 This is Bear, a 7-year-old German Shepard. His mom adopted him from a family who could no longer care for him properly. While his mom was looking for a companion, she also wanted to give the best life to Bear that she could. Being on a limited income, she was told Bear was a healthy senior citizen.
Shortly after adopting Bear she noticed he was never comfortable, always itching, and his eyes were bothering him. Over the months she's brought him to the vet to try different things to bring Bear comfort that was within her budget. After she spent her savings, and Bear still had eye troubles and scratching problems, she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. Bear was diagnosed with (and treated for) Pannus in his eyes, as well as severe allergies, which he'll need Cytopoint injections for likely the rest of his life. According to the Animal Eye Center, Pannus (Chronic Superficial Keratitis) is a progressive autoimmune disease where blood vessels and scar tissue invade the cornea. This can eventually result in blindness. Pannus/CSK is a progressive disease, but depending on a variety of factors such as genetics and UV exposure, it may progress at a slow or rapid rate. It’s most commonly found in German shepherds, greyhounds, and a few other breeds due to a genetic predisposition, but it can occur in any breed and any size dog. As we’ve mentioned in other blogs, allergies and pets (especially dogs) can be quite common. Bear had a quite common sign: scratching everywhere! However, the AKC mentions that there are some other symptoms, which can include:
Unfortunately, many of the signs listed above can also be signs of other conditions, so it’s very important to speak with your veterinarian to help your dog feel better faster. FKF’s assistance helped Bear’s mom diagnose his issues, and she can now create a budget for the medication and care that he will need. She's happy to have her companion feeling and looking better. No matter what is happening with your fur kid, at any stage of life, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to call your veterinarian sooner rather than later. Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.
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