I’m going to use this blog to update you all fully on my puppy, Ernie. Sorry it’s not dance related whatsoever, but this is something that is a huge part of my life. Here’s what glaucoma in dogs basically is:
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that lead to increased pressure inside the eye. The elevated pressure results in vision loss by damaging the optic nerve – the nerve that transmits visual information to the brain. Untreated glaucoma can also be very painful (like a splitting migraine).
Ernie was diagnosed about 4 weeks ago, and since then he has lost sight in his left eye permanently. The procedure done for that eye is called Pharmacologic Ciliary Ablation. I’m not going to bore you with the details of the procedure, but basically this is only done with eyes that have already gone blind – like the case of Ernie’s left eye. He was put under a brief general anesthesia and his eye was injected with a fluid that will hopefully lower the pressure permanently – basically so that he’s not in pain anymore. That procedure was done last Thursday, March 11th.
Ernie’s right eye is still salvageable. And by that I mean there’s a surgery that can help preserve sight for at least 2 or possibly even 3 years (we’re hoping). The vet Chester has been taking Ernie to see in Juneau highly suggested that we take him to an eye specialist down in Seattle because there aren’t any in southeast Alaska.
On Saturday, March 13th, Chester put Ernie onto a plane down to Seattle where I met and picked him up. We drove about a half hour to Chester’s college buddy, Nick, and girlfriend, Tia live. Fortunately, the eye specialist was only about a 5 minute drive from their home, which made things very convenient! Ernie was confronted with a loving home – and one with two pups of their own, Sophie and Enzo. It definitely took a couple of days for Ernie to become used to his temporary home for the week, but eventually he warmed up to Sophie and Enzo – two very energetic puppies!
After seeing the eye specialist on the 15th, we determined that we were going to do the surgery. The specialist, Dr. Sullivan, has never seen a case of glaucoma this bad in a 1 year old dog before. He told me that usually early signs of glaucoma occur at 6 or 7 years of age, and only in one eye. Then a few years later maybe the other eye is affected. For Ernie, he’s 1 year and 3 months old and has already lost vision in one eye. That’s why we decided we were going to do all that we could to preserve sight in his right eye so that Ernie could live his first 3 or 4 years with sight. Eventually he will go blind, but at least he will have had the pleasure of having sight for a few years at best. Even though he will be blind, Dr. Sullivan assures us that Ernie will amaze us at how well he’ll do even if he’s blind. Dogs of course have amazing senses so I don’t doubt that Ernie will do just fine even without his sight. The main concern Chester and I had over Ernie being blind was the question of whether or not he would have to be supervised 24/7 and need to be in a stable home. Dr. Sullivan said “no” he doesn’t need to be supervised 24/7, and if we do move him to a new location that it will be bumpy at first, but Ernie will manage just fine. So, thoughts of needing to find him a family to adopt him have now been taken care of by Dr. Sullivan. Thank God because I didn’t want to give Ernie up. There’s also the financial burden that we’ve not taken on and since I’m currently unemployed Chester has to pick up the slack. It’s a very a big decision to spend this much money on a dog, but the damage has been done and it is what it is. I will be working very hard over the summer to help with the finances as well.
Ernie had his surgery today and everything went well. Dr. Sullivan said that he did very well and that he needs to pretty much be on bed rest. All his energy needs to be concentrated into healing the eye. Ernie will be flying back to Juneau Friday morning, and I will be flying back to New York that very same day. I’m already feeling very sad about leaving my baby boy. I feel like we’ve bonded so much this past week and it’s been such a pleasure spending time with such a wonderful dog. If you get to meet him, or if you know him, Ernie is the sweetest dog you’ll ever know. Not saying that our other dog, Emma, isn’t a sweetie also, but they both really are great dogs.
These dogs are our babies and the beginning of our family. These past 4 weeks have truly been a test on Chester and me – our willingness to withstand all the stress that comes with health problems within the family. I feel that this whole process is making us stronger to what is to come in the future. Hopefully we’ll get a little break for now and Ernie can see for a few more years.
Thank you all again for all your support and your kind words. We really do appreciate it and your efforts to help us has been amazing. We understand everyone is going through financial hardships so being able to help us makes you the most generous people we know. THANK YOU again! And thanks for taking the time to read a ‘non-dance’ blog about something important in my personal life. 
