A Peekapoo Who Was Blind and Not Eating After Cataract Surgery
Dr. determined that Jewel had retina degeneration with premature cataracts at a stage 2 out of 4 and Jewel would be blind in 6 month. It was determined that cataract surgery would help her vision but more importantly help her not to go blind due to the cataracts.
Jewel underwent the surgery on January 5. When Jewel was brought out, she was lethargic but wagged her tail. That night she continued to be very lethargic but ate a couple bites of turkey sausage. When she did move, she fixated on my white cabinets and my wallpaper – literally standing in front with the E collar to the wall (or cabinet) just staring.
The next day Jewel was very lethargic and the tech noted that dogs usually were still not lethargic. Another dog who had underwent surgery at the same time was running around. the ophthalmologist did not seem concerned with that, stated Jewel had some inflammation but all else was fine.
2 days later, Jewel had quit eating and was still very lethargic, not moving at all. She was taking to the ER at an emergency hospital who performed blood work and urine testing. They found Jewel to be a tad anemic, dehydrated and were concerned she had a stomach ulcer. Jewel was kept overnight. When I picked Jewel up on Sunday she did not wag her tail and she was still completely lethargic. Not any better.
At that time, I discontinued all oral medications. Jewel
It has been 3 weeks. My dog is completely blind and barely eats. It is a hour chore to get her to eat one piece of bacon. The eye vet just says that the stomach is not their problem and they do not know about the eyes - just that surgery is not an exact science.
At this point, I do not know if my dog will live. No one care why she will barely eat. All she does is sleep. My whole life has changed. It is like taking care of an invalid. All I do is go to work and go home - and go to the store to try some other kind of food for her. I have prayed more over this dog in the last 3 weeks than every. Could eye drops cause my dog to be sick to her stomach?
We're so sorry Jewel and you are going through this. A dog who stays lethargic and barely eats for weeks after surgery needs to see your regular vet right away (today if she won't eat at all): ask them to look for causes such as a stomach ulcer, pain, a reaction to her medicines, or other illness.
Don't stop or restart her post-surgery medicines without telling the ophthalmologist, as stopping them suddenly can let eye inflammation flare. Eye drops can be absorbed into the body, and some, including anti-inflammatory drops, can upset the stomach in sensitive dogs, so tell both vets every medicine she is getting. For her eyes, ask the ophthalmologist directly what the post-surgery exams show: whether there is inflammation, high eye pressure (glaucoma) or retinal detachment, and whether her retinal disease was expected to limit vision. Dogs with retinal degeneration may not regain sight even after successful cataract removal. If you aren't getting answers, a second opinion from another veterinary ophthalmologist is reasonable.
Our page on cataracts in dogs explains surgery risks.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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