Enucleation (Eye Removal) and Feral Safety?

Question
We have a feral in our colony we have named CK; she has suffered for
two years w/chronic untreatable conjunctivitis in one of her eyes & the
vet who drained the subsequent sinus cavity abcess suggested we
euthanize her at the time. We did not but now are faced w/either that
alternative to end her suffering or surgical removal of the eye to end
her suffering. We have heard it would be too dangerous for her to live
outdoors w/one eye, given loss of peripheal vision and predators.
Looking for advice. Thanks, Jennifer


Answer
Hi Jennifer,

My question would be "how much vision does she have now?"  She may have been living with limited, if any, vision in that eye for a long time anyway and removing the eye probably won't make much difference because of that.  If she is otherwise healthy and able to take care of herself I would go ahead and remove the eye.  I've had several cats who lost an eye to infection and it didn't seem to slow them down at all.  I would think she is experienced enough with predators that she has other ways of knowing when one is around and not having vision in one eye wouldn't be that big of a hindrance.