I have a five year old male diabetic bichon frise who is...

<< Back to: rec.pets.dogs: Complete List of Dog-Related Email Lists

Question by Linda
Submitted on 5/16/2004
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Complete List of Dog-Related Email Lists
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this question:
I have a five year old male diabetic bichon frise who is being prepared for cataract surgery. It is quite a pricey undertaking for me...I am not wealthy, but I love my dog and I'll do anything to make him sighted again. My question is: how much success can I expect? I've heard stories from people whose pet either got glaucoma afterward, or developed scar tissue and had to be operated on again. Most pets became blind after the owner's best efforts. My baby is not coping well with the blindness (my vet said he would). He is the alpha dog (I have another male bichon), and he has stopped playing so vigorously and would prefer to lie down and listen to what's going on. It's breaking my heart. So, if it's possible to make him sighted again, I have to try for him. I just need to hear some success stories. I don't want to give him a "taste" of sight, and then take it away from him again. Please help us.

Answer by TNJayJay
Submitted on 3/7/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am sitting here in a Hotel in Knoxville, TN, on my third visit here. I have a 4-year old male Bichon Frise, Pierre, that has cataracts. He is not diabetic, the cataracts are inherited. My first visit was for the initial tests and diagnostics, after being referred here from my Vet in Mt. Juliet, TN, where I live. On Feb. 8, Pierre had Retinopexy, so as to reduce the instance of Retinal Detachment. I dropped him off today at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital (these people are wonderful, very well trained and prolific in their specialties). At this time, he is getting his pre-op exams and meds and is having his surgery in the morning. I am praying my heart out that everything goes OK and I'll be waiting tomorrow to get that phone call from the vet. Yes, it's true, this is a pricey situation, but when I weighed it all out, I changed my budget (I'm not well-to-do by any means) and cut alot of corners to come up with the money for his surgery. I have done everything that the Vet Hospital in Knoxville has asked my to do, including enrolling him in a Research study concerning Steroidal eye drop prior to the surgery. I know that it is going to be a rough 3 weeks after the surgery, especially with the E-collar, but I am ready to take on the challenge. He is my Baby and means the world to me. I have never been exposed to a dog like the Bichon Frise until I got Pierre and they are such a special, friendly,loving dog. I can only hope that the surgery goes as expected and I am going to wait on that call tomorrow. If you love your dog as much as I do mine, please consider the treatments available for opthalmologic surgery today. The options are amazing, not necessarily cheap, but hopefully worth it. I long for the dsys where I can pitch his plastic, squeaky football and he can, once again, jump up and catch it.

FAQS.ORG makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of the posts. Each post is the personal opinion of the poster. These posts are not intended to substitute for medical, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. FAQS.ORG does not endorse any opinion or any product or service mentioned mentioned in these posts.

<< Back to: rec.pets.dogs: Complete List of Dog-Related Email Lists

[ Home | FAQ-Related Q&As | General Q&As | Answered Questions ]

Your name or nickname:
If you'd like to create a new account or access your existing account, put in your password here:
Your answer: