Please keep Reece in your thoughts :(

[aly]

I'm starting to really freak out here. Some of you know that Reece has had some juvenile cataract problems. He saw the eye specialist a year ago and was ok'd for surgery in his left eye (the worse one). I had wanted to clear up his yeast infections and allergies before he had the surgery (the doctor agreed that was better) so I waited. I had an appointment scheduled for next month to go ahead with the surgery. Now all of a sudden, Reece's left eye is almost completely red :( :( It looks scary. I just called the eye specialist and they are going to squeeze him in tomorrow. They said it could be glaucoma - in which case they would not do surgery because there is too much damage already. He's already lost most of his vision. If we can't do surgery, I'll have a completely blind dog by Christmas. I'd say he's lost 80-90% of his vision already. It is pretty bad. I don't want him to be blind. He's just 5 years old. He's the happiest, sweetest dog and he deserves to be able to see so he can run around and play with other animals like he used to love doing :( He does try to play still, but its not like he used to.

[PJ's Mom]

Oh no. Poor Reecie. :(

Good thought heading his way.

Are you going to see Dr. Shiffrin?

[aly]

Originally posted by PJ's Mom


Are you going to see Dr. Shiffrin?

Yes, have you been to him?

[PJ's Mom]

He's Peej's eye doctor. He's very busy, but he's excellent. He will take as much time as you need to answer your questions and he's very thorough. I think you'll like him. Peej has to see him every couple of months, and I wish he was his regular vet. ;)

Tell him Peej says hi. :D

[lv4dogs]

Good luck to Reece & you!

[robinh]

I'm praying hard for Reece! But if it does happen that he goes blind, he still has lots of good years left.

My sisters old cocker went blind and he lived for 4-5 years (until he was 10 and cancer took him). He just followed his fursister everywhere. They wrestled and played together all the time. Worked really well for them.

Give Reece a hug for me.

[Ginger's Mom]

Prayers and positive thoughts are on the way for Reece. It may by hard for you, but either way he really can live a happy life.

[luvofallhorses]

:( Poor Reece. Positive thoughts and prayers for Reece and you. ((((((((hugs)))))))))

[Daisy and Delilah]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Reece. Sounds like you're going to a great doctor! Get well Reece and Mom!!:)

Love, Terry, Daisy, and Delilah

[lbaker]

:( :( Whatever you and the Dr decide I know dear Reeceman will deal with it with his usual big, strong heart. If he does end up blind in the next few months I'm sure Lolly will step right up to help, happily and willingly. Dear Aly, be strong and don't let your own emotions worry your four-leggers.. you know how they can't help but pick up on your feelings - they love you (and so do we).

[aly]

Thanks so much everyone for your well wishes. I'm trying not to panic, but can't help imagining the worst. His eye sight has been horrible lately but I wasn't worrying because I was counting on the surgery to help him. Now that might not be an option, so I'm just worried and sad :( I took some pics of his eye. I'll post them in a few.


Originally posted by PJ's Mom
He's Peej's eye doctor. He's very busy, but he's excellent. He will take as much time as you need to answer your questions and he's very thorough. I think you'll like him. Peej has to see him every couple of months, and I wish he was his regular vet. ;)

Tell him Peej says hi. :D

Ah good. I have seen him a couple times, but I was always worried about Reece at the time and couldn't quite focus on much. He seemed pretty good though. My dad kept him talking for a long time since they graduated from the same university.

[PJ's Mom]

Since he's squeezing you in, be prepared to wait. The last time he squeezed Peej in, we had to wait an extra 30 minutes or so. Make sure you take your time with him. it won't take long before he puts you at ease. :) I know he will do whatever he needs to do to help Reece.

It's hard, but try not to worry. He's in good hands. (((hugs to you and Reecie.)))

[ChrisH]

Poor Reecie. :( Prayers and positive thoughts on the way.

[Glacier]

All paws crossed. i hope that Reece's sight can be saved.

