DOGS TALES WITH HAPPY ENDING

Dear MDDB and all who had saved us,  

Thank You...
We LOVE U!





Jojo (pound dog, scheduled to be put down)

http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/search/label/Happy%20Story

Monday, March 9, 2009

By Shamimi Popiko Sasha (SPS) from MDDB :

Sometime last month my human friends visited the Setapak doggie pound on two occasions and rescued a good number of doggies and puppies. One of them was Sister Beagle. She was probably scheduled to be put down soon as she was rescued from the cage where dogs were placed when no one comes for them. She had a very bad skin condition as well and received treatment at our vets. One day a nice lady called Som Ye came to the clinic and fell in love with Sister Beagle. She took her home and named her Jojo. Jojo now lives with her new human and another beagle named Kiki. She is leading a happy life and gets to go to interesting places almost every weekend. Jojo's stroke of good luck has made us all veery happy. And its happy endings such as this that makes us continue rescuing, treating and rehoming. 

Woof, Woof,

 

 

Lester (abandoned and abused)

http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/2010_04_25_archive.html

LESTER, ON THE DAY HE WAS RESCUED BY MDDB

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Remember the fellow who was scalded by hot oil. Well, we (MDDB) have named him Lester and would like to report that he is recovering from his burns very fast. He looks very happy as well and is wagging his tail as if thanking those who rescued him as well as those taking care of him at the clinic.

He also has a deep cut in the leg which is exposing flesh and bone and the vets are treating that as well. This is why we do not put animals to sleep. They are very resilient and always decide if they want to get better or not.

In Lester's case he had indicated that he wanted to survive his ordeal and move on with life - that's why he had gone looking for his feeder after being injured. we are glad we did not allow ourselves to be pressured into killing him, as suggested by many, at a time when he needed compassion, love and medical care the most.

We have some good news - Lester was adopted today by one Datin Jeniffer Khoo and has finally left the veterinary clinic to go and live in a nice big house in Petaling Jaya. We are happy that we gave him a second chance in life.

LESTER ON HIS WAY TO A BRAND NEW LIFE

 We learnt a bit more about him from the lady who has been feeding Lester for the past five years. Apparently, he was adopted by a family she knows as a puppy but the family dumped him at the market when he was about a year old.

That was five years ago - although the lady had been feeding him the last five years - we do not understand why she had condoned him being turned into a stray. She has forwarded a pix of him as a pup and we can see how much he must have suffered after being dumped.

Because he was lived on the streets for that many years - Lester is anemic and according to the vet has to be on medication for life.

Anyway, we are happy that he now has a good family to take care of him.

Read more: http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/2010/04/good-news.html#ixzz1QDQsYhr8

 

 

Cinderella (Faith)

http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/2010/01/cindy.html

CINDY IN DEC, 2010 - BADLY WANTING TO BE RESCUED

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Words simply cannot describe our feelings whenever we follow-up on the development of Cinderella renamed Faith who has been adopted by Kalpana. Cinderella was spotted by Dr Chan Kah Yein of Animalcare when she rescued almost 40 dogs from the dastardly Klang Pound. However, she couldn't take Cinderella because the poor girl had a serious facial injury. But Cinderella wanted to to be rescued. We (MDDB) heard about her and decided to take her. Dr Chan immediately went to the pound and got Cinderella out. We warded her at one of our panel vets where she was given treatment. We were told by the vet that her facial injuries were probably acid scalds. However, Cindy had tested negative for parvo, distemper and heartworm. When Cindy went in for spaying, the vet discovered that she had already been spayed. So, we believe Cindy must have been someone’s pet.

 Anyway, one of our friends and supporter Ms Kalpana offered to adopt Cindy and came to collect her today. Initially Cindy was frightened to leave the clinic but after some coaxing, she followed Kalpana into her car. Kalpana took Cindy to her regular vet and was told everything was fine with Cindy. Cindy merely had a slight mite problem and would be going in for her first round of vaccination next week. We are happy things worked out well for Cindy Cinderella. She is one of the luckiest rescues from the pound.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Cinderella Faith at her new home

 

