Prosthetics for Animals
On average, 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized every year in the United States. Shelters around the country euthanize an estimated 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats each year. That’s only accounting for cats and dogs! There are so many animals that lose an eye or both, due to infections and injuries, that are not getting sufficient veterinary coverage or simply from neglect. Our goal is to fix those numbers and save all the animals we can that deserve a second chance to live.
Animals, just like humans, can suffer from eye injuries and diseases that may lead to the loss of an eye. In such cases, veterinarians may recommend the use of prosthetic eyes or other devices to help improve the animal's quality of life.
Prosthetic eyes, also known as artificial eyes, are designed to mimic the appearance of a natural eye. They are made of acrylic and are custom-made to fit the animal's eye socket. The process of fitting an animal with a prosthetic eye involves taking an impression of the eye socket and creating a mold that is used to create the artificial eye.
One of the main benefits of using a prosthetic eye in animals is that it helps to improve their appearance. This is especially important for animals that are used for breeding or show purposes. A prosthetic eye can also help to protect the socket from further damage and infection.
There are also some specific cases where a prosthetic eye can be helpful, one of them is in dogs, especially the breeds that have a lot of wrinkles on the face, such as the Shar Pei, where the wrinkles can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to eye infections.
Another example is in horses, where a prosthetic eye can be used to protect the socket of an eye that has been removed due to cancer. In such cases, the horse's vision is not affected, but the prosthetic eye helps to protect the socket from further damage and infection.
It is important to note that prosthetic eyes are not a cure for the underlying condition that caused the animal to lose its eye. They are simply a cosmetic solution that can help to improve the animal's appearance and quality of life. In some cases, the animal may need additional medical treatments to address the underlying condition.
In conclusion, prosthetic eyes can be a valuable tool for improving the quality of life for animals that have lost an eye due to injury or disease. They can help to improve the animal's appearance and protect the socket from further damage and infection. It's important to work closely with a veterinarian to determine if a prosthetic eye is the best option for your animal.