Sugar's Story
Sugar
“Sugar is a 12 year old Bichon Frise, she has a placid and undemanding character, but she could be encouraged every now and then to have a 'mad' five minutes playing by running in and out of the front room at full speed. Every evening before bedtime, we would take her to her 'special tree' outside the house.
One night, as she was sniffing around the tree, a white Staffy thundered out of our neighbour's house and clamped its jaws around Sugar's head. By the time the dog was persuaded to release its grip, Sugar's eyeball was hanging down the side of her face and blood was pouring from head wounds. Sadly this was Sugar's good eye as the other has a cataract. She is now virtually blind as well as being deaf.
After fantastic emergency treatment at the Worthing Hospital, Sugar came home. She whimpered only for the first couple of days and is coping well by finding her way around, mostly by smell. She is also looking much better now her fur is growing back after the operation.We are amazed by her fortitude and courage.
We would like to thank everyone involved that night at the Hospital for their skill and kindness in dealing with this traumatic incident.”
Profile
Sugar, a 12 year old Bichon Frise, a very gentle friendly dog, was viciously attacked by another aggressive dog last October.
Sugar, who suffers from a chronic liver condition, a cataract in her right eye and a collapsing trachea, was badly bitten, suffering bite wounds to the left side of her face and mouth. Her only good eye, her left one, was severly damaged and prolapsed out of its socket.
Sugar arrived at Grove Lodge hospital at night after losing considerable amounts of blood, spraying it all over her very upset owner. She was suffering from shock and was admitted for IV fluids, pain relief and first aid. The next day, her eye injury was assessed and found to be so severe that the eye had to be removed, leaving her with only her right eye. She has practically no vision as her right eye has a severe cataract.
Amazingly, Sugar recovered well, which was astonishing as the attack was nearly fatal. She may well need cataract surgery to her right eye as she is struggling to cope without her left eye.This will be risky due to her other health problems, but hopefully her courage will see her through. - Martin Reber MRCVS