It's understandable if you don't recognize this as blind Gabe, and no, he's not undergoing sensory deprivation either! He has had a rough go of it since coming home from three weeks of radiation therapy for his nasal tumor at WSU. The side-effects of the radiation caused the skin around his eyes and the top of his snout to become inflamed, bleed, and eventually peel off; this itched like crazy, too, but of course that's why he had to wear a cone, because scratching at the skin eruptions would only make them much worse. His mouth developed oral ulcers, too, and infection developed. So he's been on a long course of eye ointments, antibiotics and pain medications. All of this the oncologist at WSU had prepared us for. (We did not experience these side-effects from blind Callie's brain tumor radiation treatment because of where the radiation field was located.)
Fortunately, we are through the worst of it now, and though he has lots of bare skin around his eyes and his nose, his skin has stopped new rounds of blistering. One thing he still loves is a warm, wet compress over his eyes and nose; it's soothing and clearly feels so good he'll just sit there with it draped over his face like this. I took the photo of Gabe enjoying his compress this morning. He's wearing a soft cone that's padded and flexible. He's just disappointed it didn't come in camouflage.
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Still No. 1!
Please keep voting for us every day in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge. Thanks to your votes, we came in third nationwide and won $3,000 for the animals in the previous contest. Now we have a shot at No. 1 and the $20,000 grand prize! 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. Please ask your family and friends to vote, too. Thank you!
so amazing...This is very cool and my favourite colour. You have a nice thing going here…keep it up!
Posted by: curcuma | November 02, 2009 at 02:12 AM
What a happy boy....it's all going to be better soon, handsome Gabe! Sending you a speedy recovery!
Posted by: Nina | October 26, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Poor Gabe ;( I just cannot believe everything he has had to go through. I thought the worst was beyond him; I had no idea he was suffering such horrible side effects from the radiation. Does this happen in humans too? You guys are taking such good care of him, you should be honorary vets at this point!
Posted by: Aliza | October 26, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Looks like he's at a little doggie day spa. Glad he's finally starting to heal up, poor pup!
Posted by: Heidi, Emmett, and Moxie | October 26, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Oh Gabe, you are certainly a fighter. Sending you lots of love & I'll make that warm compressed love so it'll make you feel even better. Bless your heart!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | October 26, 2009 at 03:12 PM
The RDR Spa is now open. Treatments by appointment only. Testimony by Gabe.
Posted by: Lynda | October 26, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Little Gabe. Your Mommy and Daddy are taking good care of you! You are one lucky, lucky dog!
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | October 26, 2009 at 02:46 PM
Take heart, Gabe, Steve and Alayne. The skin irritation does get better! Been there... done that. Jenny's skin looked like alligator hide for a wide and flaked everywhere, but underneath was soft, normal skin.
Posted by: Linda | October 26, 2009 at 11:18 AM
This looks like a soothing spa treatment but the reason does not sound comfortable! Ouch...what a sweet trooper Gabe is!
We're sending him healing thoughts and are so glad the worst is behind him now. : )
Posted by: boundforglory | October 26, 2009 at 09:12 AM
If I didn't know better, I'd think Gabe was undergoing a facial at a luxury spa. On second thought, he IS at a luxury spa, being catered to by two wonderful, loving, empathetic humans who figured out what he needed to feel better. But you forgot the drink with the paper umbrella. Lucky dog! With such tender care, he'll be bouncing around in no time.
When I die, I want to come back as a critter at RDR Spa and Resort :)
Posted by: Debbie Burke | October 26, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Lucky boy to have such loving nurses. He looks like a happy pup in this picture.
Posted by: Ev | October 25, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Aw, bless his little heart. He's so very fortunate to be living with you two!
Thanks for posting about him. He's been in my thoughts, as has Helen.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | October 25, 2009 at 10:27 PM
What a trooper! You can still make out that bright Gabe smile and happy eyes under the cooling mask. Let's hope new facial fur is not too 'fur away.
Posted by: Roxie | October 25, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Camouflage , My favorite color! I bought a 3 pack of camouflage duct tape once and haven't been able to find it since! My bleaf aussie Dave says Hi to Spinner and the rest.
Posted by: Larry & Kathy Plutchak | October 25, 2009 at 09:26 PM
Hang in there Gabe.....it's got to be better than when you couldn't breath right before. You are such a happy boy and we have all fallen for your charms for sure.
Posted by: Marla | October 25, 2009 at 09:13 PM