Fri, Sep 19, 2008   The Star 

www.asiaone.com/News/.../Malaysia/.../A1Story20080919-88722.html

Spunky Snoopy, the Paralysed Dog

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA - He might be paralysed from waist down,  but Snoopy still loves going for his daily walks the with the aid of a wheelchair.  And Snoopy's a dog, a six-year-old terrier mix.Snoopy's owner, Marjan Sipsma,  43, who adopted him about two years ago, said he had met with an accident  when he was a puppy, and was brought to a veterinary clinic in Brickfields. He stayed at the clinic for four years, before Sipsma decided to adopt him as  a playmate for her four other dogs Flaky and Dribble, both of Japanese  Spitz mix, Sheba, a German Shepherd and Storm, a Rhodesian Ridgeback.  "The accident left Snoopy with a stiff left hind leg, but he was still  walking," she explained. However, months later, spinal complications  caused him to have more problems and at times "he would fall and wouldn't  be able to walk at all." Nevertheless, Sipsma felt Snoopy deserved to  enjoy a quality dog's life to be able  to walk, run and play and her research led her to finding a squad cart  "wheelchair" for him. "It's not available here. I ordered it online from the United States after  taking Snoopy's measurements. "I also ordered shoes for him as he has a  tendency to  walk on his knuckles and it would scrape and hurt his forelegs," she said. The wheelchair cost her RM1,500 (about S$650) and a pair of shoes set her  back by another RM150 (About S$65), "but each pair lasts about six to eight months."Once, Snoopy even went charging after another dog, while in the wheelchair."One night, my husband and I brought all five dogs out for a walk  and we didn't see a neighbour's dog which was out loose. "It started charging at our dogs, and they charged back. I decided to let go  of Snoopy to better handle the other dogs, since I thought he wasn't  going anywhere," she said. "But guess who went after that dog?  Our little disabled friend here!" she said with a laugh. Sipsma added that  despite being much smaller than Storm, Snoopy would give him a "good nip"  if Storm ever crossed into his "territory", which is the area in front of the  front door."I don't quite know how dogs think, but to Snoopy, I think  he believes he's still alpha male.  "I don't think he knows he's paralysed," she said, chuckling. http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/search/label/UPDATE%20-%20PUSPAKOM%20ACCIDENT%20VICTIM  PUSPAKOM ACCIDENT VICTIM Tuesday, March 22, 2011 This puppy was hit by a van near Puspakom. It just lay there because no one bothered nor had pity or compassion in their hearts to help the poor thing. Luckily, three days later it was spotted by someone who immediately rescued it and gave the puppy to us. It was admitted in one of our panel clinics about a week ago and had been unconscious until today - when it regained consciousness and started eating. But the puppy is still lying down and we hope that it is not paralysed. We are hoping for the best and looking for sponsorship for this puppy as it's going to be a long haul. those wanting to sponsor the puppy can either deal directly or go through us - those who want to deal direct with the clinic can write to malaysiandogsdeservebetter1@gmail.com for clinic details. Let's all hope for the best that this puppy will recover soon. Saturday, April 16, 2011 UPDATE - Puspakom Puppy (GOOD NEWS) PUSPAKOM PUPPY - PHOTOS TAKEN YESTERDAY. Well our day ended happy yesterday. The puppy is now fully conscious and can stand. However, due to head injuries the eyesight has been compromised. The vet thinks the puppy is blind or could have acquired poor eyesight. We are confident that this can be overcome as we had successfully rehomed a blind puppy some two years ago. Read more: http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/search/label/UPDATES%20-%20PUSPAKOM#ixzz1QStNtZC0  Wednesday, March 23, 2011     By Eunice Lee/The Star-Ledger Abused pitbull found in trash recovering...  Patrick was starved for so long he was no longer able to walk and his skin had sunk into the cavity of his hip bones and spinal column. Then sometime last week, the 1-year-old pit bull was put in a garbage bag and tossed down a trash chute at the Garden Spires apartment building in Newark. But that probably saved Patrick’s life because a custodian saw the bag move as he was emptying the trash. "His eyelids were moving a little. But he was just lifeless — his body hung there when we picked him up," animal control officer Arthur Skinner said, of the dog’s condition when he was found last Wednesday. Patrick was taken to Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, where he’s being nursed back to health.  Hospital staff say it’s one of the worst cases of abuse they’ve seen. "He’s the worst I’ve ever seen as far as starvation, skin and bones go," said Katharine Palmer, an emergency critical care specialist at the animal hospital. "The first couple days after he came in he wasn’t able to stand or bear weight he was so weak." Slowly, though, Patrick is recovering. Seven veterinarians and several veterinary technicians have been nursing Patrick around-the-clock, feeding him intravenously and warming him with heated blankets. "The recovery is remarkable," hospital administrator Patricia Smillie-Scavelli said. While many abused dogs can be skittish or aggressive, Patrick is not, Palmer said. "He is so loving in return," she said. Read the full story here - http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/tinton_falls_animal_hospital_h.html

Cataracts and Blind Dogs

This hoop is a blind dog's 'walking stick.'

Living with blind dogs can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Try these tips for bringing a blind dog home, helping him find his way around, socializing the dog and going outdoors. 

1. Try not to move any furniture around once your dog has grown accustomed to the layout of your home and keep floors clear.
2. You may want to cushion sharp corners on furniture and cabinets.
3. Use textured rugs to help your dog recognize certain areas of the house.
4. Scents are also a great way to mark 'zones' in your home, like the bottom or top of stairs or door openings. Use the same scent for all safe areas and something different for dangerous spots.
5. Avoid picking up a blind dog to bring him to his food or a toy of his; this can be confusing and he needs to learn on his own.
6. Put bells on other pets to alert your blind dog of their presence.
7. Talk to your blind dog often to comfort and guide him with positive encouragement. Set up your own voice commands and be consistent with them.
8. Be careful not to startle the dog when you approach him and also teach guests and small children to be cautious. A dog might snap at someone who startles him from behind or while he sleeps. New
9. people should allow the dog to smell their hand before petting him.
10. Use a harness when outside with your dog, especially when going to new areas.
11. Consider a bandana or marker to put on your dog that says 'I'm blind' to alert others of your dog's condition. 

Cataracts in Dogs

What is a Cataract?

Mature Cataract		Immature Cataract

Like a camera, eyes have a clear lens inside them that is used for focusing. A cataract is any opacity within a lens. The opacity can be very small (incipient cataract) and not interfere with vision. It can involve more of the lens (immature cataract) and cause blurred vision. Eventually, the entire lens can become cloudy, and all functional vision lost. This is called a mature cataract. Some mature cataracts will transform over time into hypermature cataracts. Hypermature cataracts usually are reduced in size due to loss of water and proteins from the lens. This causes the lens to shrivel and the lens capsule to wrinkle—similar to a grape turning into a raisin. Hypermature cataracts vary in how cloudy they are. Some are completely cloudy, and others have clear areas that can allow some vision IF the rest of the eye is functional. Depending on the dog’s age and breed, it can take several months to years for a mature cataract to turn into a hypermature cataract.

What is not a cataract?

