Ocular dermoid op gives dog a second chance
A basset hound born with ocular dermoid on her left eye has recovered from the condition with the help of two animal charities.
One-year-old Bella was taken to Wood Green because her owners were unable to afford the specialist surgery required to treat the condition, which is caused by an overgrowth of normal tissue in an abnormal location.
Though ocular dermoid does not usually impair eyesight, it may cause irritation and secondary conditions to the eye - in Bella's case, recurring conjunctivitis.
Wood Green immediately contacted Europe's largest team on ophthalmology specialists at the Animal Health Trust (AHT), who agreed to perform the delicate eye surgery.
Claudia Hartley, head of small animal ophthalmology at AHT, said: "I'm so glad we were able to help such a deserving dog who has been suffering with this growth since birth.
"Bella has a lovely nature, but dermoid was clearly having a negative effect on her overall health and wellbeing. She recovered quickly from the surgery to remove the dermoid. The relief Bella felt after the operation was obvious straight away, as her spirits seemed to be immediately lifted."
After receiving the surgery, Bella was able to move in with new owners in time for Christmas.
"Bella came to us through no fault of her own, or her owners - she needed specialist surgery to correct the abnormal birth defect on her eye which sadly, they just couldn’t afford," said Helen Keen, Wood Green's head nurse.
“Her owners did the right thing by bringing her to us; both charities have been able to pool resources and get Bella the help she needed to correct her defect. The change in her after having the operation was incredible, and we were so pleased to be able to rehome her in time for Christmas.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
