Loving my Oldies

At the risk of hogging the thread, but it is about eye surgery afterall. :laugh: :laugh: Bunter was completely blind yet he rarely if ever bumped into anything. He found the doggy door all by himself just by following the other dogs. I didn't bother to teach him because I had Mufti at the time who couldn't manage the doggy door and so my sliding door was open most of the time. He managed the stairs and ramp without any problems, and when it came time for walks, he would race like a mad things with all the others to the side gate. Similarly when I arrived home - he would be part of the greeting committee at the side gate. Out on walks, I used a short lead and watched carefully for obstacles. I would slow down on our approach to the kerb and say: jump up or jump down. When I fed him, I would tap his food bowl on the floor. He sure never missed that one. The most fascinating part of the whole journey was that he required no adjustment time. That is, he woke up after the operation, he could see perfectly, he didn't misjudge distances and it was as though he'd always been sighted. One eye was more difficult to fix than the other, because the cataract was bigger and the whites of his eyes were bloodshot for a long time, but that is to be expected. Our first walk after the operation was interesting to. I didn't slow down or anything when we came to our first kerb and he just took it in his stride as a normal sighted dog. Yes, it cost a helluva lot, and my house will remain unpainted for several more years, but Bunter is a happy healthy boy, so what more could you ask.

I love him! Oh dear, me too.

Bunter just home from the Pound March 2011 Bunter post surgery June 2011 Bunter January 2013

Thank you, I thought it must have been something like that, but as my dog was a lot older and the cataracts of long standing, the lens were replaced. I'll have to find a photograph of Bunter post-op with his face all shaven, but beautiful big brown eyes. :)

The video is hilarious, Kirislin. I am worried though that she is having gender issues - LOL. My Danny does that, even with getting the cushion/mat/bed in his mouth. But he doesn't just walk away. He then humps the bejesus out of it and afterwards lies there exhausted licking himself. For a little dog, he is quite well endowed. His antics sometime gets Jeune very stirred up too with her performance being ears back, little squeals and jumping in the funny side to side way that dogs do.

I wouldn't say the aftercare is complicated, Kirty. It isn't hard to keep a dog rested in a crate or to put drops in at regular intervals. The person has to be committed of course, and I can't imagine someone would have such an operation on their dog and not carry out the specialist's instructions to the letter. I'm curious (and confused :D not hard). If you don't put artificial lenses in young dogs, what is the operation doing?

Oh, Katdogs, how sad.

Ari.G - your boxer boy is gorgeous. That seems to be a great age for a boxer. Well, I have some bananas in the fruit bowl and when I have one tomorrow with my muesli, I'll see if any of the dogs are takers. Somehow, I has me doubts. :laugh: :laugh:

Oh, Kirislin. What a shock for you. Your little watermelon lips is so gorgeous and even if she does have to have the operation, she is in such good health and has had such a good life with you, she should be able to cope very well. Physical and mental health plays a huge role in how well people and animals cope with trauma.

- lovely story, Stans Mun. Despite saying this would be a wonderful opportunity for a littly, in fact, I believe that larger dogs are better for elderly people. Little dogs tend to sit behind feet and turning too quickly sees them flying across the room - LOL. Dangerous for them and for the person. It is all in matching the dog to the person.

Okay, I have come to the conclusion that I have to make a huge backtrack here and state categorically and without qualification that Max has PERSONALITY :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Priceless isn't it :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

For your input, Lollipup. I would imagine the only difference between the human and dog surgery is that the human wouldn't need to be shaved or to wear an Elizabethan collar afterwards. :D

"Does have problems with peeing directly in the toilet" Well that does it, can't be bothered with toilet training again, so sorry I'm out. Jeez, you're hard to please, he is only 4 and he doesn't bite. :laugh:

Nah, that's a different dawg.

"Does have problems with peeing directly in the toilet" Yes, but they might happily trot out and pee in the bushes or something :p Saves cleaning the rim of the toilet. OMG, now I recall a ghastly experience of having a woman and her 9 year old stay with me for a while. He wet the bed and couldn't aim straight. For a little while, I wasn't aware he wet the bed, I just thought the woman was a bit over the top washing her bedding every day.

Now that's better. You weren't taking from her good side :laugh: :laugh:

"Does have problems with peeing directly in the toilet"

What city are you in, Sashagirl?. That information would help and there are many many people here on DOL and just about every illness or operation you could imagine has been experienced. My specialist surgeon gave me the odds of 90% success and the remaining 10% a bit of mixed bag. The after care treatment is pretty simple and doesn't need to be continued for long. My dog was only in hospital overnight; because he didn't paw at his face, he didn't have to wear his Elizabethan collar, drops are the simplest thing in the world to give. Apart from that, there were a few follow up checks and people always available on the phone if you are concerned. As with others, to euthanise a dog because its eyeballs hardened seems a bit extreme to me. This potential side effect was never canvassed with me, but as I have to go to my regular vet in the next couple of days, I will ask.

They sound pretty good. Shouldn't have much trouble finding them good homes. Check first, though, to ensure that they will be made to sleep outside.

Good lord! Such people live. I'm surprised they haven't been called to the right hand of god. :laugh: :laugh:

Laughing myself silly here. Gorgeous photos.

Probably for the same reason a lot of us hesitate :) . It is scary and it is venturing into the unknown. It might be something the surgeons do regularly or even every day of the week, but it is not for those experiencing it. Advice for any sort of surgey: ask around, do your homework, find out the pros and cons, will the patient be better off afterwards, what is the prognosis for success, etc etc.

Well if I'd known a certain person wasn't going to be there who publicly said she would be, I would have gone :laugh: :laugh: Next time. I would have loved to have met Max the Marvellous.

Sadly this type of thread has been done many times before and I imagine it will continue to pop up from time to time as long as there are dogs for rescue. It needs to be remembered that just because people rescue and rehome dogs, doesn't make them nice or decent or capable people. Often it would appear from the number of threads on this subject, it is the reverse, because it appears they are all wrapped up in how wonderful they are without being able to think of the animal's welfare or make a judgement as to whether or not a home would be a good one for a particular dog.