From left: Licensed veterinary technicians Michelle Plata, Favi Olmedo, and Alondra Cruz with Julie following her surgery at the ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic by The Rachael Ray Foundation™, a private foundation that is fully funded by the proceeds from the sale of Rachael Ray™ Nutrish^®.

Julie, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu, had just a minor scratch on her left eye when her family noticed it last October. But when it ruptured soon afterward, her pet parents, Marlon and Liliam De Araujo of Queens, took her to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

“Her cornea was perforated, causing pain and limited viewing,” says Dr. Kathleen Jones, veterinary staff manager at the ASPCA’s Community Veterinary Clinic by The Rachael Ray Foundation™ in Long Island City, Queens, who saw Julie the following day. “At that time, Julie’s owners had opted for medication that included an antibiotic eye drop, a broad-spectrum oral antibiotic and anti-inflammatory pain medication.”

ASPCA veterinarians agreed with the ophthalmologist’s assessment.

“They wanted to give medical management a try, which was not unreasonable,” adds Dr. Jones, who helped manage and guide decisions for Julie’s care. “The second option was enucleation — removal of the eye.”

From left: Julie at home prior to her eye surgery and with Bernardo, 11.

Julie’s corneal rupture eventually healed, but she no longer had vision in that eye and developed glaucoma. She returned to the ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic just after the new year.

“She was on medication again, but once it ran its course, the eye swelled up again and was causing pain,” says Dr. Jones, who saw Julie a third time in late February. “You could see a lot of scarring and she wasn’t visual. That’s when we decided enucleation was the best option.”

A Vulnerable Organ

Eyes can rupture in any number of ways.

“Trauma is a big cause,” says Dr. Jones. “Like getting hit by a car or even bumping into something,” which is what Julie’s family suspects happened to her.

“Untreated ulcers, viral infections and secondary bacterial infections can also cause damage,” adds Dr. Jones. “As can congenital glaucoma or entropion, a disease where the eyelids roll inward.”

In Julie’s case, she developed glaucoma, where drainage of the aqueous humor (fluid inside of the eye) is obstructed, resulting in increased pressure within the eye which in turn can cause significant pain.

From left: Julie and Marlon; in surgery prep with Christopher Fagan, senior veterinary assistant; and with Maylodie Badette, client operations manager.

Trauma can also cause a dog's eyes to protrude, a condition referred to as "proptosis," which means the eyeball is displaced from its socket. This condition is more prevalent in brachycephalic breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs and Shih Tzus like Julie. Their facial structure is marked by eye sockets more shallow than those of other breeds, and their flattened skulls and snouts can cause eyes to protrude.

A Boost to Health and Well-Being

While the ASPCA Animal Hospital and Community Veterinary Clinics don’t offer long-term management of ongoing medical conditions, in Julie’s case, the Queens Community Veterinary Clinic by The Rachael Ray Foundation, a private foundation that is fully funded by the proceeds from the sale of Rachael Ray™ Nutrish®, was able to offer the enucleation surgery at no cost after her family learned that enucleation at a private ophthalmologist was cost-prohibitive.

On March 6, Julie’s eye, surrounding tissues and tear gland were removed by ASPCA veterinarian Dr. Evelyn Cintron with support from Dr. Eloise Cucui. Julie was also spayed and received her scheduled vaccine boosters.

ASPCA veterinarians Drs. Evelyn Cintron (in black scrubs) and Eloise Cucui removed Julie’s eye and spayed her.

Both surgeries, which lasted one hour and 15 minutes, will improve Julie’s overall health and well-being. She no longer has pain or discomfort in her left eye, and her spay surgery ensures she will no longer go into heat or give birth. It may also prevent uterine infections and decrease the incidence of breast tumors.

Enucleation surgery in general has a good outcome and is not complicated, according to Dr. Jones. In 2024, veterinarians at the ASPCA Animal Hospital in Manhattan performed 79 enucleations, while the Community Veterinary Clinics performed 10.

Julie went home the same day with pain medication and a mild sedative.

“She is such a sweet little dog and even wagged her tail for us,” says Dr. Jones. “You could tell she was attached to Marlon and just wanted to be held.”

Julie prior to her surgery with Bernardo, left, and Eduardo.

“A Trooper”

Marlon and Liliam have had Julie since she was 3 months old.

“She is the best dog ever, a gift,” Liliam says, adding that their two sons, 17-year-old Eduardo and 11-year-old Bernardo, also love Julie.

Liliam says she came across the Community Veterinary Clinic after walking by it one day.

“We live in the area. I was so happy when I saw it,” she says.

Marlon and Julie outside the new ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic by The Rachael Ray Foundation™.

While the family initially hoped Julie’s eye would heal without surgery, they are grateful the ASPCA could resolve Julie’s condition. After a follow-up visit on March 20, Julie is back to normal.

Julie on her follow-up visit with Liliam, left, and senior veterinary assistant Robert Dutchen. 

“Even for minor injuries, it’s important to seek care right away,” says Dr. Jones. “Julie’s family made their best effort, and I’m glad we could take it from there. Julie is quite a trooper.”