I have a completely blind dog. Preacher lost his sight entirely about 2 years ago. His condition is inoperable and there's nothing that will restore his sight. If Reece does loose his sight, he will adjust much faster than you will. I mourned for Preacher. He never missed a step. Most people can't tell he's blind until I tell them. He gets around just fine. He plays occasionally. (he's an older dog so he doesn't play much anymore). He loves his walks and in some areas he can even go off-leash safely. He digs, howls, and acts like a sighted husky in most ways. He still takes great pleasure out of destuffing every toy he can find.

The only real accomodation we've had to make for Preacher is that he no longer goes in a pen. The younger dogs are always digging new holes and Preacher would trip in them. He has a trolley tie-out now. He knows exactly how far it goes and where everything in that area is. His food and water dish always go in the same place and we don't rearrange the furniture anymore!

Hope you get good news from the doc.

[ParNone]

Hi Aly!

Many positive thoughts headed Reece's way.

Keep in mind that dogs adjust to blindness much better then people. It didn't stop Maddie from playing or running around or yanking out some of Oz and Murph's dog hair. She was very adept at using her other senses. Most people upon first meeting her, wouldn't even realize she was blind, because she toodled around so good and would look directly at your face when you were talking to her.

I even took her hiking with me and you still had to watch her, when she was free on the ground. Cuz as soon as those feeties touched the ground, she was off exploring. Totally fearless. Not a care in the world.

Never stopped her from greeting me whenever I came through the back gate either. She might be in the 3rd spot behind Oz and Murph, but she still came running around the corner to see me. She always used the patio, brick path, house and fence to know where she was in the yard. Amazing what they'll figure out.

Oh and like Glacier, I always kept the water and food bowl in the same place, along a wall, to make it easy for her to find.

Hang in there...
Les...

[Dixieland Dancer]

Reece will be in our thoughts and prayers, Aly. You will be too.

Candy

[4 Dog Mother]

Oh, Aly, I'm sorry that Reece is having more trouble with his eyes. I will keep you and him in my thoughts and prayers!

[aly]

Thanks everyone. I guess since he's already lost most of his vision, it won't be that much more of an adjustment. He basically just gets around by responding to lights and smells. I don't know if he can see much at all. I have to be very careful that he knows where I am. Soemtimes I catch him doing his "circus dog" trick because he thinks I'm standing in front of him and I'm actually across the room :( When he smells treats, he often looks in the wrong direction and he bumps into things a lot :( :( I'm just having a really hard time because he's so young. I would accept it much better if he was a senior dog. I just talked with Naomi and have more hope about it not being glaucoma though. I'll just have to wait until tomorrow when the doctor sees him to know for sure, but I'm trying to hang on to hope.

The pictures didn't turn out well. You can't really see how red his eye actually is, but I guess I'll post them anyway in case anyone is curious.

http://rescuedpaws.com/reye4.jpg

http://rescuedpaws.com/reye.jpg

http://rescuedpaws.com/reye2.jpg

His other poor little eye:

http://rescuedpaws.com/reye3.jpg

And happier pictures (don't laugh at his hair, I groomed him myself :o )

http://rescuedpaws.com/reelol5-03.jpg

http://rescuedpaws.com/reesky5-03.jpg

Here he is running... he only does this for a few steps though and then stops fast cause he's afraid he'll bump into something

http://rescuedpaws.com/reecerun5-03.jpg

And his new bling bling collar

http://rescuedpaws.com/rcollar.jpg

[caseysmom]

I hope everything goes okay for reece..I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Oh, poor Reece. :( I'll be keeping you guys in my thoughts and prayers, Aly. Keep us updated.

[RobiLee]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Reece. I'm so sorry that you are going through this. {{{Big Hugs}}} for you.

Despite the eye pics it was really goody to see some pics. I love his bling bling collar.

Take care and keep us informed.

