought to be good (or would be good after surgery), then sure, why not have it removed. Honestly, that does not sound like the case by your posts. She is near deaf, probably has dementia or incontinence or a serious bladder issue. She really just wants to sleep all day. And she gets scared so easily. Unless the vet felt that removing the cataract and restoring some vision would help with the other issues, then I would not do it.

Think of her 3 favorite things to do in life. Is she still able to do 2 of them?
Do you think she is happy to wake up in the morning and start her day?
Is she in any pain or discomfort?

These are things you can ask yourself before making any decisions.

I have tears in my eyes as I read this. I can tell that you have so much love in your heart for your furbaby. I am so sorry you are having to deal with this.

My heart broke reading your post. I needed to make sure that our little girl wasn't suffering, and I urged our vet to talk to me if that time ever came. She suffered from dementia the last year of her life, and she also had cataracts. Ashley's cataracts affected her sight, and my husband asked me to talk to our vet about surgery for her. She was almost seventeen, and our vet told me that I should just enjoy her. I understand it's different because Cassie is feeling pain. I wish that you didn't have to go through this and that I could help you more. Whatever decision you make, it will be because you love Cassie so much. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

If she has Glaucoma & her med is not working, then the pressure & pain from the Glaucoma can cause all symptoms you describe as it is Very Painful for them. My old girl had her eye removed due to the Glaucoma & immediately after she woke from surgery she was like a puppy again & before surgery she was doing the same as your baby. She enjoyed 3 more yrs of good quality life after her eye removal. She was blind in the other eye but she did not care as all she wanted was to get rid of the terrible pain from the glaucoma.

I had Ivan in the back of my mind when I was posting yesterday. Just know, when it is Cassie's time, he'll be there to greet her and watch over her. And Alexander is there to help Ivan with Cassie, too. She won't be scared or lonely with those boys looking after her.

If the vet thinks there's a possibilty to improve Cassie's vision and quality of life, please consider trying her on Anipryl. Alexander and Patti's Nikki both responded to it very well, with a noticeable improvement in their dementia. It's not the perfect cure-all for it, but it does help.

I think Ellie May brought up some very good points for you to consider. These decisions are so damned hard but we're all here for you if/when you need us.

Hugs,
Bonny

What about discussing with an eye specialist as far as the Cataract removel for the one eye. Regardless, I know how hard it is for you, and wish you both the best. Maxine is now 14 and has some cataracts growing and is losing her night vision...yes, it is hard.

Lou - I'm so sorry you're facing this difficult time. I was glad to see BonBon post bc she has had some experience with this in her fur family. Ellie May had some really helpful assessment questions too.

Please know I'm thinking of you, my friend.

Think of her 3 favorite things to do in life. Is she still able to do 2 of them?
1. Boss the other dogs around. No
2. Roll on toy to make it squeak. Yes, but she doesn't do it anymore
3. Get belly rubs. Yes!

Do you think she is happy to wake up in the morning and
start her day? - No
Is she in any pain or discomfort? - Yes



Sigh

Lou,
I'm so sorry that you are having to go thru this. While I can't say either way, just remember that this is the ultimate act of love for your baby. I hope that you will be able to come to a decistion that you will the right one for you.

Hugs.

so do you not think that most if not all of her trouble is from the pain & discomfort in her eye ? When my Gracie had glaucoma , she would not eat & was Not interested if life at all , not even broccoli which she lived for but when she had that darn broken eye removed she came rite home that day & started the I'm hungry dance in the middle of the kitchen floor just as soon as I put her down..
She had very little trouble finding her way around being totally blind & she still enjoyed play time in the living room floor with me & her romps in the back yard as long as she could smell where I was as she was also deaf. Not trying to talk you in or out of anything, just saying Be sure that the eye situation is not causing all of her troubles.

I am so sorry you are facing this with Cassie. Please know I will be thinking of you and Cassie. I will pray for your guidance through this tough situation and know whatever comes, you will will what is best for her.:hug:

You give me hope. We had to move her appointment with the vet to Monday so I still don't have any answers. I started crying today as I remembered how much she has always enjoyed me popping out at her from behind a doorway. She would just stand there with her tail wagging waiting for me to do it again. Then she would bark her head off. I actually did it this morning not thinking about it. How heartbreaking to see her just sitting there looking at nothing. She ran into the fence yesterday. She just took off after doing her business and ran right into it. Thank God she hadn't built up a lot of speed yet. I think her vision might clear a little from time to time because sometimes she can walk right to me but other times she heads off in the wrong direction. Poor little girl. I am going to do whatever I can to make sure her life stays good. You guys - thanks for your support. You know she has always been so shy and fearful away from home - I hate seeing her inseure in her own home. Mostly I hate seeing her fearful of the other dogs when she has been the alpha for so many years.Adie continues to be a little saint helping her wake up when it is time to go outside and herding her toward the door. She can be a bit rough but Cassie has gotten used to that since her hearing has been going for quite a while.
I'll let you know what Dr Jo says tomorrow. I wonder if she can remove the eye. She did a great job with Gracie's knee when her pins came loose and had to be removed.

When my first Yorkie, Laciebug was suffering with a brain disorder, I asked the "Is it time" question to my vet every time I went. I was always told, "Listen to Laciebug, she will tell you when it's time".

