My

dropping by to say hi

Patience is indeed one of my best qualities.  I raised developmentally
disabled children, and I think that is where I learned a great deal
about helping one overcome their limits and finding the best quality
of life possible.  Animals are actually much easier to work with than
humans and for my sons, being able to help a living being overcome
their physical or mental limits and live comfortably among their
community is a great thing for them and for the animal.

The cat and dog who had come to me after having the nip and tuck
surgery done for the deformed lids had the surgery before I got them,
I got them because they were already mostly blind prior to surgery. 
It did not seem that the families had paid much for the surgery though
the money spent wasn't their concern so much as having to retrain a
blind animal. The had expected the surgery would restore sight...it
seems many think sight will come back once the lashes stop scraping
and they don't seem to hear the part about the damage that has already
been done.

Once your request goes live you can count on me to promote for you.

Disabled animals do indeed require much more care.  For example a
blind cats can only eat by scent and whisker feel.  If the whiskers
have any dirt on them or if the feed area has too many scents the cat
won't eat.  Dogs are a bit easier to work with, their nose is much
better tuned to separating scents.  When it rains a blind cat will get
lost in his own back yard and needs to be carried.  I have a font paw
amputee, these guys can climb nicely they can't land very well though.
 Deaf cats spook easily and they don't move out of the way of common
dangers until they learn to recognize the senses from their whiskers
and lashes, changes in vibration in their paws etc.  Cripples and
paralyzed cats need more hands on care with movement from place to
place, making sure they don't lay in positions that can cause internal
organ bruising.  Potty problems often require manually expressing,
some might need diapers.  Some need to be hand fed, some cage fed,
some syringe fed...I get'em all :)

In the newest picture on the bottom I can see the lid deformity a bit
clearer.  Because she has black fur rings and black lashes it is a bit
difficult to see unless you know what you are looking for.  I was
noticing the fogging of her pupils which must be from the constant
abrasions.  Your explanation of the DX really helps!  I do know
exactly what you are dealing with.

Ah yes, I understand about the lashes in the eyes!  Now I see what you
are dealing with and thank you for explaining.  I have had animals who
prior to coming to me have had the clip and tighten surgery on the
eyelids but they had already suffered corneal ulcers and had vision
problems which is what brought them to me.  I do agree there is pain
involved with the inverted lashes.  If this were my dog I would want
to have the lids corrected as well.

What eye surgery is needed?  I have a cat who needs double
enucleation.  He's not in pain, he's blind and his eyes are shrunk so
he has to have regular eye cleanings so they don't infect.  Having
them removed would prevent infection of course and would reduce the
stress of cleaning his eyes several times a day.  Otherwise he's lived
quite a while as a blind cat and is adjusted to the cleanings.  I have
a blind dog, she has similar fogging of her eyes as your doxi.  She
has one eye completely whited out and sightless and one is grayed and
will be completely sightless in about a year.  Overall she's about 75%
blind.  The Doxie in my picture is losing her sight too, she started
fogging last year.  She is distance blind and night blind and has
trouble on stairs, that is a combo of her bad hip and her blinding
eyes.

I was wondering if the surgery was needed to relieve pain or are you
concerned that a dog can't live a happy healthy life if blind?

I can see your pictures now!

Oh! Chloe is beautiful!  We do not rehome our disabled pets.  We are a
sanctuary and disabled pets find forever homes with us.  We rehome
those who recover from injury and can live normal healthy lives but
those who require special care remain with us.  There is someone
available 24 hour a day to do the special feedings and any exercises
or help like being carried outside etc.  We feed raw and natural foods
and work with holistic care.  We do not take medically ill animals
that require ongoing veterinary care, we take mostly "crippled
critters" or brain damaged / emotionally damaged animals who just
need a good diet, lots of love and someone available around the clock
to help with mobility and special feeding needs.

Welcome to Microgiving, Lynnie and Willow too!! 

Hi Lynnie!

Just want to welcome you! I'm really glad you joined our
community.There's a lot of really nice people on this site... get out
there and introduce yourself! Let me know if I can answer any
questions for you. Stop by my page and drop me a line =)

-April

Forgot to give you the link...LOL
http://www.aikenstandard.com/Local/1116Motor

You can also check out a news article about the second annual crippled
critter benefit that was held by the local motorcycle organization I
belong to and am webmaster for.  This year the benefit was to put a
ramp in my kennel for all crippled critters (including me) to have
better access between kennel, office and house.

Hi There, I am indeed fostering two doxies.  The one in my pic is an
elderly female who had been found wandering the streets of a busy
city.  My mom was called and asked if she would be interested in
fostering her.  My mom immediately adopted her.  Thorough changes in
our lives, my kennel which is designed for disabled domestics became a
better environment for the sweet old lady named Ginger.  I have
another elder here named Mabel, she is a black/tan doxie.  I hope you
find the help you need for your sweet furry friend.  Check out my
disabled pet listings on handipets.com