Hopefully, this series will be winding down as Boca's eye improves day by day following her conjunctival graft surgery two weeks ago. We had a recheck appointment last Saturday, and a few days before I was feeling very discouraged as she still wasn't holding her eye open very much. The day before the appointment, she seemed to turn a corner and by the time we saw the ophthalmologist she was very happy with her progress and said we were on the right track. Boca does seem to be a slow healer, something to take note of.
She is now off all oral medications, with eye drops twice a day, and is doing better little by little. The appearance of the graft changes as time goes on, and I was told that was to be expected. Right now it is in a very red/pink phase but she holds it open more and more. I was surprised that even though the graft covers a good portion of her eye, she still has a swift blink response, which tells me she retained a good deal of vision. The vet said that the graft will smooth out over the next couple of months until it is fully incorporated with the cornea. We have another appointment next week and with supervision, Boca should be able to lose the cone over the weekend - no Easter bonnet for her!
I expected to be alarmed by how Boca's eye looked - especially because her graft is much bigger than most of the photos I found online. Instead, I am just thrilled that she is feeling better, that she got to keep her eye, and that she is the same goofy, loveable girl. One of her nicknames, Bocacabra (a play on "Chupacabra") fits even more perfectly now. I've decided to call it her "supernatural eye" and this has certainly taught me some lessons about inner and outer beauty that I will delve into in a later post. Dogs are the very best teachers of acceptance and adaptability, aren't they?
I continue to be impressed with Boca's insurance company. They issued payment yesterday for her surgical claim and even with my high deductible ended up covering about 75% of the total bills. I've started a pet insurance discussion group on Facebook. Having worked in the insurance industry for fourteen years, six of those in horse insurance, I am comfortable with the jargon and happy to talk about policy wording and comparisons. I hope you'll join, and watch for my pet insurance post coming soon. Meanwhile, Boca, Ruby and I will be getting back to normal at our house with fewer vet visits and no more cone!
Hooray!! Glad she's healing up nicely!! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you! We are so happy to be getting back to normal.
DeleteI am so glad things are finally started to go more as expected, and it's got to be so exciting for you and her alike that she'll get to lose the cone soon. Glad to hear it sounds like she's still got a quick blink response; I couldn't imagine being a surgeon and having to perform such delicate procedures. So happy she's healing up so well.
ReplyDeleteOur weekend was wonderfully cone-free! Thank you for the kind thoughts.
DeleteI'm so glad that Boca is starting to feel better!!!
ReplyDeleteMe too! It was a long couple of months. It's so great that the Ginger Sisters are able to play together again.
DeleteI am happy to hear of the great progress. I hope that the cone is gone!!!! I felt exactly the same way - who cares about a different looking eye as long as your girl is feeling better (and can still see)!!!
ReplyDeleteWe all enjoyed a cone-free weekend! Her eye looks better and better each day. Thank you for your advice and encouragement through this.
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