(Photo credit: Morsa Images/Getty Images)
Some dogs have skin folds. Often they won’t be a big deal. Sometimes, however, they can have a real negative effect on a dog’s quality of life. In some cases, surgery may be required
Two-year-old Clumber Spaniel Bentley had to get a makeover after the sagging folds of skin on his face began to cover his eyes and restrict his vision.
During a morning drive, Bentley walked straight into a bus stop. As a result, dog parents Anthony and Fiona Robson decided it was time to take him to the vet. Specialists at a veterinary eye clinic then discovered that the creases on the dog’s head were forcing his eyelids inward. This caused the poor pup to have corneal ulcers in addition to affecting his vision.
Undergo complex facelift surgery
As a result, Bentley underwent a complex facelift operation at Veterinary Vision in the UK county of Cumbria. Surgeons removed excess skin covering his eyes. According to his parents, the pooch is like a brand new dog.
“The difference after the surgery was amazing,” said the dog’s dad Anthony, “He started looking around when we walked him like everything was new. It also helped his confidence, although still a work in progress, as his poor vision before the surgery caused him to be wary of strangers and dogs. He is much better now.
Chris Dixon, clinical director at Veterinary Vision, said vets found the operation “difficult and complex” but “everything went well”.
“Bentley’s recovery was excellent and the shy, nervous and aggressive behavior that we had experienced before the operation disappeared overnight,” he said.
Introducing Clumber Spaniels
Clumber spaniels are the largest breed of spaniel and originated in the UK. Like other types of spaniels, Clumber spaniels are sensitive to inward and outward eyelid rolling.
They have been popular with British monarchs over the years, from King George V, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather, to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, keeping them.