Normal geriatric dog eye, with normal Nuclear Sclerosis

All geriatric dogs (usually beginning at 6 years of age) develop a hardening of the lens (Nuclear Sclerosis) that causes the lens to have a grayish appearance. The grayish-blue haze increases as the dog ages. Nuclear sclerosis is NOT a cataract, and does not usually interfere with vision. The photo to the right shows a normal geriatric dog eye with normal nuclear sclerosis. Nuclear sclerosis also occurs in humans, and the hardening of the lens with age results in reduced near-vision in people; this is why people in their 40’s and older need reading glasses—because their lenses no longer are soft enough to easily change shape to allow for near vision. Another name for this is presbyopia, which means “old eye”. Dogs do not have good near-vision to begin with (compared to people), so nuclear sclerosis does not significantly interfere with their near-vision.

How do you tell the difference between nuclear sclerosis and cataract in your dog? The answer is that you can’t. You can start with having your family veterinarian evaluate your dog’s eyes, but often it is difficult for a doctor who is not an ophthalmologist to differentiate between the two conditions. However, veterinary ophthalmologists can tell the difference between nuclear sclerosis and cataract, using specialized equipment and their expertise. Also keep in mind that dogs can develop BOTH nuclear sclerosis AND cataract—many geriatric dogs do develop cataracts. If your geriatric dog has cloudy eyes but still appears to see well, this does not mean that they do not have cataracts—dogs can see fairly well if their cataracts are small. Dogs also can adapt well if one eye is blind from cataract and the other is not—often, they adapt so well that the owner does not realize that the dog cannot see out of one eye. Dogs can also adapt well—up to a point–if both eyes gradually develop severe cataracts; dogs can develop a “memory map” as to where things are in their familiar environment. Dogs with poor vision do not let their owners know that they have a vision problem until it is severe in both eyes. 

Why did my dog develop a Cataract?

Cataracts have many causes in dogs, and sometimes it is not possible to identify the cause of cataracts in affected patients.

• Most cataracts in dogs are inherited and can occur at any age. The cataract may develop rapidly over weeks, or slowly over years, and occur in one or both eyes. Different breeds of dogs have different characteristics of cataract development. For example, cataracts in Bichon frise dogs tend to develop rapidly in early adulthood and usually involve the entire lens in both eyes. Mixed-breed dogs can also develop inherited cataracts.
• The second-most common cause of cataracts in dogs is diabetes (diabetes mellitus). 75% of diabetic dogs will develop blinding cataracts within the first year of being diabetic. Often, the cataracts form very shortly after the dog becomes diabetic. See the accompanying article, Cataracts, Blindness, and Diabetic Dogs. Diabetic cataracts develop VERY fast—often overnight—in dogs, and they are a medical and surgical emergency.
• The third most common cause of cataracts in dogs is a toxic reaction in the lens—the lens is “sick”, due to some other ocular disease or (much less commonly) due to a drug reaction. These are called “toxic cataracts”. Toxic cataracts caused by ocular disease are quite common in dogs, and are caused by: 1) retinal degeneration, especially Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)—see Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in Dogs ; 2) uveitis (intraocular inflammation) of any cause, including trauma; and 3) secondary to glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure) of any cause—see Glaucoma.
• A special type of cataract occurs in dogs in which the lens capsule is ruptured due to trauma. The trauma can be penetrating (such as a cat claw injury or pellet gun injury) or a severe blow to the eye that results in lens capsular rupture. The lens contents leak out through the hole in the capsule and cause both cataract and a severe immune-mediated reactive uveitis; the uveitis does not usually “peak” in severity until 2–3 weeks AFTER the injury occurred. It is not always apparent that the lens capsule has ruptured; often, by the time this is diagnosed it is too late to save the eye and the eye needs to be removed. Thus, it is prudent to seek immediate medical attention for ANY injury to your dog’s eye. Lens capsules can also rupture if the lens swells, causing the capsule to stretch and split open. This can happen in diabetic dogs and in some types of inherited cataracts that rapidly form.
• Cataracts can also develop due to nutritional deficiencies in dogs, such as orphan puppies on an artificial milk-replacer diet. These are called nutritional cataracts, and they often will improve as the puppy matures.
• Dogs also can develop cataracts with age (often after 8 years of life). However, age-related cataracts in dogs are usually small and do not significantly interfere with vision.
• There are many other potential causes of cataracts in dogs, such as birth defects, radiation (usually from prolonged radiation therapy for cancer of the head), infection, etc. but discussion of these causes is beyond the scope of this review article.

How are Cataracts treated?

Once a lens has developed a cataract, there is no known method to make the lens clear again. Immature, mature, and hypermature cataracts can be treated by surgically removing them.

However, nutritional support of the lens can help to prevent or lessen the severity of developing cataracts. Nutritional supplementation can help to enhance lens health by providing oral antioxidants designed specifically for support of the canine eye. Antioxidant supplementation may also help reduce ocular inflammation that occurs in dogs both secondary to cataract formation and following cataract surgery. A unique antioxidant supplement product designed to support the health of the canine eye has recently been developed. Ocu-GLO Rx™ is a pharmaceutical-grade canine vision supplement containing 12 antioxidants; it is specifically formulated for support of the canine eye—especially for retina and lens health. Ocu-GLO Rx™ was developed by two veterinary ophthalmologists (one of which is Dr. Terri McCalla) and a compounding pharmacist. For more information about this unique canine vision supplement, see www.ocuGLO.com.

It is important to understand that no cataract can be reversed; once the lens is cloudy, it stays that way unless cataract surgery is performed to remove it. Two exceptions to this rule are: 1) some nutritional cataracts can improve over time; and 2) hypermature cataracts can develop clear zones over time. However, as this process occurs in hypermature cataracts, damage to the eye also occurs in the form of lens-induced inflammation (called lens-induced uveitis or LIU). LIU, in turn, can cause glaucoma, retinal detachment, and/or lens luxation (slippage of the lens from its attachments, allowing the lens to float around inside the eye and cause damage and pain).

Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed on humans. However, not all dogs with cataracts need or should have cataract surgery. In fact, most dogs with cataracts do not need surgery, because most lens opacities in dogs (and a lens opacity is a cataract, no matter how tiny or big) are small and don’t significantly interfere with vision. Just because a dog’s eye has a cataract does not mean that the dog must undergo cataract surgery. Only a veterinary ophthalmologist can determine if cataract surgery is indicated in an affected patient.

Cataract surgery is a quality of life surgery—not a life-saving surgery. The ophthalmologist must evaluate many criteria before determining if a dog can or should undergo cataract surgery. However, it is also true (in Dr. McCalla’s view) that restoring a blind dog’s vision with cataract surgery is one of the most satisfying parts of being a veterinary ophthalmologist, and surgery can give a dog a wonderful new lease on life. For a blind dog to again be able to see its owner, to play with toys, look out the window and actually see things—this is life-changing for canine patients and their owners. This is especially true if the dog is elderly and deaf or hard of hearing—to have its vision restored can make a huge difference in its quality of life.

Canine Intraocular Lens (IOL) and a Penny

The procedures and equipment used to remove cataracts in dogs are the same as those used in humans. A small incision is made in the eye and a hole is made in the capsular bag that holds the lens. Phacoemulsification is then performed, in which a special probe ultrasonically emulsifies and removes the cataract (the lens contents inside the capsule). After the cloudy lens is removed, the lens capsule remains and is called the capsular bag. An artificial replacement lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL, is placed in the bag. The eye is closed with extremely small absorbable sutures. IOLs are either rigid polymer plastic lenses or soft foldable lenses. The choice of which type of IOL to place inside an eye during surgery is determined by the ophthalmologist. Because even the slightest damage to structures in the canine eye can have disastrous effects, cataract surgery is extremely delicate surgery and is performed under general anesthesia with high-magnification using an operating microscope. If both eyes are affected, usually both eyes are operated on at the same time—especially in diabetic dogs.

How well will my dog see after Cataract surgery?

After successful cataract surgery dogs see close to normal. However, we cannot give dogs perfect vision. This is because an exact replacement of the original living lens is not possible. Furthermore, dogs have more inflammation in their eyes after surgery than humans and therefore have more scarring. This scarring does slightly decrease vision. The post-operative inflammation and scarring (lens capsular opacification) may be lessened by both anti-inflammatory drugs and oral antioxidant supplementation (Ocu-GLO Rx™). Most owners notice a tremendous increase in their pet’s vision after cataract surgery, but they can still detect certain visual difficulties.

After surgery, cataracts cannot recur. However, some dogs can have decreased vision years after cataract surgery due to formed scar tissue, glaucoma, and/or retinal detachment. In rare instances, placement of an IOL is not possible at the time of cataract surgery. These dogs still see better, but are more far-sighted and near objects are out of focus. The cornea does two thirds of the focusing of the eye, so vision is still present but not perfect if the lens (which does one-third of the focusing) cannot be replaced with an IOL. Some dogs require anti-inflammatory medication and/or Ocu-GLO Rx™ for several weeks, months, or lifetime following cataract surgery. This may help reduce the risk of capsular opacification, secondary glaucoma, and/or retinal detachment forming.

Why is Cataract surgery so expensive?

phaco handpiece

Cataract surgery is expensive because it requires specialized equipment and training. The instruments and equipment used for cataract surgery in dogs are the same type used for cataract surgery in people. Furthermore, you are paying for the highly advanced training and expertise of a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.

When people undergo cataract surgery, they usually pay very little for it because insurance picks up most of the tab. This is not the case in veterinary medicine. The pet owner pays 100% of the cost of cataract surgery and other health care for their pet. Even pet health insurance policies often exclude cataract surgery, because the cataracts are often genetic and most insurance companies will not cover any genetic or pre-existing condition. If you have health insurance for your dog, do not assume it will cover cataract surgery—check with your insurance provider.

What if Cataract surgery is not done? 
 

Immature, mature, and hypermature cataracts can cause a serious reactive inflammation inside the eye (Lens Induced Uveitis, or LIU) that must be medically treated, whether or not surgery is performed. LIU can lead to complications such as glaucoma or a detached retina whether or not cataract surgery is performed, and LIU decreases the success rate of cataract surgery. An additional potential complication in eyes not undergoing surgery is lens luxation, which can be quite painful depending on how the lens slips (luxates) out of position. Glaucoma is also painful, in the form of a headache. Cataract surgery is an elective procedure. If surgery is not performed, lifetime anti-inflammatory eye drops are required, as well as periodic eye re-examinations. Dr. McCalla also prescribes Ocu-GLO Rx™ for these patients as a lifetime support for ocular health when cataract surgery is not elected. There is a best window of time in which to perform surgery. The earlier the cataract can be removed, the better.

If cataract surgery is not done, your dog might do just fine. However, it might not; the worst-case scenarios that could occur are that the dog eventually develops glaucoma secondary to LIU (which is chronically painful in the form of a headache), or develops extremely painful lens luxation. If these conditions cannot be controlled medically (and lens luxation usually cannot be medically controlled, especially if the lens luxates into the anterior chamber of the eye), then surgery is needed; either removal of the eye, or removal of the luxated lens if there is a hope of vision. There are other surgical choices for blind glaucomatous eyes (see Glaucoma).

It is also important to understand that most dogs that are blinded from cataracts can adequately adjust to their vision loss, if they are in a safe and stable environment and their eyes are not painful. You cannot determine if your dog’s eyes are painful from cataract development—if your dog has developed secondary glaucoma, it has a headache but will not show this in any obvious way, until it is too late. By that time, the affect eye is enlarged and completely blind due to destruction of the optic nerve. When this occurs, medication usually is not adequate to control the increased intraocular pressure, and surgery is needed to relieve the pain.

