Venom is a three year old, male Chow Chow who struggled with painful, watery eyes. His owner did everything they could, gently cleaning them every day, but the problem never really went away.
Despite it all, Venom stayed in good spirits, but underneath, his eyes were constantly irritated and uncomfortable.
When Venom came into our care, our veterinary team carried out a full eye examination and quickly identified the issue: a condition called entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the surface of the eye. Over time, this can lead to ongoing pain, redness, and even more serious damage if left untreated.
Venom had entropion in both eyes, which explained the constant discharge and irritation he’d been experiencing.
To fix this, our team performed corrective surgery. This involves removing the excess skin that is unfortunately common in his breed, and then carefully repositioning the eyelid so it sits normally, preventing the lashes from rubbing against the eye.
Both of Venom’s eyes were treated during surgery, with additional correction needed on one side to address a more complex area around the eyelid.
Today, Venom is finally pain-free, no more constant watering and no more daily discomfort.
The Difference You Can Make
Venom’s story is a perfect example of the kind of practical, life-changing care your support can make possible.
While watery eyes might seem like a small issue, they were a source of ongoing pain. Thanks to our amazing veterinary team, Venom’s condition was properly diagnosed, treated, and resolved.
Because of kindness, pets like Venom don’t have to live with discomfort. They can get the care they need, right when it matters most, and get back to enjoying life.
Please consider making a donation today to help other pets like Venom, who are waiting for someone like you to give them the chance to live comfortably again.
Ozzy’s story began very quietly, and that’s what worried everyone most….. Ozzy is a 9-year-old Shih Tzu, just 8.7kg of fluff and gentleness. His owner told us he’s usually a very chilled little dog, happy to potter about and enjoy life. However, he’s well known for having a cheeky habit: stealing socks whenever he gets the chance. Over the years, if Ozzy ever managed to eat one, he’d usually pass it without trouble. It had become one of those ‘Ozzy things’.
But this time was different, Ozzy wasn’t himself at all. He’d gone off his food, was losing weight, shivering, and had a very sore, tense stomach. He was painfully quiet and something was very wrong.
X-rays confirmed everyone’s fears: the sock was stuck. Ozzy couldn’t pass it, and he urgently needed help. Because of supporters like you, that help was ready.
Ozzy went straight into surgery, and it was then our veterinary team discovered the sock had caused serious damage. A portion of Ozzy’s intestine had to be removed, and there was a very real danger that his small body might not recover.
Ozzy stayed in our care after surgery, on a drip, receiving intensive monitoring, pain relief, and nursing. He was kept warm, comfortable, and surrounded by a team who never stopped rooting for him.
The days that followed were tense. His recovery was uncertain and there were some setbacks. But slowly, Ozzy began to show signs of hope. He became brighter. He started to fight his way back, and most importantly, he began to eat.
Today, Ozzy is back where he belongs, with his brother Oreo and his loving family. He’s safe, comfortable, and his happy little self again.
Your donations didn’t just fund X-rays, complex surgery, and intensive aftercare. They gave Ozzy a chance when the odds were stacked against him. They meant he wasn’t alone when things were at their most frightening for his owners.
From Ozzy, his family, and the team who cared for him – thank you, Ozzy wouldn’t be here today without you.
Please help us to save more pets like Ozzy by donating today.
Due to the demand for our means tested, low-cost veterinary services, there is a waiting list to become a client of The Irish Blue Cross. As a charity with limited resources, we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. Please complete the form below, if you would like to join our waiting list.
Before you fill out the form below, you MUST read the following policies;
Please note that this waiting list does not guarantee future registration with The Irish Blue Cross. If your pet is currently unwell, please ensure you seek veterinary treatment at another veterinary surgery.
By remembering The Irish Blue Cross in your will, you can ensure your love for pets lives on. Legacy gifts play a vital role in funding our veterinary services, helping us treat thousands of sick and injured animals each year.
In Ireland, we often shy away from talking about death — it can feel uncomfortable or even a little superstitious. But the truth is, making a will is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones. It ensures your wishes are respected and gives peace of mind to those you care about most.
Once family and friends are looked after, many people also choose to leave a gift in their will to a cause close to their heart. For The Irish Blue Cross, these legacy gifts are truly life changing. They allow us to continue providing vital veterinary care to thousands of sick and injured pets every year, long into the future.
You don’t need to be wealthy to make a difference. Even a small gift, or a percentage of your estate, helps ensure your love for animals lives on.
Free Online Will Writing Service
To make things easier, we’ve partnered with FreeWill Ireland to offer supporters a free online will writing service. It’s simple, safe, and can be done from the comfort of your own home. If your affairs are more complex, we recommend speaking with a solicitor.
