Search

Frax is Fine! Frax Update. Golden Retriever Owners~ Please Read.

Lisa Vaught
Jul 22, 2015
2 min read

Hello!

It is difficult to write this post because of the emotion behind it. First before anything, I want you all to know~ Frax is going to be, and is, fine. We have had a health scare with him over the past six weeks, and since I didn't know what the outcome would be, I waited to share with you what was going on. You all would know when I did.

As you know, there are yearly eye exams for Service Dogs. I just thought they were looking at their eyes for general purposes...not that there was a particular disease called GRPU that is endemic in Golden Retrievers, and at its worst can rob the sight of these wonderful dogs.

I'm not the only one ignorant of this disease. The majority of Golden Retriever owners have no knowledge of it, and most general practicing veterinarians do not as well. I am pasting a link to an excellent article that explains it better than I can and tells owners what to look for early, so that perhaps they can save the sight of their beloved dogs. http://animaleyecare.net/diseases/grpu/

We had Frax scanned for the national exam, but not at the University of Tennessee Vet School, due to scheduling issues. We had to use a vet locally that had been added to the list of ophthalmologists who scan for disease in service animals. We made an appointment in May and went...and six weeks of hell started.

Frax's scan in May of last year at UT was clear. This year there were cysts in his eyes. The 'new' vet on the exam list recommended that Frax have immediate laser surgery on them as well as removal of a tiny cyst under his left lid.

Our regular vet and our Canine Assistant's vet wanted a second opinion at UT vet school since he had been scanned there the year before. A request for consult was sent and we went yesterday for Frax's exam at the University of Tennessee Veterinary School.

Frax does have eye cysts and uveitis, but NOT GRPU! Thank God! Frax can see fine, and will be monitored by UTK vet school every six months going forward. He should not and will not have surgery on these benign clear cysts and the little cyst under his left eyelid.

So, a health scare, but happy results. Frax will be watched for any changes. It is my hope that anyone reading this with a Golden Retriever or a hybrid like Frax, who has half Golden Retriever in his genetic makeup will read the link above and educate themselves about GRPU.

Here's to happy endings, Cheers!