That was not a happy look I was getting through the camera viewfinder at the veterinary ophthalmologist's clinic last week. Our new arrival Max was just starting a comprehensive eye exam by Dr. Sarah Hoy and an evaluation to see if he was a candidate for cataract surgery. Those strips in his eyes are to check for tear production (his was normal), one of many steps in the process. I could have told him this was for his own good, but I don't think he would have agreed.
Even in the past week we've noticed he's having more difficulty getting around and seems much more hesitant than when he first arrived. Yesterday evening, in fact, when we were letting the dogs out for the last potty stop for the night, he came down the hallway, went past the door, made an abrupt right-hand turn, and plowed head-first into the wall. Ouch. So his self-confidence and carefree attitude about zooming around has been crumbling day by day.
Here Dr. Hoy is checking his intraocular pressure while her vet tech Patty holds him:
Max's eye pressures were normal, too.
Then it was on to the detailed examination of the inside of the eye with the slit-lamp, an ophthalmic microscope:
Again, everything looked good.
Next stop was an ultrasound to look for any retinal detachment:
So far, so good!
That set Max up for the final, and ultimately decisive, test -- the electroretinogram, or ERG, which tests retinal function. He would have to pass the ERG to be a candidate for cataract surgery, and this is always the heart-stopper for me (and sometimes the heart-breaker, too).
This device placed on his eye will measure how well the retina is working when a light is flashed into the eye:
The results show up on a screen on a computer, registering as waveforms:
If you click on that photo for a larger image, you may be able to see some of the screen, though the most important part of the waveform is at the beginning, and is obscured by my camera flash.
It didn't take long to get the answer: Max's retinas are working great, and he can have cataract surgery! I told Dr. Hoy and Patty that we rarely get this opportunity to restore or save vision, and we are always thrilled when we can.
At this point it's just a question of scheduling the cataract surgery itself, but the Max-I'm-going-blind-quickly Dachshund will soon be the Max-I-can-see-everything-again Dachshund!
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New Round Begins
The new Shelter Challenge started Monday, April 9 and ends at midnight on June 17. 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.
*** We are now LISTED UNDER OUR NEW NAME, ROLLING DOG FARM. State is still NH for New Hampshire. ***
Please remember, you can vote every day ... consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.
We just won $1,000 as a weekly winner for Week 4 of the last contest, and thousands more in the previous contests. The Shelter Challenge really does bring in a lot of money for the animals here!
You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Thank you for your votes!
DeeDee, you can find a veterinary ophthalmologist nearest you by searching here:
http://acvo.org/new/public/search/public_search_location1.asp
Hope that helps, and good luck! Steve
Posted by: Steve Smith / Rolling Dog Farm | April 15, 2012 at 09:30 AM
Max sounds like my dog, Sam. He acts like there's something blocking his vision. He sort of sees, but can't follow the ball when you throw it. I'm so sad for him. I live in the DFW area. Is there a specialist I that you'd recommend for Sam?
Posted by: DeeDee Elliott | April 14, 2012 at 09:25 PM
Poor Max does look like he's being tortured with those tear strips! So glad he passed the tests and will be able to have those cataracts removed.
Posted by: Tonya Allen | April 13, 2012 at 05:08 PM
Ohhh, happy tears! Hurray!!
Posted by: Lisa K. - San Diego | April 13, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Awesome news!!!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | April 13, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Poor Max! He looks at you as if to say "what in the world are you doing this to me for?" If only he could know that it will be so good for him. I'm very glad that the results were positive for him and this will make such a difference.
Posted by: Betsy | April 13, 2012 at 09:49 AM
WooHoo!!
Posted by: Lynda in Michigan | April 13, 2012 at 09:11 AM
What a great report for Max. Good news like that makes you feel good all day! I can't wait for the "after" photos of Max running around and taking in all that he sees around him. Good luck with your surgery, Max!
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | April 13, 2012 at 08:32 AM
Such great news! Thank you.
I am so excited for Max and you.
We are looking forward to much better days ahead!
Posted by: Glenda | April 13, 2012 at 06:31 AM
I'm simply overjoyed for Max!!!
A good friend of mine has just lost one of his cats, so I was badly in need for some cheering news...
I look forward to reading that Max has passed his surgery with flying colours.
God bless you, Alayne & Steve, for taking such great cares of all you furkids, even giving them, whenever possible, the gift of sight!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | April 13, 2012 at 05:57 AM
Yay! It's always wonderful to hear such great news. What a trooper Max was in dealing with all those indignities of being poked and prodded :) I am so looking forward to even better news after he has his surgery and hearing about how he'll be zooming around and enjoying seeing everything his eyes can take in.
Happy dance for Max!
Posted by: Ann | April 13, 2012 at 05:16 AM
How awesome...
Posted by: sara | April 12, 2012 at 11:54 PM
So glad Max is a candidate! Looking forward to a good report afterward. Also voting for you guys!
Posted by: Leila - Washington State | April 12, 2012 at 10:18 PM
Great news re: Max's eyes! What a gift you will be giving him! Can hardly wait to hear an update.
Posted by: Nina | April 12, 2012 at 09:11 PM
I'm so glad for Max! Sadly, our Roxie had an ERG in September last, and hers showed completely extinguished responses.
We knew she was blind, and suddenly, but our hearts still break for her. She was diagnosed with SARDS, Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome.
Life is still good for her, although she did go through a blue funk. But she's back to her old self, albeit a little more timid than when sighted.
Honestly, we love her more now than before if that is even possible. It's such a privilege to care for a handicapable dog...
Roxie, she seems to still love us, but she definitely thinks we don't give her enough to eat. HA!
We explain patiently over and over again "Roxie, there is NOT any law that says blind dogs get extra meals and treats; we don't care what sources you cite". (More timid = less walking = pudge alert!)
Happy for Max!
Posted by: Gena | April 12, 2012 at 08:11 PM
Go Max! Love his eyes and how full of expression they are. Cannot wait to see them after the surgery and hear of all the adventures he will be creating!
Posted by: Mary H./Washington state | April 12, 2012 at 07:47 PM
I thought those were needles in his eyes and almost had cardiac arrest. Then I read the caption, and my heart fell into a more regular rhythm. This news is so, so fantastic. Max has so many good years ahead of him, made all the more wonderful because his sight will be restored.
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | April 12, 2012 at 06:50 PM