AHT Case Studies- Snax Wilmarsh
Mr. Snax, my 6 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier has suffered from recurrent eye infections for most of his life. He used to rub his forehead on the ground, sometimes rubbing the infected eye with his paw. He suffers from a seasonal allergy problem so my thoughts, when this first began, were that it was something like hay fever.
I took him to the vets and despite numerous attempts over the years to treat the problem, nothing worked. It would appear to go away and then return a few weeks later. He was suffering and we couldn’t find a solution to help him.
Earlier this year he received successful treatment for an Intermediate Grade Mast Cell Tumour (one of the most common cancers to affect dogs) at the Animal Health Trust, so I investigated further and found out about their work regarding cataracts in Staffies and their continuing research into canine eye disease and injury. Mr Snax got a referral to the AHT.
Whilst waiting in the Small Animal Centre’s reception, Claudia Hartley, one of the AHT’s veterinary ophthalmologists met Mr. Snax and both decided they had found a friend for life!
Claudia gave Mr Snax a very detailed eye examination and took a swab. She confirmed that the poor little chap had in-growing eyelashes which could have also led to the susceptibility to infection which was heightened by his allergic response. This was later confirmed from a biopsy of the conjunctival tissue taken at the same time the in-growing eye lashes were removed by electrolysis. My boy had to be admitted for a couple of days for treatment (which was a wrench for me!), however the care at the AHT is fantastic. There is 24 hour veterinary care, the owners are updated with information as soon as it becomes available and can contact the specialist looking after their case if they are worried about their pet.
Clare Wilmarsh (Mr Snax’s owner)
