I took our new arrival, blind Avery, over to Burlington, Vermont yesterday to see some specialists. First was a stop at our internist, Dr. Bryan Harnett, at Vermont Veterinary Internal Medicine, for a look at his heart, and then in the afternoon we saw our ophthalmologist, Dr. Sarah Hoy at Vermont Veterinary Eye Care. Although Avery had some mild right-side heart enlargement, Dr. Harnett thought he was actually in pretty good shape. But Dr. Hoy confirmed what I had suspected, that his left eye was very painful from severe glaucoma.
That's Dr. Hoy in the photo above, testing Avery's eye pressure with her Tono-Pen while her vet tech Amy holds our boy still. His intraocular pressure in that left eye was 45 mmHg (millimeters of mercury, the unit of measure); normal ranges from 15 to 25 mmHG, though lower than 20 is preferred. His right eye measured a very low 9 mmHG, a sign that glaucoma had essentially "killed" the eye and it was no longer producing fluid. So he has already suffered all the pain associated with runaway glaucoma in one eye, and now was going through it all over again in the second eye. His lens had detached in his right eye as well, and it barely had any tear function left.
Here's Dr. Hoy using her slit lamp to examine his eyes:
We made the difficult decision after Avery's exam to proceed with surgery to remove his eyes. I say "difficult" because of the risk from his heartworms; removing his eyes was the obvious choice in his case, but surgery was definitely risky. Yet we wouldn't have been able to significantly reduce the pain from his glaucoma with topical medications, given the high pressure in that eye, and waiting for months to complete his heartworm treatment before proceeding with the enucleation meant leaving him with the pain. He had already suffered enough, and we elected to have Dr. Hoy take him to surgery today.
We had a lot of specialists helping on this one: Dr. Harnett had a radiologist review the images of his heart and lungs, and Dr. Hoy consulted further with a cardiologist about the risks. All the consultations left us feeling as comfortable as we could that proceeding with surgery was the best course for Avery.
Nevertheless, last night Alayne and I worried ourselves sick, wondering if we had made the right decision ... and wondering how we would be feeling if we lost him during surgery. This is the kind of stuff that just haunts us.
Dr. Hoy called this morning to let me know she was prepping him for surgery, and then we anxiously waited for the post-surgery "he's up and doing fine!" phone call. I had just gotten off the tractor and was talking with Kate when my cell phone rang at 12:22 p.m. today. I was so nervous I almost couldn't get the phone open in time. It was Dr. Hoy, and the news was fantastic -- he had made it through surgery in great shape! In fact, she told me, "he did better with the anesthesia than any healthy 2-year old dog I''ve ever worked on!"
Whew.
Alayne is heading over to Burlington on Friday to pick up Avery and bring him home. I'll post an update on him for Monday.
---
The current Shelter Challenge started on Monday, April 4th, and ends at midnight on Sunday, June 19th. Grand prize in this round is $5,000, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories ... please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.
And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.
You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Please note: Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.
Because of your votes, we just won $1,000 as a weekly winner in this current Shelter Challenge. Please help us win more money for the animals here by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too. Thank you!
Yay Avery - it's your turn to shine !! He stole my heart, please keep us posted with his progress. At least now he will be loved. Thank goodness for Rolling Dog Ranch!
Posted by: Betsy Barnes | July 01, 2011 at 04:32 PM
God bless this little boy. The thought that someone could be so cruel to any helpless animal, makes me sick. Thank goodness for Rolling Dog Ranch for their love of animals. Take care and enjoy your life Avery. You are loved.
Posted by: Rise' | June 29, 2011 at 12:58 PM
The stories are sometimes tough to get through, but I do, and most of the time they are with great endings. I've adopted my first senior not really knowing what to expect.....I will do it again in a heartbeat. Next time a senior with a condition. Hell, you people can't be left out there to be the most sensitive ones.
Thanks for the great stories and the showing of your even greater compassion.
Posted by: Marc Mallen | June 29, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Yayyyy! Glad to hear that Avery came through the surgery just fine and that he will now be pain free! Very much looking forward to updates!
Avery, life at the ranch is heaven on earth....enjoy lapping in the luxury! You sooo deserve it, sweet boy!
Posted by: Nina | May 15, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Thank you for keeping us posted. Especially when the news turns out so well! Glad Avery will be getting his happy back!
Posted by: Robin Kent | May 14, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Avery, no matter the outcome, could not be in more loving and capable hands. God bless you all, Rolling Dog Ranch.
Posted by: Mary H. | May 14, 2011 at 02:30 PM
This little guy stole my heart....
Posted by: Glenda | May 14, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Thank you for "being there" for little friends like Avery. I am so glad you are helping him.
I can easily imagine what nervous wrecks you and Alayne were/are. I admire you two greatly.
Phyllis Snow
Posted by: Phyllis Snow | May 13, 2011 at 04:24 PM
So glad to hear the happy news about Avery! Keep us posted please.
Posted by: Vicki | May 13, 2011 at 03:48 PM
SUPER! That is great news!! I can't wait to see pics of the new, pain free Avery. He's so adorable!
Posted by: Ellie R | May 13, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Tears of happiness here! Hope no one walks up to my desk (at work) right now. LOL I couldn't help but read ahead as I read your post... "whew!" is right!!!!
