Has anyone taken their dog to an eye specialist?

My first collie went blind in one eye and had very little vision in the other eye. He could still get around and didn't run into anything, but he was an older dog when it happened and didn't go very far anyway. He had many medical problems. The blind eye looked cloudy. This has been a long time ago. I don't know if I helped you any. Good luck with your baby. I know how tough it is.

Yes, but it was our kitty we took. The vet had given her a medication which damaged her eyes (yeah, you read that right). Luckily sight returned in one eye. It will be worth going to the specialist, Bestdressed. Your pup is suffering and you are too, and I know it's costly, but you need to do this. Please let us know how it goes.

I just came back from the Ophthalmologist for my dog. They are going to remove his left eye and put in an orb... so the eye is not sunken in. The Dr. said he would do well and this would relieve any pain and discomfort in his eye. It was not functioning anyway so this was the best solution. Then they need to prescribe drops for his right eye, to keep it functioning. It is common for both eyes to have issues, so we need to be proactive to keep his right eye functioning.

I feel better, as I thought it might be time to let him go. But he is pretty healthy except for this issue. The Dr. said this surgery will leave him feeling better today when I pick him up...then when I came in this morning for his appointment this morning.

Kachina...I needed the big checkbook today. The surgery with check up & meds is over $1900. I was guessing the cost to be in that ballpark...since anytime I walk into a regular veterninarians office, in seems to be at least $200 these days.

happygal... I cannot believe a vet prescribed drops that damaged your cats eyes. I am glad the sight came back. That must have been very upsetting to say the least.

I was going to ask yesterday whether your dog was healthy otherwise. I am glad he is.

I had so many surgeries done over the years with my dogs when they were older. My cocker/beagle had an ulcer in her eye at 15 and it looked awful. A vet stuck a needle in her eye and she balked and he cussed her out. I never went back to him. She got meds and eye drops and was able to cope and lived to be 17. Her eye looked bad but I didn't care, she was healthy. I had her leg amputated at 14 for cancer and she did great.

I think you made the right decision.

Bestdressed, I'm glad your dog is getting the surgery. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for all well wishes... on such a rough day today. My poor baby is back home. The surgery went well. He has his eye stitched shut and has to wear lampshade collar for 2 weeks. Then it will be much when the stitches come out and he doesn't have to wear thar darn collar.

He is being very good & ate his dinner. I gave him his 3 oral meds & 3 different drops for his good eye. He is sleeping now and being such a good boy.

I was impressed with the Dr. and the facility. They were able to do the surgery today, which was a blessing. I could not have waited until next Wednesday for the next surgery date. Not in the condition, he was in this morning.

Thanks again everyone...It helped to talk about this stressful event today. I think we're both exhausted. I am lucky my sweet dog is still here with me today.

By the way, while waiting at this vet clinic I was talking to a woman with an Old English Sheep Dog which had gotten an infection through the callus on his elbow resulting in an auto-immune disease similar to my dog's. Her dog was old and they've racked up $8,000, in bills.

Another person had a Rottweiler mix which has terminal cancer in his liver. He's considering having a stent inserted to give the dog a few extra months. The stent alone costs $1800.

People go to amazing lengths for their pets.