If your dog has cataracts but you believe that you cannot afford surgery, it is still VERY important for you to have your dog evaluated by a veterinary ophthalmologist! This is because medical treatment of the affected eye(s) is almost always needed to help prevent complications arising from the presence of the cataract. The cataract causes LIU, which in turn can cause many serious complications and the complete loss of the eye (including possible surgical removal of the affected eye).

What is involved in having Cataract surgery performed on my dog?
 

The first step is to have your pet examined by Dr. Terri McCalla at Animal Eye Care to determine if your pet is a good candidate for surgery. A preoperative blood profile (including serum triglyceride testing; for nondiabetic dogs, the blood is drawn after the dog has been off food for 10–12 hours. For diabetic dogs, the blood is drawn shortly before the morning or evening meal to mimic a fasting blood sample), comprehensive physical exam, and assessment of anesthetic level of risk are then performed by your family veterinarian. If your pet “passes” these tests, electroretinography (ERG) and gonioscopy testing is scheduled at our hospital, as inpatient procedures. They are performed under sedation, and cause no discomfort. ERG testing evaluates retinal function, as it is vital that the retina (the “film in the camera”) is working, in order to perform cataract surgery. Gonioscopy evaluates the drainage angle of the eye to determine if the eye(s) are at increased genetic risk of developing glaucoma postoperatively. If they are, additional medications will be prescribed and these medications may be needed for your pet’s lifetime. Ultrasonography of the eye(s) is also performed at another nearby veterinary hospital. Some patients require ultrasonography and not ERG testing, and some patients require neither test. In this case, gonioscopy is performed on the day of cataract surgery.

If your dog “passes” the ERG test and/or ultrasound test(s), surgery can be scheduled. The eyes require 3 days of intense medication immediately preceding the surgery day. Dr. McCalla also prescribes Ocu-GLO Rx™ (oral antioxidant supplementation) prior to and following cataract surgery. On the day of surgery, your pet will need to arrive at the hospital early in the morning to receive intensive eye treatment before surgery. The surgery is performed and your pet goes home the same day. Your pet will not have eye patches. Your pet must wear a harness after surgery when being walked. Attach the leash to the harness and NOT to a neck collar, as this could place pressure on the jugular veins, causing increased eye pressure.

Vision usually improves during the first week after surgery—often within 24 hours—but the return of functional vision sometimes takes up to 2–3 weeks. Most dogs exhibit minimal to no pain after surgery. Your pet will require oral medication and two or three different kinds of eye drops 3 to 4 times a day for the first few weeks after surgery, and on a lesser frequency for several months post surgery. Your pet MUST wear a cone-shaped restraint collar (E collar) the first 2 weeks after surgery to prevent self-trauma to the eyes. We also ask that you bring your pet back for reexaminations at 1 day, 5 to 7 days, 2 to 3 weeks, 8 to 10 weeks, and 4 to 6 months post surgery, and every 6 to 12 months thereafter. This reexamination schedule may change if there are post-operative complications.

What are the risks involved with Cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure, but there are risks. Chances of the patient having improved vision after surgery are high for most dogs (90%–95%). But 5% to 10% of dogs will not regain good vision due to complications, and may actually be permanently blind in one or both of the operated eyes.

If your dog has significant LIU (most commonly caused by a hypermature cataract), this also decreases the success rate. LIU is the primary reason that the sooner that cataract surgery can be done, the better.

• The risk of intraocular scar tissue. All dogs develop some intraocular scar tissue (primarily opacities of the lens capsule). Excessive scar tissue will limit vision. Puppies and young adult dogs develop more capsular opacities than older dogs. Anti-inflammatory medication and antioxidant supplementation with Ocu-GLO Rx™ may help reduce the formation of severe capsular opacities.
• The risk of glaucoma. Glaucoma (increase in eye pressure) occurs in 30% of dogs that have cataract surgery, usually within the first 24 hours after surgery. This is not as bad as it sounds; most of these pressure increases are quite temporary and quickly resolve with treatment within the first 1–2 days after surgery. However, glaucoma can also occur later—months to years following surgery. Glaucoma not only can cause complete vision loss, but also may require the need for additional medications or surgery. It can be painful (in the form of a headache) and cause LOSS OF THE EYE if uncontrolled.
• The risk of retinal detachment. While surgical re-attachment of the retina is sometimes possible, the success rate can be low and this complication usually results in complete vision loss. However, if it is caught early the surgical success rate is much higher.
• The risk of intraocular Infection. While this is rare, it can cause complete vision loss as well as LOSS OF THE EYE (i.e. surgical removal of the eye).
• The risk of general anesthesia. Anesthesia safety has progressed tremendously during the last 5 years. However, even healthy pets CAN DIE UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA. We take anesthesia seriously and use the safest medications at Animal Eye Care. All patients are monitored extensively by our surgical staff. All patients receive electronically assisted ventilation and monitoring of their blood oxygenation, carbon dioxide levels, respiration, temperature, heart function, and blood pressure. See Anesthesia Section  

How can the risk of developing postoperative complications be reduced for your dog?

By following these recommendations:

1. Having your dog’s eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist as soon as cataracts are suspected (especially if your dog is diabetic), and NOT waiting until the lens is completely opaque and the eye is blind. Sometimes general veterinary practitioners advise waiting—It is best NOT to wait!
2. Following all treatment directions correctly and faithfully.
3. Bringing your dog to all recommended postoperative reexaminations by your ophthalmologist. Regular postoperative reexaminations by the ophthalmologist, for the rest of the dog’s life, are needed.
4. Lifetime postoperative antioxidant supplementation with Ocu-GLO Rx™ (see www.ocuGLO.com for more information).
5. Calling your ophthalmologist’s office if you suspect ANY change has occurred in your dog’s eye(s).
6. Always using a harness to walk your dog; do not attach the leash to a neck collar.

