Curious if anyone has gone down this road before, either with cataract surgery or caring for a blind dog. Any advice?
We have an 11yr-old basset hound. He's got a lot of miles on him, but still LOVES taking walks and of course getting lots of attention. Over the last year his eyesight has really digressed to the point where he'll walk right into a parked car if you let him. He can only see me if I'm at most 4-5 feet away. As of right now, his eyesight doesn't seem to affect his quality of life as he's still willing and able to navigate taking walks (we live in the country). But if it gets to the point where he can't or refuses to take walks because he can't stay on the trail, I'd imagine as a hunting bread, he'd think life is pretty pointless.
The vet said we could take him to Cornell (1hr away) to get surgery, but that she wouldn't recommend it for a dog his age. I can see him living maybe 2-3 years before arthritis or other issues take him down. However, depending on the cost, I think it would be worth letting him live it up those last few years. So, should we let him "learn" how to be blind or is the recovery not so bad with eye surgery that we should consider that route?
If I were you I'd want the answer to that question.
I'd also get an opinion from a second vet before deciding.
If money is not an issue I would do whatever was best for your dog.
Both eyes are equally bad it seems. I'm told you only need to fix one eye.
If I were you I'd want the answer to that question.
I'd also get an opinion from a second vet before deciding.
If money is not an issue I would do whatever was best for your dog.
Good question, I will call the vet to clarify.
I'd personally feel terrible if I didn't spend $4k and watched my dog be blind every day.
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Google says $2700 - $4000. Cost is an issue, but also wondering what the recovery is like for an old dog?
I'd personally feel terrible if I didn't spend $4k and watched my dog be blind every day.
I think I'd rather put her down than that.
Not sure what I would do, I love my dog, but I want her to live a quality life, and if her life were impaired in some way I'd feel guilty about prolonging her pain or even inconvenience for my own comfort of having her around.