Just before Christmas our Jack Russell, Hokshila, developed a strange glint in his left eye. After a few days we took him to our vet. She recommended a specialist's opinion so off we went to the University of Minnesota Small Animals clinic the next day. The news was grim - our dog's lens had come loose and he needed immediate surgery. He had the surgery and three anxious days went by, then we were told he had blood in his eye which was obscuring the retina. It was hard to know if he had vision.
What we learned in the meantime is that Jack Russells are particularly vulnerable to luxated (detached) lenses. If there is a hereditary factor in the family line, the condition is even more likely to occur. Hokshila is only two and a half years old - very young to have this condition that usually strikes the older dog.
Two weeks after the surgery, we returned for a second evaluation. The ultra-sound and observation told us his iris was stuck open in one position. It appeared his retina had detached from the upper and lower portions of the back of his eye. He will need a second lens replacement to save the other eye. That surgery will be preemptive to prevent luxation in his right eye.
A possible second surgery to re-attach his retina could be done in Chicago at a very high price. That option seemed radical and the U of M surgeon did not recommend it. Hokshila had a bit of retina left and perhaps over time he could regain some vision. Further, we were told, there may be some procedures down the line that could work for him.
Why do we do these things for our dogs that decades ago were issues solved with a bullet? Well, for one thing there has been remarkable progress in veterinary science and surgery due to experience and thousands of trials. The University of Minnesota is an outstanding example of high quality care of small animals. For another, we have families that will put money together to help the dog out of love. And for another, animals of all sorts are taking their places as true members of families all over the U.S., and with that have come markets for desirable breeds like the Jack Russell.
Most people, like our family, knew nothing about the dangers of lens luxation. Our dog, like all Jack Russells are vigorous head shakers. This usually happens with chew toys and balls, but the occasional rabbit has also been so unfortunate as to cross Hokshila's path. Usually the open gate of our back yard allows the rabbit to escape. We are not hunters of rabbits. Nor do we want to see them maimed or killed for sport.
Our family has had dogs for nearly fifty years. This is the first time we have had a Jack Russell and the first time we have faced the possibility that a young dog in our family may lose his sight. The surgeon told us she just had another male Jack Russell with a lens luxation this week. She was concerned about a careless breeder in the area. We are, too.