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Enucleation is the surgical removal of the eye. Enucleation surgery is the irreversible and permanent solution for various eye disorders. Enucleation in cats is performed when all other medical options have proven ineffective in order to alleviate pain and give the feline a better quality of life. Enucleation surgery is performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist.
The veterinary ophthalmologist can approach enucleation surgery in two ways; transconjunctival or transpalpebral. The transconjunctival approach to enucleation has the advantage of reducing orbital tissue loss, subsequent orbital sinking, less hemorrhaging and a faster procedure time overall. In a transconjunctival surgery, the veterinarian ophthalmologist will only remove a portion of the eye’s orbit. WIth the transpalpebral approach, the entire eye globe is removed including the elements within the conjunctival sac (nictitating membrane, conjunctiva, eyelids). The veterinary eye specialist may choose to take the transpalpebral approach if the eye is unsalvageable.
The patient’s vital signs are taken before induction of pre-anesthetic drugs are administered. General anesthesia is started after sedation is achieved through injectable tablet induction. The fur surrounding the affected eye is shaved to the midline. The upper eyelashes are trimmed with fine scissors and douched with ointment to prevent lashes from falling into the eye’s orbit. Tape is applied directly to the skin to remove fine hairs.
The eye socket will be packed with gauze, applying light pressure for 5+ minutes to encourage a clot to form. Excessive bleeding may be ligated and synthetic hemostasis products may be applied to halt unsourced bleeding.
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Enucleation surgery is a permanent solution for unresponsive eye conditions. Removing the painful, infected, necrotic, damaged, or cancerous eye completely will ideally eliminate the problem, as well as preventing the condition from spreading.
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The surgical site will be protected following surgery, as the feline will be sent home with an Elizabethan collar to wear at home until healing is complete. Mild swelling, inflammation and bruising around the suture site are to be expected. Blood may protrude from the nose occasionally as the tear ducts are connected to the inner nostrils. Epistaxis (bloody nose) symptoms will diminish approximately two to four days post-op. Careful monitoring is essential following surgery, as trauma to the suture site can cause adverse effects. Sutures are typically removed about seven to 10 days post-op, however, the feline’s whiskers will not regrown for six to eight weeks. Cats without whiskers are prone to becoming imbalanced and must be monitored to stay protected.
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An enucleation surgery for a feline can cost approximately $200 to $1,000. Preoperative and postoperative care should be taken into consideration for the total price.
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Removal of one eye can be a concern to cat owners, as partial vision will be lost. The majority of felines respond very well to partial blindness and continue regular activities quickly.
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Enucleation surgery is often used for feline eye conditions that have unknown causes and prevention is not always possible. Preventing eye trauma is ideal and seeking veterinary attention when a problem is noted will be a step in the right direction.
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Ask a Vet
persian
Eleven Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My cat had eye Enucleation surgery over a month ago. His incision was completely healed. This morning there is some bloody discharge weeping from his eye. Is this normal?
Oct. 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If there was a little bit of tissue left that is secreting any kind of fluid, that might explain what you're seeing. Whether it is something that needs to be fixed or whether it is something that you just need to keep clean is something that your veterinarian may have to tell you, as they can see the eye and the discharge. The only thing that I can think that might be a problem otherwise is if there is some kind of growth, and an ultrasound might be able to tell your veterinarian that.
Oct. 28, 2020
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Iris
domestic medium hair
1 Year
Fair severity
2 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
I adopted a cat that had her left eye enucleated as a kitten because of an injury and infection as a result of the injury. They eye has been sewn shut but occasionally will produce a brownish dishcharge. It doesn’t seem to cause her pain or bother her, should I be concerned about the discharge?
Sept. 25, 2018
Iris' Owner
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Kitten
Domestic shorthair
1 Month
Critical severity
3 found helpful
Critical severity
Has Symptoms
How much would it cost to remove an eye in a 3 month old kitten? I know it depends where but an estimation would help. Also we have been doing drops and oral meds but she has herpes most likely vet said eye needs to be removed. What would she need done prior to surgery to insure she is ready and can make it through ok.Also runt of litter and has ringworm and flea. Very curious and playful good appetite. She is currently on dermolizide and tobramycin eye drops. Genteal tears gel. Clavamox oral and a pill for herpes.
Aug. 15, 2018
Kitten's Owner
3 Recommendations
You didn’t mention country, but in the USA the cost of enucleation may be as low as $355 at a low cost clinic (like the one linked below for an example) or over $1,000 if performed at a specialist center. There is no specific preparation for this surgery, but the Veterinarian performing the surgery will examine the kitten prior to surgery and will give you instructions if required. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM www.helpinghandsvetva.com/procedures-pricing/
Aug. 15, 2018
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Demothi
Bengal
3 Months
Moderate severity
2 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My 3mo. Old kitten was playing with his brother and his brother's nail caught left eye of his bro. Leaving a small puncture that scabbed being treated with Tobramycin drops starts to look better, but my vet tomorrow wants to prep him to take eye, as the drops could take over a month to work on eye. Is there any other meds or option than removal, I fell it is the easy way out as it does not bother him at all and is starting to look a little better. A drop are every 4 hours is what he is getting now.
