As some of you know Klaus had his juvenile cataract surgery on Wednesday. I expected him to be quiet/tired maybe a day or two, but it has been 4 days now and he is literally moping around and sleeping ALL day. He hasn't wooed or wagged his tail since

He was back to himself the day after his neuter, nothing like this. He isn't on pain meds so I don't think he is actually tired. I talked to the vet and they said just give him time and he'll bounce back, probably doesn't like the cone.

I just hate seeing him like this, any similar experiences?

Haley, I can't remember whether it was just one eye or both - but it really doesn't matter, sight is a very precious thing for all of us, human and canine.  From personal experience, when something effects our ability to see, it's disorienting at the very least and (in my case) downright disconcerting.

When he was neutered, it didn't affect, too badly, his ability to do the things he had done.  Not being able to see as he once did is going to bother him, even though he can / will be able to see much better - it's different from what he was seeing and his brain is going to have to make that connection.

From my own experience with cataract surgery - when the eye patch came off (after a week) I was able to see beautifully - from one eye - but my brain was still trying to see from the eye with the contact (until I had surgery on that eye as well) because it had had better vision for a long time.  To me - and I knew what was happening - it was both disorienting and confusing.  

Like your vet said, give him time to become acclimated with being able to see properly again and he'll bounce back.  If he doesn't - and my guess is within a couple of weeks - then you should probably take him in to the surgeon who did the surgery to have his eyes checked.  Cataract surgery is normally pretty straight forward but there's always that once in a thousand where things aren't quite right.

It was just the one (right eye). He can still see out of his left, the cataract isn't fully developed. I mean it could very well be him just needing time to adjust, but when he lost his sight in the right eye in the matter of 2 days, he didn't change in the slightest. Now that he can supposedly see he's depressed? I feel like it would have been the other way around.

It's just so weird to me. He's usually non stop, go go go, to now doesn't leave his spot for dinner. Will eat it, but isn't excited like he used to be. I'm sure the cone has a lot to do with it, he can't really do anything with it on. He might need to have it for up to 2 weeks. I can't picture him being this sad for 2 weeks!

He seemed to come off the anesthesia a little harder this time as well. He cried in his sleep the entire night, I hope he isn't traumatized from the whole event. But you are right, if it's hard for a human it definitely must be hard for him.

My guess is the cone had alot to do with it and possibly any residual eye pain.

I don't have any experience with this, but I'm thinking Al is right, it's going to take more than a week or so to be completely back to normal, between the actual surgery itself, being put under, now the cone and probably still discomfort, it takes its toll. I do wish you guys the very best, just knowing from your pics how active and happy Klaus is, it must be difficult to watch. I'm sorry I wish I could say something that would help you more.

Thanks guys. I decided to look up the medicines he is on to see if any of them have side effects and he is on the steroid Prednisone. I don't like some of the things I'm reading on it. I found it can cause lethargy and depression, some people even said their dogs were aggressive on it. It's an uncommon side effect but I can't help but wonder. Thinking about calling the vet and seeing how much longer we need to be on that. Plus it's making him drink/pee like crazy!

No help from me either, haley, just lending you some moral support, and giving positive vibes to you. I am sure in a few more days he will be better. As the others said it is a change for him. The prednisone may indeed be what is making him so down, it could be a secondary helper in keeping him calm while he heals, but I would call the vet and see if that is the problem, and to find out how long he has to take it.

aww, poor thing... I hope he starts feeling better soon.

On an unrelated note, his name and yours together make me think american dad. Was that your intent or a happy coincidence?

Haha not my intent at all, I didn't find out about that until after we got him when someone else mentioned it!

The weirdest part is I named his after someone on the Vampire Diaries and then on that show Klaus ended up dating a Haley those two names were just meant to go together!



Update btw he is still pretty sluggish, but seems to be walking around a bit more today. I'm hoping it's a start of improvement!