Baxter 💞

Our special boy......This beautiful 5 month old Wire haired Jack russell is beyond a show stopper! He is without most of his sight but can see big objects and furniture. He is in care with a 5 year old wolf hound cross, 4 year old Great Dane, 1 year old Jack Russell and a naughty, somewhat crazy 6 month old kelpie!

When this gorgeous little man arrived in care, he was presenting with cloudiness in both eyes and his vision was clearly limited. We have had him checked out by SASH and had an Ocular Ultrasound to find out what was going on. Baxter's clinical findings are consistent with marked bilateral, non-painful Corneal Oedema. Basically, the Cornea is the clear window at the front of the eye. It is a very delicate structure which is less than a millimeter thick. Endothelial cells are located at the most inner layer of the Cornea and contain tiny 'pumps' that are responsible for maintaining a proper fluid balance in the Corneal tissues. This function is critical to ensuring that the Cornea remains transparent for vision.

When these endothelial cells become sick and deteriorate and no longer functional, the normally clear Cornea becomes water logged, swollen and opaque. As the disease progresses, small fluid-filled blisters (ulcers) can form on the Corneal surface. If they rupture, Ocular discomfort will be felt. Baxter has not shown any signs of discomfort at this stage. Signs of discomfort to watch out for include excessive blinking, tearing, rubbing of the eye and face, and avoidance or obvious discomfort when in bright light.

He is currently being trialed on Hypertonic eye ointment and eye drops (3-4 times/day) to draw water out of the swollen Corneas, and keep up the lubrication. This seems to be keeping things under control at this stage. There are some surgical options that can be considered down the track if and when Baxter shows signs of discomfort.

He is currently being fostered on a 42 acre farm and takes part in day to day duties with his foster mum. He loves to play in the dam with the dogs and chase the ball with bells.
He is around chickens and does not chase them, and understands where he is and isn’t allowed. He comes along to morning and afternoon feed duties with the horses and understands he is not allowed in the yards with them.

Due to his limited sight he has had to have a different style of training. He can’t see rural fencing or rural gates so would be best suited to a suburban house with big pronounce boundaries. He uses his doggy friends as confidence to learn where to walk so a companion is a MUST. He is extremely confident with other dogs, even his 65kg sister but due to his limited sight he can not always read when a dog is becoming annoyed, so would need a super friendly doggy sibling.

Baxter will respond to a “yes” command which will allow him to proceed forward when he is unsure, and a “No” command when he is about to run into something....he will stop. You then have to get his attention and he will follow your voice.

He is learning to sit, keep all 4 feet on the ground, wait patiently for food and his recall is impeccable. He is crate trained and is no longer making mistakes overnight in his crate.

He has 2 adult cats in care with him and is respectful of them.

Baxter is extremely human friendly and has been a popular favourite with the kids visiting the farm, and is happy to lay around all day and let them snuggle him.

Despite what some may call a disability he has the “Ability” to live a somewhat normal life. He will require eye drops 3/4 times a day and will need some extra love and care moving forward with his life. He would suit someone home more often than not, but would happily travel with you as he adores the car!

We understand that it may take some time to find this special little man, the most perfect forever home.....and we are willing to wait for it.

Baxter is located in Laguna NSW.