Three Go In While Two Come Back

Today was one of those "drop some off and pick some up" trips to the vet clinic.  I took the new arrivals, wobbly sisters Noodle and Wobbles, and blind Joey to our vets in Helena late this morning.  I took the photo of Alayne holding Joey with the two girls in the truck just before I left.  Noodle was talking to us when I got this shot.

The sisters were going in for general medical exams, bloodwork, and a spay for Wobbles (Noodle had already been spayed).  I wanted our vet, Brenda Culver, to look at Joey's eyes because we've been seeing what look like significant changes going on in both of them ... and neither one looks good.

We always have to monitor the eyes in our blind animals because blindness doesn't mean the eye is basically "finished" with a disease process ... in fact, blindness is often just a symptom of the underlying problem, and changes can keep occurring within the eye.  That's why we've had to remove eyes in many of our blind animals, because the disease process is ongoing and ultimately results in a painful, chronically infected eye.  One veterinary ophthalmologist we know described the eye as a 'house of cards,' saying if you removed one card -- i.e., had one problem occur somewhere in the eye -- you can often expect a series of other problems to develop subsequently.  We've certainly found that to be the case.

Sometimes, if cataracts develop early, they can mask other changes occurring in the eye.  That's why Brenda had to ultrasound blind Brody's eyes to find out if there were changes going on behind his cataracts ... and there were.  His retinas are detaching.  I suspect Joey's eyes have been undergoing changes in the past couple of months and we hadn't noticed because they were hidden by her cataracts.  By the time they became visible -- like now -- a lot has gone on inside them.

So I dropped Noodle and Wobbles and Joey off at the clinic, and picked up Brody and blind Turtle.  Brody was happy to see me (well, smell/hear me, I guess!) and gave me a big smooch.  Even Turtle, who just came through major intestinal surgery, was purring up a storm.  (In case you're wondering, the bill came to $1,749.34.)  We are still waiting on the biopsy results on Turtle's intestines -- the tissue samples went to Colorado State University.

Alayne took this photo of me with the two of them when we got back to the ranch about 5 p.m.  Brody was shaking hands because, well, any time is a good time to shake hands as far as he's concerned!  Turtle was purring in my arms because, well, she thinks any time is a good time to purr!

(Click on photos for larger image.)

Comments

[Lisa Vande Pol]

Thank you so much for the love and compassion you all have for all these special animals. I have made your Sanctuary one of my pet charities.

[Cherri]

I sent your site to many of my friends across the state as well as outside of our state. I am hoping they will find it in their hearts to help out these beautiful critters.
I do not donate any more, after a rather horrible experience a few years ago. BUT....I glady donate to your site, as often as I can. I love what you are doing. If only everyone would care this much.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Cherri in Townsend

[Danielle]

I had to laugh when I saw Noodle in the pic, I could just hear her talking. The girls have found heaven on earth.

Brody certainly looks happy! :)

[Debbie Burke]

Tonya's comments totally echo my feelings. Thank you for taking time to keep us in the loop. Your blog is like receiving a letter from beloved family who is far away.

[Nina]

Steve and Alayne: Both photos in today's blog are precious.....the animals look so happy and content because they know that both of you love and care for them.

[Karen]

Welcome home furry friends!

[Tonya]

I really appreciate that you take the time to blog and take photos. It allows us to share in the daily life of the Sanctuary. I consider this sharing to be an important side benefit of supporting an organization such as yours. I donate to the local Humane Society, and sometimes volunteer there, walking the dogs. New dogs arrive, and dogs are adopted, and I always wonder about each dog's history and/or new home, but rarely does the staff have the time to pass along this information to the volunteers. It is very rewarding to be able to learn the histories and follow the lives of the animals at the Sanctuary through this blog. Thank you again for making time in your busy schedules to give us this opportunity.

[Leilani]

Brody and Turtle DO look happy to be back; they know home even if the can't "see" it with their eyes; they know it by touch, smell and the connection and care they receive from everyone at the Ranch.

We wish Noodle, Wobbles and Joey a healthy report so they can come back home to join the rest of their family!