Hey! I have a shiba rescue from Korea and currently living in Virginia. My 7 year old babes is going in for surgery in Virginia Beach tomorrow since we were unable to get an appointment in Richmond before then. I was wondering where in Va you went? I am being asked to consider removal of the eye with glaucoma that is blind (happened quickly) and I’m having a hard time considering alternatives. We are going for the treatment of the eye that is not currently showing signs to prolong any onset of primary glaucoma since the test showed he has a predisposition. Thanks so much in advance!

Kona has recently had two bouts of high eye pressure in the right “good”eye. The first time the pressure was lowered with meds and there was no damage to the retina or optical nerve and his vision recovered after. A week later when we went in for a re-check his pressure had spiked again; higher than the first time. The pressure did not respond to drops. Fluid had to be drained from his eye to lower the pressure. It has been five days and his vision has not improved. Kona has a pressure check next week and a follow-up with the opthamologist the week after.

Get your Shiba checked early. Kona’s eye issues were genetic.

We’re starting to go through something similar with our Syberian Husky. We adopted her 2.5yrs ago. Not sure if this means anything but she was 43lbs overweight due to poor care. I exercised her and got her into shape. My point is, she had joint and cholesterol problems. Fast fwd a year, the vet is surprised how healthy she is. Another year and a half goes by and her eye ball seems misshapen. She shows no sign of pain but seems to see just fine. Vet thinks its old age; shes about 8. I’m thinking of taking her to an opthologist bc after reading this I’m afraid it could be glaucoma. They did test her for tumors and that was a negative. I’m so scared. She’s had a tough life w her previous owner dying and all. I really don’t want anything to happen to my Fur-Baby. 🙁
Thank you so much for this article.

Hello Dakota… yes, we are struggling with the same decision. our 16 year old shitzu . we took her to the vet last week and she has glaucoma in both eyes.. we were controlling the on eye with drops and then the second eye was very red and bulging .. we took her in and it was too late… the vet had starting giving her an injection (manitol) to bring down the pressure… but it didn’t work… right eye was 51 and the left eye was 71. we put drops in 3 times a day and she was on tramadol for pain.

The vet said that both eyes would have to come out… but we can’t bear to put her through this. The vet also said her age was against her. She indicated that we would have to make a decision to say goodbye or the eye removal.

we tried to get pressures down. for a week. . but to no avail. We have now made the very difficult decision to let her go… we have all been
crying for a week now… so, we understand what you went through…

god bless all..

yes, I’m with you… our shitzu whose 16 years old has glaucoma in both eyes.. and is very painful. we were told by the vet that her eyes have to to be removed. this was one week ago. we can’t bear the thought of putting her through this surgery at her age. the only other alternative is to put our baby to sleep… she is healthy otherwise.

we have made an appt. for this monday… feb. 1/16.. we are in agony about this decision.. still struggling whether we’re making the right decision or not…anyone else out there gone through this…. help….!

I really, really hope you got to a vet quick – enlarged eyes are EXTREMELY PAINFUL FOR DOGS – that is ridiculous about not being able to remove, you should do it ASAP or do a similar treatment (injection etc) to remove the pain. Yes, the eye is blind when its swollen from glaucoma and again its a terrible, terrible pain. Please don’t just accept some answer if it doesnt feel right. obviously an abnormal body part like this is not something to leave

? Not survive? Get a 2nd opinion. There’s something causing the swelling. Would u take that response from your md?

Please have a vet check your dogs eye pressure my baby my ten ur young cairn terroir got glaucoma and went blind within a few weeks, no one caught it as dogs hide pain well and normal vet check don’t test eyes. It is very painful for the dog and the eye can rupture – it’s scary ! Who would of thought it would happen to my dog that still acted like a puppy. The humane service may help you or they may make you realize animals do cost money like kids and. Gotta be prepared for whatever happens . My dog is doing fine with just one eye – I didn’t want the disease to spread to other eye. I couldn’t take her sight from her. Buy dogs live mostly on scent and sounds,so blindness is doable for dogs like it is humans. Please get your dog check if there is even a small concern. Maybe you could prevent something.

I would take him to the vet ASAP for a check-up and to see what they can do to help relieve the swelling in the eye.