Mabel's cataract and general progress

If you have recently taken in a rescue Schnauzer or rehomed a Schnauzer and need some advice, then please feel free to ask here. Whether it be about integrating your new dog into your home, health or behavioural issues, someone is sure to be able to help.
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Mouse1
Puppy
Posts: 26
Joined: 10 Aug 2013, 19:16
First Name: Camilla
Dog #1: Archie
is a: Black Mini Dog
Born: 04 Jul 2013
Dog #2: Isla (rescue)
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Dog #3: Mabel (rescue)
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Location: Hertfordshire

Mabel's cataract and general progress

Post by Mouse1 »

Yesterday I took Mabel to the Animal Health Trust to have the cataract in her one-and-only eye assessed. What a wonderful place (and coffee shop!) and everyone was so very kind and sensitive to Mabel and her needs. The bad news is that she has an inherited cataract so I imagine that most of her many puppies will develop cataracts too. So sad and totally, totally unnecessary. The good news is that the rest of her eye is really healthy, so if she does have it operated on at some point there shouldn't be any other complications. The tests confirmed what I felt, which is that she has reasonable sight at the moment, especially indoors. She's not so good in bright sunlight. At the moment they will just monitor her so we will return in three months to see if anything has changed. Meanwhile I've decided that I will put in more verbal cues - hopefully they won't be needed but it won't do any harm.

She was obviously well out of her comfort zone so was happy to sit on my knee and be cuddled while she was examined. Usually she hates being on my knee and uses her powerful back legs to push herself off, so it was quite a treat! She's still not taking a treat out of my hand, but is getting nearer! She's responding to her name more and more so we have tried a bit off-lead in certain controlled areas and she has loved it! To see three schnauzer bottoms going after a smell is a great joy. However, I have to watch it - she walks quite close to me but if I stop to pick up a poo or talk to someone she just keeps on going.....and she walks very fast! Usually she stops to smell something but sometimes I have to abandon everything to catch up with her. Hence, only doing it in certain places where I know it's secure. Other than that she's happy with an extending lead so that works well, and we've had a go at pavement walking using a double lead with Archie, which is definitely still a work in progress!

I think that overall she's happy, and is coming out of her shell more and more. She often leaves the safety of her kitchen basket to sit with us in the evening, and she's more relaxed when I stroke her. Harness putting on is easier than with Isla! She loves her food and does the food dance and associated noises. We still get some wee accidents and I think she drinks quite a lot, so I'm going to try to get a urine sample for testing - wish me luck!!
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Morgana99
Member
Posts: 1516
Joined: 18 Nov 2013, 21:45
First Name: Alison
Dog #1: Alfie
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 12 Dec 2007
Dog #2: Duke
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 12 Dec 2007
Location: Herefordshire
Contact:

Re: Mabel's cataract and general progress

Post by Morgana99 »

Hiya

Thanks for sharing yours & Mabel's experience and for the general update on her progress. I'm sure she will continue to grow in the security & love she now has :ymhug:

If she does get to the point where she needs surgery on the cataract & you need any advice, just ask. Both my rescue boys have had double cataract surgery in the past year, due to Diabetes. It seems to have been successful & they are really well at the moment. They don't have Mabel's deprived background, but we don't know their genetic history. We hope there are no more hidden surprises.

Alison x
Horace, Bearded Collie X, rescued 1984, left us 1993, aged 15 approx
Eric, Bearded Collie, left us 2002, aged 15.5
Elsie (Vowchurch Belinda Black), Beardie, rescued 1988, left us 2000, aged 13.5
Monty, Patterdale Terrier X, rescued 2003, left us 2012, aged 12 approx
Always in our hearts
Mouse1
Puppy
Posts: 26
Joined: 10 Aug 2013, 19:16
First Name: Camilla
Dog #1: Archie
is a: Black Mini Dog
Born: 04 Jul 2013
Dog #2: Isla (rescue)
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Dog #3: Mabel (rescue)
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: Mabel's cataract and general progress

Post by Mouse1 »

Morgana99 wrote:Hiya

Thanks for sharing yours & Mabel's experience and for the general update on her progress. I'm sure she will continue to grow in the security & love she now has :ymhug:

If she does get to the point where she needs surgery on the cataract & you need any advice, just ask. Both my rescue boys have had double cataract surgery in the past year, due to Diabetes. It seems to have been successful & they are really well at the moment. They don't have Mabel's deprived background, but we don't know their genetic history. We hope there are no more hidden surprises.

Alison x
That's really helpful, I'll remember that. Thank you very much. I'm so glad that yours have been so successful - what a year you've had!
redalert
Member
Posts: 927
Joined: 05 Apr 2012, 22:58
First Name: Sue
Dog #1: Fizz
is a: Black Std Bitch
Born: 09 Jan 2010
Dog #2: Bo
is a: Black Std Bitch
Born: 16 Jan 2012
Location: Nr Bath, Somerset

Re: Mabel's cataract and general progress

Post by redalert »

I am sorry to hear about Mabel and the Cataract, bless her, but it sounds as if she is coming on nicely. I hope that she continues to blossom into a happy and contented little girl well loved my all her family ;)
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BeeBee
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Joined: 18 Dec 2010, 08:09
First Name: Janetta
Location: France
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Re: Mabel's cataract and general progress

Post by BeeBee »

She sounds like she's doing well, slowly she'll come round - it's Twinkle's 3rd anniversary with us any day and the progress she's made is astounding, but slow. And she has good sight, so for Mabel, she's got to overcome additional hurdles to being a damaged soul from a terrible puppy farm. But she will, she'll do what she can, when she can in your loving home.
Jasmine (RIP) Renae b.01.11.10, sister to Susie-Belle (RIP), Twinkle (RIP), Cerise & Albert Claude puppy farm rescues, my muses
Creator of Schnauzerfest a good thing made possible by 1000s of good people & dogs
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Susie-Be ... 0289434936
http://www.janettaharvey.com/
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Maty
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Posts: 11040
Joined: 10 Sep 2011, 21:27
First Name: Kate
Dog #1: Isaura Lucidus
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 10 Aug 2011
Dog #2: Darksprite Finn Mac
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 17 Mar 2013
Location: Hertfordshire
Contact:

Re: Mabel's cataract and general progress

Post by Maty »

Oh bless her :(

Scary to think that she has passed this on to her puppies too :((

Lovely to hear her progress though, it is interesting (but sad) what different problems these amazing little girls have. No two are ever the same.
Maty

Rodders the Mini Pup, born 10/08/11, came home on 09/10/11
Creggan the Mini Pup, born 17/03/13, came home on 01/06/13

Proud of my Scottish Heritage
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