Posted by: Lisa K. from CA | May 13, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Thank goodness! Welcome Avery to a pain free life :)
Posted by: Vanessa | May 13, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Hope Avery is feeling much much better! We all love you little guy.
Posted by: Teri | May 13, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Avery... you are going to be just fine now!!!! Hey, take advantage of the surgery and let Mom and Dad "baby you" for as long as you can do it!!!! Breakfast in bed sounds good, huh? On Dad's lap? Snuggling with Mom? Go for it Avery!!!!
Posted by: Penny | May 13, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Yahfreakinghooooo! What a relief for him, for you two, for us... Win-win-win!
Posted by: Mircat | May 13, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Happiness is reading this inspiring story about sweet little Avery and hearing about the wonderful help he got from the docs, the tech and of course Mom and Dad - from all at RDF - that very special place for special babies. Have a great weekend!!
Posted by: Angela | May 13, 2011 at 10:52 AM
I'm so glad Avery came through the surgery!! I was almost as worried as you as I was reading the blog!! I know he will feel sooo much better with his painful eyes removed. I know Levi sure did!! He was a totally different dog after that..calmer and more relaxed!
Welcome Home Avery!!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | May 13, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Yeaaaaa! Atta boy Avery, now you're life is going to be just wonderful!!! You guys are just amazing, bless you!
Posted by: Katy | May 13, 2011 at 10:11 AM
After locating a new home for Avery, God would not have called him home yet. He wants Avery to enjoy a pain-free life now with his new "Mom & Dad" and all his brothers & sisters. There is so much to explore there for Avery.
Posted by: Kathy Hertzel | May 13, 2011 at 09:35 AM
Oh relief. Once he is healed and all the vet visits are a thing of the past, he will have to work real hard to remember how his life was before. Rest easy now Avery. Let RDF seep into your bones and breathe the good NH air. Make friends and ENJOY life! (oh, if any problems...contact Steve, he is the head of the Bedding and Accommodations dept. He'll get you all fixed up. And Alayne is head of Food and Nutrition, she is the one to compliment about the daily menu.)
Posted by: Anne in FL | May 13, 2011 at 09:17 AM
You guys made the right decision & the result is so good for Avery. When that sweet little boy comes home give him lots of hugs from all of us who love what you do.
Posted by: Betsy | May 13, 2011 at 09:15 AM
I'm so glad Avery came through the surgery so well. And I know it is a relief for y'all as well.
Posted by: Ashley Williams | May 13, 2011 at 08:24 AM
AWESOME News to start the weekend!!!
Posted by: deb white | May 13, 2011 at 07:51 AM
I felt like skipping to the end of this post, as I was so anxious to read about the outcome of sweet Avery's surgery!
God bless your loving, caring hearts, Steve & Alayne! And congratulations to Dr. Hoy for a job well done.:-)
A huge hug to you all (but to Avery first:-)) from Italy.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | May 13, 2011 at 03:33 AM
What happy news to know that Avery came through the surgery with flying colors and to know that he's no longer in pain!! Looks like he had a wonderful, competent team of doctors watching over his every move before, during and after the operation. Nothing but the best care for everyone at RDF!
Looking forward to the update on Monday. Hope Avery has a restful weekend with you and Alayne :)
Posted by: Ann | May 13, 2011 at 02:41 AM
No more pain for Avery in so many ways! Thank you for the positive post on Avery!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | May 12, 2011 at 11:33 PM
Wow! I was on the edge of my chair reading your update. I am so happy to read Avery did just wonderful. Prayers that his recovery from the heartworms will be just as swift.
Posted by: Doe George | May 12, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Hallelujah! Thanks for the great news and for doing what your hearts told you was the best thing for that sweet little boy! Looking forward to more posts about him.
Posted by: Leila - Washington | May 12, 2011 at 09:29 PM
Well, now I can exhale, too! I'm so glad Avery did so well under anesthesia.
It's all good from here, little man. Pain free, blind, and with a big family.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | May 12, 2011 at 08:49 PM
The sweet little guy!! Now Widget will really love him.
Posted by: adele | May 12, 2011 at 08:38 PM
HURRAH for dear Avery...you are in such loving arms now, dear boy!! You are one lucky doggie to have such a great mom and dad...gold stars to you all!
Posted by: Valerie | May 12, 2011 at 08:24 PM
I am crying with relief that Avery doesn't have to hurt anymore. I certainly felt the worry you two felt over the decision you made but that's why you get paid the big money!! :) :)
That boy is wondering how he landed in the pot of jam known as RDR and he doesn't even know how good it's going to get!! Way to go!!
Puppy Kisses All Around...
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | May 12, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Yikes! Thank you for sharing this ordeal with us. What an anxious day you all had.
I am so happy to hear that Avery went through the surgery so smoothly. What a guy!
The relief that he must be feeling already is huge. I'm sure he knows that he is getting help for all his problems now.
Get lots of rest sweet Avery. You have many fun adventures ahead of you.
Posted by: Chloe | May 12, 2011 at 07:45 PM
YAY!! I was holding my breath while I was reading your post! Thank you so much for helping this sweet boy!
Posted by: Michele | May 12, 2011 at 07:31 PM