What if my dog cannot have surgery?

Not every dog is suitable for cataract surgery. Your dog may have significant underlying disease which would increase your dog's anaesthetic risk. Your dog's age +/or temperament may be considered not suitable for surgery (your dog may be considered too old +/or too exciteable). Your dog may have significant other ocular problems and, the cataracts may have been present for too long making them unsuitable for surgery.
Just because your dog cannot undergo surgery does not mean he cannot lead a reasonable life. There are many dogs out there that are blind for a number of reasons yet are still very happy and coping with their blindness.
You can make things easier for your blind dog by simply:

1. keeping the layout of your home and your garden the same
2. keeping to familiar walks
3. using lots of audible cues and toys
4. walking your dog on a harness and lead rather than on a collar and lead since it makes them feel more secure and makes them easier for you to control.
5. getting them a canine friend (if practical), and preferably one of similar size and temperament and with no eye problems who hopefully would become 'their eyes' for them. Speak to your local dog rescue centre.

In conclusion:

If your dog's eyes become opaque and his vision becomes affected then see your own vet for a diagnosis and, if your dog has cataracts then consider your dog for cataract surgery.
Don't wait until the cataracts get hard, present them early for evaluation by an ophthalmologist since the early cataract has the better surgical result.
If your dog cannot undergo surgery however, do what you can to make your dog's quality of life better by simple considerations for blindness.

http://www.animaleyecare.net/diseases/cataract.htm
http://www.grovelodge.co.uk/cataract-surgery.asp

NEWs ... ANIMAL CRUELTY IN MALAYSIA

Friday May 27, 2011

Stop Animal Abuse

SEVERAL NGOs, including Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor, are rallying for the nation’s support in its mission to collect 50,000 signatures by end of 2011 to be handed over to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The petition calls for the Government to take the necessary steps to prosecute individuals, government or private entities which have caused unnecessary suffering to animals or neglected their welfare, based on contents of the Animal Act 1953 (Revised 2006). Animal lovers from Malaysia and all around the world were quick to sign the petition online and spread the word, and to date 7,356 signatures have been collected online alone – 1.5 signatures a minute on average.

NGO’s supporting and promoting this petition include PAWS Animal Welfare Society, Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB), H.O.P.E. Johor Baru, Save A Stray, SPCA Penang, SPCA Seberang Prai, Petfinder.my, Paws Mission and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM). More NGOs are expected to join this campaign soon, in a consolidated effort to make positive change for Malaysian animals.

Over the years and even to this very day, animal lovers have stood by and watched helplessly as cases were being reported of municipal council workers handling stray dogs with brute force, pet owners neglecting or abandoning their pets, zoo animals living in deplorable conditions, and stray animals which were maimed or killed by cruel individuals.

“We earnestly urge the Prime Minister to act in all expediency to quash this kind of inhumane, arrogant behaviour by Malaysians. Allowing them to continue will result in the needless suffering of the animals every year and will definitely have a detrimental impact on Malaysia’s image worldwide. A compassionate nation that cares for its animals is also a nation that will care for its people,” says SPCA Selangor chairman Christine Chin.

“Catch and kill, the preferred method of eradicating strays by the local councils, has proven to be expensive, ineffective and inhumane. SPCA as well as other rescue groups have been offering a radical but more effective Trap-Neuter-Release programme with proper and stringent guidelines to ensure the community and animals benefit,” Chin added.

“The FBI has long recognised the link between animal cruelty and violence towards humans. According to research done by the Massachusetts SPCA and Northeastern University, animal abusers are five times more likely to be violent in society.

“Governments all over the world have begun to take animal cruelty seriously, and it’s time Malaysia does too,” said Andy Koh, the founder of PetFinder.my who has been instrumental in setting up the petition campaign online.

Sign the petition at www.StopAnimalAbuse.my/

 

Wednesday June 23, 2010

Put a stop to animal cruelty

I REFER to the articles about animal cruelty that The Star had reported and would like to commend the newspaper for giving a voice to these helpless “citizens” of the earth.

The authorities concerned should be more vigilant against animal cruelty and ensure that laws are enforced to keep a check on any abuses.

Parents should also play their role by educating their children that it is wrong to throw stones at animals.

I believe that love for living things, including dogs, transcends the barrier of language, race, country and even religion.

LIEW JIA ERN,

Perak.

Shenaaz Khan
                Jun 3, 2011

Gov't's dog shooting ban a barefaced lie

Rulers often give a rather realistic imitation of altruism. They purge pluralistic promises to mask their innate ruthlessness. In Malaysia, prominent among the false whiskers wearers is the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS). Of all the malingering and slothful government agencies, the DVS has proven to be amongst the most ineffective and worthless of the lot.


The perfect rot that they are, they appear to also be the most competent of liars. So marvellous is this prowess that they've consistently used it for decades to detract, defuse and dictate the welfare of animals in this inhumane country.

With their moribund state of practices, dwindling with obsolescence, they have made dead sure that almost all animal abusers, animal killers and animal neglecters enjoy punitive immunity and eternal freedom.


Of course their blatant ineptitude has been aided by a government and system that thrives on corruption and cruelty. Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, the DVS director general, is undoubtedly the proud product of such a government. He is utterly useless, besmirched and ever ready to cool simmering public opinion by spewing media friendly untruths!


