Re: Puffy Face

by AnonONIagent Mon 02 Jan 2017, 5:57 pm

@MimzytheBun wrote:So update on Lola: she is doing better Her eye no longer has any signs of blood or scabbing, the eyelid can close and it looks much cleaner. I've been giving her drops every other hour or so, and pain medication every day. Her behaviour is still good and she is spending every night snuggling with the other girls.

Thank you for the suggestions to help with dosing, she has become much better with the drops since I've worked out a "burrito" method with cloth.

Unfortunately the vet consulted the specialists and they recommend surgery or being put down. Their opinion is the damaged flesh of the eye, if not removed, will be a source of pain and infection her whole life. I... don't know if I agree. I obviously don't want her to live a life of pain, but if she is still behaving the same, sparking and socializing, eating and playing, I don't want to preemptively end her life I'm expecting the vet to get back to me with an estimate in the next few days, but jeez. "Her whole life" might be less than a year anyways (she is close to 6mnths now) and I would be fine continuing to give her pain medication daily for possible eye ouchies. I'd be grateful to hear some of your opinions on this, and what you would do...

I would agree with the vet. It might be okay now, but leaving a bunch of necrotized flesh there is a really bad idea. That's just asking for lots of infections to happen later on down the line.

by CinnamonPearl Mon 02 Jan 2017, 6:34 pm

Wow that sounds ridiculous to me too. I only ever go with my gut when it comes to euthanasia. I've never had to do it with a mouse, but even when pretty much the whole forum was telling me to put down one of my girls, I went with my gut, didn't do it, and she passed away from her cancer a few days later after spending the days she would have lost completely happy and cheerful. If this mouse is happy, and you can give her pain meds regularly, then I wouldn't do it either. But it's 100% your choice.

by MimzytheBun Sun 08 Jan 2017, 1:00 am

I'm really torn on what to do. Yesterday I did a full tank clean, added some new things and all the girls seem happy. Lola is still behaving the same, and I've had to use the drops less regularly but still giving her pain meds every day.

After talking to the vet, the lowest the surgery could be is ~$1000 which is still too much. It breaks my heart but it isn't an option for me, and she is pushing 6 months already. It is possible she wouldn't even recovery from the surgery, and if she did she might only live another six months after (or less... she is feeder/pet store stock, only choice around here so her genes are up in the air). I asked the vet about a pain medication I could safely give her daily over a long period of time, and he said he would get back to me. The eyedrops are antibiotic so I can't continue to use them daily without risking the creation of resistant bacteria. I'm hoping to ask the vet when I speak to him next if there is another option, like a topical saline that could be used every day to help but we'll have to see.

At this point, I'm going to take her behavior as my guide. If she starts behaving like she is in worse pain, not eating or socializing, then I will know it is time to let her go.

by MimzytheBun Fri 13 Jan 2017, 2:49 pm

Hopefully the final update! I took Lola to the vet for her next check up today, and am happy to report her eye has become scar tissue (which means it no longer is a risk of infection and source of pain!)

My vet is very pleased with how well she has healed, and her behavior and personality never wavered. She has been such a good trooper! Didn't even drop in weight during the ordeal. Our care plan is daily saline drops to help wash the tear ducts and lids, but otherwise she should be fine! I'm very happy and showered Lola in her favorite oat cereal when we got home.

by CallaLily Fri 13 Jan 2017, 2:57 pm

Glad to hear she healed well!

by scaredymouse Fri 13 Jan 2017, 10:22 pm

I am soooooo happy to hear this! You did such a good job caring for her and you saved her life. I'm so happy she's made such a great recovery.

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