Frax Gets His Eyes Checked...UPDATE: Thanks To ACVO/Stokes (The American College Of Veterinary Optha

This Friday the thirteenth is an auspicious one for Frax and I. He has his googly eyes rechecked at The University of Tennessee Veterinary School here in Knoxville. We are blessed to have ACVO/Stokes, The American College of Veterinary Opthamologist and Stokes a non-profit organization that organizes complementary service dog eye screenings each April through May. To make sure that each dog has good eyesight and to check for a disease that is becoming endemic in the Golden Retriever and Golden Labrador canines that are in the U.S.

The name of the disease they are looking for is GPRU. Unfortunately for Frax, he has some early signs that may or may not indicate that later he will get the sight-stealing disease. He has what I can only describe as 'little bubbles' that festoon the outer part of the colored part of his eyes. When the light hits just right, I can see them here at home. They actually ebb and flow, our last visit in January, several had burst and improved his sight range, which was a total blessing. From now on, he will be checked every six months at UT. Unfortunately there isn't anything that can be done for the disease except to monitor it. Perhaps down the road there will be a treatment, but for now there isn't anything to do but monitor it, and make sure it isn't impacting their ability to work.

*I have an update for those reading later in the day on 6/13. All is well! Frax passed the eye exam with flying colors! He does have the little bubble type formations around the cornea, they won't involve his ability to see...ever according to the vet. Frax has a precursor to GPRU, not the actual disease. They would be more concerned if he was a Golden Retriever.*

I'm lucky in that Frax could literally do his work blindfolded. He uses his sniffer and unique sense to tell if I'm getting a seizure. He doesn't require sight to do that. He helps support me by me holding his harness. He goes wherever I go, so again, he could do that work blindfolded, although we are very hopeful that the disease never progresses past what is visable now.

I know that you all have followed my Fraxie faithfully this past year or so. When you say your prayers or think of folks to keep near in your thoughts, keep Fraxie there this week for me. Good thoughts never hurt you know. We need to keep those squinchy eyes of his nice and healthy for the rest of his life! (Frax has always had 'squinting' looking eyes...it's just the way he's made.) The Veterinarian at UT the last time we were there described his eyes as “deep set”. We just laughed, because they are....he's this big dog with little squinchy eyes that have nothing to do with the testing...it's just the way he is. That's why I put up the picture of Frax and Bill that I did with this post. I love it. Both of them have the same expression. They are scrunching up their faces at the camera! They are such buddies! Love it!