Aug. 14, 2018
Demothi's Owner
2 Recommendations
Without examining Demothi I cannot really weigh in, if your Veterinarian feels that enucleation is the appropriate course of action I cannot legally advise against without an in person examination; if you don’t agree with your Veterinarian you should visit another Veterinarian in your area for a second opinion. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 14, 2018
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Ray
dsh
11 Weeks
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
In June we adopted a kitten that had recently had both eyes removed from a rescue. It’s one week shy of being two months from his surgery and there is still a small opening where each eye was. Also he is still having some discharge. Generally it is thin and clear a slight yellow tint. Every now and then though it is a thick, opaque cloudy yellow. The vet who did his surgery says the holes are to allow for draining and that discharge can be normal for awhile. He lets me clean his face and does not show any signs of being in pain when I’m close to either site. He has not ran a fever and he eats/drinks, plays, etc just like any other normal 11 wk old kitten. Is drainage for this long normal? Should we consider seein another vet?
Aug. 7, 2018
Ray's Owner
0 Recommendations
Drainage may occur for a while as fluid does accumulate in the orbit since there is little soft tissue present, fluid may drain for a while and it is important that it is able to drain. Keep an eye on the drainage holes and if the fluid becomes thick, discoloured, smelly or anything else concerning return to your Veterinarian; if you have other concerns visit another Veterinarian for peace of mind. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 7, 2018
my cat has a runny stuffy nose after having her eye removed is this normal
Sept. 1, 2018
Jacky L.
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Leila
Mix
2 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
I rescued my kitten off a road last year. She had a very bad eye infection. The vet said she had no eyes and was probably born without them. She said the infection came from the eyelids being inverted and would need a double enucliation. The second vet said there was no need since there was no eyes and the antibiotics cleared up the weeping/swelling. Fast forward and a year later she has contant weeping and smelly discharge. She eats, sleeps, and uses her litterbox just fine. The vet says surgery is an option to take off the eyelashes and look for any eye that may be inside. She often paws at her eyes and sneezes. After this last round of antibiotics, symptoms returned immediately. I want what is best for her whether that be surgery or another option. I know it is a complicated surgery. Any advice is appreciated for my Leila.
Jinx
DDOMESTIC Shorthair
9 Years
Critical severity
0 found helpful
Critical severity
Has Symptoms
MY 9 YEAR OLD CAT (TOM WITH FIV) Had chronic conjunctivitis that took 2 weeks to clear up each occurrence..after 6 months of this one of his eyeball was not responding to treatment of drops and within a month he developed the most severe case of ulcer , became blind and was about to rupture within 2 weeks of last seeing the vet. We had to immediately remove eyeball to prevent rupturing and if not removed would eventually cause systemic shock and die per vet.it was so bad you could see a bubble on the lense which is a huge indicator it will rupture within at least 3 days per vet. We had him neutered at surgery and he is on metacam and azithromicin for next 2 weeks and post op day 2 is acting like his old self. Cost of eye removal was 350.00 for us. If you see this with your cat immediately take to vet especially if you have a cat with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Vision
Cat
6 Months
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
My cat was an orphan. He had massive infections in both eyes causing one eye to rupture. We just had that eye removed about 2 weeks ago. Now that he’s stitches are out and he’s 1 week of being out of he’s cone he is going crazy! Won’t let anyone near him. He has scratched me to death. He was very loving! Wanted to follow me around the house and always wanted to be picked up to attacking when anyone is near him. He went from laying on my stomach letting me pet him to spazzing out and won’t stop! Has anyone had this go on?
Robert
Seal point tabby
7 Months
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
#Robert is a 7 month old male flame point mix. I brought him home at 8 days old with his three orange and white tabby brothers. Unfortunately his tiny brothers died of pnumonia. Fast forward though the routine steps taken, a diagnosis of FHV. His eye was also infected. Nothng we did made his eye get better. He had eye removal surgery. Now he is a happy normal plaful curious 7 month old. He still sneezes ALOT. When he does, he claws at his face and very large hard boogers and long bits of clear snot comes out - truly sorry for the description. Nostril is under missing eye. Any thoughts?
Boo-boos
Part Maine Coone
13 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My 13yr old long haired cat had his left eye removed 1 week ago. I noticed swelling at the site 2 days ago. Today he had what looked like carmel oozing from the eye. I called the E.R. where he was evaluated & they said to put warm compress on it until I can get him to his surgeon. If he seems in distress, to bring him in immediately. What is happening?
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