Enucleation Surgery in Dogs and Cats

What It Is, Why It's Needed, What to Expect, and How We Support You

Why Might Your Pet Need This Surgery?

Enucleation is the surgical removal of one eye. It is performed when an eye is irreparably damaged, painful, or poses a risk to the pet’s health. Common reasons include:

  • Severe trauma or rupture of the globe
  • Uncontrolled glaucoma causing chronic pain
  • Cancer or masses within the eye or orbit
  • Chronic infections or ulcers unresponsive to treatment
  • Birth defects or abnormalities impairing function or comfort

Although it can feel like a big decision, enucleation is often the most humane and effective option to eliminate pain and improve quality of life.

Referrals Required for This Surgery

Our hospital does not provide diagnostic or consultation services for suspected GI foreign bodies. Instead, your pet's care is transferred to us once a referring veterinarian has performed the diagnostic workup and recommended surgery.

We require a referral for the following reasons:

  • The decision to pursue surgery should be made with your primary veterinarian, who knows your pet's medical history, has completed the necessary diagnostics (such as x-rays or ultrasound), and can discuss the full range of treatment options with you.
  • Our surgical team's role begins after surgery has been advised. We do not offer in-clinic imaging, diagnostics, or pre-surgical consultations.
  • A referral allows us to prioritize patient safety by reviewing complete records and understanding the medical background before proceeding with anesthesia and surgery.

What qualifies as a referral?

We're flexible. A referral can be as simple as:

  • A shared set of medical records from your veterinarian
  • A treatment plan indicating that surgery has been recommended
  • A brief summary emailed, texted, or faxed from your vet's team
  • Direct communication between our team and your rDVM

Our team will review the records in advance, and if we have any questions, we'll reach out directly to the referring clinic.

If you're a pet owner, please talk with your veterinarian first about whether surgery is the right option. Once that decision is made, we're here to provide safe, compassionate, and efficient surgical care.

What Does the Surgery Involve?

Enucleation is performed under general anesthesia. The eye and surrounding tissues are carefully removed, and the eyelids are sutured closed. In most cases, no prosthesis is placed. The area heals into a smooth, fur-covered scar.

Pet's often recover quickly with proper pain management and home care.

Are There Alternatives?

When vision is lost and pain is present, there are no effective alternatives to enucleation. In certain cases of glaucoma or injury, pain management or topical medications may provide short-term relief, but this is not a long-term solution for a blind or painful eye.

What Are the Benefits?

  • Permanent relief from eye pain or pressure
  • Elimination of risk for further infection or rupture
  • Improved quality of life and comfort
  • Cosmetic healing with minimal long-term impact

What Are the Risks?

  • Anesthetic complications
  • Swelling, bruising, or minor bleeding
  • Cosmetic asymmetry or delayed wound healing
  • Infection at the surgical site
  • Need for advanced care if orbit complications occur

What's Included in Our Surgical Care

Surgery Package: $586.00

Price includes:

  • A personalized anesthesia plan with multimodal pain control
  • IV catheter placement and fluids
  • Anesthesia and multiparameter monitoring
  • Eye removal and surgical closure
  • Post-op stabilization and in-clinic recovery
  • Take-home medications (pain control and antibiotics)
  • Discharge instructions and recovery plan

When Additional Care Is Needed

In some cases, pets require more intensive or ongoing care after surgery. Because we are an outpatient only clinic, transfer to an overnight hospital may be recommended.

Pets may need overnight care, especially if:

  • They have swelling, bruising, or bleeding that needs additional monitoring
  • They are very young, old, or systemically sick

If this happens, we will coordinate a transfer to an emergency or specialty facility, and any costs associated with that transfer and continued care will be the owner's responsibility.

Aftercare: What to Expect at Home

Your pet will go home with:

  • Prescription medications for pain and infection control
  • • Instructions for activity restriction and wound care
  • • Details on when to return for recheck or suture removal

Most pets start to feel better quickly once the infection is removed, but healing takes time. We’re here to help every step of the way.

Have Questions?

Please reach out to our team. We are happy to review records, coordinate with your veterinarian, and guide you through this process.