Hi! My name is Eva.  I am a very sweet little girl. I have Glaucoma in both of my eyes and I have been on medication to help keep it from getting worse. I have regular eye check ups and at my last eye check up the doctor said my left eye pressure was up to 45!  What does that mean?  It means I am in a lot of pain and the eye drops I am on are not managing the Glaucoma so I need to have my eye removed.  This procedure is called eye enucleation and involves them taking my eyeball and eyelid out and sewing shut my eye.  This will help alleviate the pain and the need for the eye drops in my left eye. I will still have Glaucoma in my right eye, but at the moment the pressure in that eye is only 9 and is being managed well on the eye drops. I will still be able to have some limited sight and be able to see shadows and some movement.  Don't worry though as I am very adaptive and I do just fine.  What I want most of all is a home of my own with people who will love me and accept me for who I am and not be worried that I am not perfect.  Nobody is perfect. I am a love bug of a little girl and am worthy of a home of my own. 

I'm hoping after my surgery that people won't be afraid of little ole one eyed me and will see that I am beautiful inside and out.  Everyone who meets me falls madly in love with me but most people are too afraid of my handicap.  It really isn't that bad and right now I really need the surgery.  The surgery will help relieve my pain and it will also lower the monthly cost of my maintenance eye drops that I need for my right eye.  Please help me get the surgery I need and then find the home I greatly deserve. Love, licks and cuddles!

The surgery costs between $1600 and $1800. We are trying to raise $2000 to cover the surgery and the after care that Eva will need for recovery.  We will be happy to share the estimate and what it includes with anyone who is interested. Please help us spread the word by sending this to anyone you think could help.  Every little bit helps and is tax deductible as NHCD is an Arizona non-profit tax exempt 501 (c) 3 corporation. If you aren't comfortable using your debit or credit card online, you can also mail in a check or money order to:

New Hope Cattle Dogs (NHCD)
P.O. Box 84136

Phoenix, AZ 85071-4136

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What is Glaucoma?  

Glaucoma is increased pressure within the eye. Cells inside the eye produce a clear fluid ("aqueous humor") that maintains the shape of the eye and nourishes the tissues inside the eye. The balance of fluid production and drainage is responsible for maintaining normal pressure within the eye. In glaucoma, the drain becomes clogged but the eye keeps producing fluid. Therefore, the pressure in the eye increases. The increased pressure in the eye actually can cause the eye to stretch and enlarge, in addition to blinding the eye.

How does Glaucoma affect the eye?

Glaucoma is classified as either primary or secondary in animals.

Primary Glaucoma usually begins in one eye, but in most patients it eventually involves both eyes, leading to complete blindness.

Secondary Glaucoma occurs when other eye diseases cause decreased fluid drainage. Common causes of secondary glaucoma are inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), advanced cataracts, cancer in the eye, lens subluxation or luxation, and chronic retinal detachment. Glaucoma in cats is usually secondary to chronic uveitis.

How does Glaucoma affect the eye?

•   Vision Loss. Pressure damage to the optic nerve and decreased blood flow to the retina, the "film in the camera," results in loss of vision. However, if the pressure in the eye remains uncontrolled, the retina degenerates and vision is permanently lost. Permanent blindness can occur within several hours if the pressure is very high and the glaucoma develops rapidly.
  
  

Unfortunately, the first eye to develop primary glaucoma in dogs is usually already blind by the time the disease is recognized. For this reason, treatment in these cases is directed at relieving discomfort in the blind eye and preventing or delaying glaucoma development in the other eye. Gonioscopy of the remaining visual eye helps determine how to treat this eye.

• Pain. Increased intraocular pressure is painful. Dogs, cats, and humans have normal intraocular pressures between 10 and 20 mmHg. Glaucoma often results in pressures of 20-28 mmHg in humans, but pressures of 45-65 mmHg are common in dogs and cats. For this reason, glaucoma in pets is more painful than glaucoma in humans. The pain persists in the form of a constant headache or migraine. This discomfort can result in decreased activity, less desire to play, irritability, or decreased appetite, and is often not apparent to the owner.

 UPDATE - 3/16/2010 - Eva is doing great with her recovery! She adapts SO well to situations and her surroundings. I can't imagine how tough it is for her to be fully blind and have this cone around her head now! She is such a sweety and is healing beautifully :) We will have a post-op follow--up appt next week for her. Will keep you posted!