Enucleation

Why does my pet’s eye need to be removed?

Removal of an eye (enucleation) is generally required in case of a blind and painful eye. Reasons may include severe trauma to the eye, which may render surgical repair impossible, chronic glaucoma (high pressure in the eye) which is not responsive to medical/surgical treatment, various types of cancer within or around the eye. We generally consider enucleation as a last resort after trying all other options. However in some cases it is unavoidable.

What does the procedure entail?

Unfortunately, enucleation is a common procedure in dogs and cats. After a full pre-anaesthetic assessment, the procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. We aim to discharge our patients a few hours after recovery, providing there are no signs of pain or discomfort.

Do I need to do anything after the operation?

Aftercare usually involves systemic antibiotics and antiinflammatories/painkillers as tablets orliquids. A head collar (Buster collar) may be necessary if your pet tries to scratch the wound. Stitch removal is not required as we generally use absorbable suture material, which will dissolve within a matter of weeks.

What are the risks involved?

Risks of general anaesthesia and surgery apply, however most cases (99%) heal uneventfully after the procedure.

My pet will need to have both eyes removed, do I need to put him to sleep?

Absolutely not. Dogs and cats do very well, even if they are completely blind. If both eyes are blind and painful you may notice an increase in quality of life, once the eyes have been removed.