Buffy back to the vet tomorrow

[Penelope]

Buffy had a bloody grass seed in her foot and had it surgically removed on Thursday.
We took the bandage off yesterday, and she has been really good - stopped licking it as soon as we told her to and has generally left the wound alone. :078:
I have to take her back to the vet tomorrow morning to have it checked over, and also to get a referral to an eye specialist.
We have been concerned about her sight for a while now and the vet agrees there is definitely something wrong..... he will refer her and hopefully, we will get to see someone pretty quickly.
She seems to have limited vision in her left eye - she is fine round our gang, but if a strange dog (or dogs) come up on her left hand side she goes for them. I honestly think she doesn't see them until they are almost in front of her and it scares her.
She has also bitten Trev several times now (I think we are up to number 6, but I am not counting) I would obviously feel very differently if it was Dominic who had been bitten... but at the moment, we are just waiting to see what the vet says.
Will keep you posted, but keep everything crossed for my little angel (wish I had called her that instead of Buffy, cos she really has been through a lot and never, ever complains!) :078::078::078:

[Meerkat]

:078::078: aww my darling Buffy you have been thro sooo much in your life so far - I really wish you all the best and hope things improve soon for you and your mum and dad as I have seen how much they both love you :078::078:

everything crossed here for you all - Hope Trev hasn't been bitten too badly :075::078:

[Queen Bee]

BIG loves from us here........xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:075::075::075 :

[Rats and Dogs]

I hope you get an appointment with the eye specialist soon and find out what's wrong, also here's hoping her wound has healed up and no more grass seeds. :054:

[Kimberley]

Oh Buffy you are in the wars girl, lets hope things get better quickly.

[jean]

poor buffy. how old is she?
post a pic so we can send her some positive vibes. xxx:053:

[Fiona]

:077: Oh poor Buffy she is in the wars. Let's hope you get your referral soon and hopefully get a good prognosis. :078:

[terri]

hi penny..:075:
my heart goes out to you and Buffy...
as i have recentley gone through a similar thing with my india..
as i'm sure you have read some of my threads on here..in vip section...
i too noticed something was not quite right..with my india's eyes..
and we were referred..quite quickly in a matter of days...
after an intital visit..with just looking into her eyes..they then had to confirm this with an ERG tets..

my india got quite aggressive..with my dogs..and although she never bite anyone...this is a reaction as she was scarred what was happeneing to her..i use bells on my dogs..and i call to her when i'm approchaing her..so she is aware that i'm coming near her..
in 6 weeks indias eyes deterioated..and her sight ( although she has some)..is not very good now..she has started to run into my other dogs...but has been coping amazingly well..
the aggression is much less now..as she is starting to adapt..
for my girl..there is nothing that can be done for her..and will go completley blind within this year..( although looking at her eyes , you would never think she is blind)..her eyes look normal..but its the back of the eyes..my girl has central pra...( which is rare..the speciailst has not seen a case of this in years)..and in cockers you can only test for generlised pra..and Not central pra...
we don;t have to go back to a specialist anymore..
it has taken me several months to come to terms with this..as it started at the begining of this year..
but i don't treat her any different now...she is still the happy go lucky girl..her tail never stops wagging..with indias condition..becasue it is a very slow deteriation..india has time to adapt..( i wish she never had to go through this..but there is nothing that can be done for her)..
but her life is still happy..but we have just adpated things to help her cope..i put spray/ oils on door frames so she is aware..long before her sight has completley gone so she can fimilarise herself where she is..if she gets confused..she can still play..but i have found a ball with a bell in it..and she is now attaching herself to my old girl bella..who is a clam dog..and she seems to help india..greatly..with being her eyes..i think all my others have realised something is wrong with her..which is really nice..
and they do act differentley around her...

i just wanted to say..i know exactley what you are going through..
and i hope your not waiting too long for a referral to a specialist....
let us know how you get on...

