Dog Eye Injury: Eyeball Removal

Most dogs will adapt without issue to the loss of an eye.

Many owners would prefer that their dogs eyeball was left intact. Unfortunately, with some diseases or trauma, this may not always be possible. A good veterinarian will exhaust every option before recommending any type of eyeball removal. An owner who is facing potential eyeball removal in their canine should be aware of all three types of techniques that may be used on their canine companion.

Causes

One common reason for eyeball removal is severe trauma or damage to the eyeball that is untreatable. This includes eyeball trauma that is caused by fighting with other dogs or animals and intentional injury by an owner or another person. The dog may also require eyeball removal because of cancer affecting the eye or other diseases in the eye that have the potential to spread and cause severe harm to the rest of his body. In some cases, congenital defects or infections that do not respond to treatment may also require full removal of the eyeball.

Signs of an Eye Issue

The signs of physical trauma to the eye should be obvious to an eye and may include profuse bleeding, swelling, redness and scratching or pawing at the eye. Some dogs may have visible deformities of the eye, such as a bulging eye or an oddly shaped eye. Severe infections may cause pus of various colors to ooze out of the eye or eye socket. Signs of any eye issue should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Evisceration

Evisceration is not a total eyeball removal, but rather a removal of the contents of the eyeball. In this surgery, the sclera and the extraocular muscles are left behind. The sclera is the casing of the eyeball, also known as the whites of the eye. This technique is most often done for situations that arise following complications that are associated with phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification is a modern type of cataract surgery.

Exenteration

Another type of eye removal in dogs is called exenteration and it is usually performed in dogs who are suffering from some type of eye tumor. In this surgery, the entire eye is removed including all muscles, fat, tissues and any adjacent structures. Some dogs may also require removal of the eyelids, either due to cancer spreading or due to persistent infections.

Standard Enucleation

Unlike an exenteration, the standard enucleation is a surgical technique in which only the eyeball itself is removed. This means that all the surrounding tissues in the eye socket and any adjacent structures are left behind. Standard enucleations are the most common eyeball removal procedure used today. Like all eyeball removal techniques, enucleation will be followed by the eyelids being sewn shut. For some dogs, a silicone or plastic sphere may be inserted into the socket to provide a more natural appearance before permanently closing the eyelids.

Prognosis

Types of eyeball removal can potentially save a dog's life, especially if there is a tumor growing inside the eye or a severe infection that could spread elsewhere in the body. Fortunately, the majority of dogs will adjust very well to having only one working eye remaining. However, dogs who lose both eyes may still adapt well to blindness. Enucleation is less traumatic to the dog, and also less disfiguring.

References

• Pet Place: Enucleation: Removal of an Eye in Dogs
• Pug Information: Canine Enucleation and Exenteration
• Vet Opthamal/Public Med: A Study of the Morphology of Canine Eyes Enucleated or Eviscerated Due To Complications Following Phacoemulsification
• US Link: Eye Disorders in Dogs and Cats
• Animal Pet Doctor: Diseases of the Eye