Pugsley's Serious Corneal Infection
Donation protected
Pugsley came into my life at around age 8 on July 1, 2011. His previous owner passed away spring, 2011. He immediately became my pug Andy's big brother. Pugsley is a soft, sweet dog. I have taken very good care of him since he came to be part of my family. Andy was sadly euthanized in May, 2015. Jimmy, Pugsley's little brother arrived December 2015 and the two make a very funny team.
Pugsley showed symptoms of an eye issue around 7/26/18 while I was in NYC. I returned the next day to assess Pugsley and saw over the weekend that he was more blind and was keeping his eyes shut at times. Since this was an eye issue, I preferred a specialist. Calling Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center Monday morning (no ophthalmologists were available over the weekend), I was told there was a cancellation Wednesday, 8/1. Dr Mary Landis found:
"Right eye severe blepharospasm, mucropurulent discharge, diffuse corneal edema, central deep corneal ulceration (75% depth), with infiltrate at margins, mitosis. Pugsley has a serious corneal infection. ..begin aggressive medical management and may consider surgery if corneal ulcer becomes deeper."
This is Pugsley's only seeing eye to the best of my knowledge. He was blind the weekend of 7/27 but is now showing some vision with the help of the Atropine, which dilates his pupil and also provides pain relief.
First office visit was $568.16. (3 eye drop medications plus antibiotics and pain management meds were given at check out). Pugsley required drops every 2 hours round the clock except for Atropine, which was every 12 hours. Second visit on 8/3 showed healthy growth of red blood vessels at side of eye that would serve to fight the infection. The hole in his cornea was apparent at center of his eye. Drops were now to be administered every 4 hours. Visit was $105.00. Third check-up on 8/8 showed more healthy growth of red blood vessels across eye. However, the blood vessels did not reach the hole in the cornea. Dr Landis was optimistic the eye would show increased healing and she was hopeful that the new blood vessels would cover the hole in the cornea. Today's visit was $170.55 since two eye drops needed refills. There is an appointment next week 8/15 and a subsequent appointment was locked in for 8/22 should it be needed.
Dr Landis did say that there is a possibility that the cornea will not heal and that a graft might be needed to save the eye.
Thus far, expenses now total $846.33. Although I was not given an estimate on eye graft surgery, a nurse roughly estimated the cost to be between $1300 and $2200.
I have had no credit cards since summer, 2017 and only pay for what I can afford. This was an expense that I could not anticipate. A very, very good friend has loaned me money for Pugsley's medical expenses but I can see the costs mounting and thus, I have no choice but to go this route. I have to do what's best for my boy. Pugsley is in excellent health except for this and has a good life even though he is mostly deaf and blind. He loves belly rubs, laying in the grass, his Fresh Pet food and sleeping on the pillow next to me. He is my treasure.
Funds that go beyond expenses will be returned. I will do updates at each appointment. Thank you very much for reading this little story.

Pugsley showed symptoms of an eye issue around 7/26/18 while I was in NYC. I returned the next day to assess Pugsley and saw over the weekend that he was more blind and was keeping his eyes shut at times. Since this was an eye issue, I preferred a specialist. Calling Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center Monday morning (no ophthalmologists were available over the weekend), I was told there was a cancellation Wednesday, 8/1. Dr Mary Landis found:
"Right eye severe blepharospasm, mucropurulent discharge, diffuse corneal edema, central deep corneal ulceration (75% depth), with infiltrate at margins, mitosis. Pugsley has a serious corneal infection. ..begin aggressive medical management and may consider surgery if corneal ulcer becomes deeper."
This is Pugsley's only seeing eye to the best of my knowledge. He was blind the weekend of 7/27 but is now showing some vision with the help of the Atropine, which dilates his pupil and also provides pain relief.
First office visit was $568.16. (3 eye drop medications plus antibiotics and pain management meds were given at check out). Pugsley required drops every 2 hours round the clock except for Atropine, which was every 12 hours. Second visit on 8/3 showed healthy growth of red blood vessels at side of eye that would serve to fight the infection. The hole in his cornea was apparent at center of his eye. Drops were now to be administered every 4 hours. Visit was $105.00. Third check-up on 8/8 showed more healthy growth of red blood vessels across eye. However, the blood vessels did not reach the hole in the cornea. Dr Landis was optimistic the eye would show increased healing and she was hopeful that the new blood vessels would cover the hole in the cornea. Today's visit was $170.55 since two eye drops needed refills. There is an appointment next week 8/15 and a subsequent appointment was locked in for 8/22 should it be needed.
Dr Landis did say that there is a possibility that the cornea will not heal and that a graft might be needed to save the eye.
Thus far, expenses now total $846.33. Although I was not given an estimate on eye graft surgery, a nurse roughly estimated the cost to be between $1300 and $2200.
I have had no credit cards since summer, 2017 and only pay for what I can afford. This was an expense that I could not anticipate. A very, very good friend has loaned me money for Pugsley's medical expenses but I can see the costs mounting and thus, I have no choice but to go this route. I have to do what's best for my boy. Pugsley is in excellent health except for this and has a good life even though he is mostly deaf and blind. He loves belly rubs, laying in the grass, his Fresh Pet food and sleeping on the pillow next to me. He is my treasure.
Funds that go beyond expenses will be returned. I will do updates at each appointment. Thank you very much for reading this little story.
Organizer
Stephen Anson
Organizer
Bethlehem, PA