Kobe has Glaucoma - When it Rains it Pours

I haven't felt like doing anything. Anything. The flu took my health, my energy, my motivation and inspiration. Also my appetite. I haven't wanted to look at recipes, blogs, haven't wanted to write. Nothing. But we had the comfort of the shibas cuddling close as we slowly recovered.

First the flu and now we have a dog down. What did I do, karmically speaking, to deserve such heartache?



As our shibas, Kobe and Aja, are 6 and almost 8 years of age, we decided to have their eyes tested for glaucoma just three weeks ago. (Sadly Shiba Inus are a breed prone to glaucoma) So glad we had the testing done because we MAY have saved Kobe's eyesight.

Does this look like a happy camper? No. No, it doesn't.



Normal readings for eye pressure are around 15 ( I think) and while Aja tested within a good range, it was our younger shiba Kobe who had readings of 23 and 24. That was in January.

This morning Kobe gets up and has one eye just about glued closed. We go to the vet imediately and his pressure is up in the left eye to 58. Our vet Dr Austin was wanting to start an IV and give Kobe mannitol but they were out. Since it's Saturday many of the vet offices are closing up at noon. Many did not have the drug ( one did but had just received a head trauma case so, they too were out.)


Off to the Emergency Pet place off Centerville Road. The attending vet there did not want to start an IV and do the more invasive procedure and intead administered latanoprost (medicated eye drops). Kobe's pressure went down in the bad eye and after a few more repeat doses, we came home. We have the prescripion filled from CVS and these drops are a bitey $108 that we'll now need every month.

A stressful morning for us all, particularly Kobe. He's not out of the woods yet and will need another eye pressure test this Monday.

Bottom line - get your dog's eye pressure checked (if prone to eye issues) - it was roughly $32 bucks per dog plus office visit. Having this done earlier we knew what the pressure reads were before this hit Kobe.

Now it's a rough weekend of watching him sitting around with one eye closed, he's out of sorts, the female shiba is standing near him watching him........they are family. Anyone with pets who feels the same knows the boat we're in. Please keep this boat from sinking.

The flu is slooooooow to leave the body, by the way, even after fever has abated and you are on the mend. It's a slow mend, I'll tell you that.

Here is Kobe with both beautiful eyes clear. Lets hope we get to see this again. I'm worried sick.


Aja and a bear, she's the reason we had them tested since she's almost eight years old.


Please let this medicine work and if I've saved your animals' eyesight by telling you about canine glaucoma, I am very glad.