”All of us
at the
Randolph Vet
Clinic
love you too,
Bubba!
You are one
amazing dog!”

Elizabeth Geurts, DVM
Welcome Services CWD Testing Heartworm Plus Testing Grooming Technology Boarding New Puppy/Kitten Gifts Puppy Obedience Class Staff News & Notes Office Hours Emergency Services Special of the Month Take a Tour Case of the Month Community Involvement Pet Urns Submit Your Question Contact Us  
Bubba

Meet Bubba, a 7-year-old male standard dachshund owned by Joy and Gary Propst of Beaver Dam. Bubba has a long story that started 3 years ago in December when he first came to the vet clinic for evaluation of back problems. At that time he had an acute episode of intervertebral disc disease that that caused serious nerve damage to his hind limbs. Against all odds, Bubba responded very well to medical management of his back injury and over several weeks he gained complete recovery of the use of his legs. Bubba still visits the chiropractor on a regular basis for adjustments and is doing very well now three years after that terrible incident in December..
Bubba is also a dog with a guardian angel! Joy and Gary never leave him alone--he goes everywhere with them. When their daughter got marrried in September of 2008, they decided to place Bubba at a boarding facility for the weekend because of the demanding schedule they were facing. Joy had great reservations about boarding Bubba and leaving him--for some reason it greatly troubled her. Late that evening, Joy's best friend Meredith heard on the news that Everafter Kennels was on fire--the kennel where Bubba was staying for the weekend. Horrified, Meredith frantically tried to find out where Bubba was--and if he had been rescued. The only information she had was that 3 dogs were saved from the fire--21 dogs perished. Mereidth tried to keep her composure at the wedding festivites--and not trouble her best friend with the news until she knew for sure what happened with Bubba. Suddenly, someone at the reception walked up to Joy and Meredith and casually said, "did you year about the kennel that is on fire?" Meredith said she dropped the glass she was holding on the ground at that instant and it shattered on the floor! Joy instantly froze and got a look of panic on her face--she replied--"Oh my God--which kennel? Where's Bubba?!" Panic turned into a frenzy to find out if Bubba was one of the three dogs saved from the disaster. Against all odds, and hours later, Joy was reunited with her beloved dog! He was terrified but alive!

Just this past week, Bubba and Joy have faced yet another challenge together. It was troubling to Joy that suddenly she noticed Bubba was having a hard time playing ball. He loves to play ball--fetching it and bringing it back. He then sets it on the floor and pushes it with his nose at you so you throw itagain. Joy indicated that Bubba couldn't seem to see his ball very well and was acting disoriented. She immediately brought him in for evaluation. It was immediately obvious on physical exam that Bubba was almost totally blind! No other abnormalitites were noted other than he suddenly could not see. Bubba was suffering from either sudden acute disease of the retina, or optic nerves. An appointment was immediately made for him to see the eye specialist for complete evaluation. Bubba was diagnosed with SARDS--sudden-acquired retinal degeneration syndrome. SARDS is called a syndrome because we don't know what causes it! Dogs develop symptoms overnight, or sometimes over a vew days, and become suddenly and irreversibly blind. Their eyes upon examination are completely normal. The small photoreceptors in the retina in the back of the eye suddenly degenerate! The condition is irreversible. In a very small percentage of cases, this condition is thought to be the result of the dog's immune system attacking the retina. A very slim percentage of dogs respond to medical treatment and can regain some vision. Bubba is currently on medication to see if he might improve, but the odds are small.

Bubba and his family are holding on to hope against odds that he will regain some vision. Joy is already preparing her home to accomodate for Bubba's disability and she reports he is doing extremely well in his familiar surroundings. She understands that even though Bubba has acquired a significant handicap, he can live a wonderful and quality life with the family that loves him so much. He couldn't be in better hands!
Welcome to Randolph Veterinary Clinic • Contact the Randolph Veterinary Clinic • Office Hours in Randolph, WI
Small Animal Services • Large Animal Services • Exotic Animal Services • Pig Services • Equine Services • Dairy Goat Services
Boarding Your Pet • Grooming

© Copyright 2007-2008, Randolph Veterinary Clinic • 214 Stark Street • Randolph, Wisconsin
Phone: 920-326-3400 • Fax: 920-326-5501 • info@randolphpetvet.com
― Website Design―
Design Advertising, Beaver Dam, WI