Eye Surgery?
 

Please pray for my little Lindsey, 4 1/2 lbs yorkie, she is 8 1/2 yrs old. Today she was diagnosed with glucoma/eye infection and has 4 meds to try to help her thru this coming week. Her eye has pressure in it and I hope the meds with help. She saw the Eye Emergency Vet and if the meds don't work, she'll have to have surgery to remove her eye. This is the second opinion I've had on her condition, hoping for better answers.

Has anyone from Yorkietalk ever experience this type of eye surgery with their furbaby? I don't post much on here but do read the posts and have had many laughs and tears thru the many posts. I'd like to hear from anyone that has gone thru this and had to have their furbabies eye removed and how they coped with it, I'm having an awful time. I'm just praying that the meds might help her so she can keep her eye. If she can't her optical nerve is weak and no prostetic eye can be put in place so she will be left with only one good eye and a lot of hair over the other one I guess. Right now I'm putting 3 types of drops in her eyes and ointment to help her, in hopes it will get better to avoid the surgery. Your prayers will me very much appreciated, Sincerely, Lindseys Mom.

I don't know anything about eye surgery but I will say a prayer for you and your little one!

Prayers are coming your way from north Georgia that your furbabies eye will get better with the medication. Hopefully, surgery will not be necessary. I don't know anything to tell you about losing eyes. My 2 year old yorkie has dry eye and may become blind down the road. We put drops in 3 x a day as well as artificial tears. I am trying very hard to save her vision. Good luck with your baby. I can understand why you are so upset. We will keep both of you in our thoughts and prayers.

Thanks you so much for replying , it means so much to know others really care, please keep the prayers coming in hopes that little Lindseys eye can be helped with the medication and not have to be removed. Blessings from Lindseys Mom.

I did an "advanced search" and here are some sites on YT that talk about glaucoma. There weren't very many. From what I read, glaucoma in Yorkies is not too common. My 12 yr. old, Rosie, is developing cataracts.:(:(:(

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...-problems.html have to read lower in the article.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...s-removal.html


I found this post by livingdustmops that gave sites for specialists.

"Here is a list of websites or phone numbers of specialists for animals. You might want to go on the website as I am sure it will help you find a vet.

Anesthesiology The ACVA Home Page
Canine & Feline Practitioners certification, species, credentialing, veterinary clinical practice, vet, abvp (800) 697-3583
Cardiology www.acvim.org (800) 245-9081
Dentistry AVDC® Home (215) 898-5903
Dermatology acvd / Home
Emergency & Critical Care ACVECC - American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
Internal Medicine www.acvim.org (800) 245-9081
Neurology www.acvim.org (800) 245-9081
Nutrition American College of Veterinary Nutrition / Home
Oncology www.acvim.org (800) 245-9081
Ophthalmology ACVO Home Page (208) 466-7624
Pathology ACVP : American College of Veterinary Pathologists (608) 443-2466
Pharmacology ACVCP Homepage TOC
Toxicology American Board of Veterinary Toxicology
Veterinary Behaviorists *Home*&#124* American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Veterinary Surgeons American College of Veterinary Surgeons (301)610-2000"

I'm sending prayers to you and Lindsey. I hope she'll do well with the drops. I do believe in miracles.:)

Thank you for the information and the prayers. The eye dr. that Lindsey is being treated by is a specialist holds a ACVO degree, one of 305 specialists in the U.S. so I'm confident with her to lead me to the best treatment possible.
Lindsey don't seem to be bothered by all this, shes good about the drops and ointment being put into her eye. The only thing that worries me is that the eye pressure maybe giving her a headache of which we can't tell. I just hope the meds work. We're giving it a week, then they will test to see if the pressure is better by the meds before any decision is made. She said that the pressure should drop within a week if the meds work for her. I hope they work.

I am devistated to think she may have to go thru surgery for this, she is only 4 and 1/2 lbs, very active still like a puppy. We NEED a miracle, please pray for her. Her older real sister still treats her like her little baby and plays the motherly roll to her, always seems concerned and stays by her, which is a good thing, they have each other. Thank you for your prayers, thoughts and replies. I'll keep checking back here and update when I know more. Sincerely, Lindseys Mom.

can they not do a third eyelid flap to help it heal over 1st?

It sounds like you have the best Dr possible to oversee this. Still sending prayers for both you and Lindsey. We will watch for your updates. I know how stressful it is when things like this happen.

My dog Didi had glaucoma. We could not afford the sugery, but if I did I would of get the eye removal done. The glaucoma progressed faster than we though and went to her other eye. She became blind in not just one, but both eyes. We had to put her down, since left untreated it causes painful headaches and is very painful to the dog. I've seen dogs with one eye that do just fine and still have good eyesight. When Didi became blind in one eye, you wouldn't even know she was blind in that eye, except for the obvious eye itself. Fully blind however took some time getting use to and she would bump into things at times. I would get the sugery done ASAP, before the glaucoma becomes any worst than it already is. This horrible disease took a toll on my baby, don't want it to happen to yours.

