Reece Saw the Eye Specialist

[aly]

I took Reece in to the eye doctor a few days ago to have his cataracts checked to see if he's a good candidate for eye surgery. He can't see anything except light out of his left eye :( His right eye is much better than the left, but it is developing cataracts also. The doctor was concerned that Reece could possibly have retinal deterioration so on Friday the 16th, Reece is going in for an ERG (to confirm if he does have it).

If he does not have retinal deterioration, he is a good candidate for cataract surgery and will receive it on his left eye only. He can still see out of his right eye so the doctor doesn't want to operate on it due to the possibilities of complications. If something went wrong, then Reece could come out of the surgery not able to see out of either eye, so we're just doing the left.

If he DOES have retinal deterioration, then the doctor said he will just have to live out his life ... meaning he will go blind soon.

I really don't want my baby to be blind. He's not even quite 4 years old yet. His favorite thing to do is to run around with other dogs and I don't want him to lose that. I know dogs adjust quickly, but it is still really scary.

Whatever happens though, he will still be spoiled rotten.

[jenluckenbach]

WOW a 4 year old with cataracts. I always think of aged pets (and people) with that condition. I hope that he can be helped.

[Cataholic]

Aly,
I will be praying for sweet Reece.

[wolf_Q]

I hope everything will work out ok for Reece!

[Cookiebaker]

All fingers, claws, paws, eyes, you name it, are crossed that Reece will be able to have surgery, and that everything will go as hoped for!!!

Major hugs for him! :)

[Glacier]

I have a dog with progressive retinal atrophy. Preacher is completely blind now, but he's adjusted very, very well. You'd never know he was blind if I didn't tell you. I hope that Reece doesn't have it, but if he does, he'll adjust--and you will too. I probably had more trouble accepting Preacher's blindness than he did. Preacher just kept going like he always has. We just can't rearrange the furniture anymore! Reece can still live a long and happy life!

[Karen]

I have heard that poodles are more prone to cataracts than other dogs. I hope Reese is a good candidate for surgery, and that it goes well. But I do know that, no matter what happens, he will still be a champion snuggle-bug and the sweetest Reese ever - yes, that includes the candy, so there! No Reese's Pieces for me, I'll take the whole dog! (Except that Aly would never let him go, that is!)

[Miss Meow]

Good luck with the consultation. I hope you and Reece get some good news. Hugs to you both :)

[tikeyas_mom]

i have herd that if a dog sticks its herad out the window while the driver is driving fast the air blowing into the dogs eyes can cause cateracts..

[aly]

Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
i have herd that if a dog sticks its herad out the window while the driver is driving fast the air blowing into the dogs eyes can cause cateracts..

The vets believe Reece was born with his condition. (juvenile cataracts)

[shais_mom]

Good luck Reecie boy!!

[ramanth]

Prayers and hugs for Reece!

[KYS]

I hope all works out well for Reece and he doesn't
have retinal deterioration.

[lovemyshiba]

We'll keep our fingers and paws crossed for little Reecie poo!!
I hope everything works out for the best.

Give that little one a hug from me!!
(Don't leave Lolly out though!!)

[aly]

Reece is at the clinic now :( I have to wait another 2 hours before I can call and see if he's ready.

I don't know if they had to sedate him or not. The doc said that if he was not wiggly, they wouldn't sedate him. But if the doc didn't have an assistant this morning then he would sedate him no matter what. I don't want him to be sedated, but then again it might be for the better so he's not scared out of his mind. He was shaking when I left him and it made me cry :( But the receptionist was holding him tight and snuggling him so I felt better.

I will let you guys know what happens.

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

Oh Aly, you must be so anxious to find out what the diagnosis is. Reece is in our thoughts. Please let us know what the outcome is.

Fingers crossed that he can get his cateracts surgery.

