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Happy birthday to not-so-blind Bodi

By Helen Burns | Dated November 26, 2017

Soon it will be Bodi’s 17th birthday, and despite becoming acutely blind a few months ago, we won’t be surprised if he can see the candles on his birthday cake!

Bodi has been managing kidney disease for many years, eating a special diet and taking medication when necessary. His blood pressure has been lovely and stable, and all was ticking along nicely. That was until a few months ago when Bodi’s blood pressure spiked and the retina in the back of his eyes detached. This meant that his eyes were no longer able to detect light, and Bodi was blind. He was brought straight in to Gordon Vet and his blood pressure was indeed elevated. His pupils were dilated and were unable to respond when a light was shone in them, and he was walking into walls. Being the good boy that he is, Bodi diligently took his new blood pressure medication, and at his recheck appointment his owner reported that she thought that some vision had returned. He was now able to jump onto the bed again, and more significantly, when he went to visit his grandmother’s house, he was able to navigate around the house without bumping into walls and furniture. This was remarkable, because blind pets usually map their home environment very effectively and can navigate it easily when blind, but put them in an unfamiliar environment and they struggle.

We are so delighted that Bodi is enjoying his retirement. Happy 17th birthday Bodi!

Beautiful Bodi and his mum

Written by Helen Burns

Helen graduated from Sydney Uni in 1997 with First Class Honours and worked in a practice on the Northern Beaches for 16 years. Helen joined the Gordon Vet team early in 2014 and our clients have really enjoyed getting to know her. She loves being a vet and takes a keen interest in all of her patients. Her gentle, friendly nature helps pets to feel relaxed when they visit the vet. Helen lives locally and has 3 children. At least one of her children seems destined to be a vet! When not ferrying her children around, Helen cares for her menagerie of pets. These include Chloe the dog, Obi and Leia the cats, Little Cocky the galah and Rosie the very tame eclectus parrot who all happily coexist at her house. In her spare time, Helen likes to be active outdoors, running, kayaking, camping or playing any manner of sport with her children.

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