Do you keep a collar on your dog? I would recommand not having on one your dog unless when needed like for walks, which I highly recommand the use of a harness not a collar.

''The effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) from dogs pulling against a collar or a harness was evaluated in 51 eyes of 26 dogs. The force each dog generated while pulling against a collar or a harness was measured. Intraocular pressure measurements were obtained during application of corresponding pressures via collars or harnesses. Intraocular pressure increased significantly from baseline when pressure was applied via a collar but not via a harness. Based on the results of the study, dogs with weak or thin corneas, glaucoma, or conditions for which an increase in IOP could be harmful should wear a harness instead of a collar, especially during exercise or activity.''

Gee, I hope and pray your baby gets better. My Chewy has cataracts in both eyes....she's nine years old. She sees fine, tho. The vet said it's like looking thru waxed paper or the like. Kind of hazy. We couldn't afford surgery for her. She also had "cherry eye"...in both eyes. She did have surgery for those...it was only a few hundred dollars for each eye. Now I just have to keep her eyes clean and lubricated because she has no dear ducts. It's not a problem, tho.
My husband had glaucoma, the dr tried drops, they didn't work so he did laser surgery on him and he is 100% cured. They make tiny holes to relieve the pressure. Maybe they do something like that for dogs. Of course, it would probably cost a fortune. The other thing is, one of our cats lost her eye due to a foxtail, and she is fine....they can adjust to having one eye. One of our other cats got both eyes infected and she has terrible eyesight but adjusts okay. Optimally, we would like to have both eyes in perfect condition, but things work out. We all adjust. I pray your baby doesn't have to go thru any pain. My friend has Galucoma, and just uses the drops because she can't afford the surgery. She says it works fine...no headaches or anything. Good luck.:thumbup:

Lindsey always wore a collar, and being an indoor dog, don't have that on much at all. When we go out, she and her sister Lacey are in a Happy Trails stroller. So afraid that something is going to jump out of the air and grab them, they are both so little, under 5lbs.

I'm going to keep putting eye drops and ointment in her eyes until next week when we go back to the eye specialist. She told us to give it a week with the meds and see how it goes, if no change in the pressure, then we can go from there. At least we would know if the meds would have helped Lindsey or not. She agreed with all my thoughts. She said she could relieve pressure but the fluid in the eye would still fill up again. I have confidence in her knowing that others have already been thru the same procedure, so just wanted me to know that information.

Thank you for your replies and prayers, Lindsey is doing ok, like nothing is wrong at this point, don't seem like she's in any pains or headaches. I'm hoping nothing progresses to the good eye. Keep the prayers coming please.
I appreciate your replies and concerns.
Sincerly, Lindsey & Laceys Mom :aimeeyork:aimeeyork

Eye Surgery Update
 

I just wanted to thank everyone who prayed for my little Lindsey as of today, the pressure in her eye has dropped to normal and is the same as the good eye. It seems like the medications have worked to lower her eye pressure. Last week it had a reading of 34, today its down to 14, just like the good eye. I was so happy and just wanted to pass on the update.

I'm going to continue with the eye drop drugs as long as it helping her. It seems she had an eye infection at the same time and thats all cleared up. We go back for a recheck the beginning of July.

Thanks again for caring, praying, and being compassionate yorkie friends.
God bless you all and your furbabies.
Hugs, Lindseys Mom

So very glad to hear the good news! You must be so relieved. It sounds like you have been a wonderful mommy to Lindsey taking care of her eye condition. Does the vet feel it will need to be controlled through continued drops etc or is the condition completely gone for good? Hope it continues to remain at a normal level!

Lindseys dr. is using the meds now for control, we go again for another check up on eye pressure early July. They can gradually taper off some of the drops, but theres one that actually keeps the pressure down so that one I'd probably use a long time. One med is $77, the other $64 with the other liquid drops being lower in price. I'll do what it takes to help her and be comfortable.
Thanks again for your caring. God bless , Lindseys Mom

Prayers are on the way .

Update on Lindseys eye
 

Hi to everyone that prayed for Lindsey, I know it helped. We took her to the vet eye dr. specialist on July 3 and found her eye pressure stabilize to normal. The blood has gone out of the eye and the infection has cleared. The dr. was very impressed by her progress and we have decided to just keep her on the 2 eye meds and drops that she's taking now, a little pricey, but aren't our furbabies worth it? We go back for a check up Oct 23.

None of this situation seems to bother little Lindsey, she even comes when called now to 'have her eye checked'. She has some site left in the bad eye, of which we thought was gone at first. Her older sister watches over her all the time.

I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart who prayed for her and posted concerns, Yorkietalk members always come thru.

