👁️ What is Enucleation?

Enucleation is the surgical removal of the eye (globe) and associated structures (optic nerve, ocular muscles, and soft tissues within the orbit) in dogs and cats.

Typically this is performed only when the eye cannot be saved and is causing pain, infection, or poses a risk to the animal’s health.

🐾 Why Would a Dog or Cat Need Enucleation?

Common reasons include:

1. Severe Trauma

• Irreparable injury from accidents (e.g., car accidents, dog fights)

• Ruptured globe or prolapsed eye (especially in brachycephalic breeds)

2. Painful or Blind Eye

• End-stage glaucoma (increased eye pressure causing pain and blindness)

• Chronic uveitis (inflammation of the eye)

3. Ocular Tumors

• Intraocular tumors (e.g., melanoma, adenocarcinoma)

• Orbital tumors involving the eye or surrounding tissues

4. Severe Infections or Ulcers

• Untreatable corneal ulcers or abscesses

• Infections that don’t respond to medication

5. Congenital Defects or Non-Functional Eye

• Sometimes enucleation is chosen for a non-seeing eye that is chronically painful or malformed