Toots is a 5-year-old Pug who recently came into Uni Vets Camden after she had a scuffle with one of her furfriends at home. Toots’ left eye was sore, infected and proptosed which means it was no longer sitting in the socket. This is a common problem in brachycephalic breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs, because any sort of trauma or swelling around the eye can force the eyeball out of their flat faces and shallow eye sockets more easily.
Ocular proptosis can be fixed with surgery with a full return to function depending on how far out and how long the eye has proptosed. Unfortunately for Toots, her optic nerve at the back of the eye had been stretched to the point it was no longer functional. It was decided that the best thing for her would be to remove the whole eye in surgery. It’s alright—Toots had retinal degeneration and was blind before this incident already.
Surgery went well and she looked much more comfortable after the operation. Toots went home the next day with some antibiotics and pain relief, where she will hopefully stay safe and happy as a one-eyed Pug.
Please remember to keep an eye on your pets if they have a history of fighting, especially if they have pre-existing conditions or health issues. If you are concerned contact Uni Vets Camden to discuss your pet’s stress and coping mechanisms or spend time with a trainer to teach your pet how to socialise appropriately with other animals.
Written by Karen Chua - Final Year Veterinary Student, Sydney University.
