Distraught over my dog losing an eye.

[Linbel]

My heart is broken, My 7yo Shihtzu/Bischon mix just had to have her R eye removed. Everything happened so fast. Only 3 days from taking her to the Emergency Vet to having her eye removed. They said she had a large Corneal Ulcer which perforated. I'm devastated, I'm angry. We don't even know what really happened. Did she scratch or poke her eye which became infected then ulcer developed. Just don't know. I question if I should of gotten a second opinion before having the eye removed. The Dr. was an Ophthalmologist. I guess I am really just looking to hear from other people that have gone through this and tell me everything will be ok and I will quit hurting like this.

Sounds awful. I thought eye problems are common with these breeds?

She won’t even notice. It will upset you more than her,really!

Big hugs

She will be fine and adapt really quickly , and as pp said this is more upsetting for you than it is for her . 💐

It's bound to be upsetting for you. You'll be amazed how well she'll adapt, though, honestly. I had a one-eyed cat for years and it never bothered her in the slightest. I have two friends whose dogs have lost both eyes to glaucoma and both have adapted remarkably well.

I had a a dog as a child who got run over and lost an eye (so completely overnight). It’s honestly not even something I often remember about him as it just wasn’t a big deal after a a while.

How awful, but I assure you your dog will adjust very, very quickly. My in-law's German Shepard had to have one of his back legs amputated a few years ago, and they were a mess over it. Their dog acted like nothing had even happened, and was running about on 3 legs like it was always that way. Animals are so resilient.

Its sad but your dog will just be glad to be alive and loved

Hi op, I haven’t posted on doghouse for a while but still lurk. I can’t comment on whether a second opinion etc may have helped.
I do know our sadly missed Lancashire Heeler had Lens luxation aged 4 ( so hereditary ) and initially had eye drops and when they didn’t work had first eye removal at 9, all we know is he was so much more comfortable after eye removal that we wished we had done it straightaway. Second eye removal at 11 was easy decision although that eye had responded to eye drops well. He lived until 14, trotting at our heels(heeler) through our very local woods off lead twice daily and enjoying fuss, cuddles and chews. He also used to get stuck in corners and needed a consistent routine to know where he was. He was also quite grumpy In later years with other dogs presumably because of sight issues but we managed that with quiet walks and company from our cat who was great with him. Your dog will be fine.

He will be fine!
This might put your mind at rest/
I am on a Golden Retriever group on Facebook and we have all been following the story of this lovely dog. He lost one eye last year due to glaucoma and is now completely blind. His owner has done a lot of training with him - he runs about off lead, he goes up and down stairs on his own and now has a friend:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8759197/amp/Blind-dog-gets-guide-dog-Puppy-Oko-helps-ailing-golden-retriever-Tao-way-walks.html

Thank you so much. It helps so much to hear from other people who understand my pain.

I feel for you i really do, however please know you have done the right thing. It is highly unlikely your dog will have regained his sight so all he has lost is a source of discomfort and pain so the relief will be immense.

Remember he is not a person so wont have the psychological issues surrounding the loss of yhe eye in the same way we would. Not a wild dog so no hunting/fighting disadvantage just getting rid of something that was causing great pain.

He'll be 'over it'before you are if that maes sense.

Also remember smell is the dogs primary sense.

Awful for you but you have honestly done the right thing.

Your words are so kind and helpful. Thanks.

Beautiful story. Thank You.

Yes they do have a bigger problem with their eyes. I previously owned 2 purebreed Shihtzus. After they passed and I was looking for another I purposely looked for a mixed breed. With my dog being half Bischon her face isn't as flat as purebred Shihtzu. I thought that would help but I guess not enough.

All of you are so kind and all your post really help me.

My parents had a rescue dog (a terrier-cross) who had suffered some trauma - probably kicked in the head - before being rescued and so had to have an eye removed. Once healed, it just looked like her eye was closed, no scar. People often didn't notice until they spent some time with her.

She was about 2 years old at that point and they had her for 13 years so she had a long and happy life with them. She managed absolutely fine, except she was nervous of people approaching her on the blind side. You may need to teach any children to always speak to your dog as they approach her so she isn't startled by them.

Your feelings are natural but you have a human's understanding of the situation. Your dog won't know that her eyes and vision are different from other dogs and will rely on her residual vision, hearing, smell and touch (through her paws and whiskers) to navigate safely.

CloudyGladys..Your story and words mean so much. Especially where you say "you have a humans understanding of the situation". That really made me think different. Thank you so much. That has given. me so much comfort.

Apparently this is a problem with Shih tzu's. a friend's mother got a puppy when it was 10 weeks old and three weeks later had to take it to the vets with a sore eye . He had to operate on the puppy's eyelid at a cost of over £3000 . It was nobody's fault . The puppy is fine now