Case in point is the supposed ban on dog shooting in Malaysia. In November 2010, following the ghastly council killing of a pet dog in Ipoh, Aziz smugly announced a ban on dog shooting in Malaysia. Animal lovers celebrated with hopeful hurrahs. How ignorant they were for Aziz was yet again doing what he does best- telling a barefaced lie.


Truth be told, the ban merely applied to DVS officers. (Note: DVS officers have not shot dogs since rabies was eradicated some 50 years ago). The ban, however, did not apply to council dog catchers, whom many a decent Malaysian would recognise as monstrous murderers of innocent animals.


Alas, amidst his grand announcement and nauseating smirks of accomplishment, Aziz failed to ooze out this vital piece of information. So for all intents and purposes, the dog shooting ban was no ban at all.


Thus, the statement by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Noh Omar on a shiny smashing new law holds very little promise for animals of this country. New and “improved” laws with enhanced sentences and fines are worthless without competent and impartial enforcement of said laws.


But competence and impartiality is clearly beyond the skill set of the Malaysian government, hence their unrelenting reluctance to act against real criminals committing real crimes.


The continued barbarianism perpetrated by councils and individuals speaks volumes of the governments' effectiveness in combatting cruelty. Periodical rhetoric on animal welfare, be it at open dialogues or closed door meetings, can best be described as political posturing and has no real value or worth.


The Serdang kitten killer, the poodle abuser and the Batu Pahat council dog catchers, all of whose hideous acts were videotaped, are still at large. Despite such gripping evidence, the DVS and the Attorney-General's Chambers seem to think bringing these criminals to book a rather superfluous exercise. And so these monsters continue to roam our streets, unpunished and unrepentant. And the grisly plight of animals remains unchanged.


With Noh, Aziz and their repellent gang of callous colleagues at the helm of animal protection laws, cruel councils and animal annihilators will be allowed to further nourish the inhumane tide engulfing this country. And the crusaders of cruelty shall continue their wickedness with a wink and a nod from the powers that be.

LAMAN KL-TODAY.COM

End cruelty on animals in Malaysia

http://www.kl-today.com/2011/06/end-cruelty-on-animals-in-malaysia/
Posted by admin on June 20th, 2011 

Jeswan Kaur

In November last year when the public was outraged over the brutality displayed by the Ipoh Municipal Council workers in shooting dead a pet dog, the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) quickly pacified animal lovers by declaring a ban on dog shootings throughout the country. Looking at the dismal track record of the VSD, the public however gave department director-general Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin the benefit of the doubt, relieved that street dogs would no longer meet a cruel fate at the hands of local council workers.

But as the Malaysian Animal Welfare Society recently pointed out, the statement by Abdul Aziz was a lie.

Its president Shenaaz Khan said the ban applied only to VSD officers. The department officers, said Shenaaz, have not shot dogs since rabies was eradicated 50 years ago.

The ban does not apply to local council dog catchers whom many of us know have no heart and compassion for street animals. Why did Abdul Aziz, knowing well that the ban exempted local council dog catchers, lie to the public?

Further proof that Abdul Aziz had lied came about after one Associate Professot Dr Khoo Kong Soo on June 13 e-mailed a letter to FMT recounting the cruelty meted out by the Kampar District Council enforcement officers by shooting dogs in his area.

Khoo said the officers arrived on the morning of June 8 at his residential area of Taman Bukit Emas, Kampar, to shoot dogs.

Khoo said the housing estate is on the fringe of an Orang Asli settlement who have been staying there and rearing dogs long before the newer houses of Taman Bukit Emas were built.

He said that a dog was shot as he tried to run up the hill to the Orang Asli village.

“A rifle was used. I saw a single wound on the dog’s back. The body of the dog was loaded into a large container of water at the back of a pick-up truck. I went to the enforcement officers to protest and pleaded with them not to shoot the dogs as they were owned by Orang Asli, and an officer wearing a nametag of ‘Murali’ told me, ‘Kita tak boleh tembakkah?’ (Why shouldn’t we shoot?),” Khoo wrote.

Stop using guns

Disturbed by the lack of compassion shown by the enforcement officers, Khoo said no matter how much and how often animal lovers and civilised people protested, the practice of using firearms and other cruel methods on dogs continues.

“A rifle loaded with live rounds has no place in a residential area. It is an unsafe practice as a ricochet could cause injury or death.

“It is gross cruelty to animals, it endangers all of us. Examples of misuse of firearms by the council officers are manifold. An enforcement officer shot a DVD peddler and an innocent bystander who lived with the bullet in his chest till the day he passed away.

“Another shot an old lady’s therapy dog, a labrador. The shooter and his team could not even distinguish between a pedigree dog and a stray mutt or were so bent on killing, they didn’t care. At another time, a shooter who failed to kill a dog with the first shot entered inside the compound of the dog’s owner to deliver the coup de grace,” Khoo recalled.

He said that guns should be restricted to government personnel who needed them for protection against possible violence and danger, for example, police, armed forces, and the wildlife department.

“Municipal councils are not fighting terrorists, poachers, militants, insurgents, pirates, robbers, so they don’t need guns. After all, most dogs and DVD sellers that I know are not armed with AK-47s and cannot return fire,” Khoo said.

Reading Khoo’s letter says it all – the VSD is not about to learn from its mistakes, the most painful, literally, involving a German Shepherd pet dog called Sheena. It was 1995 and she was left to die by her heartless owner after he shifted home, abandoning the dog in the previous house, devoid of clean water and food.

Calls made by a concerned resident to VSD to rescue Sheena were ignored, causing Sheena her dear life.

Malaysian leaders the real bluff masters

Recently, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Noh Omar, announced that a new law known as the National Animal Welfare Act was being drafted to expedite the need for animal protection.

To Abdul Aziz, the new legislation was necessary as it would take too long to amend the Animals Act 1953, saying: “It is faster to draft a new Act. That is our approach now.”

