cressy
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Please Test your StockFor any breeds that have a predisposition to any problems on the BVA Scheme can I please plead that you test your stock before breeding??
My WSS has today been screened for Primary Glaucoma after I was alerted to the fact his line has an issue by one of the other littermate owners. Sadly Freddy has eyes deemed as bad as they can be and unusual for a dog to show up at the Eye Clinic with such an issue but no clinical signs. He was never destined to be bred from but his breeder and stud owner seem to have been less than ethical - can't say more on an open forum.
Sadly there is no guarantee although he starts prophylactic management tomorrow (bloomin expensive too) and the chances are he will lose his eyes in a very painful manner - (I say lose his eyes as the pain from raised pressure is so great that removing the eye is the only management). As is normal with Primary Glaucoma both eyes are equally bad so for Fred this will almost certainly mean he will have a one way trip to peace when he gets to that point.
Freddy is not quite 6.5 and this is soooo unfair as he has already had to deal with a lot in his life. He is a lovely dog (although unable to work as he he is gunshy par exellence)..........
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Claire
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Good on you Sue for highlighting this and encouraging people to test their stock. I have met the Fredster and he is a lovely lovely dog.
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Greyghost
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I'm gutted for you and Freddie Sue.  Hope his treatment goes well.
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Lisa
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I'm with you on this one Sue  and poor Freddy  Hope his treatment goes well.
This just goes to show you how important it is for breeders/owners to have the necessary tests. 
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Mike
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Sue, you really do have my sympathy on this one. Poor little Freddy has been through so much and now this. Hope things work out for you guys.
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josie
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Oh no poor Freddy
Would it really mean he'd be PTS Sue? Can he not live as a blind dog? (I've never heard of a 100% blind dog but would think they would be able to compensate somehow?)
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cressy
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| josie wrote: | Oh no poor Freddy
Would it really mean he'd be PTS Sue? Can he not live as a blind dog? (I've never heard of a 100% blind dog but would think they would be able to compensate somehow?) |
I think so Jo as he has been fear aggressive, does not like being in close contact with other dogs and he is so much happier when running free. When stressed he self mutilates chewing his feet and tail till he is raw and bleeding.
I will give him every chance, but I also have to weigh up the needs of everyone. I just hope his preventative treatment will keep him sighted and comfortable as long as possible.
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Liz
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Poor Freddy - it makes me angry to think that this could possibly have been prevented by screening.
As you say Sue, he has had so many trials in his life it is hard to tell whether he could adjust to losing his sight.
Hopefully the treatment will help delay the evil hour.
Give him hugs from us.
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Helen
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I am so sorry to hear that Sue.
Helen
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BritAnnie
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I was listening to Jean Failrie this morning speaking about the stray dog problem, touching on dog licence reinstatement, puppy farm prosecuting, also stiffer penalties for dog abuse etc. She was excellent, and put across the views of sensible dog owners. Freddie is a case for really coming down hard on proper controlled breeding and stiff sentences for animal harm. In the UK anyone can breed anything to anything and make money from it with little or no costs. It is high time this was addressed and stopped. I know the KC and SKC do their best with limited funds but it is time for more action. Where the money will come from I don't know, perhaps legislation to neuter pet dogs and crossbreeds as they have in some States in America is the answer.
BA
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Bareve
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I'm sorry to hear about Freddy
Unfortunately one of the problems with glaucoma is that the goniscopy (sp) test doesn't form part of the annual eye testing and as such it is very difficult to find people who run sessions for this testing. Not making excuses but the number of people who do eye test would certainly have the goniscopy testing done at the same time (I believe it's a one off test anyway) if it was offered and thereby immediately increase the number of dogs tested in this way.
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Barb
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Please test your stockFreddy is a great little dog and copes well considering all the problems he has had. I agree with Sue that asking him to cope even further would eventually be too much.
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tashap
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I'm not sure we would want to follow the US's version of neutering dogs to stop breeding in some states they have gone completely overboard and its causing alot of heartache for enthusiasts.
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