Document text
A stray poodle with cataracts gets a new outlook on life Veterinarian Cassandra Bliss performs cataract surgery Wednesday on Ava at Bliss Animal Eye Care in Central Point. Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch Wednesday Oct 19, 2016 at 5:23 PM Oct 19, 2016 at 5:38 PM Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune A seven-pound, gray, toy poodle named Ava slipped into a drug-induced slumber Wednesday morning at Bliss Animal Eye Care, entirely unaware that her outlook on the world would change in a matter of minutes. Just a few errant poodle curls and one cataract-covered eyeball were visible beneath a blue surgical drape as string music played in the background and muffled beeps sounded from a heart monitor. Dr. Cassandra Bliss, a veterinary ophthalmologist, steadied her hands over the tiny dog and set about replacing the cataract with an artificial lens, not unlike the same procedure humans undergo every day. "The cataracts were very, very advanced," Bliss said, noting that how long Ava has been unable to see was anyone's guess. "We aren't able to ask her, obviously, but I would guess that she's probably been blind for a number of years." Though Bliss does 50 to 75 cataract surgeries per year, she breathed a sigh of relief after the final sutures were made. She said her favorite part will be Ava's reaction to seeing her world again. The 8-year-old pooch was found wandering in Klamath County and was surrendered to the Klamath Animal Shelter. Penny Tuttle, a foster parent for the Klamath shelter who focuses on senior and disabled animals, decided to take Ava on in hopes of giving her some TLC. Tuttle said she hadn't realized the dog's vision problems were fixable until she took Ava in for a checkup and shots. "I grew up with terrible eyesight, so she tugged at my heartstrings," Tuttle said. "I literally couldn't see eight feet ahead of me for most of my life." Tuttle's vision was restored with surgery at age 50. "Twenty years later, I still look out and say, 'Oh, my God, I can see.' I took one look at Ava and I knew she had to come home with me. But I really didn't think she would be able to see again." After a checkup and retina testing, donated by Bliss, it was determined that Ava's left eye, because of hereditary cataracts, had suffered a detached retina and was irreparable. Ava's right eye, however, stood a chance. Bliss donated $1,000 toward the surgery and the $430 prescreening tests. I-Med Animal Health donated the artificial lens, valued at $450, and Tuttle agreed to pay the remaining $2,200. Bliss said donations would be accepted to offset Tuttle's portion of the surgery in order to allow her to help other dogs. Finances aside, both Bliss and Tuttle were quick to point out that their priority had been simply to give the dog a new lease on life. "She's just a wonderful little dog who really touched our hearts, and we decided we wanted to do everything we could to restore her vision," Bliss said. "She loves attention and being in any available lap and she loves to snuggle. Despite her not being able to see, she's gotten along pretty well. "Our goal now is for her to be able to see her forever family when they show up to take her home." Bliss said Ava will spend her two-week recovery period at the home of Bliss' technician Katie Todd to be closer to the clinic. Tuttle said she was hopeful that Ava's story would encourage adoption of senior animals. Tuttle provided foster care for kittens beginning 15 years ago, but turned her attention to senior and disabled animals when she retired three years ago. "For me, it all started with an ancient Chihuahua. I looked at this dog and said, 'She needs grass. She shouldn't spend the rest of her life in a shelter. She lived seven months with me — and they were a good seven months," Tuttle said. "It's harder for the senior or disabled animals to get adopted because they have health issues, but the thing is that dogs and even people all end up having one issue or another. With an older dog, you just already know what the issue is going to be." Tuttle added, "Older dogs are lower maintenance and they don't need a lot of exercise. They just need someone to love them. I really hope Ava's story will help people think, before they look toward the nearest puppy, that these animals still have a lot of love left to give." Donations toward Ava's care can be made by calling Bliss Animal Eye Care, 541-727-7127. For updates on Ava's story,see www.facebook.com/BlissAnimalEyeCare/?fref=ts. Those interested in adopting Ava can visit www.klamathanimalshelter.org. — Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected].