No Replacement Pup?

We decided not to have Emmi operated on, firstly due to the cost, but secondly due to the high risk of infection following this kind of operation on dogs. Our local Vet also told us that vision is not as important in dogs as it is in humans, as dogs have an amazing sense of smell and very good hearing.

After numerous emails and phone calls to Shani Smit at Vongershan, with lots of promises of a puppy from the "next" litter, it seems that her word is not worth much. I am still waiting for that replacement puppy!

Emmi is doing well enough on our property and her lack of vision doesn't seem to worry her in a familiar environment. We don't take her off our property any longer though, after she twice got stuck in an electric fence on my parent's farm. She is a lovely dog and I wouldn't get rid of her, but she's not worth what we paid for her and I am very disappointed with the lack of follow through on the replacement puppy.

Blind

Shani took Emmi's siblings Eva and Einstein to Dr Goodhead in October 2009 and while Eva was thankfully fine, Einstein had cataracts in both eyes. Einstein had an operation to remove the Cataracts in November 2008, but I believe that he had a lot of problems with subsequent infections. The above picture is an advert for Vongershan featuring Einstein which was featured in Animaltalk in December 2008, which I found a bit strange!

Dr Goodhead confirmed that Emmi had very bad Congenital Cataracts in both eyes, and told me that she would be completely blind very soon. A lens replacement operation was possible, but would cost over R10,000.00 and infection was always a possibility.

I let Shani know and asked if she would consider refunding me what I had paid for Emmi to help fund the operation, instead of giving me another puppy. She declined, but still said that she would give me another pup.

5 Months Old

When Emmi was 5 months old in September 2008, I took her to the Westville Animal hospital for a consultation with one of the most experienced Vets in Durban, who has a special interest in eyes. He said that Emmi has Congenital Cataracts in both eyes, as well as Persistent Capillary membranes which would make any attempts at surgery risky.

He suggested taking her to see Dr Anthony Goodhead, who is an Animal Eye Specialist from Johannesburg. I contacted Dr Goodhead and made an appointment for January 2009 when he was due to be down in Durban.

I phoned and emailed Shani Smit, who was devastated by the news and offered to give me another puppy to replace Emmi. She also said she was going to get Emmi's two siblings, Eva and Einstein, checked immediately.

Problems

Emmi was an awesome pup, but there continued to be something wrong with her vision. When you call her she looks up into the sky as if you are somewhere above her. She bumps into things and shows many other signs that all is not right with her eyes.