Soon to have a one-eyed dog.

[K-22 in 1970]

The dog belonged to my wife prior to marriage. Buddy is an 11 year old, 100-pound, neutered, almost scary smart, Golden Retriever. Once he and I worked out who was going to be Alpha male in the home he has proven to be a great pal. Recently his eyebrow swelled up - a visit and lab test from the vet revealed that he has a Mast Tumor. The vet was surprized when the swelling / tumor reduced in size to about 1/6th of it's orginal size. We have made the decision to have surgery performed - once. He will loose the use of his left eye. Buddy is healthy otherwise, of good temper and playful, still on his feed, and enjoys (expects) his 1/2 mile daily walk. Looking for positive advice and experience in dealing with this after the surgery.

 

[K-22 in 1970]

The dog belonged to my wife prior to marriage. Buddy is an 11 year old, 100-pound, neutered, almost scary smart, Golden Retriever. Once he and I worked out who was going to be Alpha male in the home he has proven to be a great pal. Recently his eyebrow swelled up - a visit and lab test from the vet revealed that he has a Mast Tumor. The vet was surprized when the swelling / tumor reduced in size to about 1/6th of it's orginal size. We have made the decision to have surgery performed - once. He will loose the use of his left eye. Buddy is healthy otherwise, of good temper and playful, still on his feed, and enjoys (expects) his 1/2 mile daily walk. Looking for positive advice and experience in dealing with this after the surgery.

 

[scoutsdad]

You are doing the right thing. Sorry I only know about dog diabetes and cancer.

david

 

[Indiana George]

I have no advice to offer, but . . .

Good luck to Buddy!

 

[foolproofoak]

i am the owner of a three legged dog named sundance, and when i was a kid we had a dog that had one of its eyes put out. The great thing about dogs is that they don't even seem to know they have a disability. They just adapt and go on with their lives. The one eyed dog we had was always a little short on the brains department, and the loss of an eye changed nothing in her behavior. Sundance doesn't know that he only has three legs, so don't tell him. Just help buddy get used to his new situation and he will surprise you how well he will adapt

 

[7.62foryou]

Originally posted by K-22 in 1970:
The dog belonged to my wife prior to marriage. Buddy is an 11 year old, 100-pound, neutered, almost scary smart, Golden Retriever. Once he and I worked out who was going to be Alpha male in the home he has proven to be a great pal. Recently his eyebrow swelled up - a visit and lab test from the vet revealed that he has a Mast Tumor. The vet was surprized when the swelling / tumor reduced in size to about 1/6th of it's orginal size. We have made the decision to have surgery performed - once. He will loose the use of his left eye. Buddy is healthy otherwise, of good temper and playful, still on his feed, and enjoys (expects) his 1/2 mile daily walk. Looking for positive advice and experience in dealing with this after the surgery.

Be sure you treat him the same after the operation. Dogs get over things a lot faster than we do. If you treat him differently or with too much sympathy you'll loss your posistion as alpha dog. The trouble starts at that point. Good luck your doing the right thing.

 

[Rikkn]

Well said 7.62, don't treat him differently, he will adjust fine.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

He'll do fine - look at his "mom and dad". Best of luck to you and Buddy.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Frank237]

Had a one eyed dog as well. Teddy lost his when he got into a big porcupine years back. He adapted quickly but DID have issues with DEPTH PERCEPTION. He walked out of the TOP story of the barn once,despite the 10' drop!! Thankfully we had a few feet of snow and he wasn't injured.

They don't even know they are handicapped.

FN in MT

 

[marine2541]

God bless you for taking care of this dog. Goldens are wonderful dogs. Walk him a half hour a day, not just a half mile. You'll both love it. Don't worry about the eye. He'll adjust, and he just wants to be with you anyway.

 

[indiandave]

had a Collie as a kid. He had a detached retna at 2 years. Doctor said he dosn't read, he will be fine. Didn't bother him a bit. Buddy will do fine.

 

[oldRoger]

We had a Borzoi who somehow detached his left retina at about 4. We have no idea exactly when.
When he approached an object on his left side, your leg for example, he might bump it. When we noticed this we ended up at the U of Illinois vet school for diagnosis. He lived to be 11, gradually his left eye clouded, he obviously no longer had good depth perception, but he managed very well indeed. You wouldn't have wanted to be a rabbit within 50 yards.
Dogs and Cats are very good a compensating for these, to them minor problems.

 

[murphman]

We had a Westie who lost all her vision due to diabetes. She lived several years afterwards, and they were happy, quality years. It was amazing how well she adapted. Her spatial sense was astonishing.

 

[mykey51]

Our lab had a cancer removed in October, on her back about 3 inches from the tail. It's been 6 months and no more growths. I know there is a good chance of more cancer sometime, but she is healthy and lives a great life now. Spend the money, you will be glad you did, but don't spend money to the point of having an unhappy dog. Good luck on the surgery! Mikey

 

[K-22 in 1970]

Gentlemen:

Thank you all for your kind replies - I shared them with my wife and they helped. Buddy goes in for surgery today.