During blind Charlie's eye exam back in May with our vet, Dr. Brenda Culver, we noticed that his pupils reacted to light -- which meant his retinas were detecting it somehow, even through his cataracts. Now, it's not at all uncommon to have fully functioning retinas in eyes that are blinded by cataracts. But the only way to find out is with an electroretinogram, or ERG, which tests retinal function. And that was one of the reasons for a trip to the vet clinic in Helena today.
Long-time blog readers know that we are blessed with an excellent primary care vet in Brenda who also has a special interest in ophthalmology. Because of her skills and her diagnostic equipment, she can do many of the things -- including eye surgery -- that we would typically need to see an ophthalmologist for. In our case, the nearest one is Dr. Bill Yakely in Spokane, Washington. Brenda consults closely with Dr. Yakely, and the result is that we have to make very few trips to Spokane for eye issues.
Dr. Yakely had encouraged Brenda to get an ERG machine so she could perform these tests herself. When we had taken a blind puppy named Cody to Dr. Yakely several years ago for cataract surgery that restored Cody's vision, Dr. Yakely told me that only about 50% of the dogs he sees for cataract surgery turn out to be candidates for the procedure ... and that's because the retinas aren't firing well enough. So the ERG is the diagnostic tool that determines who is and who isn't a surgical candidate.
Dr. Yakely had offered to coach Brenda on the use of the ERG and interpret the results for her. If a dog turned out to be a candidate for cataract surgery, Brenda would refer the case to Dr. Yakely for the operation.
Thus we were excited when Brenda recently acquired an ERG machine so we could test Charlie's retinal function without having to make the trip to Spokane -- and Charlie was her very first patient! In the photo at top, Charlie is "wired" with electrodes that "read" how his retinas react to a light flashed into his eye (from the yellow device Brenda is holding in that photo).
Here's another view taken during testing of his right eye:
Those electrodes are hooked up to a small white box that is connected to a laptop, and the results are projected in graph form on the computer:
We had different results from his two eyes, so we are going to wait until Dr. Yakely interprets the data and delivers his opinion. Sorry to leave you holding on this one!
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I took other animals to the vet clinic today, including little Teddy. In addition to a dental, he'll have bloodwork, a urinalysis (he's peeing a lot), and other tests. Here is Brenda listening to his heart:
She detected a fairly pronounced murmur, so he'll have an echocardiogram as well. No results in yet on Teddy, but we'll keep you posted. I left Teddy at the clinic, and as I walked out, I could hear him from the back, barking and barking from his cage -- "I want to go home, I tell ya, so let me out of here!"
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In response to yesterday's post about Twist's adoption, a number of people have asked how his buddy Oliver is doing. The answer is: He's fine! He's running around and playing with blind Austin this afternoon, and he has plenty of other friends here. No need to worry about him!
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This is the last week for the contest -- voting
ends next Sunday, July 26th at midnight (PST). Please enlist your
family, friends and colleagues to join you in voting for the ranch as
we count down to the finish line. Remember, you can vote for us every
day in The Animal Rescue
Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote.
With one week to go, we're still No. 3, and that means a $3,000 grant if we can hold that spot! Thanks for voting!
Our fingers are crossed for Charlie. I'm so glad we could send him to you with the resources that you have. Someday we hope to have a robust fund for doing these types of things. Thank you guys so much!!
Posted by: Morgan Skilling | July 25, 2009 at 08:24 AM
We hope Charlie and Teddy get good reports back. If Charlie needs surgery, he's in one of the best places to receive it!
Posted by: boundforglory | July 23, 2009 at 09:11 AM
I actually feel sad for the person who dumped Teddy on the sidewalk. Who could such a person be who would throw love away with both hands? What kind of life could one lead who is so bereft of compassion? That must be the definition of hell itself, to be so separated from your source.
I'd love to see Teddy's face when you come back for him, Steve. So very glad he's with you now.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | July 22, 2009 at 08:02 PM
wonderful post!
Posted by: pet sling carrier | July 22, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Wow, I sure hope we get good news about both these boys! Fingers crossed...
Poor Teddy! I bet he'll be excited like Madison was when you go back to get him. When I had to leave one of my girls at the Vet, they suggested I sleep in an old tee shirt the night before and then bring it to leave in the kennel with her. I don't know if it helped her or not, but I felt a little better about leaving her.
Posted by: Lynn | July 22, 2009 at 03:47 PM
When we lived in Helena, we were lucky to end up with Dr. Culver and the other vets at the MT Veterinary Specialists and General Care taking care of our beagle. And due to an series of small incidents (seeds getting stuck in an ear during a hike, a beagle who wouldn't eat and didn't want to go for walks, a broken claw), Ben saw them more than the normal pet should see a vet. We began to joke that he set himself up for problems just so that he could go to the vet and get doted on.
Every time you blog about these great vets, I'm comforted to know that your animals are getting such great care.
Posted by: Kate | July 22, 2009 at 03:27 PM
I have really high hopes for little Teddy, and for Charlie's eyes. I know doggies function more by smell than by sight, but it would be nice if he could see the faces of the two-leggers who love and care for him.
And I have had hard thoughts...bad thoughts...about the people who had Teddy before they mercifully dumped him at the side of a road.
Posted by: Vicki Small | July 22, 2009 at 10:57 AM
My prayers are with Blind Charlie. That would be beyond awesome if his sight could be corrected. Anxiously waiting to hear the results.
I know Teddy will feel like a new puppy after he gets all his medical needs addressed. I am crazy about this little guy & I still wish I could swoop him up & bring him to live with Erin & me. I bet he didn't like it at all being left at the Vet's office. He knows he has found a great place at RDR & doesn't want to miss a thing.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | July 22, 2009 at 09:03 AM
So glad to hear Oliver is doing well. Poor Teddy he must have thought he was left behind again. Hurry Home!
Posted by: gayle | July 22, 2009 at 08:48 AM
Isn't technology amazing!? 10 years ago we couldn't have imagined the toys we have to work with today. Just think what will be available 10 years from now!
Changing the subject--I just love Teddy. Look at that face! What ingredients does this sweetie have in him--part Yorkie? If I could get to Montana, I'd take him off your hands today! Older dogs are the best new friends to welcome home : )
Posted by: Amy | July 22, 2009 at 03:19 AM