Enucleation Surgery for Dogs & Cats

Outpatient surgical removal of a painful, damaged, or non-visual eye.

At Spay Neuter Vets, we offer enucleation surgery for dogs and cats when an eye is no longer visual and is causing pain, infection, severe damage, or ongoing medical concern.

Enucleation is the surgical removal of the eye. While this can sound overwhelming, it is often a compassionate, pain-relieving procedure when the eye can no longer function normally or comfortably.

Our goal is to help pets feel better, help clients understand the procedure clearly, and schedule appropriate cases as soon as possible when surgery is needed.

What Is an Enucleation?

An enucleation is a surgical procedure where the eye is removed.

This is typically recommended when an eye is no longer visual and cannot be comfortably or safely maintained. In many cases, the eye may already be blind, severely injured, infected, enlarged, ruptured, or painful.

Enucleation is considered a salvage procedure, which means the goal is not to save vision in that eye. The goal is to remove a painful or non-functioning eye so the pet can heal and feel more comfortable.

Why Would a Pet Need an Enucleation?

Enucleation may be recommended when the eye is severely damaged, painful, or no longer visual.

Common reasons may include:

• Severe eye trauma

• Ruptured globe

• Chronic painful eye disease

• Severe infection

• Non-visual eye with ongoing pain or irritation

• Advanced glaucoma

• Severe corneal damage

• Certain eye masses or abnormalities

• Eyes that cannot be medically managed comfortably

In most cases, the eye should be determined to be non-visual by another veterinarian or based on clear clinical signs. If there is still potential vision or a more advanced treatment option may be appropriate, referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist may be recommended.

Is Enucleation an Emergency?

Sometimes eye conditions are urgent, and we do our best to schedule enucleation cases as soon as possible when they are appropriate for our outpatient surgical center.

However, if your pet is experiencing an active emergency, they should be seen by an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

Emergency signs may include:

• Sudden severe eye trauma

• Heavy bleeding

• Extreme pain

• Collapse, weakness, or severe lethargy

• Rapid swelling

• A ruptured or actively draining eye

• Your pet cannot open the eye and appears highly painful

• You are concerned your pet cannot wait for a scheduled appointment

Spay Neuter Vets is an outpatient surgical center, not a 24-hour emergency facility. If your pet needs immediate stabilization, pain control, or emergency monitoring, emergency care is the safest next step.

Is My Pet a Candidate?

Enucleation may be appropriate for pets who:

• Have an eye that is believed to be non-visual

• Have a painful, damaged, or diseased eye

• Are stable enough for outpatient anesthesia

• Do not require emergency hospitalization or 24-hour monitoring

• Have been reviewed and approved by our surgical team

If your pet has already been evaluated by your regular veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian, please submit any available medical records, diagnosis, photos, and medication information with your appointment request.

This helps our team determine whether your pet can be safely scheduled with us or whether emergency or specialty care is more appropriate.

What to Expect With Us

Our goal is to make this process clear, compassionate, and as supportive as possible.

Before Surgery

You will submit your pet’s information, photos if available, and any medical records related to the eye condition. Our team will review the case and work to schedule appropriate enucleation cases as soon as possible.

If your pet appears unstable or in need of immediate care, we may recommend going directly to an emergency veterinary hospital.

On Surgery Day

Your pet will be checked in by our team, placed under anesthesia, and monitored during surgery and recovery. The surgeon will remove the affected eye and close the surgical site.

Depending on the case and your ability to return for follow-up care, external skin sutures may be placed. If skin sutures are used, they are typically removed about 10 days after surgery.

After Surgery

You will receive detailed discharge instructions, including medication guidance, incision care, activity restriction, and what to watch for during healing.

Some drainage can be expected after surgery, including from the inner corner of the eye area and sometimes from the nostril on the same side as the surgery. Our team will explain what is expected and what would be considered concerning.

Recovery After Enucleation

Most pets adjust very well after enucleation, especially if the eye was already non-visual or painful before surgery.

Recovery usually includes:

• Strict e-collar use

• Activity restriction

• Monitoring the incision closely

• Giving all medications as directed

• Preventing rubbing, pawing, or scratching at the surgical site

• Watching for swelling, bleeding, discharge, odor, or opening of the incision

• Returning for any recommended rechecks or suture removal

The healing period is typically around 10–14 days, though this can vary depending on the pet and the condition of the eye before surgery.

Special Considerations for Community Cats / TNR Patients

For TNR or community cat patients, containment after surgery is very important.

A cat who has had an enucleation must be kept safely contained until healed, typically 10–14 days. This allows the incision time to close, reduces the risk of trauma or infection, and gives the caregiver time to monitor for complications.

An enucleation patient should not be released immediately after surgery.

Pricing & Estimates

Enucleation pricing can vary depending on your pet’s size, the condition of the eye, whether the procedure is performed on its own or with another surgery, and whether any additional care is recommended based on age, medical history, or surgical complexity.

Our team is happy to provide a clear estimate before scheduling so you understand the expected cost and next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an enucleation?

An enucleation is the surgical removal of the eye. It is usually recommended when the eye is no longer visual and is painful, damaged, infected, or unable to be comfortably managed.

Is enucleation cruel?

No. When an eye is blind, painful, or severely damaged, removing it can be a compassionate way to relieve discomfort and improve quality of life.

Will my pet be okay with one eye?

Most pets adjust very well to having one eye, especially if the affected eye was already non-visual before surgery. Pets rely heavily on smell, hearing, routine, and their other senses.

Do you perform enucleation as an emergency surgery?

We do our best to schedule appropriate enucleation cases as soon as possible, but we are not a 24-hour emergency hospital. If your pet is unstable, in severe pain, actively bleeding, or cannot wait for a scheduled appointment, they should be seen by an emergency facility.

Does the eye need to be confirmed blind first?

In most cases, the eye should be determined to be non-visual by another veterinarian or based on clear clinical signs. If vision may still be present or specialty treatment may be an option, referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist may be recommended.

Is drainage normal after surgery?

Some drainage can be expected after enucleation. This may come from the inner corner of the eye area and sometimes from the nostril on the same side as the surgery. Our team will explain what is normal and what signs should prompt follow-up care.

Will my pet have stitches?

Some patients may have skin sutures that need to be removed around 10 days after surgery. This depends on the case and whether the owner or caregiver is local and able to return for suture removal.

How long is recovery?

Most pets need about 10–14 days of restricted activity and careful incision monitoring after surgery.

Can a TNR cat be released after enucleation?

No. A community cat or TNR patient must be kept safely contained until healed, usually 10–14 days. Releasing too soon can increase the risk of complications.

How do I know if my pet is a good candidate?

Submit an enucleation appointment request and include photos, medical records, and any diagnosis or treatment history if available. Our team will review the case and help determine whether your pet may be appropriate for outpatient surgery.

Request an Enucleation Appointment

Enucleation can be a compassionate, pain-relieving procedure for pets with a non-visual, damaged, or painful eye. Our team is here to help you understand the procedure, recovery expectations, and whether your pet may be a good candidate for outpatient surgery.