Anyone ever had a dog that had glaucoma?

[The Franchise]

Just got back from the vet and found out that Phoenix, our 10 year old lab/beagle mix, has glaucoma in her left eye. Waiting at the pharmacy to get the meds to reduce the swelling. From what I've read online and from what the vet said....it's about 8-22 months before her other eye will probably get it as well. No guarantee that she doesn't go blind. 2014 already sucks dick with this and the fact that my Grandma died on the 2nd.

Anyone have any advice or stories about their experiences with a dog who has glaucoma?

No this doesn't mean I can get her a medical marijuana card.

[J Diddy]

I am sorry to hear about it. Hope it all turns out well.

[Demonpenz]

I have been around blind dogs. If they can eat, shit, and have their belly rubbed they are happy.

[cosmo20002]

Just got back from the vet and found out that Phoenix, our 10 year old lab/beagle mix, has glaucoma in her left eye. Waiting at the pharmacy to get the meds to reduce the swelling. From what I've read online and from what the vet said....it's about 8-22 months before her other eye will probably get it as well. No guarantee that she doesn't go blind. 2014 already sucks dick with this and the fact that my Grandma died on the 2nd.

Anyone have any advice or stories about their experiences with a dog who has glaucoma?

No this doesn't mean I can get her a medical marijuana card.

I think specialists can do some sort of laser surgery that can be effective. Looked into that?

[Stanley Nickels]

I know a guy that sells glaucoma meds, if you're buyin'..

[GloryDayz]

Wow, sorry to hear it... I've got one that's older (13 years), diabetic, and has cataracts, but not glaucoma.

[Psyko Tek]

GET THAT DOG A WEED CARD...
sorry about your pup

[listopencil]

I have been around blind dogs. If they can eat, shit, and have their belly rubbed they are happy.

This. It sucks, but it could be a lot worse.

[Just Passin' By]

I know that there are meds and surgeries that can be done. Best I can tell you is to decide whether you think your dog possibly (no guarantees) keeping sight is worth the needed big vet bills, and to go from there.

[Baby Lee]

My sis has a dog of the breed prone to diabetes, and he lost his sight to it a couple of years back. Doesn't phase him in the least, just bonks his nose on chairs and tables a little more than he used to.

[stumppy]

My beagle Max was blind and had diabetes the last few years of his life. He was his happy loving normal self up to the end . Only two things bothered him. He really hated the insulin shot in his neck every day (little bastard bit me many times) and he would get depressed for a while if i moved the furniture.

RIP Max I miss you buddy.

[bevischief]

I had a blind Collie and he lived just fine for years. We tried not to move the furniture too much. My basset has been blind in one eye for most of her adult life.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

No need to be sympathetic to having a blind dog. They don't really need eyes anyway. They don't read, they don't watch TV,they don't look at internet porn. Dogs just don't need eyes. Anyway you can put a harness on him and walk him around town and tell chicks you're a seeing eye human for blind dogs. It'll be a pussy magnet

[cosmo20002]

They do it in humans. They simply cut a hole in the iris to allow fluid to flow into the front part of the eye and/or put a shunt in to do the same thing.

I don't know if they do it for dogs, but I don't see why not (maybe cost?). It's a simple procedure, though.

I'm pretty sure I read about a procedure for dogs, but it's a very specialized area and a regular vet may not be familiar with it. I'm sure it's probably damn expensive given the cost of ordinary vet procedures.

[cosmo20002]

Dogs can definitely live a decent life without sight, especially if the blindness comes gradually. They compensate and they know their territory, so they can get around the house and stuff. They do become less active though--its not like you can play fetch with them.

My dog used to do a daily watch for the mailman, and then completely freak out barking when the truck pulled up to the mailbox until he drove away. No other cars, only the mail truck. He had cataracts and couldn't see when he got older and stopped going to the window for guard duty, but he'd HEAR the truck, then walk to the window, and then freak out until he heard it drive away. He was good boy.

[saphojunkie]

Hey bud - my good friends have a frenchie that had to have both eyes removed. They say it really doesn't affect her that much (one of the owners is a Vet - animals, not 'Nam.)

Their dog can pretty much smell her way around and she was never a big silent movie fan, so really it doesn't affect them all that much.

Also, I have a weed card, so if you need any advice on that, I can help there as well.