you will properly go through every emotion possible..( i know i did)..
i think what ever the outcome..try and look at it from a doggies point of view and not a humans point of view..
dogs eye sight is not like ours..they have other sences where we rely on our eyes..dogs rely on their noses..which i have seen with my own eyes...my girl india uses her noses much more..her hearring is so much more accute now...
but the main thing is although not nice..they do cope amazingly well..and your buffy will surprise you..
as log as nothing changes in your home..with furniture ect...
you just have to help her adapt..as i did with india while she is loosing her sight..

pm me if you want to talk...i'm always here...
and i can pm you my tel no..if you ever feel you want someone to talk too, who has experince of this..
i'd help anyone...

thinking of you..and really hope its something and nothing...

i did'nt think i could cope..but mightymouth on here..bless her..helped me no end with her pm..and put things into persepctive for me..when i was going through this..

best of luck..
and i'm here if you want to talk..:075:
love terri
x

[Tanya]

aw poor Buffy, hope her foot continues to heal well, and you get to see a specialist very soon. Keep us updated on how it goes :075:

[Penelope]

My little Buffy was 2 in February. She has a special place in my heart as she was born the day after my mum's funeral (although we obviously didn't know that at the time), we chose her when she was just 2 weeks old (so less than a month after my beloved mum died) and I truly believe Mum sent me to Buffy.....
We visited her every week until we could bring her home at 8 weeks old.
We took her to the vet to be checked over and were told she had luxating patellas in both back legs......... We had to decide whether to take her back to the breeders or keep her.
Naturally we kept her.
However, she seems to be very delicate and running through a bush which would leave the rest of my gang unscathed seems to rip her skin to pieces and she seems to be at the vet at least every month or so.
She has had all sorts of treatments over the 2 years we have had her, but she never ever complains.
She is the happiest, waggiest little spaniel in the whole world and I love her to bits.
Trev is finding her behaviour harder to deal with - but he is the one who has been bitten. She is also a voracious dog pooh eater, which is not one of her more endearing traits - but I still adore her!!!
http://www.vocalcafe.co.uk/%5BURL=http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/pennyharrison/?action=view&current=005-1.jpg%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/pennyharrison/th_005-1.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/pennyharrison/th_005-1.jpg (http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/pennyharrison/?action=view&current=005-1.jpg)

[Penelope]

I know it sounds corny to say my mum led me to Buffy, but through the terrible raw grief when mum first died, Buffy gave me something else to focus on and worry about. Our first holiday with Buffy was overshadowed by worrying about her legs as they both kept slipping in and out of their sockets on the beach and I was worried sick - but it stopped me missing mum quite so much.
Sorry if some people find it a bit strange that I posted that bit, but I really do feel as if she is extra special because of the timing of her coming to us.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/pennyharrison/th_036.jpg (http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/pennyharrison/?action=view&current=036.jpg)

[Rats and Dogs]

I don't think it's strange at all. When we are grieving caring for something can help as it gives you a focus, rather than focusing on the person who has gone, it gives us a purpose in life, especially if that person has left a huge gap.

After my parents died suddenly, and I went through some serious health problems and then miscarriages, etc I needed something to care for and that when I first got rats, they kept me so busy and became so special to me as they gave me a reason to get up in the morning. Same with when I got Gari, and since losing him, getting little Duggie.:078:

Buffy sounds a lovely little dog, she has been so unlucky with her health problems, but so lucky with her owner. I hope the biting can get sorted out soon. :077:

[Meerkat]

Awww pics of my Buffy :078: she is gorgeous and you have given her so much and she has given so much to you too

Penny you have my numbers as well as PM and you know you can call me any time night or day - you are a very special lady :078:

loads of love and hugs to you all :078:

[Penelope]

Aww thanks guys.
Today I took Buffy out with the rest of the girls for the first time since she had the grass seed out of her foot....
Putting her in the car, I thought she had something red in her mouth. Went to take it out - and she had a big gash on the side of her mouth. Looked closer and what I thought were just marks on her face turned out to be more cuts on her face by her eye..... I just have no idea how it happened. She hadn't been near any other dogs, hadn't even been playfighting with our own dogs because of her foot, so I am totally flummoxed.
I bathed it all with Hibiscrub and rang the vet for advice - they def don't need stitches, so he said as she is already on antibiotics for her foot, just keep a close eye on her.

Then had a call and we are seeing the eye specialist on Monday at noon.
Keep everything crossed for my little girl - she is such a sweetie.

[Meerkat]

Awww poor wee Buffy

everything crossed here for you and her

[terri]

Morning Penny...:075:

aw poor Buffy..hope she feels better soon..

and i justed wanted to wish you the best of luck and hope you get some answers on monday at the eye specialist with Buffy..

will be thinking of you on monday...:075:
love terri
x

[lisalh]

Morning Penny- hope everything goes well on Monday with the specialist and just wanted to let you know although not posting much have been thinking of you and Buffy xxxx

[Fiona]

Aw bless, she is in the wars. I hope she is feeling better soon and your appointment goes well on Monday. :075:

[mrsk]

Poor Buffy and you. Big squidges to you both from me and Molly :)

[MightyMouth]

Fingers crossed for Monday. Poor wee lamb xx

[Penelope]

I took Buffy shopping with me today to PAH for new collars for the gang. It nearly broke my heart because everyone wanted to make a fuss of her (her tail was wagging so hard the whole time her body was moving with it) but quite often I had to lead her to the people as she was heading in completely the wrong direction. It was so sad.
Her legs are bad too ATM so she really is a poor little girlie.
However, the good news is no more cuts or scrapes on her walk today and she has been an angel indoors all day (she can sometimes trigger problems with the rest of the dogs if she bangs around too much!)
Sometimes her eyes seem so much worse than others.

Anyone any ideas of what I should be asking on Monday?
Apart from the obvious "What's wrong and what can be done to help her?"

OMG - Trev on phone to best mate who is looking for a home for a lurcher pup.... I cannot have 6 dogs, I cannot have 6 dogs, I cannot have 6 dogs (especially at this precise moment when Buffy needs me)
Repeat after me - I CANNOT HAVE ANOTHER DOG!!!!

Anyway, off subject for a moment there - sorry folks.
As I was saying, any suggestions of what I should be asking in my hour long consultation on Monday? My mind is just a total blank.....

[Meerkat]

:075::078: for you and Buffy

I honestly don't know what to ask - sorry hun

NO you CAN NOT have another dog at this present time :072:

[Rats and Dogs]

The questions you are planning on asking should be enough for the vet to give you all the answers you need.

Sweet little Buffy, I can just imagine her at PAH getting lots of fuss, I love the thought of her whole body wagging. Dogs cope much better with sight loss than we do, so don't worry about her too much when she goes in the wrong direction. At home, as long as everything stays the same, she will find her way about and do fine.

It's really not a good idea to get another dog just now hun, even though I know you want to save it, but a new dog, especially a pup could be upsetting for Buffy just now when she is adapting to her eye problems.
Why don't you contact Joanne V as she deals with lurchers and should be able to find a foster home for it (probably her own home!).

:075::075::075:

[Tanya]

...As I was saying, any suggestions of what I should be asking in my hour long consultation on Monday? My mind is just a total blank.....

I'd pm Terri if I were you, as she's been through the same and I know she complied a list of questions before she went of to the vets......

Poor Buffy, hope you get some positive news on monday :075:

[Meerkat]

I'd pm Terri if I were you, as she's been through the same and I know she complied a list of questions before she went of to the vets......

Poor Buffy, hope you get some positive news on monday :075:


Thant's a good idea - I'm sure she would offer you some great advice :046:

[Penelope]

Thanks everyone.
Terri has sent me a lovely long pm which made me cry, but also gave me lots to think about and ask the vet.....
Will let you know how we get on tomorrow.

As for the lurcher - turns out Trev's friend's step daughter just wants to make a quick profit, so much as I would have jumped in to help re-home any dog in need, unfortunately, as she is just doing this for money, there is no way I am going to help her out. She "rescued" this pup (don't know any details apart from it is a brindle whippet type lurcher) and she is looking to sell it on for well over £100......
I know exactly where that cash will go and let's just say I definitely do not intend to help her....

I would not take on another dog (esp with Buffy the way she is) unless it was just a stop-gap to get it away from a bad home or something, but TBH now I know more of the story, I expect she got it as payment in kind for something and hopes to get hard cash from selling it on......

Thanks again for your kind words for my little girlie - had a good uneventful walk this morning, so off out for the day with the whole gang in a bit (going to take them all to a fun show - just for fun and because the sun is shining!!!)

[terri]

penny..:075:
i have pm you sweetheart..
as i said..the specialist can only take a detailed report first, plus your referal letter from your vet, he may have said check for this or that..
you need to be honest and tell them everything..
how she is day and night..
as i said i've pm you..
you have to go penny..even though you don't want too..it is the not knowing..
i went through every emotion possible..but i was also looking at it from a human point of view..dogs adpat very well..and if it is the worst case senario..buffy, once adjusted..with amaze you..
you can help with things like i have..with putting different essintial oils on different door frames..mats near to water bowls..as she has to feel with her paws ..so if my india got confused..she can familrise herself where she is...as for my other dogs..to help india know when my other cockers are approcahing her..i have put little cat bells on their collars..so she is aware when a dog is approaching her..
she loved balls, so games do not have to stop..but i also found a ball with a bell in it..and she has to listen for the bell ..rather than seeing it..my girl although going blind..lives life to the full..she has also got my other dogs for her eyes..and ME...

if it is the worst case..and Buffy is loosing her sight..do try and get the book..
"living with blind dogs" by caroline .d.levin..i got it from amazon.
as it will go through all the emotions you are feeling, denial,anger,blame, depression, only once you have gone through all of this only then..can acceptance come...

there are so many different forms of eye problems..in dogs and in cockers..

from the generalized pra..( which you can test for)..
and again differnet types..early onset..pra or the rod-cone dysplasia.
dysplsia just means that the rod and cone cells do not develop correctly..
and effects dogs from or between 2- 6 years of age...this is genetic..again no cure..but they loose the eye sight very quicklyand no not have time to adpat..dogs are already blind by the time a diganoised is made..

cental pra-( this is what my girl has..there is no test avaialble to test for this..and it is thought to be due to the bodies inabilility to store or take vitaminE...they do go totally blind..within a year..and no cure for this..much slower rate of loosing the sight..but still looses the sight..so dogs..have more chance to adapt..as it is a slow process..

sard ( suden acquired retinal degeneration...) dogs suddenly go blind overnight..although unproven..this is thought to be a non genetic condition..


you can also get retinal dysplasia and detachement..
glucoma- pressure in the eye..,cataracts..ect..


there are so many different things it could and can be...

but your specialist will take a full history with you..then check the eyes..after putting a couple of drops in the eyes...my specialist saw straight away..and took photos of the eyes..so the specialist will normally have an idea..long before he looks into the eyes..but they will go through everything with you..take someone with you who can write things down..cause if you are anything like me..i just started to cry...
as confirmation..my girl then had to go back the following week..to have an ERG test done under anesthetic..
in total..we had 3 visists..and 2 anesthetic..and then no more can be done..my little girl will go totally blind within this year..but if india can't cope..or has problems..then i can go back at anytime..
i know her eyes have got worse..but this has not altered her ..she is still the very happy go lucky little girl she always was..yes she was a little agressive to begin with..but this was due to india being scarred..and not knowing what was wrong with her..as she has adjusted..the agression has gone..i hear the odd grumble form my other cockers..but this is normally when they are laying in the garden..and india has run into them..as my girl cannot see anything still..she has very limited vision now..so i call her name quite loud..so she is aware i'm approaching..but she is my little shadow..and both ME and my dogs are now her eyes..

as for another dog for you Penny..never say never..but for now..i would'nt advise it..get Buffy sorted first..and see whats wrong..and what will happen...first...
all the best..i'm here if you need me..and do call me if you need too..
will be thinking of you on tommorrow..
love terri
x

[terri]

Thanks everyone.
Terri has sent me a lovely long pm which made me cry, but also gave me lots to think about and ask the vet.....
Will let you know how we get on tomorrow.