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Aly, how anxious you must be to know the final outcome. You know how much we all love the Reece Man. He's such a sweetheart. You know, I have his Xmas pic. on my frig. and smile at him every day!:) Keeping everything crossed and saying prayers for you dear Reece. Hugs to you Aly. Please keep us upadated. Love, Sandra

[Karen]

Knowing you, you are even more anxious than we are ... we'll be thinking of you, Reece-baby! Be a good boy at the white-coats!

[ramanth]

Hoping for the best! *HUGS*

[micki76]

Any word yet, Aly?

[aly]

Well, we have pretty good news. The ERG showed that his retina in each eye is okay. The vet was slightly concerned because it didn't seem to match up with what he sees visually in Reece's eyes. However, he said the test has not been wrong yet. So that means he'll be getting cataract surgery in his left eye (the one he can't see out of). Since he will require almost constant supervision and care after the surgery, I am going to wait a couple months until I have a couple weeks with no obligations and my parents can also help me at that time.

They didn't need to sedate him today and they said he was the most well behaved, cute dog they've seen. They just couldn't stop gushing about him :)

I am happy about all of this - I don't think the results could have been better :)

[Karen]

Yay, Reese! Good for you, being such a good boy at the white coats and everything. Aly, we're glad to know that he's a good condiate for Sir Jury, and that all is as well as it could be!

My big brother had a cataract removed a few years ago, he was 42 or so I think, so quite young for cataracts also. He theorized it was from not wearing goggles when he should have around welders, but anyway, his big difference he noticed after surgery was that colors are so much brighter and better! Wonder what difference Reese will notice. Anyway, congrats on the good outcome.

[micki76]

Yay Reecie! Great news, Aly! :D :D

[Cataholic]

Great news, Reece and Aly!:)

[Miss Meow]

I'm glad you got some good news from the specialist visit :) You all deserve it, that's for sure!

[Pam]

Aly I just saw this thread and it looks like I saved myself a whole lot of worrying today since it is all over and done. I am glad that little Reecie will be a good candidate for the surgery. He is so young to be having vision problems so I hope that soon he will be able to see as well as when he was a wee little pupster! :)

I work for an ophthalmologist and my boss does several of these surgeries each week. You are correct in that he will have to be carefully watched post-operatively. It is a delicate surgery and, at least in the case of humans, there is no bending or straining, exertion, etc. to be done after. How do you explain that to a dog? :) Well, I know that you will be the bestest nurse on the planet for the Reece man. Be sure and let us know when the surgery is actually scheduled so we may begin to pray for the little guy. (((hugs to you and Reece)))

[micki76]

Originally posted by Pam
I work for an ophthalmologist and my boss does several of these surgeries each week. You are correct in that he will have to be carefully watched post-operatively. It is a delicate surgery and, at least in the case of humans, there is no bending or straining, exertion, etc. to be done after. How do you explain that to a dog?

Oh, Pam! I got some interesting mental images of Reece bending and straining! :eek: :D

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

That is great news, Aly! I am glad that it all worked out!

[Albea]

That's great news, Aly!
Some people I know who had that surgery had to wear a black patch for a couple of days. I can just imagine Reece as a "Pirate Poodle.":D
Big hug to the dear boy.

[lovemyshiba]

Good news Aly!!
I'm glad to hear Reecie boy is a good candidate for the surgery!!

[Cookiebaker]

That's really good news, Aly! I'm so happy for you :)

Reece, we are all rooting for you!!

[Cincy'sMom]

Great news, Aly!!! I'm so glad things went well at the vet for Reece and that he is a canidate for surgery!

[KYS]

That is wonderful news about Reece. :)

[lbaker]

OH ALY, this is the first I heard of my dear little ReeceMan :( but what a little trooper he is! You know I'm as worried for you as I am for Reece and he and I DO have a special bond ever since TX (at least I like to think so). I'm going to put a candle in the window for Reece RIGHT NOW. Keep us informed and special little butterfly kissies for Lolly, who also must be worried.
L

[aly]

Thanks everyone :)

Lolly really is worried about her brother. Yesterday when I came home without Reece, she looked around for him frantically. Then when I brought him home, she followed him around and herded the cats away from him and wouldn't give him any peace!