Stevie - Update and More Questions

I took Stevie to the vet this morning and heard something I was not expecting at all. They said his glaucoma was secondary to either a recent retina detachment or a mass. Well from what I understand, Stevie's retinas have been detached for a long, long time. They are recomending removal of the eye and pathology on it to determine if it is cancerous or not.

I would love to hear if anyone has experience with this. I've been googling but haven't found much relative to a mass inside of a canine eye.

I've also not yet spoken to Lynette about this :( I thought maybe it would be best if I tell her in person tomorrow night when she picks him back up from our house.

No advice, but I'll keep Stevie in my prayers.

Goodness gracious. I don't have any wise words, just lots and lots of good thoughts for Stevie, and for Lynette too.

A mass IN his eye? Or behind it? Not that I have experience with either, but a mass IN the eye sounds a bit odd. I think I might talk to Lynette when she gets back, unless she calls specifically to ask.

IN it. The photo she drew me shows that there is likely a mass behind his cornea. She said they could perform an ultrasound to try and detect it but that this types of mass is so small that they often times don't show up on the ultrasound.

Oh and I called Lynette because she wanted me to update her after he saw the Dr and got her voicemail. I just told her I thought we should talk about it tomorrow when she gets back.

If this was me, I would remove the eye to be safe. He's not using the eye for sight and if it is causing additional problems, then it is probably safer to remove it. That's my logic, at least.

Not Afraid wrote:If this was me, I would remove the eye to be safe. He's not using the eye for sight and if it is causing additional problems, then it is probably safer to remove it. That's my logic, at least.

I agree. I'm not familiar with the situation you're describing, but I don't view an enucleation on a blind dog as that big a deal anyway. The possibility of it being a cancerous mass is definitely something I'd want to rule out if it were me.

If it was my dog, I would have that eye out faster than I can type this. I would rather have a peeker than one in pain or risk the chance of cancer! I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

For what it's worth, we have had several eyeless pugs -- Kim had Percy and still has Jed and I just had Hazel's last remaining eye removed a couple of weeks ago. Best thing I ever did for her--she had no sight in it in any case. I'd enucleate in a second and a half.....

Ok second question - is this generally a $1100 procedure? I know vet prices vary based on location, but that was a little more than I expected.

Amber wrote:Ok second question - is this generally a $1100 procedure? I know vet prices vary based on location, but that was a little more than I expected.

Yep. Hazel's last one cost me about $1,300. And that was with my vet doing it. If I'd gone to the specialist, it would have been closer to $2,000

northernwitch wrote:

Amber wrote:Ok second question - is this generally a $1100 procedure? I know vet prices vary based on location, but that was a little more than I expected.

Yep. Hazel's last one cost me about $1,300. And that was with my vet doing it. If I'd gone to the specialist, it would have been closer to $2,000

Thanks Blanche. The last time I spent that much at the vet I brought home a little box of ashes so I should just be happy that this is a procedure with a good success rate.

It's pretty fiddley surgery with lots of blood vessels and other things that need watching and it's a relatively small space in which to operate. My vet did a great job with both of Hazel's enucleations although she had some problems getting the bleeding to stop with her second so I had to keep her quiet for 24 hours.

I'm pretty sure keeping Stevie quiet won't be a problem. I think he's the most laid back pug I've ever seen, LOL.

I'm glad Hazel's went well and that it has helped her. I think I will mention that to Lynette when I talk to her tomorrow. I am really dreading telling her all of this.

The mass in the eye thing is rare, but not totally unheard of. I have to second (or is it third, fourth, or fifth?) the concept of just taking the eye out. In any event, even more thoughts and good energy for Stevie and Lynette.

I just wanted to offer you a hug, as this is not easy and so not fair, poor Stevie.

How are Lynette and Stevie? Did she make a decision on what to do?

Yes, Stevie will be having the eye removed. I don't think a surgery date has been decided on yet, but it will be in the next two weeks I think from what Lynette was saying yesterday. Poor little man has been through so much already, it's heartbreaking. I just keep telling myself that he won't even miss it!

You know, I don't think he will miss it. He may even function better without it. Nevertheless, huge hugs to you, Lynette, and Stevie. Please keep us posted.

((hugs)) for all of you, especially Stevie. I think he'll bounce back faster than anyone expects. Of course he'll be pitiful and get no attention in that house either.

LOL!! Lynette sent me some evidence of the spoilage after he got back home - a picture message of Stevie sitting between one of her girls and her laptop. He hit the jackpot when Lynette took him home, that's for sure!

thanks for keeping us updated Amber!!

I didn't realize the surgery was that expensive either. UGH!

Hopefully the surgery will all go well, and Stevie will be back to his spoiled self in no time.

Please give Lynette and Stevie our best. Poor little guy!

Just thought I'd give yall an update. Stevie had the eye removed today and is now home with Lynette and her girls. I will update again when the pathology on the eye comes back.

She sent me a picture message of post-op Stevie and I almost lost my lunch