As for the lurcher - turns out Trev's friend's step daughter just wants to make a quick profit, so much as I would have jumped in to help re-home any dog in need, unfortunately, as she is just doing this for money, there is no way I am going to help her out. She "rescued" this pup (don't know any details apart from it is a brindle whippet type lurcher) and she is looking to sell it on for well over £100......
I know exactly where that cash will go and let's just say I definitely do not intend to help her....

I would not take on another dog (esp with Buffy the way she is) unless it was just a stop-gap to get it away from a bad home or something, but TBH now I know more of the story, I expect she got it as payment in kind for something and hopes to get hard cash from selling it on......

Thanks again for your kind words for my little girlie - had a good uneventful walk this morning, so off out for the day with the whole gang in a bit (going to take them all to a fun show - just for fun and because the sun is shining!!!)


aw sweetheart..it was'nt meant to make you cry..:075:
as i've been through this..i'm now a more rational mind..as i've been through this..
you may even think you cannot cope..but YOU WILL..
i'm sure you will have 101 questions..but the specialist will go through everything with you..
just try and have a nice day today..and feel fully refreshed for tommorrow..the only thing that will happen tommorrow..is a few drops and an eye test..if buffy requires anthing more or more tests..then it will be a seperate appointment..
just stay stong..sweetheart..
and i'll be thinking of you tommorrow...:075:
as i said you have my tel no..so if you want to have a good cry..moan ect..then please feel free to do so..
and i really mean that..

take care..
all the very best for tommorrow..
love terri
x

[Penelope]

We had a lovely day today.
The weather was fantastic and we took all 5 dogs to a fun show. They all had a great time and the only one to get a first was.......


Yep, you guessed it - BUFFY for waggiest tail!!!!
The only class we entered her in and she won!

We got a couple of 4ths and 5ths (Harriet got 4th in AV gundog) and we all had a great day.

Just settled the gang down to sleep and am off to join Trev in bed. Had an afternoon nap when we got home (well early evening nap as it was about 5.30pm) so should be able to read a couple of pages of my book - which is my way of relaxing before I go to sleep.

Will update tomorrow when I get home from specialist - oh and just to add to my joyous week am having my coil changed on Tuesday - something to REALLY look forward to!!!!

[Fluffy]

way to go buffy:053: well done to you all chick,glad you had such a lovely day:075::075:xx

aww terri,thank goodness we have you here,for invaluable advice:075:xx

[terri]

well done to you all, but especially to Buffy and Harriet on your wins at the dog show yesturday...:046:

and just to say i hope it all goes well at the eye specilaists today..i'm sure you are feeling apprehensive,but its not as bad as you think..with regards to all the tests..
i'll check back here later today ( as i have a doctors appointment this morning, and hairdressers this afternoon..hubby's treat)..
so i'm sendind you all the luck, and a hug and loads of postive thoughts for today..
will be thinking of you...and will check back here later on for any news..
love terri
x:075:

[mrsk]

I hope it all goes well for you today. Big hugs from us.xxxx

[Rats and Dogs]

Good luck for today, let us know as soon as you can. :075:

[Penelope]

We are back and all her tests were in acceptable ranges!!!! :046::046::046::046::046::046:
The specialist said she could be very short sighted but as she cannot read letters out loud, he could not test for that, or she could have tunnel vision, but there is also no test for that!
He said if we see any deterioration we can go back, but at the moment he is more than satisfied that there is nothing he can find to account for her behaviour! :046::046:

I kind of have mixed feelings - obviously I am delighted that all is well (as far as he can tell) but at the same time I am naturally worried in case there is something that we have not yet found! However, she was absolutely angelic. He couldn't believe how well behaved she was once up on the table - he prodded and poked and put drops in her eyes, and she never once growled or got upset. She just kept on wagging her tail every time he stopped doing any kind of tests.