Blessings to all
Lindsey & Laceys Mom
:aimeeyork:aimeeyork

Sending prayers on your way .

Both Maia and Zsa Zsa had eyes surgery . Everything went very well . They were like new dogs after the surgery .

Diego, May I ask what kind of eye surgery did they have?and how old are they? Lindsey has been diagnosed with glaucoma but still has site in her eye. Did they have to stay on meds the rest of their lives ? My Lindsey will have to now, she's 8 yrs old, and keep getting regular check ups to check the eye pressure. At first the eye dr. wanted to remove her eye, but tried the meds first. I wouldn't of had it any other way anyways, not saying it could happen as she gets older.

Best wishes to Maia and Zsa Zsa and thanks for the prayers.

Lindsey update
 

Lindsey continues to be a trooper ! The eye meds have kept her glaucoma eye pressure down to a normal level, but thats not saying that it will stay there. So many people have helped me out with the very expensive eye meds that she has to have to control the pressure. She's on the same eye meds that people use for their control of glaucoma.

She don't seem to let any of this bother her and she don't appear to have any headaches, just as normal as ever for 8 yrs old. She even knows now the times of day when her eye meds are due and comes to me for them without any fuss.

I know the time will come when that eye will have to come out, but as long as she can still close her eyelid over her eye and the pressure checks show a normal reading, she will keep her eye. When all this changes, and I'm sure it will in time, then the eye will have to come out and I'm prepared for that time also.

I just wanted to thank all of you who have responded to this email with your thoughts and prayers, please continue, I know its really helping her and me.
Our next pressure check will be on January 22, 2009. Meantime we continue with the Trusopt 3 times a day and the Xalatan twice a day, plus the tear ointment once a day.

Our babies are so precious to us and I will keep her as comfortable as possible thru this . Her older sister, Lacey, by 2 yrs also her biological sister, is so understanding that her little sister needs her eye drops and always stays near her knowing she has to have her eye meds. Lacey gets a lot of attention also.

I will keep posting updates and please keep the prayers coming, I know they help a lot , and I know Yorkietalk members really care. Thank you,

Blessings to all,
Lindsey & Laceys Mom
:aimeeyork :aimeeyork

Eye Surgery Tomorrow
 

Hi Yorkietalk members,
I just wanted to give an update on our little Lindsey. She's been on eye meds since May 2008, but now they are not working so we had to go to the last option, being eye removal tomorrow. Her left eye has been irreparably blind
since the glaucoma was diagnosed so she's already adjusted to one eye sight.

Lindsey continues to get around ok, being diagnosed with chronic glaucoma and having a blind left eye hasn't stopped her from being normal. We're hoping after the surgery she'll bounce back, its the actual anesthesia that makes me nervous as she's 9 yrs old now and only 4 1/2 lbs.

Please pray that all goes well for her tomorrow. We won't be picking her up until late evening so I will update after she gets feeling comfortably.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, Yorkietalk members allways come thru. Hugs to all, Lindsey & Laceys Mom.

Lindseys update
 

Lindsey got thru the eye surgery fine and we will be picking her up today about 4 P.M. She'll have liquid meds for a week, but after that she should be herself again. Thanks for your support and prayers thru this difficult time.
Hugs from Lindsey and her Mom.

Well, so glad all worked up for your furry baby and for you. please keep us all updated on her next check up and what the doctors recomend you to do... very informative and may help educate others about the condition and who knows , even someone who may be going through the same.
Blessings !!!!!!!!!

Update, Lindseys eye surgery
 

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to let all of you know that little Lindsey is "back to better than normal health" after her eye removal on Jan. 7, 2009. She's doing great and acting like a puppy at 9 yrs old. We're all happy with the results and want to thank all of you who sent prayers.

Lindsey & Laceys Mom
:aimeeyork :aimeeyork

Lindsey's eye
 

Just wanted to say, I am sorry about Lindsey, I had 2 Silky Terriers that got diabetis, 1st the son, then 4 months later the Mother, they both went blind, but there was nothing that could be done,the Mom didn't adjust as well as the son, Sam, Shelby had it for 8 months and died of a diabectic coma, but Sam went on for close to 4 yrs, giving insulant shot 3x's a day.He did remarkly well with his blindness, he could come upstairs, but not down, they were both such sweethearts and when I didn't have then to take care of anymore, I missed it so much, they were my world.So even with 2 eyes gone, mine did very well. The vet told me, they use their sense of smell more than their eyes. I wish you much happiness with her and I am sure she will get along fine.

Just wanted to tell you that one of my dogs has progressive retinol atrophy and has been totally blind for the last 3 years. She also has severs cataracts which we dicided not to have removed as she woud still be blind. She is 13 now and get along just fine. I do try not to move things around too much and she does often bump into things but she is a happy little girl and doesn't seem to mind the loss of her sight