Robin

[luvofallhorses]

I am so sorry about Reece :( you both will be in thoughts and prayers keep us updated. (((((((hugs))))))))

[PJ's Mom]

He looks so handsome in his bling bling. :D

Make sure you ask the doctor how much he thinks Reecie can see. I thought Peej had very little eyesight left in his bad eye, but was told that he's lost very little of his vision. Maybe you'll be surprised, too. :)

[Vette]

Sending lots of good thoughts your way and all
fingers and paws are crossed for your Receie boy

[IRescue452]

I hope everything will go ok. Reece will be in my thoughts. It won't be much more to adjust to if he loses his vision completely. Hugs to Reecie.

[anna_66]

Oh Aly I'm sorry to hear about Reece. I do hope the dr has a good outlook when you see him.
Take care & I will be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.
{{{HUGS}}}
Anna

[finn's mom]

I hope you and Reece will both keep your chins up. :)

[lizbud]

Prayers & good wishes for Reece. I hope the Dr. has better
news for you both soon. Please do keep us updated, o.k?

[wolflady]

Poor little Reece! I'll be sending prayers along for you and him too. Definitely keep us posted on what the doctor says.

**hugs**

[dukedogsmom]

Aly, I'm so sorry to hear about Reece. That's a beatiful pic of him running. Try not to let it worry you too much, though that must be hard. Fox-Gal's Mooch has been blind for a long time now and has adjusted quite well. I hope the operation is successful though, so you and Reece won't have to deal with that. Give him lots of hugs from us here.

[Karen]

Reece will be in our prayers. I am sure that if he does go completely blind, he'll adjust very quickly. One way you can help is of course not moving any furniture once he gets used to a room's "layout" so he can move about with confidence ... I realize, however, that feline roadblocks are self-moving but at least they come with alarm systems - Meeeeooowwch!

Reece, can I have a snuggle? I remember well what a snuggle-bug you are!

[chrissycat21]

Reece will be in my thoughts.

I read about someone who's dog went blind and they put a bell on their other dog's collar so he would know where they were going and who to follow. If Reece and Lolly are buddies and one follows the other, you could try that.

Paws, wings, and fingers crossed that Reece will be ok!

[KYS]

Sending many prayers.

(((HUGS)))

[captain]

ALy,

HUGS and prayers for you and darlin furkid, Reecie!!

[wolf_Q]

I'm so sorry to hear about Reece. :( I hope that he'll still be able to have the surgery. I'm sure he will adjust well even if he can't. I'm keeping Reece in my thoughts, love that little guy.

[Cookiebaker]

http://rescuedpaws.com/reecerun5-03.jpg
This pic. is so adorable! I'm in love with Reece!!

{{Hugs to you & Reece, Aly}} and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers that everything will turn out well in the long run!!

[Logan]

Aly, I will definitely be thinking of you and Reece tomorrow. I hope that you can get a good report and some hope for your boy to continue seeing things.

I know it's a tough time for you, but keep that glass half full, instead of half empty. He will be fine, either way.

Logan

[Uabassoon]

I'm so sorry to hear about Reece, he will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Bigyummydog]

poor baby REECE...:( ......furry hugs and soggy kisses to you and your mommy.......we'll be thinking of you...

[cloverfdx]

Oh Aly i am so sorry to hear about Reece man :(. You both will be in my thoughts {{Hugs}}.

[shais_mom]

poor Reecie!!!
He will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[aly]

Thanks so much everyone. I'm double nervous this morning - on my way to my own appointment then off to his right after. I'll check back in about 5 hours or so and let you all know what the doctor said.

We really appreciate all of the prayers and thoughts :)

[cloverfdx]

Prayers and good thoughts on the way for you both. Good luck with your appointments Aly & Reece {{Hugs}}.

[Kfamr]

Good luck at both appointments.

I know Reece will probably adjust to life just fine, but we need to help his mommy a lil bit, don't we? ;)
{{HUGS}} to you Aly, and to Reece, Lolly, & The kitties. It was nice to see some pictures of them. :)

[mruffruff]

Glacier and Parnone are right on. It's harder for Mom than the dog.