[GloryDayz]

Not that I'm a big softie or anything, but I remembered this when I fed my dog this morning and gave her her shot (she's 13 years old and has diabetes), and I actually actually hugged her. It's not like I don't pet her a lot, and she doesn't lack for love and compassion (I have a nine-year-old who thinks she's the greatest thing ever!), but sometimes we forget how awesome pets are and all they do for us.

As are all dogs, she's the greatest dog in the world and provides more pure love than anybody deserves...

[Chest Rockwell]

My Boston had cataracts surgery on both eyes at 6, which pretty much guaranteed he'd develop glaucoma at some point. The surgery lasted well for about 7 years (Ophthalmologist I took him to when I moved here was stunned. Said those surgeries were about 50/50 for Bostons and she never recommended it.).

At 13 he developed glaucoma (and went deaf). Did the meds and the visits for pressure readings. Biggest issue was he was prone to uveitis. Watch for that. I thought it was just conjunctivitis and let it go too long and it caused blindness in his right eye. I've done a lot of shitty things, but I've never felt like a bigger asshole than I did then.

Another thing you may notice is that if the glaucoma becomes borderline uncontrolled they say it's like the dog has a migraine all the time. This will alter their behavior.

The second biggest issue was he would develop ulcers that became infected in his left (still partially good eye) from running into things. If that happens get her to the vet right away.

After several months of bouts with "minor" ones, mine finally developed an ulcer that despite the meds required a trip to the doggie ER (Sunday). More meds, come back Tuesday. Kept an eye (no pun) on him and things seemed to be stabilizing. My other Boston went into organ failure that Monday and I had to have her put down. Got home from that to check on the boy, found him laying with a ruptured eye. After that he had to have a double enucleation (both eyes removed). He never really recovered nor was the same again (of course, he was also dealing with slowly advancing liver and kidney disease). He got pretty depressed, basically just wanted to sleep all the time (was fine when just laying by me) and refused to learn/be careful in the house. He was just pissed and basically turned into a little battering ram. I nursed him along for 10 months while he was still in pretty good health other than being blind/deaf carrying him to outside and back in (he got along just fine on leash) which was the only place he seemed really happy. Finally he suddenly went into organ failure and I had to have him put down at the end of October.

It was expensive as shit, and I devoted a lot of time and effort to him for those 10 months, but he'd given me 15 great years and I owed it to him. He was my most faithful friend during that time and proved to be a much better companion than several friends, girlfriends, and an (ex) wife.

I'm not normally one to put much personal shit out, especially here, but this seemed like an appropriate time. Hope it helps some.

I say all that to tell you that the glaucoma, while controlled, isn't that big an issue other than making sure she gets the drops as scheduled so the pressure doesn't build up and cause pain (and uveitis). She'll live a pretty much normal life.

When/if she does go blind (or the glaucoma becomes uncontrolled which will require enucleation(s)) there are still a lot of things you can do if she's still in good spirits (and not deaf, that was a real challenge). Scent marking, carpet runners, sound ques etc. will help her navigate and live pretty normally. There's a great book called "Living With Blind Dogs" I'd highly recommend when/if it looks like it's getting to that point.

Good luck, I know it's rough starting out but I think she'll be fine. Feel free to send me a smoke if you want more info or just want to talk about it.

[Chest Rockwell]

Oh, and that thing Hog Farmer said about being a pussy magnet is 100% spot on.

Nomar became a local celebrity and I never had so many hot chicks stopping to talk to me in the rest of my life as I did in those 10 months.

Silver linings FTW!

[HemiEd]

Sorry to hear about your dog's issues. Our 13 year old Yorkie, "Toto" has the early stages of it in both eyes. It sucks, but he is in terrific health otherwise.

I attribute the good health in a large share do a thread about dog food ratings on here several years ago during the China dog food crisis.

I am pretty sure it was started by Lzen, or Jaz. I will see if I can find it, not that it will help your dogs situation, but it is very enlightening.

[The Franchise]

Oh, and that thing Hog Farmer said about being a pussy magnet is 100% spot on.

Nomar became a local celebrity and I never had so many hot chicks stopping to talk to me in the rest of my life as I did in those 10 months.

Silver linings FTW!