I am facing the same decision with Boo our 15 year old Boxer. I'm listening to her and she's saying she isn't ready. The day she looks in my direction (she is nearly blind) with her warm brown eyes and tells me that she just can't go on, I'll call Dr. Amy and ask for her to come out and do the deed. It is a day that is in the not too distant future, family members who love Boo are kept up to date, etc. We will have a quiet family celebration with Boo and we'll all be with her when she goes to sleep for that final time.

I really hope your appointment goes well tomorrow. Ashley's vision was affected by her cataracts, but I think she was more frustrated about getting in places with obstructions or corners that she couldn't make her way out of due to her dementia. Anipryl really helped her, and we also did our best to clear anything that she could walk into so that she was safe and also less frustrated. In spite of the dementia and vision problems, I believe she had a good quality of life and she was still very happy. My thoughts and prayers are with both of you.

My Gracie learned quickly to take corners slow. With cataracts, sometimes they can see shadows & light but not much else. The problem is the glaucoma as it causes so much pain that the dog gets very stressed over that pain & it can often appear as though the dog has dementia when they don't. If you have ever had severe constant pain then you know that it deff affects your WHOLE being. My vet told me when Gracie developed the glaucoma that it is one of the MOST painful things a dog can go through. I believe he was rite as she was back to her old happy self the very evening of her eye removal. To answer your question , Can your regular vet remove the eye ? Yes he/she can, it does not need to be a specialist for a removal only for treatment of certain conditions and it appears that your baby is past the point of any form of treatment helping her. Also I wanted to tell you that Gracie & I used to play peek-a-boo as well & that game continued after she was totally blind, I just made sure to make little noises so she always knew where I was. Gracie also continued to play with her stuffed toys but instead of throwing them I would get on the ground or put her on the couch & hold the toy & she would kill it while I held it for her so she would not loose it. I will continue to pray for you both.

My head is spinning. Accordig to the vet, Casey has to be in a lot of pain. Blood vessels have ruptured and the pressure is so bad and the damage so extensive that the eye simply can't be save. We suspected that. So Cassie, for now, is on heavy doses of pain meds. Her eye will be removed in about a week.

The cataract on her other eye has reached a stage where the vet doesn't hold out much hope of her being able to see if it is removed. She advised that it just wasn't worth what we would have to put in to it. She would only give me about a 10% chance that surgery would be successful and the eyesignt probably wouln't be that good even if the cateract was successfully removed. Evidently they do damage to the eye. I deidnt know that.

Cassie is in early stage heart failure but her lungs are great and the vet seems to think the surgery will go alright.

The vet tech has a blind cat and she gave me some tips on how to cope with it. I hope and pray that Cassie can learn to cope and not be afraid of the darkness around her. Bless her heart. She deserves a chance. We intend to give it to her.

I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks again for the support.
L

PS If you see a lot of typos blame Touhy. She is walking all over my keybord and I'm tired of going back and correcting her paw prints.

Hugs
L

Lou I am so sorry to hear of the difficulties Cassie is going through and the heartache her situation is causing you. I pray that her pain eases and whatever time she has left is filled with love and comfort, which I know she gets in abundance from you. Sending prayers for Cassie and hugs for you.

I'm sorry Cassie is hurting. You're both in my thoughts and prayers. Will the surgery be next week? Why the wait?

Hugs to you both,
Bonny

I'm just seeing this today and my heart just breaks for you. I know how much Cassie means to you and that she only want the very best for her. Poor little darling :( It's so very hard when they begin to fail, more so on us. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}} to you my friend. :hug:

Will be keeping Cassie and her surgery in our prayers. Sorry to hear she is in pain right now. :(

The biggest reason is the timing of my payday and the vet's schedule. We did get it scheduled for Monday morning. She is on heavy duty pain pills till then so she will be comfy and sleepy. I actually saw her eating this morning.

Thanks Jodi, I know you care. I wish I could get those hugs in person. I could have used them last night and will probably need them all day Monday!

Thanks Gidget and thanks everyon for the prayers and well wishes. YT prayers mean a lot to me. I'll keep y'all informed as best I can.

Lilly, I just wanted to tell you (and for everyone else):
The vet said the same thing you said about the dementia. Cassie could very well snap out of it once the pain is gone. As far as peeing like she did, Dr Jo said she probably just didn't care because she was so stressed out. We discussed her behavior and she said it doesn't sound like dementia to her but we will see. The pills she is on could also cause some urgency. I am hopeful that we will once again have our happy little fur ball.

DH took all of the dogs to the groomer this morning. Lisa, our groomer, cried when she saw Cassie's eyes and heard about the surgery. She loves that little sweetie almost as much as we do. Afterall she has been seeing her every six weeks for 12 years! I think I might have to the board before that she has,many times, offered to take her if we didn't want her anymore.

Aww it makes me cry just thinking about the pain your baby is going through as I remember like it were yesterday , when my poor Gracie was going through this & seeing how much pain she was in and it turned her from a happy little girl into a dog looking like she was just giving up on life & it literally happened over night. The diff after surgery was like night & day & I'm praying your baby will have the same great result that my Gracie had after surgery. Also Gracie was having accidents as well & from what I saw , I think her pain was just so intense that she just didn't care where she went.