Friday, September 20, 2013

AVC - The Atlantic Veterinary College

Ever since I adopted Breeze as a tiny little puppy with almost no spots,


I've often wondered if there was any chance of vision in her left eye. That is the side with what appears to be a fully formed eye with a thick covering and a spot near the centre.  She does very well without vision and it was never really a pressing issue.  

Now that we are (somewhat) settled here and have found a fantastic veterinary clinic I asked about a referral. One suggestion from our new veterinarian was to take her to the Atlantic Veterinary College.  Luckily for us, the same veterinary ophthalmologist that Brook has seen at the OVC - Ontario Veterinary College, was here teaching and seeing patients.

Breeze was her usual charming self and really good with all the sitting still so her eye could be checked. There were so many things to check out.


After all the testing, they determined that it is likely that Breeze experienced a penetrating injury to her eye when she was very young and the injury caused severe damage that has resulted in permanent blindness. The other side has no visible eye. Not surprising news but still, I was just a teeny bit disappointed.  Not overly though, I adopted her knowing she was blind and she is a happy and well adjusted dog!

The following day, I received a telephone call from one of the fourth year students we saw, asking if Breeze could return to AVC.  The student was very interested in Breeze's condition and had arranged for a (free) ultrasound of her eyes if I could bring her back in.  

I was impressed with the student's ambition and told her so and readily agreed to return. So, Breeze had some topical freezing applied and an ultrasound performed to assist the students with their learning. When I picked her up, the student told me that they have to do a presentation based on a patient and she might want to use Breeze if that was okay with me. Absolutely!

The best part of the visits to AVC, according to Breeze was this -


they got treats!

9 comments:

  1. :-D Wow, 1. super glad that you guys have found an awesome vet in your new area and 2. we love medical (or vet) students! Good job Breeze for being a fantastic pup with the ultrasound! :-D Hope you got a couple of those nummy biscuits!

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  2. Treats would do it for us too. Breeze manages OK which is what matters but we do understand your feelings. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. Breeze makes a cute puppy!!!

    Are you sure that is the same dog? How curious that she developed those spots as she grew older! Still cute as the dickens though!

    Wow - I love that you found a great place to take the dogs for their veterinary needs. I really wish we had something like that around here!

    Yes, Breeze, the treats really are the best part, aren't they? ;)

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  4. I'm glad you found a great vet clinic. That's such a huge consideration when we animal-loving types have to relocate! Sorry about the disappointing news on Breeze's eye problem, but she sure does a fine job living a happy, normal life. Hope she got lots of treats! I had no idea ultrasound was used to diagnose eye conditions. Interesting!

    Susan and Wrigs

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  5. Treats always help!!!!

    SHE worked with blind children and was taught to look at them not as 8-cylinder kids only working on 7 cylinders....but 7-cylinders firing on ALL cylinders! Same for dogs, perhaps? They will just do things differently...and don't miss the sight part.

    Fantastic that you have such a great vet service.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  6. that vet student is going to be a great vet!! Barbie also likes the vet because of all the attention and treats!

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  7. Great vet in the making! I wish our vet gave me treats though,
    Dina

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  8. Howdy Mates, glad you found such a great Vet clinic. We don't think Breeze cares either way but looks like those treats were a total hit! Well done too for helping the vet student and good on her for her enthusiasm and dedication. Take care all. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  9. Aww, sorry to hear that Breeze is without a doubt, blind, but she still seems like a happy go lucky pup. That vet student sounds like they will do great things. She's very lucky to be able to work with Breeze, too!

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