Need advice on Sugars eye problem

[lotus]

A little info before I go ahead. For those who do not know or remember Sugar is a mill rescue dog. I have had her over a month now, she came to me with an ulcer in her right eye. We have to put drops in 2x a day ,this is very traumatic for her she nips at us and the dropper, she must be muzzled for this. She does not trust us anymore ,after drops I hold her and try to comfort her she will pant for a long time after getting her drops. Sugar had a check-up Thursday for her eye our vet said there has been little to no improvement so he changed drops. If this round of meds do nothing her eye will have to be removed ,but if it works she will continue drops for life. Friends have said it would be better to have the eye removed due to the fact that the daily dose is causing so much trauma and interfering with her trust of humans. Other friends said she will just get use to the daily dosing. I am so lost and fear she will never trust us. I should add she gets her favorite treats only after her drops. Please help us.

[growler~GateKeeper]

Hard to say what to do since some dogs (& cats) will get used to an "uncomfortable" procedure with time, however some react worse over time.

Have you tried Rescue Remedy to help calm her down before applying the meds?

I'd say see how it goes first, before deciding, with this round of drops - when's the next check up?
Try the Rescue Remedy, if that doesn't calm her somewhat during med time by her next visit then maybe discuss surgery options

How does Sugar act around you the rest of the day? Is she showing fear-aggression at times other than med time?

[Chris21711]

No advice for you Lotus, only hope the situation improves for you and Sugar, she is such a sweetie

[lotus]

Sugar sees the vet on Thursday morning. Our vet is going to explain the risks involved with the removal of the eye. I have told him what she goes through each time I give her the drops.
We were making great progress with her but now see runs when we come near:sad: won't let us pet her anymore, on a good note she still follows me everywhere.
Doing the treatments are so bad she defecates and urinates when I put drops in her eye shakes so bad I feel sorry for her.(also guilty because I'm the cause of her fear) :sad:I hate having to put her through this. If she were a dog that I raised from a pup yes things would likely be different but given her past she must think I'm no different than her last home.

[growler~GateKeeper]

Given that kind of reaction, IMO she probably won't get use to the treatments I would discuss in detail the surgery incl risks/outcome/side effects/recovery & rehab

for Sugar

[lotus]

Went to see the vet yesterday , Sugar will keep her eye. Dr showed me a different way to apply the drops and it seems to work less traumatic for her. Also said she is spoiled(bad 2 year old) and knows if she cries and fusses I will give in to her Dr. said it is time she learns we are boss.(sounds cruel don't it) She has been with us over a month and should know she has a good home HS predicted her age at 2-3 years our Dr. predicts her age at 1-1.5 years saying malnutrition does wonders to the oral health. Also explained the ulcer is high in the eye so she still has some sight and may regain more once inflammation is down He also said we should find a good school and enroll both my dogs once again saying my dogs are spoiled rotten and they know it. I will follow his advice , I have already spoke to a few friends about the classes they take their dogs to, most are on summer holidays.
Vet holds a lot of hope that Sugar will be a good dog, he also suggested I attach a leash to us both and take her where ever we go and Peanut too. Peanut likes to bark a lot and the leash thing will help with this as he will be close enough to get the "NO BARK" command to him also said more humane than the bark collars. This was the longest I have ever been in the vet office good thing he charges visit not by the hour.
Let me know what you think about the info the vet has given; will it help or a waste of time They will start school in the fall. I know it will be helpful.