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06-09-2011, 06:44 AM | #1 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: A little town south of Chicago
Posts: 4,525
| 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. |
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06-09-2011, 10:12 AM | #2 |
I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies
Posts: 18,980
| 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.
__________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace! |
06-09-2011, 10:38 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: With my yorkies
Posts: 10,350
| 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
__________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -- Author Unknown |
06-09-2011, 11:27 AM | #4 |
Donating YT 30K Club Member | 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
__________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html |
06-09-2011, 03:30 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: A little town south of Chicago
Posts: 4,525
| 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. |
06-09-2011, 03:37 PM | #6 |
Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA
Posts: 3,462
| 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.
__________________ Mommy to Gidget, Sidney & Cricket(RIP) |
06-09-2011, 03:53 PM | #7 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| 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.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
06-09-2011, 04:01 PM | #8 | |
I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies
Posts: 18,980
| Quote:
__________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace! | |
06-09-2011, 04:02 PM | #9 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 5,891
| 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.
__________________ Lisa and Katie Ashley 6/10, Gracie 2/04, Kiwi 10/03, and Jolie 7/93 . |
06-10-2011, 12:16 AM | #10 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,544
| 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. |
06-10-2011, 03:45 AM | #11 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: With my yorkies
Posts: 10,350
| Quote:
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
__________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -- Author Unknown | |
06-10-2011, 05:56 AM | #12 |
BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,603
| 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. |
06-10-2011, 06:47 AM | #13 |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | 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.
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |
06-10-2011, 11:27 AM | #14 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: A little town south of Chicago
Posts: 4,525
| 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 |
06-10-2011, 12:01 PM | #15 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD
Posts: 10,908
| 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.
__________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10 |
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