Unfortunately, there is no saying how drafting new Acts is going to improve animal welfare in this country if the mindset of the authorities involved does not change correspondingly. The zero enforcement as seen from Sheena’s case in particular reveals the stink that has long permeated the department.

As Shenaaz said: “Thus, the statement by Noh on a shiny smashing new law holds very little promise for animals of this country. New and ‘improved’ laws with enhanced sentences and fines are worthless without competent and impartial enforcement of said laws.”

The proposed amendments aside, Noh, however, has failed animal lovers. Despite there being videotape evidence of the Serdang kitten killer, the poodle abuser and the Batu Pahat council dog catchers, none has been punished under the law. Why?

If the VSD, Noh and even the attorney-general harbour the vaguest idea that persecuting such cruel individuals is a waste of their “executive” time, they are so very wrong. These authorities should know better than to take the animals lovers for granted.

Stop the lip service

On Jan 27 this year, Abdul Aziz declared that the Animal Act would be amended, all to increase the existing fine of RM200 to RM50,000. The six-month jail term, however, remains.

Abdul Aziz’s justification for the increase in fine was that the existing RM200 had outlived its effectiveness.

“We feel it does not serve as a deterrent,” he had said. As for the six-month jail time, Abdul Aziz had this to say: “We believe the current penalty of six months’ imprisonment is enough for culprits to realise their mistake.”

It is annoying to sense the smugness in Abdul Aziz’s words. Was the RM200 fine not pittance in Sheena’s case? Her owner of seven years got off with a RM100 fine for torturing the dog to death, while the loyal Sheena lost her life, due to starvation and pain endured. So much for justice done!

A mere RM100 in fine in default of two days’ jail was all its owner Lien Chong San received, no thanks to Section 44 (1) (d) of the Animal Ordinance 1953.

Lien was not barred from adopting pets anymore nor was he compelled to do community service at animal shelters – proof that Malaysia’s Animal Act is nothing but a toothless tiger, failing time and again to provide justice to abused animals, some who end up dead.

Since 1953, only two or three animal abusers were jailed and that too, not exceeding two days! The government passed the new Animal Act 2006 but not a single provision of the Animal Ordinance 1953 was changed.

Why was the fine not raised when the ordinance was amended in 2006?

A dog suffered until it died and the VSD director-general never faced the music. He escaped disciplinary action in failing to carry out his duties. Worst, no apology was ever tendered by the department to animal lovers over its failure to safe Sheena.

Don’t politicise animal rights

Looking at the inhumane actions of the VSD, a valid question comes to mind – is the department sincere in respecting and guaranteeing the rights of animals as enshrined under the law or is it a mere political ploy, to win the people’s heart, bearing in mind the impending general election?

A word of caution to VSD: Keep politics out of the business of protecting animals and safeguarding their rights. Should Abdul Aziz and company be ignorant of how best to protect the animals, a look at the laws adopted by other countries will be helpful.

Take India. It is leading in the rising number of convictions for animal abuse and with stiff penalties. One court in India stopped the bullock cart race held during the temple festivals because the cows are beaten with sticks to force them to move faster.

In UAE, the laws protect both domestic pets and street animals. Abuse of an animal is punishable with a jail term of up to one year and a fine of not more than RM10,000 or both.

Hong Kong had some years back passed The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2006 to put in place stiffer penalties for animal cruelty; the fine was raised from US$641 to US$25,641 plus three years imprisonment.

The Hong Kong government went a step further and set up a hotline to report animal abuse. Its people can also call the police who are given the authority to arrest animal abusers.

End cruelty against animals

Last year, an elderly woman was traumatised when the Ipoh City Council gunned down her loyal and licensed therapy dog to sleep. The council tried washing its hands off by saying it thought the dog was a street animal.

In March last year too, a concerned citizen wrote a letter to a news portal depicting the horror of witnessing the dog being abused at the Kepong central KTM station by Kuala Lumpur City Hall workers who tied the dog to a grille and shoved a piece of wood down his throat (pic left).

The dog was bleeding and surrounded by its faeces. Its suffering least bothered these City Hall workers who were more concerned about sprucing up the area in preparation for a visit by a Cabinet minister.

The workers escaped punishment. Is this how people of a “caring” nation behave?

In 2005, The Star reported a cat breeder was charged in court with neglecting his cats by forcing them to lie inside small cages alongside their faeces, resulting in an unbearable stench.

In another incident in Johor Baru, five men armed with sticks attacked several street cats and dogs under the care of the Johor Baru Humane Touch Animal Welfare Society in Taman Delima.

Yet, another case involved the Kuala Langat District Council which was reported to have killed nine pedigree dogs without any veterinary assessment.

VSD, have a heart for animals

It is a shame that both the VSD and the government cannot not care less about animal rights in Malaysia. To the London-based 124-year-old The Mayhew Animal Home and Humane Education Centre, these cases of animal abuse showed Malaysia’s lack of respect for its animals. The centre, sadly, is accurate in its assessment of animal welfare in Malaysia.

The Animal Act 1953 gives the veterinary department and the police power to arrest without warrant any person caught abusing an animal as stated under Section 44. Why is this provision under the Act not being enforced by both authorities?

The RM50,000 fine alone is not going to improve the situation. Instead of being jailed, such offenders must be sentenced to do community service, spending many hours working at animal shelters. If that fails to raise their conscience, such people should never again be allowed to adopt pets.

The VSD must also keep a record of people who adopt animals to ensure only the right profiles are allowed to keep pets.

Until and unless the authorities start respecting animal welfare, this blatant disrespect for animal rights has made World Animal Day, celebrated on Oct 4 each year, of no significance to the VSD, the local councils and the “powers that be” in Malaysia.