Shelter dog Tatum can now see clearly thanks to eye surgery from Fallston vet – Baltimore Sun

Tatum, a mixed breed shelter dog with an eye defect, can finally see clearly without discomfort after undergoing eye surgery at a local veterinary hospital.

On October 5, Tatum was found tied to a telephone pole in Edgewood by a citizen who called animal control. An officer transported him to the Humane Society of Harford County, said Erin Long, the animal shelter’s marketing and development manager.

After seeing the dog, they knew something was wrong and assumed it was entropion in both eyes. Entropion is an abnormality in which the eyelid rolls inward, causing the hairs on the surface of the eyelid to rub against the cornea, resulting in pain, potential corneal ulcers, or pigment developing on the cornea which may interfere with the sight.

“As soon as we saw it, we knew something was wrong,” Long said. “He was blinking rapidly and having difficulty opening his eyes. We were pretty sure it was entropion in both eyes.

Two days later, Tatum was seen by Dr. Scott Gounaris at Pleasantville Animal Hospital in Fallston, who confirmed the diagnosis, and surgery was scheduled, Long said.

“During Tatum’s examination, it was obvious that he was having a lot of discomfort with his eyes and that he had an inherited condition called eyelid entropion,” Gounaris said. “With this abnormal conformation, hair trails over Tatum’s eye every time he blinks, causing pain, inflammation and discharge. This condition can also lead to corneal scarring which can be permanent and impair vision.

On October 10, Gounaris performed the procedure. The surgery involves removing a section of skin tissue just below the eyelid, usually in the shape of a crescent moon, Gounaris said. When the skin is sutured, the result is an eyelid that reverts to a normal conformation, Gounaris said.

After the surgery, Tatum underwent several checkups in the days that followed, Long said. Tatum experienced mild discomfort and inflammation after the surgery, which was managed with painkillers and anti-inflammatories, but he had no setbacks or complications with his surgery, Gounaris said.

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Tatum was finally released from medical awaiting on Oct. 15, and now he’s available for adoption. Her eyes are “much more open and bright now,” Gounaris said.

Tatum’s story is significant for many reasons, Long said. The shelter wants to encourage people to bring their pet to the shelter if they need help and have nowhere to turn, Long said.

For example, Tatum was found in a fairly busy area, so the shelter thinks someone cared about him and wanted someone to help him, but for some reason they weren’t willing or able to. bring him to the shelter, Long said. .

“We are pleased that the Humane Society of Harford County quickly brought Tatum to us for proper treatment when they realized something was wrong,” Gounaris said. “This is important, because seeking prompt medical care and treatment for our dogs and cats often leads to a better prognosis and lower risk of long-term consequences.”

Long said Tatum’s story also defeats the stigma that the shelter is a dark, negative place that only has animals with behavioral issues or illnesses, Long said. Tatum is 2 years old and in his prime now, she said.

“Stories like Tatum’s are only a small fraction of what happens inside the Vault on a daily basis,” Long said. “There are countless situations where heroes emerge like our veterinary partners, animal control officers, volunteers and donors, to name a few.”

For more information about the shelter and its animals, visit www.harfordshelter.org.