Lillium

Thank you Sandra, I appreciate your advice. Yes, Chrystal seems quite happy and doesn't seem bothered at all. She knows her way around. Thanks Kirty I didn't realise that there could be secondary problems, I will be keeping a close eye on her and I guess I will have to see what the vet has to say. The cost of the surgery is astounding and quite frankly I cannot afford such cost. I do have a blind siberian husky. She developed glaucoma, I took her to see a doggie eye specialist that diagnosed her with glaucoma and gave me some drops to delay the disease as she had one good eye at the time, needless to say, her good eye became afflicted and to cut a long story short....she lost her sight and she had surgery about 12 mths ago to have both eyes removed as I knew that glaucoma is a painful condition. She is happy and also knows her way around and is coping magnificently. A person I know thought I was cruel in allowing my sibe to live, he was of the opinion that I should have had her put to sleep; I never considered that for one second.

I own a toy poodle, she is approximately 7-9 years of age; she has developed cataracts and has lost her sight rapidly. She is still a happy-go-lucky dog, loves her food and doesn't appear to be any worse for wear. I would love to hear from dog owners that have been through this or anyone that has any information as to the costs involved for surgery and whether it is worth considering. I will be taking her to see the local vet this week and will be finding out how much it will cost to remove her cataracts. Cost is important and I do owe the vet another $400, he's a terrific vet in that he didn't expect payment on the spot....so to speak and allowed me to pay him off. If it were a case of life & death I would not be pondering but I am a little concerned about having her anaesthetised at her age also.

Just got off the phone from my friend; she said that she decided not to go ahead with the puppy as she feels she could not handle being faced with an emergency situation. She told the breeder that she would prefer it if the breeder organised the surgery before picking up the pup. The breeder was concerned and said that she had spoken to the vet and although the vet said he could operate, he doesn't specifically like the idea of such an operation on a young pup and would prefer to operate when the pup is 4 mths old. The breeder said she didn't feel comfortable in taking the risk at this stage. All in all, it was decided that the breeder would keep the pup until it is 4 mths old and have it operated on then.

A friend of mine has placed a deposit on a west highland white terrier puppy; the puppy is due to be picked up in a fortnight. The breeder rang her up this afternoon to let her know that the puppy has been diagnosed as having a inguinal hernia as she had the puppies vaccinated & microchipped. The puppy is very healthy aside from this. The breeder has offered to deduct around $400 to cover costs for surgery. Does anyone have experience with inguinal hernias? what are your thoughts pertaining to this matter?

Most people have no idea of dog breeds although try telling them that. I can just imagine know-alls who know bugger all ringing in and reporting a particular dog breed when in fact they're reporting the WRONG breed!

That is simply awesome, so lifelike! Why couldn't I have that talent? life's so unfair sometimes.............

Seems like the whole of Australia is starting to be depressing. What about a few yrs ago in QLD when quite a few pitbulls were taken from their families and destroyed through no fault of their own? Things have gone too far. Seems like this country is pandering to the every whim of asylum seekers yet ozzies themselves are being vilified. I cannot imagine not owning a german shepherd and the idea that my current GSD may be my last does not sit well with me.