Life and a Shiba Nunu
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Mya Goes to School
Just a few convincing photos showing the value of patience and persistence in socializing dogs and teaching them how to "share". Mya used to get snarky when she is with other dogs and suddenly, yummy treats come into the picture.
Here she is, practising self-control during a session of desensitization- desensitizing her to the presence of other dogs during treat-giving. Just look at the intensity of her stare. Ears focused and all.
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| Good job, Mya! |
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| You deserve a treat! |
Acknowledgements: Pup Culture
Glaucoma and Cataracts
Abnormal Eyes
Call me paranoid, but upon coming across shibas in the forum who have lost sight due to cataract and glaucoma, I suddenly felt so alarmed when Mya's right eye started having abnormal discharge. I never had to clean up the eyes of this self-cleaning dog, and yet I found myself having to wipe her eyes 3 times a day.
Brave Nunu
Noticed it on a Wednesday and thought I'd give it a day for her immune system to take care of it but since the next day it was worse, and some advice from the shiba peeps made me realize it could be crucial, she was brought to the BSF on Thursday. Findings: a speck on the outside, most likely dirt, a crystal-like formation inside, massing of veins in the cornea. Did some flushing with saline solution and Mya was such a brave and nice girl! She sat still and allowed us to squirt stuff in her eyes, and allowed Dr. Farah to examine her eyes so closely that they were literally nose to nose.
Eye Infection/ Irritation
Next day, brought her to VIP upon hearing that they have a tonometer, an instrument that is used to measure pressure in the eyes. Unfortunately, when we got there, we were told the machine is out of commission and has been sent out for repair. So it ended up as another check-up. Dr. Marga examined her eyes and did not see any opacity to suggest cataracts, but saw the eye discharge which alarmed her because it's greenish. Had to give antibiotic eyedrops for a week.
20/20
A week after, we were able to have her eyes examined by an opthalmologist who looked at her eyes closely with human grade hi-tech opthalmic gadgets that allowed her to examine up to the optic nerve. Findings: normal! Then she went on to examine her eye pressure by palpation. Result: Normal!
Thank you, God, for the good news. Will still be on-guard against these just to be sure...
Some things you want to be alert about:
1. Eye Discharge
2. Eye Pain - manifested by sleeping more
3. Photosensitivity
4. Eye feels hard by palpation
5. Cloudiness
Any of these signs need to be checked out as glaucoma can happen overnight. Though there is no cure, there are ways to delay the progress. Cataracts can be delayed as well, though there is such a thing as cornea or lens replacement which costs an arm and a leg.
To all shiba inu owners, the books don't mention glaucoma as one of the breed's hereditary problems, and eye exams done to qualify sires and dams for breeding do not screen out for glaucoma, but watch out because it does happen. So far, the ones affected that I know of are in the U.S. but it is said that it is "rampant" in Japan. (according to a Japanese contact from shibasightline forum) Please correct this if it isn't so.
Best Resource and Support Group: shibasighline@yahoogroups.com
Call me paranoid, but upon coming across shibas in the forum who have lost sight due to cataract and glaucoma, I suddenly felt so alarmed when Mya's right eye started having abnormal discharge. I never had to clean up the eyes of this self-cleaning dog, and yet I found myself having to wipe her eyes 3 times a day.
Brave Nunu
Noticed it on a Wednesday and thought I'd give it a day for her immune system to take care of it but since the next day it was worse, and some advice from the shiba peeps made me realize it could be crucial, she was brought to the BSF on Thursday. Findings: a speck on the outside, most likely dirt, a crystal-like formation inside, massing of veins in the cornea. Did some flushing with saline solution and Mya was such a brave and nice girl! She sat still and allowed us to squirt stuff in her eyes, and allowed Dr. Farah to examine her eyes so closely that they were literally nose to nose.
Eye Infection/ Irritation
Next day, brought her to VIP upon hearing that they have a tonometer, an instrument that is used to measure pressure in the eyes. Unfortunately, when we got there, we were told the machine is out of commission and has been sent out for repair. So it ended up as another check-up. Dr. Marga examined her eyes and did not see any opacity to suggest cataracts, but saw the eye discharge which alarmed her because it's greenish. Had to give antibiotic eyedrops for a week.
20/20
A week after, we were able to have her eyes examined by an opthalmologist who looked at her eyes closely with human grade hi-tech opthalmic gadgets that allowed her to examine up to the optic nerve. Findings: normal! Then she went on to examine her eye pressure by palpation. Result: Normal!
Thank you, God, for the good news. Will still be on-guard against these just to be sure...
Some things you want to be alert about:
1. Eye Discharge
2. Eye Pain - manifested by sleeping more
3. Photosensitivity
4. Eye feels hard by palpation
5. Cloudiness
Any of these signs need to be checked out as glaucoma can happen overnight. Though there is no cure, there are ways to delay the progress. Cataracts can be delayed as well, though there is such a thing as cornea or lens replacement which costs an arm and a leg.
To all shiba inu owners, the books don't mention glaucoma as one of the breed's hereditary problems, and eye exams done to qualify sires and dams for breeding do not screen out for glaucoma, but watch out because it does happen. So far, the ones affected that I know of are in the U.S. but it is said that it is "rampant" in Japan. (according to a Japanese contact from shibasightline forum) Please correct this if it isn't so.
Best Resource and Support Group: shibasighline@yahoogroups.com
Mya Underfoot
Though her cat-like manner makes me think of her other than canine many times, there are things she does that remind me she's canine afterall. One I always see is her denning instinct. Every morning, she keeps us company at breakfast and after her 2 pieces of scrambled egg, she always settles under the table and sleeps. So I'm pretty sure she's not just waiting for scraps to fall.
She has been given the name "Mya Underfoot" because she is very good at putting herself in the likeliest of places to be accidentally stepped on. But just a slight touch to the fur on her tail can send her jumping up in no time. And then she's back again! Funny girl!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Conversations with Mya
The shibanunu is quite a good listener, but there are some topics that she finds most engaging...
1. her harness- as in "where's your harness?"
2. her leash- as in "where's your leash?"
3. Pup Culture
4. "Walk" which I dared not to mention to avoid funny whimpering noises that might follow
PS. Don't mind the chopping noises from the background. That's the sound of Mya's lunch being prepared.
1. her harness- as in "where's your harness?"
2. her leash- as in "where's your leash?"
3. Pup Culture
4. "Walk" which I dared not to mention to avoid funny whimpering noises that might follow
PS. Don't mind the chopping noises from the background. That's the sound of Mya's lunch being prepared.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Ladies at Morning Coffee
Weekend morning coffee made extra special with good company...
She patiently sat on her chair, looking on while I was eating my ensaymada. But of course she was rewarded (actually, more of bribed) with small cheese shavings
She patiently sat on her chair, looking on while I was eating my ensaymada. But of course she was rewarded (actually, more of bribed) with small cheese shavings
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