Thanks for your post.

and the pussy magnet thing probably won't work. I'm married and it's her dog.

[Chest Rockwell]

Thanks for your post.

and the pussy magnet thing probably won't work. I'm married and it's her dog.

LMAO

Oh it will totally work, but you might just want to cross that benefit off the list as it sounds like a divorce double-whammy.

[ChiefRocka]

Cousin has a Jack Russell that was diagnosed incorrectly. The glaucoma grew exponentialy in the three weeks of misdiagnosis and he lost his eye. Definitely seek out a very proactive vet, if you get the vibe they are being passive about it seek another vet.

[lcarus]

No, but I had a dog that fucked the ever living shit out of a Tasmanian Devil plush. To completion....we got him neutered after that. Poor Taz.

[The Franchise]

If it comes down to surgery that could possibly save her eyesight we would have to look at the odds of success. It's not the money aspect. Believe me....i spent $3000 on parvo treatments for a dog and he died anyways. I know full well that dogs can have a good life if they're blind. I just don't want to put her through the whole process if it's not going to help her in the end. It just sucks to see her go through this because she had a rough life in the beginning. My wife traded a pack of cigarettes to a homeless guy for her. Anything g ever happens to her and my wife will be devastated.

[Braincase]

http://thedo.gs/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/marijuana-dog.jpg

[Chest Rockwell]

If it comes down to surgery that could possibly save her eyesight we would have to look at the odds of success. It's not the money aspect. Believe me....i spent $3000 on parvo treatments for a dog and he died anyways. I know full well that dogs can have a good life if they're blind. I just don't want to put her through the whole process if it's not going to help her in the end. It just sucks to see her go through this because she had a rough life in the beginning. My wife traded a pack of cigarettes to a homeless guy for her. Anything g ever happens to her and my wife will be devastated.

Y'all sound like the best kind of people. Every dog deserves owners like you.

Rep.

:thumb:

[Oxford]

Anyone have any advice or stories about their experiences with a dog who has glaucoma?


Are there other dogs in the house? My nephew has 2 dogs (one blind and one not). The vet suggested that when Katie lost her sight that another dog around might be good. The sighted one now grabs Katie's leash in her mouth when they go out for walks. They didn't train her to do this, she just started doing it on her own. I'm not sure about the experience of your vet, but you might want to get referred/talk to a specialist in this just to get more insight.

[The Franchise]

Y'all sound like the best kind of people. Every dog deserves owners like you.

Rep.

:thumb:

Thanks man.

Are there other dogs in the house? My nephew has 2 dogs (one blind and one not). The vet suggested that when Katie lost her sight that another dog around might be good. The sighted one now grabs Katie's leash in her mouth
when they go out for walks. They didn't train her to do this, she just started doing it on her own.

Yeah....we've got another dog. She's a 4 year old dachsund/chihuahua mix. She knows something is up because she keeps coming over to her and trying to lick that side of her face.

[Oxford]

Had a 13 year old Career-Changed leader dog that we raised form a pup. Got Cushings disease and Vestibular syndrome. For any of you going through this with your dogs, I really feel for you, they give you everything they've got, everyday for precious little in return.

RIP Big Girl.

[Dartgod]

Had a 13 year old Career-Changed leader dog that we raised form a pup. Got Cushings disease and Vestibular syndrome. For any of you going through this with your dogs, I really feel for you, they give you everything they've got, everyday for precious little in return.

RIP Big Girl.
One of our dogs has Cushings. Been diagnosed for about 3 years now. It's managed quite well with Vetoryl capsules, for around $120 a month.

[HemiEd]

One of our dogs has Cushings. Been diagnosed for about 3 years now. It's managed quite well with Vetoryl capsules, for around $120 a month.

:eek: Wow, that is too bad Dartgod.

I had never heard of it, but just googled it and our 13 year old has some of those symptoms, mainly the thinning hair.

He just received a thumbs up from the vet though, saying he was in very good health.

[Marcellus]

No need to be sympathetic to having a blind dog. They don't really need eyes anyway. They don't read, they don't watch TV,they don't look at internet porn. Dogs just don't need eyes. Anyway you can put a harness on him and walk him around town and tell chicks you're a seeing eye human for blind dogs. It'll be a pussy magnet

You gotta love CP.

Good luck Pest.