Puppy blinded with hair dye faces uncertain future
Manitoba Underdogs Rescue wants to raise $5,000 to treat Percy the puppy's eye condition
Percy the puppy, who was blinded after a child intentionally rubbed hair dye in his eyes, has been diagnosed with a serious eye condition that makes his future uncertain.
The seven-month-old Border Collie-Jack Russell Terrier cross has been in the care of Manitoba Underdogs Rescue in Winnipeg since Feb. 9, after a neighbour of the puppy's previous owner discovered he had been abused by the owner's child.
Percy has lost some vision, but because of the clouding in his eyes Manitoba Underdogs Rescue staff were originally not sure how severe the damage was.
This past weekend, a specialist looked over Percy and diagnosed him with corneal endothelial dystrophy, a condition that thickens the cornea and causes fluid to build up in the eye.
"Without any treatment, so whether that be surgery or medication, it's only going to get worse and cause extreme pain for Percy," Deanne Peterson, the rescue group's assistant director, told CBC News on Tuesday.
Peterson said for now, Percy is comfortable and playful. He is on four medications to manage his condition and reduce any pain, and he visits the veterinarian once a week.
Manitoba Underdogs Rescue's executive director, Jessica Hansen, says Percy has lost vision in one eye but has 25 per cent remaining in the other, so the group hopes to preserve his limited sight with surgery.
"We are considering a couple options that may prevent the advancement of his condition," she said in a news release.
"Obviously removal is the last thing we want to do, but our first priority to stop this little guy from being in any pain."
Manitoba Underdogs Rescue wants to raise $5,000 for Percy's treatment and continued care.
Donations are being accepted at Dakota Veterinary Hospital in Winnipeg and on the Manitoba Underdogs Rescue website.