[Kitchen Cottage]

okay,  my blindie Luca is going to need a double enucleation.  He is blind already but has developed glaucoma in both eyes which is proving difficult to treat and has an ulcer in one eye where he hit a tree.  He is a rescue so the cause of his original blindness is undetermined but it is TOTAL and irreversible.

Firstly,  I am quite happy to remove his eyes, they are a pain in the a*se and in my view he will be happier without them.

Secondly, and this is where I have been slated on a blind dogs forum........ my own vet (who is lovely but expensive) is estimating £1000-£1500.  Luca is insured but his insurance excludes both his eyes and injuries caused or contributed to by blindness.  I googled and have found a vet in Bournemouth who charges £350 for a double enucleation.  he specialises in head and neck and had good internet reviews.

I am being attacked for even factoring money into the equation but, given the saving, provided the vet is good (and to be fair all I know about my vets skills is his bedside manner really because I can't judge his surgery) I HAVE considered it.

It means a 4 hour trip for Luca and I on Thursday morning.  I will then work at a depot in Poole (I work for a national company) and then take him home Thursday night or, if he can't travel book into a Travelodge.  He should be able to travel.  I will then have to bring him back the following week and will do the same thing.

How terrible is it to factor in price and put him through this journey?  My view is he'll be mainly out of it on the way back anyway.  Luca is a little drama queen

I have 4 dogs, 2 cats, 8 ducks, 7 pigs 11 chickens and vet bills are always going to be minimised if possible...

I shouldn't be allowed the privilege of a dog according to my blind dog forum.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Am so sorry to hear about your dog I know how hard it must be.  There are some not very nice people out there who don't really understand how you feel about your dog. If the vet has good reviews and seems very good then why not. I would make a few enquiries first though just to make sure. I wouldn't worry about those other people after all it is your dog and your decision not there's. I hope all goes well and keep us updated?

[Me]

In that case put an ad on the blind dog forum that I will take them out for £1,0000000000000! It is silly. Of course money is a consideration. That is a very significant difference. More expensive does not always mean better and actually - it is probably not the trickiest op they do.

Maybe you can spend the £1000 difference on dog treats

Forums are idealistic abstract places, they give a lot of extreme views somewhere to be heard, with any animal welfare question if there is a person to vilify for any reason people cannot help themselves

[Bionic]

KC, I definitely think money is a consideration, unless you have won the lottery. The only reason I think not to go to Bournemouth is if you really think it will be too much for the dog. Only you know that.
This probably isn't going to go down well but I am wondering if its time you cut your losses with Luca anyway? He has been through such a lot and it sounds as if he often finds it difficult to settle down, which is not surprising really. Would it be kinder to let him go now?

[Kitchen Cottage]

Denzel who is deaf blind is more borderline but Luca has a nice quality of life.  He is a bit stressy with the other dogs and a big girls blouse if hurt in any way but other than that, he's quite nice.  He is independent because he was on a chain but he can be quite loving.  He is an okay dog.     DEFINITELY  not ready for the knackers yet! he is between 7 and 10 and could be younger, it's impossible to tell with foreign rescues because their teeth are so rubbish xxx

[hughesy]

Ignore the idiots and their stupid opinions. Of course money comes into it. We love our dog to pieces and if we were faced with treatment costing 300 quid we would do it. But if it was going to cost 1500 we would be in an impossible position.

[Q]

KC - I have never had a blind dog and I dont even know if you are right or wrong but having read your previous post about your dogs, I trust your judgement implicitly.
If you believe it would help the quality of the Luca's life then ignore everybody else and do what you know is right for your dog.

[Kimbo]

KC 

Go to Bournemouth. Luca will cope fine, whether he complains or not; he's only in your car/van, he can hear your voice, he will be fine.
I have a lot of concerns about vet fees and why one competent vet can charge so much more than another competent vet ( we have horses so , believe me, we know all about eye-watering vets fees!) . Its all about overheads I suppose ( she said, being generous!)
Your blind dog forum members are talking thru their arses.

[devonlady]

It's easy to make a decision on other people's dogs but when it comes to your own you will do what's right. If it were one of my dogs I would sell my soul to the vet. Take him to Bournemouth, get the job done and as Kimbo says, as long as you are there he will be fine. Good luck to you both.

[SallyintNorth]

Playing Devil's Advocate first.  Yes it would be better for Luca in the immediate term to not have a long journey, possibly an overnight stay in a strange room (even though you are there, he can't see and won't know the layout.)  I agree that on the way home he'll be pretty much out of it, even so it would be nicer for him to be at home in a familiar place, with you able to cuddle and soothe him as he comes around.

But of course you must consider saving £650.  Perhaps one of the reasons the Bournemouth vet is so much cheaper is that this is his or her specialty, and therefore could be not only cheaper but better.

They must not know you very well on your blind dogs' forum, KC, if they don't know that you would always make the dog's own interests paramount. 

You know your dog, so if you are comfortable that he can withstand the journeys, then none of us is going to gainsay you.

So the only other reason I can come up with to think twice about the long distance vet is aftercare.  It's obviously preferable to be able to take the dog back to the vet who performed the operation.  But this is enucleation, there shouldn't really be any complex aftercare needs.  Many years ago I had a dog needed an eye removed and, on my vet's recommendation, I took him to a vet hospital a ways away to get it done.  I can't remember going back there to get the stitches out, I am sure all the aftercare was straightforward and readily accomplished by my local vet.

You do what you feel is best, KC, and if the other forum members want to be idiots, you know you will get a lot of support - and admiration for all that you do for these waifs, too - here.   

[Kitchen Cottage]

Sally,  I'll only stay down if Luca is kept over, otherwise I will drive back with him.

As for aftercare.  I will go back down the next week to have the stents closed up, other than that, if there is an emergency it will have to be local xxx

Poor Luca, a day at the seaside is going to mean something very different to him! 

[SallyintNorth]

I think you've made your decision, and he'll be fine 

[Caroline1]

Only an idiot or rich person wouldn't consider cost. Yes whatever is in the dogs interest is the priority but cost needs considering. As long as there are good reviews and it sounds like you have considered various options, go for it. The most expensive is not always the best.

The only thing you haven't mentioned (maybe I missed) is how old is the dog? Obviously the older they are the riskier the operation, although I am sure you have already considered.

[doganjo]

Take that hard hat off - from a  quick scan down it seems we all agree on one thing - do what is best for Luca.  If it meant he'd have no quality of life I'm sure you'd do what was best for him and put him down, but you are the only one who knows your dog, and you believe this is a good bet for him.

Personally I'd remove myself from that forum, and tell them before you do that you have better and more understanding friends elsewhere, and to stick their opinions up their a'''e

[honeyend]

I have never had a blind dog, but if his eyes are painful his quality of life will be improved. Lots of animals travel all the time, as long as he has you for comfort and perhaps get a bit of sedation just in case from the vet I am sure he will be fine.
 Dogs live so much through their noses I am sure they must adapt much better than people. Then if he doesn't cope at least you have given him a chance. Good luck.