Bear was blind for almost 5 years before he went to the bridge. He had cataracts due to diabetes. I didn't have the cataracts removed in time and they grew back into his eye so they became inoperable. He devoped glaucoma later and needed drops to keep the pressure down. I finally realized that he was never going to see anyway, so I had his eyes removed. No more drops (very expensive ones). He was as relieved as I was.

He never missed a beat! He wasn't real active, but still did all the things he wanted to.

I hope the vet visit is a good one. We'll be waiting for news.

Mary

[furrykidsmother]

Good luck at the appointment. I hope there is something that can be done for Reece. Good luck! Good thoughts and prayers on their way!

[Jods]

Good luck Reece!! You will be in my thoughts!! :(

[NoahsMommy]

Hope Reece's appointment is going well, Aly.

I'll pray and cross my fingers everything will work out.

Hugs,
Kelly :)

[anna_66]

Thinking of you and hoping all is going your way:)

[aly]

We're both back from our doctors now (with many prescriptions in tow!).

Lets see, where to begin. When we walked in, the doctor looked at his eye and said "That isn't good" :( :( He examined both eyes very thoroughly and basically confirmed what I suspected about his vision. He is completely blind in one eye and is only light responsive out of the other (just about as close to blind as possible). Thankfully, he doesn't think that he has glaucoma. The red eye is filled with blood from a hemorrhage that could have been caused by a multitude of things. He talked extensively about everything that it *could* be, but said he suspects the hemorrhage mostly likely happened as a result of the cataracts. To be on the safe side, Reece is going in (to his new vet where I work) for complete blood work. The eye doc put him on antibiotics, prednisone, and pred eye drops. Hopefully that will clear up his little hemorrhage. If so, and if his blood results are normal (which I think they will be), then I can schedule surgery for Reece's other eye. We initially weren't going to do this eye because the cataracts weren't as complete. And just in case something in the surgery messed up, at least it would be his bad eye we were operating on and not the one he could still sort of see out of. Now that he is completely blind in the bad eye though, and his cataracts are more complete in the other eye and he can't really see anyway, we're going to operate on that one. We're going for a re-check appointment in 2 weeks. I'll schedule his surgery at that time if everything else is okay.

Blaaaah... his ears are also pretty swollen right now from yeast infections. I'm going to get more of his medicated ointment when I take him for his bloodwork. Ohhh, the health problems of a Poodle :(

Reecie wants to tell everyone thanks for caring about him :) He was a fraidy cat at the doc, but he's doing okay. He's always very cooperative, but he will shake and moan a little while he's being poked and prodded. He kept trying to play with a Bichon that was in the waiting room. The doctor said he's in no pain at all, so there is one good thing. The doctor also said that maybe it is a blessing in disguise that we didn't do the surgery sooner in his bad eye... because this still could have happened and then we would have done the surgery for no reason.

[PJ's Mom]

At least he's not in pain. That should make you rest easy. Did you like the Dr? Tell Reecie that Peej is on prednisone and pred drops too so hopefully he won't feel alone. ;)

[lizbud]

Hope the medicine helps Reece feel better. Good luck on his
upcoming surgery. Reece is such a sweet doggie. A real cutie.:)

[Kfamr]

Thank gosh he's in no pain. What a good boy he is.
Many hugs to you and him...

[dukedogsmom]

I'm glad he's not in pain and even felt like playing. That shows a very good outlook. I think he'll be just fine.

[mruffruff]

Good to know he doesn't have glaucoma!

Hope the meds clear up his hemorrhage. We'll all be waiting to hear how the sweety does.

Mary

[Dixieland Dancer]

Thanks for the update, Aly. I'm also glad he is not in pain. I will continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery.

[Pam]

Oh Aly I just saw this and read through the whole thread just now. My heart is broken that little Reecie is going through all of this. Here are some big (((HUGS))) for you both. I am glad Reece will be having a battery of blood tests. I work for an ophthalmologist and was wondering all through the thread if Reece might have undiagnosed diabetes and hence some form of diabetic retinopathy causing leaky blood vessels in his eyes. I am far from a doctor and really only type his dictation but have picked up on a lot of things over the years.

