Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Helps a Blind Dog See

Most of us have had to-- or will have to-- stand up for our dogs in a life-or-death circumstance.

However we hope few will need to do what Corinne Scholtz of Florida did: defend the life of a tiny, five-month-old Yorkie puppy whose friendship she had actually just taken pleasure in for three short months.

Sofie the Yorkshire Terrier went into Corinne's life at Christmas 2011, kid sis to Simba, Corinne's male Yorkie. 3 months later, Sofie was booked in for her regular spay treatment.

Nobody could've thought exactly what would occur next: Something went terribly incorrect throughout anesthesia, and little Sofie-- who went into the veterinarian medical facility a healthy pup-- emerged from surgical treatment with brain damage that triggered her to stumble in confused circles, her ataxic limbs crossing against her will.

But many heartbreaking of all to Corinne was that Sofie was blind; her as soon as bright-brown button-eyes now had a chillingly empty stare that registered ... absolutely nothing.

" I was ravaged," remembers Corinne, who recorded Sofie's every move with the video function on her iPhone. Looking at the video footage, it's agonizing to witness such a tiny dog in the grip of such big confusion, smelling around with her nose glued to the ground to navigate her surroundings.

However the little dog proved to be tougher than she looked. And despite one vet's idea that euthanasia might be the kindest choice, Corinne chose not to quit on her best friend. She sought a consultation from a different veterinarian, who advised hyperbaric oxygen treatment for Sofie.

So one week after her anesthesia injury, Sofie started a course of sessions in a hyperbaric chamber designed specifically for animals. She started to show improvement practically instantly.

As her sight returned, Sofie also restored her interest in toys and her ability to browse family barriers such as a moving glass door. The state-of-the-art treatment-- up until just recently just offered for human clients-- seemed to be working a miracle. (Of course, Corinne's low-tech TLC didn't harmed: She cooked chicken for Sofie, pureeing the meat and broth in a blender and integrating it with routine canned dog food.).

A few more treatments in the hyperbaric chamber, and the dog who previously had no chew reflex had the ability to eat strong food with ease.

Lastly, in one video we see a confident, protected Sofie climbing up the actions all the way approximately the couch-- a task that was impossibly daunting for her just weeks previously. It seems this "little dog" is 4.2 substantial pounds of sheer self-control.

Today, three months and 35 hyperbaric sessions later on, Sofie sees simply fine. A check out to a veterinary ophthalmologist confirmed what Corinne currently knew: Hyperbaric medication had brought back Sofie's sight, reversing the cortical blindness caused by the brain damage.

" Sofie is healthier now than when she first pertained to deal with us," Corinne enthuses, crediting hyperbaric oxygen treatment with her dog's remarkable positive reversal: "It conserved Sofie's life. I would suggest it to anyone.".