NJTman

Been a while since I posted anything about my old smelly beagle that went blind, then wasn't blind, now again is mostly blind...because of several reasons which were (I believe) preventable.

After about a year and a half, while we were still being cared for by her Vet Dr., my beagle started to have discoloration in her eyes. I kept bringing her back to him, and he kept saying that she was fine, and not to worry about it. Time and time again, he said, nothing to worry about.

Well, after a short period of time whereas she was "off the eyedrop meds", we noticed her vision was starting to go bad again. We again, brought her back, and this time he said... Oh, there's nothing we can do...

Being the dog daddy that I am, I searched for another doctor to get another opinion. This time I took her to an 85 year old specialist who's been working with animal's vision for over 50 years. He actually was my original choice to do the surgery, but since he was over 1.5 hours away, I chose the closer place (which was actually more money) because of the fear of "what happens if something happens ? ". I wanted to be within a safer distance should something happen after the surgery. I regret this decision, but then this is why we learn from our mistakes... some of us, anyway.

So we visit the second opinion doctor, and he tells me that "you should have NEVER STOPPED the medications. Dogs are per-dispositioned to develop glaucoma after the implant surgery of the artificial lenses. Unlike humans, a large rejection outcome is the norm for dogs who receive cataract surgery, some of which is genetics, some of which is the natural process of the body trying to reject the foreign body in the animal ".

After kicking myself in the **** a few times, I asked him "Why would the doctor tell us to stop the medications ? "

His reply was....."Well, I don't have an exact answer for you, but it is to the surgeons advantage to have a re-occurrance as this would provide additional income for a secondary surgery, to fight it, or removal of the eyes completely. Either way, it's financial."

He immediately placed my lady dog on a different eye drop regiment, explained to us how and what to look for regarding "pressure spikes", and sent us on our way. We visited him a few times for follow up visits, but eventually age took it's toll on him, and he retired from the business. We still, however, follow his regiment to this very day. As he had foretold, the time in which the drops would continue to work has grown narrower and closer between. Eventually, the glaucoma will overtake the saving effects of the medication drops, and she will be completely blind, requiring removal of both eyes. Hopefully, she passes of natural causes before we come to that crossing.

Why did I bring this back up ?

Well yesterday, we adopted a used, South Carolina, 6 year old male beagle named Stanley. He was brought up here to NJ by a rescue group from a kill shelter down in SC. They neutered him, treated him for heartworm, gave him his shots, and he's now a member of our family. There were lots of puppies there, but I personally prefer saving an older dog when I can, as they are the ones who get overlooked the most. Eventually we will get another puppy, but that one will be a Shepherd dobie lab mix so that we can relive the fun of bringing up our dog who after 14 years passed away on us last June.

Welcome Mr. Stanley to the crew. He's a good boy. His job is to take care of his half blind, 14 year old sister, and her other sister. Her job is to train him how to be a good beagle while she still is here for us to enjoy....

Stanley is in the foreground, and Lady is in the back of him looking at mommy with her one, very blurry eye that she has some function still in. IF it wasn't for my wife giving her drops every 5 hours or so (including at 3 am every single night), she wouldn't be looking at anyone right now....

NJTman

Just wanted to say goodbye to an old lady friend of mine.

Tonight, about an hour ago, we put Lady to sleep, as her time had come to go hang out with her other buddies who've past before her.


I admit, she was the biggest pain in the rear end dog I've ever had, and at one point I swore up and down never another beagle. Well, that didn't work out eh ?


So, on this nice cool May evening, she's been set free to frolic with her dog buddies of the past. Maybe she's with my mom, mother in law, and the rest of my family who've all left me behind.

She was a nice old coot of a Lady.

RIP, my little Ladybug.

torquefan

Very sorry for your loss, I know very well how it feels. I'm glad she had such a long life.

oliver foster

Sorry T-man.
We knew the day was coming, but it still is a hard day when it arrives.
She had a great run. I will remember her getting pushed around the car show in her stroller with us checking out the old Mopars on sunny July days.