A friend of mine had cataract surgery for her dog and it was quite successful. I hope that will be the case with Reecie. Bella and Ripley send him lots of special 'poodle healing vibes.' ;)

Aly, as you know, I had many, many problems with Bella's ears in the past, all of which began immediately after I started taking her to a professional groomer. Last October my vet did a complete ear flush (under general anesthesia) as he was also removing a cyst and cleaning her teeth. To this date there has been NO recurrence of any yeast!!!!! Of course I stopped taking her to the groomer as well because I believe that the source of the infection was that they were getting lots of water into her ears that she was unable to shake out. I would definitely recommend this as something you might try with Reece. I have been able to stick my nose entirely in her ears (a really funny sight!) and breath deeply and there is not a hint of an odor and they are bone dry!

I will keep little Reecie in my thoughts and you as well. Hang in there!!

[cloverfdx]

Oh Aly thankyou fr updating us. Poor Reece, i am glad to hear he is not in any pain though. I will keep you in my thoughts {{Hugs}}.

[Jadapit]

You and Reece will be in my thoughts! I'm so glad he's not in any pain.

[aly]

Thanks for the advice, Pam. I will definately talk to my vet about the ears because something really has to be done. It has been a constant battle for 4 years now. I really hope his eye condition isn't from diabetes. I don't think it is though because he doesn't have any of the other symptoms (increased thirst, urination, etc). I *think* I would recognize the symptoms since I have diabetes myself, but maybe I did overlook something. I just can't wait to get his blood taken so I can find out if anything else is going on or not................. *nervous*

[Albea]

Aly, I'm so sorry I only saw this thread now. Haven't been around much lately.
Poor little Reece, but at least is good to know he's not in pain.
Many good thoughts and prayers going his way with best wishes for a successful surgery.

[aly]

We won't be getting his blood results until tomorrow, but I did talk to the doctor last night about his ears. He strongly recommended one of 2 ear operations (umm a resection? and something else). He said if it were his dog, he'd do it right away. One of the surgeries would leave him deaf :( :( The resection (?) would still allow him to hear though. Ugh, ugh ugh. My poor baby :( The doctor said to go ahead and clear up the eyes and do cataract surgery first. I wish they could do it all at once so he doesn't have to be sedated multiple times. Geez, I feel so awful about this.

I was a bit overwhelmed so I didn't get all the information possible. I'm on my way to work now though and will talk to the doctor about the surgeries further.

[finn's mom]

That's so much for you two to go through. I hope everything works out for you.

[lbaker]

Aly, Reece has spirit and Reece has heart - no operation or "procedure" will take that away from one of my favorite pups in the world :) I wish I could hold you both. Actually in this weird cyber space we sometimes live in I AM holding you both. And Lolly[pop] too.

[Ginger's Mom]

That was very well said lbaker, and I want to second all of it. It is an awful lot to go through at one time. It will all work out alright, wait until you see what a tough little guy Reece is. Just try to keep your own spirits up while all of the plans and such are being made for Reece's operations. I will keep you and Reece in my thoughts and prayers.

[wolfsoul]

I will keep you and Reece in my thoughts. :) I'm sure everything will be just fine!

[K9karen]

Sorry I'm so late seeing this, Aly. {Hugs} to you and our beloved Reece. Tsk, tsk, so sad, so much going on at one time. Praying, praying, praying that the meds will help Reecie feel better. Relieved he's not in any pain. What a little trooper. Klo and I are sending healing vibes too.

[ChrisH]

Keeping the prayers going for Reecie, and you. {{hugs}}

Chris

[luvofallhorses]

Sorry I am late seeing the update :o It's good that he isn't in any pain. ((((((hugs to you and him)))))))))

[flamepony12]

I will keep Reece in my thoughts!! ((((((HUGS))))))

[aly]

I stopped by work to look at Reece's blood results today. The vet working at the time was very busy, so I didn't get to talk to him. Everything was in normal range though except one thing. I'm not quite sure what that was, but it was just slightly elevated so I'm not panicking just yet. I'll know for sure on Monday.