The Story Of An Eye (part three - finale)

Long delay in updating, I know! So, on with the “story”: The conclusion.

Back to more rechecks. I took Mona all the way to Columbus for one of the first rechecks since the melting corneal ulcer was diagnosed. The eye not only had the ulcer, but there was a small area where the cornea was so thin that the specialist said the eye could start leaking fluid/blood, meaning the eye would no longer be viable. What’s more, she was not sure the eye had vision anymore. We would hold out hope, though.

The next recheck, the eye/ulcer was looking better and there was a slim chance Mona still had vision in the eye. However, the following week, a different eye specialist working that day didn’t think so. Since this was the first time I had seen this particular specialist and wasn’t very “impressed” with her as much as the other two, I didn’t let that completely dash my hopes. More rechecks and the result was what I didn’t want to hear: Mona’s vision, which had been restored by the surgery, was now gone in that eye. More so, and this is the kicker, that thin area was still at risk of giving, so the eye needed to be removed completely. As a matter of fact, the eye was starting to atrophy, so the body was more or less trying to absorb the now un-functioning structure. Luckily, my own vet could do that, saving me money and Mona a trip to Columbus.

No more left eye, right after surgery. (Photo credit: Me.)

It's a big bummer for two main reasons: 1) Mona did get her vision back in the eye for awhile. I chose to go for the surgeries with the mindset that, as a Chihuahua, she could easily live to her 20s and therefore had half her life left to live. To do that with full vision really was the most optimal for her well-being. To have her get her sight back and then lose it again really sucked. 2) I spent A LOT of money on the surgeries and aftercare. Money wasn't going to totally dis-sway me. I would do anything for my babies. But, it was extremely disappointing because of the final result. 

That being said, Mona is great. She's adjusted to only partial vision just fine. I always make sure she knows what's coming from that blind side, though. The last thing I want is for her to develop any anxiety from things startling her because she didn't see something coming.

"I don't need no stinkin' eye . . ." (Photo credit: Me.)