Bilateral enucleation in dogs: A review of owner perceptions and satisfaction

To evaluate owner perceptions of the quality of life of their dogs before and after bilateral enucleation and to assess owner satisfaction with the procedure.

Medical records of 72 dogs from the Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service (49 dogs) and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC, 23 dogs) that had undergone bilateral enucleation, either in one procedure or at different times, between April 2008 (Willows) or 2012 (RVC) and April 2017, were reviewed. Owners were initially telephoned to determine owner satisfaction, followed by a postal visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire evaluating perceptions of their dog's quality of life before and after the bilateral enucleation. Statistical evaluation included Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Chi-squared analysis.

Of the 72 cases identified, 63 owners (88%) were contacted by telephone and 60 owners (83%) also completed the VAS questionnaire. The mean age at the time of the second or bilateral enucleation was 8.47 years (range 7.1 months-14.5 years). Cross-breeds (n = 12, 17%) and Jack Russell Terriers (n = 7, 10%) were the two most represented breeds. Glaucoma was the most common reason for enucleation (139/144 eyes, 97%). Most owners (57/63, 90%) were satisfied with the surgery and would consent to the procedure again. Statistically significant improvements in owner perceptions of their dog's pain level, reaction to facial/ocular palpation, activity levels, and quality of life were identified post-enucleation.

Following bilateral enucleation, owners were satisfied with the procedure and perceived their dogs to have a good quality of life.