Let's start with the good news: Buck had a wonderful photo shoot done with the fantastic Renee Scott a couple weeks ago! Renee did a fabulous job capturing Buck's handsome features and personality, as she always does. Just look at how gorgeous our sweet old man looks! I always have such a hard time waiting to receive Renee's photos after our portrait sessions, but man I was SO excited to get Buck's pictures I almost couldn't stand it! As usual, the photos were well worth the wait. Renee outdid herself!
Now for the bad news: poor Buck is blind again, permanently. Last week, roughly three weeks after his cataract surgery, Buck began bumping into things and getting confused again. His retina in the right eye detached. Within 48 hours, Buck lost all sight. Although we could pursue retinal surgery to have a scleral buckle placed, we have decided to forgo any further surgeries and focus on Buck's comfort level instead. The retinal repair surgery is very complex, more expensive than the cataract surgery, and only carries about a 50% success rate. St. Francis, Drew, Dr. Burling, and I all think it's in Buck's best interest to just put together a management plan at this point. He is very uncomfortable in that right eye, but Dr. Burling isn't sure why. We are trying a few more tactics here for the next week: continuing his intensive eye drop regimen, adding oral prednisone, and hoping the steroid injection Dr. Burling gave him helps relieve the inflammation. If after this week Buck's right eye remains inflamed and painful, we will sit down with Dr. Burling and discuss our options. Yes, there is a chance that Buck's eye will have to be removed. No eye is better than a painful eye! Having said that, we will consider all viable alternatives before taking that route.
We want you all to know that we've got Buck's comfort and happiness at the very top of our priority list. He's technically available for adoption so that we can begin garnering interest and reviewing applications, but we will not let him leave us before we are confident that he's in good shape. Dr. Burling is committed to restoring his comfort, as are we. Although it's devastating after all Buck's been through, vision is no longer a goal. We just want him to feel good. As you can see in the picture to the right, Buck does his best to keep his head held high and enjoy life. Thanks to everyone for your support. Paws crossed for our sweet Buckle!
