Cataract Surgery for Dogs

RVFC86

Hi

My 11 YO lab went blind last month due to cataracts (vet has confirmed this). The cataracts have probably developed quickly due to her diabetes, which is very close to being regulated, next tests are in a week and I'm hoping at that stage we can do the final tweak to her insulin dose. Her vet thinks she would be a good candidate for cataract surgery once the diabetes is under control, we had other tests done on her to check general health and as far as the vet can see she has no other underlying health conditions (although I know this could change at any stage). 

Anyway, I am very keen to go ahead with surgery if possible. She is adapting quiet well to having gone blind but is sometimes refusing to go on walks (not good for keeping blood glucose levels stable, never mind her not getting out and about) and also we go away on a regular basis and I don't feel like I could send her to a different household to be looked after when she can't see. 

Problem is  - our vet referred us to a specialist to have an initial consultation RE surgery. Veterinary Vision which I believe is a 'chain'. I asked for a rough quote before getting too involved and they came back with £185 + £90 for initial consultation and tests, then £4-4,400 for the surgery. This is just too much!!! We have some insurance, but not 100% sure yet if they would cover it and if they do we are capped at £1500. So I need somewhere where the gap between actual cost and potential insurance cover is closer. 

Can anyone recommend anywhere that costs less?? We are based in Newcastle Upon Tyne but would be willing to travel. Also, does anyone have experience of just getting one eye done? And would that 'do'? I realise that wouldn't halve the cost but assume it would bring it down some extent.

I really hope I get some replies, I asked a similar Q on a Facebook group I am on but didn't get replies, I think because most of the members are American or Canadian. 

Thanks in advance

MovingForwards

That will be a specialist treatment, not done by your average vet.

I've no recommendations as I'm not down your way. It would be worth seeing if the vet schools in England have hospitals like they do up here, can't say it will be any cheaper though.

Another option is to not have the op done. She only lost her sight last month and will still be adapting to it, relearning how to get around your home and having to hone her sense of smell and hearing to counteract loss of vision. It will take time, but short local walks repeating the same route will build her confidence.

A friend's dog had to have eyes removed, he wasn't to comfortable with the new him to begin with, after a few months he has settled in. She knows not to move things around and keep to familiar areas.

MovingForwards

I've just done a search online, it appears what you have been estimated is the average cost and it isn't much cheaper (about £300 less) to only have one done. There's also follow up appointments which add about £700 on top.

There were a few specialist vets who put their price list up online.

If you don't have it done, there's also risks. However it would be worth having a good chat with your vet so you can weigh up all the options, especially if paying for the op would be difficult.

Undervalued

Many many years ago, long before this kind of surgery was even considered for animals, we had a dog who went blind. After a month or two she coped amazingly well and would still happily run around the garden always avoiding the pond and flowerbeds. Most visitor would have had no idea she couldn't see. We just had to remember not to leave things in unexpected places like a watering can in the middle of the lawn!

Aranyani

You might have to rethink the 'going away on a regular basis' for a while if you have a diabetic dog.  Would you really ask someone else to take care of twice daily insulin injections, regular blood sugar testing, a very strict diet and watching out and responding to the signs of a hypo?

Dogs do adapt really well to losing their sight, it isn't their main sense for getting about like it is for us.  As long as they can smell they are generally ok. 

Apintplease

My last dog went blind due to cataracts aged 10

He coped really well. We left the lights on all night as there was some light detection still and it helped him as he was a night roamer

We coped by keeping his routine the same, the same walk for example - boring for us, but it kept him walking, and we changed our way of life a bit - we decided we couldn't leave him to go on holiday, even though he would still be in his home with mum , we just knew mum would stress and fret

There were days when he wouldn't walk, or maybe just get so far and turn around, other days he would pull on the lead raring to go, we just went with it. He still ran about in the garden like a pup

There are plenty of blind dogs living full lives. 

balabooberlies

This has been helpful but just wondered if anyone had gone through the surgery and whether the outcome was worth putting your dog through it.  

bala