Learning that your cat or dog needs eye removal surgery can be upsetting, and you'll probably have many questions. Our veterinarians in South Wilton explain pet eye removal, recovery times, potential complications, and more.
Enucleation in Cats & Dogs
Learning that your pet needs to have an eye removed can stir up many emotions: shock, worry, sadness, and concern for your pet's health during the surgery and the healing process.
Enucleation is a surgical procedure to remove a pet's eye, and a veterinary ophthalmologist or ocular specialist typically performs it.
Your vet may recommend this permanent and irreversible solution if:
- Your pet's eye is badly or irreparably damaged
- Your pet's eye pain is unmanageable
- Your pet has an untreatable eye condition or tumor
There are two types of enucleation surgery: transconjunctival and transpalpebral. The transconjunctival approach reduces the loss of orbital tissue and subsequent orbital collapse. It also reduces the risk of bleeding and shortens the overall duration of the procedure.
The transpalpebral approach is used when the eye is irreparably damaged. This procedure involves removing the entire eyeball, including the contents of the conjunctival sac (eyelids, conjunctiva, and nictitating membrane).
Sometimes, the internal contents of the eye are replaced with a prosthesis to give the eye a more natural appearance. However, this method is not suitable for eyes with tumors or infections.
Pet Eye Removal Surgery: Procedure & Cost
Our staff will take your pet's vital signs before administering pre-anesthetic medication. Once sedation has been achieved, general anesthesia will be administered. The staff will then shave the fur around the affected eye and trim the upper eyelashes with fine scissors before using tape to remove the fine hairs from the skin.
The surgical procedure will follow the approach you and your veterinarian chose based on your pet's eye condition and needs. The eyeball and eyelids will be carefully removed, and the wound will be sutured.
Stitches are used to close wounds. Some stitches are made of an absorbable, invisible material and will not need to be removed as they gradually dissolve. Stitches are often not absorbable or visible on the skin's surface. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you what type of stitches were used and when to return to have them removed.
Once the surgery is complete, the empty eye socket will be covered with skin. The cost of your pet's enucleation depends on many factors, including the pre-and post-operative care your pet requires. Ask your veterinarian for an accurate, detailed estimate of the procedure's cost.
Pet Eye Enucleation: Potential Complications
If your pet's eye area remains swollen for an extended period after surgery or if you see pus coming from the incision, it could be a sign of infection. In this case, it is important to seek veterinary care promptly for drainage and antibiotics.
In rare cases where an animal's eyes are severely damaged and need to be removed, removing the eye in one piece might be difficult, leading to a small fragment of the eye's back membrane remaining. If enough of this tissue remains, it may result in ongoing liquid secretions from the incision. If this becomes excessive, a second surgical procedure may be necessary to clean the animal's orbit fully.
Recovery After Eye Removal Surgery
This procedure is a permanent solution for eye conditions that have not or will not respond to treatment. Completely removing an eye that's been damaged by injury, infection, or disease will ideally eliminate the issue and prevent the condition from spreading.
Here's what you can expect and some actions to take to ensure your pet's recovery from surgery goes as smoothly as possible:
Bruising—Soon after your pet's surgery, some mild bruising and swelling may occur. It's normal for this to worsen in the first 24 hours and then ease gradually over the first week of recovery.
Weeping - You may notice a small amount of blood-stained fluid coming from your pet's wound or occasionally from the nose. This happens because the tear ducts are connected to the inner nostrils. If you observe more than a few drips, it's important to contact your vet for further guidance and care. The bleeding from the nose should decrease within about two to four days after the surgery.
Pain - Your cat or dog will likely feel a small amount of pain and discomfort post-surgery. Most of this can be managed with medication. Ensure you administer all medicines correctly once your cat or dog has returned home. Contact your vet if your cat or dog is still in severe pain. Once healing is complete, the surgical area should be pain-free and comfortable.
Protect the Wound - You must prevent your cat or dog from pawing at or damaging the surgical site to avoid infection or reopening the wound, especially in the first three to five days post-surgery. Your pet should wear an e-collar (Elizabethan collar, a head cone). The incision has healed, and your vet says it can be removed (usually within 10-14 days).
Your pet should be able to eat and drink with the collar in place, but if you have concerns, check with your vet about removing the collar at meal times. Make sure your pet is well-supervised if you do remove the e-collar. If you have other pets living in your home, you'll also need to stop them from licking your pet's wounds and sutures by separating them from your pet during your recovery.
Keep Your Cat or Dog Indoors—If your pet normally ventures outside, keeping it indoors as it recovers is important. This decreases the risk of injury or infection.
Administer Medication as Directed - Your vet will prescribe pain medication while your [et recovers, likely for a week after surgery. Make sure to provide this as instructed.
Make Sure Your Pet Gets Lots of Rest & TLC - Arrange a warm, comfortable, quiet place for your pet to rest and recover after the surgery.
Provide Soft Food - If your pet is experiencing pain or a loss of appetite, soft food may help. Try warming their normal food slightly or giving them something with a strong scent, such as tuna.
Return to Your Vet for Stitch Removal - Stitches typically must be removed within 7 to 14 days after the operation.
Monitor Whisker Regrowth for Cats - After enucleation surgery, whiskers won't typically grow back for six to eight weeks. Since cats use their whiskers to sense their surroundings, they should be monitored and protected during this timeframe, as cats without whiskers are prone to becoming imbalanced.
Life After Eye Removal Surgery
Many pet parents wonder, "What happens when my pet loses an eye?". Some worry for their pet's safety and ability to enjoy a good quality of life.
Owning a one-eyed pet will come with challenges, but it shouldn't be particularly different from having a fully sighted pet, as they adapt well. You can help them by:
- Moving objects the same height as your pet's head may cause harm or injury (since your pet cannot see from the side where they've had the eye removed).
- If your pet has a condition that may threaten the remaining eye, take other preventive measures as directed by your vet.
- Speak to them when approaching on their blind side to avoid startling them. Tell guests to do the same and care extra when bringing small children and animals around your pet.
Most pets respond well to partial blindness and resume regular activities quickly.
Enucleation Prevention in Pets
Surgery to remove pets' eyes is often recommended for eye conditions whose causes are unknown. Prevention is, therefore, not always possible. However, preventing eye trauma is a good start, and it's important to consult a vet immediately if you detect a problem.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
