Chapter 14: Luke and Cataract Surgery, Coping with the Blind Dog

Luke came home with us knowing he'd have a long road ahead of him. He was forfeited because he had double cataracts and the surgical option was too expensive. Other than that, he was just the cutest thing. It's truly amazing how resilient dogs are to any medical condition because we were prepared for lots of adjustments when we brought him home. We kind of have practice with Joey (our adopted) since he's got one eye, but this was more total blindness so we were more cautious and careful.

My understanding of cataracts is not total blindness but more blurred vision. So I don't think Luke was totally blind, but more see shadows and light. With that, my husband and I communicated that we would walk him around out house after introduction so he could get the lay of the land. He would occasionally bump into the gates and our legs if we stopped abruptly, but he adapted quite quickly.

Blindness for dogs are almost unnoticeable because their scent leads their site so well. We only noticed his blindness for certain instances. Our snotty cat would bat him with his paw as he walks by, but he always did that to our Joey on his blind side as well. It was such a bully move, but it was kind of funny at the same time.

Blurry vision or blindness, these are the precautions and evaluations we take in our home:

• Walk your furry new pup around your house and front and back yard so he/she can familiarize themselves with all the spaces
• Keep hallway and rooms cleared of clutter so they have less things to bump into
• Have steps available or other methods so they can have a safe way to get onto surfaces like couches and beds
• Always have certain activities in designated area not to cause stress (ie feeding bowl, water bowls, dog beds, etc)
• Before full adaptation, keep an eye for your new dog and make sure if there are any obstacles you try to eliminate them or teach them how to get around them safely (blind dogs jumping off beds because they know they can but not knowing what is underneath can be very dangerous, especially on wooden floors.)

Our journey ahead was followed by pre operative visits to Green Bay and then finally he had his surgery in Madison. Before this surgery we had Luke for several months and my husband completely fell in love with him. Luke became partial to him since he worked 3rd shift and he was home sleeping all day and cuddling with all the pups. Luke was so partial that if I even walked down the hallway after coming home, he would bark to wake my husband up to alert someone approaching. We've never before had a foster take to my husband more than I. (That made the drives to Green Bay more fun and elective for him since I worked during the day.) lol

After surgery was the journey to recovery that was more worrisome. Luke was a spunky, excited dog, who also had a laid back side as well. With cataract surgery, the doctors never want to dog to be over excited or any high activity, not even a collar which can cause higher pressures in the eye after surgery.


They gave us pain medication, pressure controlling medication, eye drops, and a sedative and a cone so he didn't scratch his own eyes. I am one to always follow instructions but sedatives to me are so strong and I hate to use them if I don't have to. So we did the first 48 hours, but then decided if we were home, we'd rather have him always by our side and watch him and control his activity, versus sedating him and not care where he was or what he was doing.

The one moment that was great for us to witness was his sight after surgery. He never bumped into anything and he knew where everything was. There was new detail to his approach to things around the house and the yard. It was amazing to watch the transformation.

It was very different watching Luke be tired and lethargic because we knew he was such an otherwise happy go lucky dog. Once we went to his 1 week follow-up then every week until 6 weeks later, our plan worked and he recovered beautifully.


My husband had such a hard time separating from Luke but he understood it was time for him to find a good home. We are sometimes torn that we've done all the hard work and families get this healthy dog they haven't gone through trouble with. But we also understand he was abandoned because of his condition that our rescue spends the money necessary to clear his condition so it IS easier for him to be adopted.

We couldn't have asked for a better family, a couple with 2 boys who absolutely fell in love by the car ride home. We have received pictures of how comfy and how spoiled Luke is with his fluffy doggy beds and sweaters and haircuts. And we've found out he DOES attach to dad more than most. Just like he did my husband.






Some deem dogs will illness are high maintenance and you have them for so long, you may get attached. But it's such a great learning experience and so rewarding, I would do it again.