He also said he thinks she needs a stitch in the cut under her eye (happened last week on first off lead walk after removal of grass seed). So we are off to the vet in a minute for him to take a look - hopefully they can "glue" rather than stitch it... just wanted to update all my friends on here first.

Will be back later (naturally!)

Thanks again everyone for all your good wishes for our little angel.

[Rats and Dogs]

I'm so pleased that her tests were all fine, and she was a little star at the specialists, what a good girl. :077:

I hope there is nothing else, and that is the end of her troubles. Good luck with the stitching. Have you to ask the vet again about her behaviour?

[Meerkat]

can understand the mixed emotions

soo pleased the results have come back ok but you must still be at a loss as to what is making her behave this way

Good luck at the vets and hopefully he may suggest a decent behaviourist which you can get thro the insurance and hopefully get something sorted with her

poor wee mite she has been thro so much in her life already :075::078:

[Penelope]

Just back from vets - it was a lady I haven't met before and she was running extremely late.....
She said Buffy's face is better left un-stitched, just needs hibiscrub twice a day on her mouth and once a day by her eye....
I didn't go into details as didn't want to do it in a rush, but am going back on Friday morning so will see my own vet then and have a chat.

Thanks again everyone.

[terri]

sorry i have'nt been on all day..
but i have been thinking of you Penny..:075:
i'm so pleased for you and Buffy..thats fantastic news..i can understand your mixed feelings..just keep an eye on her..
i am so pleased for you...
as i can speak from experience when earlier this year my little girl was diganosed with going blind...so you must have felt awful this morning driving over there..but also you must have come away elated...

so you must be so pleased...:075:
love terri
x

[MightyMouth]

Happy for you both that tests were all ok. What a worry for you.

[lisalh]

Am in quandry- want to go wayhay that tests are clear but wish they had at least provided a solution to your problems. I hope her face heals soon:075::075:

[Penelope]

She is being such a sweetie about me cleaning her face - the cut on the side of her mouth is quite deep and I feel terrible cos each time I clean it, it opens and bleeds again, but the vet said I have to do it.
I thought Trev would laugh if I suggested buying some sort of shoes for her, but he thinks it might actually be a good idea as she seems so incredibly delicate. Her snoods do help her a bit cos they protect her ears and part of her neck, we could try shoes for her feet and in the winter she can wear a coat - its just these summer runs she gets hurt on, but the thought of keeping her on lead is just too sad. She loves racing around and we always agreed (when she was diagnosed with luxating patellas) that we wanted her to have as normal a life as possible within reason.
She is such a good girl and never stops wagging her tail - even when we are ticking her off for stealing yet another sock from the laundry or even parading my dirty knickers around for all to see !!!

[Queen Bee]

Poor wee angel!

Please give her a gentle squish from me! :053::053::053::053::053:

[Rats and Dogs]

Aw, how can you even bear to tell her off for parading your undies around?! :006:

[Meerkat]

My Buffy would NEVER parade around with dirty undies - you are just making it up :064: she is a good girl :075:

[Tanya]

I thought Trev would laugh if I suggested buying some sort of shoes for her, but he thinks it might actually be a good idea as she seems so incredibly delicate.

I got some of these for Daisy to help stop her foot chewing habit, and although they seem pricey, they are very well made, and good tough boots :044:

http://www.caninespirit.co.uk/categories/dog-boots?gclid=CPz36_b4ipwCFU0A4wod-yshYA

Hope she heals up quickly :075:

[Penelope]

Thanks Tanya...
Will have a look.
Did you get the small size? That's what it says for cockers....

[Tanya]

I think they were the xxs and she still needed socks under them as she has tiny slim feet.....

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z49/screamingswifts/IMG_4125.jpg

[Penelope]

Ooops sorry, didn't realise you had a smaller girlie than Buffy!!
She is gorgeous - and love her shoes and socks!

[Tanya]

lol, I have 2 tinys :077: