UrbanAnimal

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Dear UrbanAnimal,

My neighbour's 10-year old beagle is blind with cataracts and is having surgery next week to replace the lenses. I've been this dog's surrogate caregiver since he was a puppy and I'm worried the surgery will be too stressful and not necessary. I'm trying to convince my neighbour that his other senses will increase and blindness will not be a problem but she's determined to go through with it. Can you comment before it's too late?

Ellen

Dear Ellen,

My own dog, at 13 years of age, had lens replacement surgery in both eyes last year and I'd do it again without question. However, I understand your concern and hope I can help you overcome your apprehension.

Any type of surgery performed on an animal or human carries a number of risks. But advances in veterinary science move at lightning speed and many of the concerns held in the past just don't apply anymore.

Anesthetic, for instance, still worries many people, especially when it's performed on an older animal. But just as we're seeing in human surgery techniques, veterinarians are now able to tailor the type of anesthetic and its duration to each individual animal with amazing precision.

This really hit home when my older dog developed a large infection under her tongue, probably caused by a puncture from a wood splinter. I was terrified because, with all her existing medical problems and advanced age, I felt that surgery to drain the infection was too dangerous. But of course my veterinarian knew exactly what she was doing. My dog came through with flying colours and, as my vet told me later, "She was just waking up as the anesthetic was wearing off."

Perfect timing. My dog came home later that day, ate a full dinner and life went on.

As far as lens replacement surgery is concerned, the decision is entirely up to the owner, of course, but it's hard for you to stand back and hope for the best. Rest assured, though, this type of surgery, while becoming more common, is not taken lightly.

It is most likely being undertaken by a veterinary ophthalmologist who has performed a number of pre-surgical tests to ensure the dog is a good candidate for success. My own dog was considered "high risk" with diabetes and other existing health issues but she went from blind to sighted within just a few hours, with no complications, and she healed just as quickly as any other dog.

It's not the same as cataract removal in a human being.

The lens in each eye is actually replaced with a new lens made of a material that simply can't be covered with a cataract in the future. Your beagle buddy will be able to see as soon as he recovers from surgery.

In the days and weeks following, the dog's owner will need to administer a number of eyedrops to ensure the eyes heal properly and infection is kept at bay. Full eyesight is usually restored by 30 days following surgery.

You mentioned that other senses are heightened when one is lost and while this is true, I'm sure the beagle's owner has considered her dog's lifestyle when making her decision.

My own dog thrives on off-leash runs, chasing tennis balls, retrieving sticks from the water and hiking over long distances. She was blind for two months prior to lens replacement surgery and all those happy pursuits stopped during that time, causing her to become understandably depressed.

Yes, she could have lived as a blind dog but given her lifestyle and the fact that surgery was available, I chose to have her eyesight restored.

It can be a difficult decision but I'm sure your neighbour has considered her dog's lifestyle as well as general quality of life, and the ophthalmologist has given her all the information she needs to choose the right route for her and her dog.

Since a date has been set for surgery, my best advice is to refrain from frightening her (she's already frightened, I'm sure) and instead offer help with the eyedrops schedule, which can be difficult to maintain during the first week post-surgery. Any type of surgery on a pet can be emotionally draining for the owner and I'm sure she'll appreciate your offer to help.

E-mail jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.