If you’d like to learn more, or to access your free will link, contact Paul in confidence at [email protected] or call (01) 416 3032.
By leaving a gift in your will, you’ll be remembered for something truly special — helping pets live happier, healthier lives!
Why Make a Will?
Making a will is the best way of ensuring that your wishes are met, and the people and causes you care about are looked after.
Write your Will Online
To help you get started with writing a will from the comfort of your own home, we’ve teamed up with FreeWill Ireland, and their online partner Last Will to provide you with a free online will writing service.
When you have decided you would like to use this service, please contact Paul to receive your unique weblink for your free will. E: [email protected] , call (01) 416 3032 or fill out the form below. You will also receive a simple Will Guidance document by return email.
Review the guidance material before completing your online will. Plan your will, taking account of your various assets, liabilities and wishes for the future.
When you’re ready to start drafting your will, click on the link sent to you to start your free online will.
There are a number of sections and you can review and edit these as you progress.
Once the system has generated your will (it will be sent to your email), simply print it out and follow the instructions to sign it and have it witnessed.
Store your will in a safe place. It is recommended to make other relevant people aware of its location.
There is no charge for a standard will, which is suitable for most people.
If you find your Will is more complicated and you want to take legal advice, you can ask FreeWill to refer you to their partner solicitor (but there is as a fee for this). The will can be reviewed either in person or via Zoom.
When you leave our website, you can check the separate privacy policies of FreeWill Ireland and Last Will on their websites.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to consider when using the Free Will Service?
You can find information before starting your will at this link. Along with your voucher code, we will also send you a guidance document to help you prepare.
Do I have to leave a gift in my will to this Charity to use this FreeWill service?
No. Your will is your business so it’s entirely up to you whether you choose to leave us a gift or not.
If I leave a gift to The Irish Blue Cross in my Will, do I need to let you know?
We won’t know you have left a gift unless you give permission to inform us (there is a tickbox option in the will) – or until the time comes for your will to be read. Whatever option you choose, we always love to hear from supporters so we can thank you for your gift and stay in touch.
What if I change my mind?
Including a gift to The Irish Blue Cross in your will does not make it a binding commitment while you are still alive. You can change your mind and amend your will again at any time.
I have a trusted solicitor. Can I use them to leave a gift to The Irish Blue Cross?
Yes, you can use your own solicitor to draw up your will, although it’s unlikely to be free to do so. Simply tell them you want to include a gift (residuary or cash) to The Irish Blue Cross in your will and they will arrange it for you. Once completed, we would be grateful if you could let us know so that we can thank you but you are under no obligation to do so. If you have already written a will and would like to leave a gift, you can create a codicil with your solicitor, which simply allows you to update part of your will.
Meet Hulk — this playful boy was enjoying his day when a stick got lodged at the back of the roof of his mouth (soft palate).
Thankfully, his attentive owners spotted something was wrong and rushed him straight to our clinic.
The stick was firmly wedged, so we sedated Hulk to remove it safely and comfortably.
We’re happy to report he’s now back to his happy, tail-wagging self!
Hulk’s owners are happy to share his story in the hope it raises awareness about the dangers of sticks for dogs, as they can cause all sorts of nasty injuries.
Sparkles stole the hearts of our Veterinary team when she was admitted to our Inchicore clinic. Sparkles urgently needed surgical treatment of an aural hematoma – This is a large swelling that develops on the ear flap as a result of trauma to the blood vessels, usually as a result of excessive shaking of the head when a dog has an ear infection. If left untreated, scar tissue forms and can result in a deformity of the ear – similar to a cauliflower ear in humans.
Using their expertise, our amazing team leapt into action. In order to treat Sparkles hematoma we first drained the excess fluid from her ear pinna (or ear flap) and then tacked the skin to prevent the space from refilling. The little pieces of tubing (as seen above) ensure that Sparkles ear is comfortable with the sutures in place. After a week we removed the sutures and Sparkles got her normal ear back.
As you can see she was delighted to get the good news that the surgery was a success from one of our Veterinary Nurses Liane! We treat thousands of sick and injured animals like Sparkles every year. But we can’t do it alone, we need your help. If you can, please click here to leave a donation, and help us to continue our essential work. Thank You.
Our vets and nurses are as busy as ever during the Covid-19 pandemic, performing essential services and helping pets like Buttons.
Buttons is a 3 year old cutie crossbreed, who came into us because he had “Cherry Eye”.
Did you know dogs have a third eyelid? This third eyelid comes across the eye from the nose side. This particular eyelid is the one that produces tears in dogs.
With “Cherry Eye”, the tissue in the third eyelid weakens and the gland protrudes through it. This means you can see what looks like a mass coming from poor Buttons’ right eye.
When this happens the gland can get swollen, doesn’t circulate blood properly, and the eye does not produce tears. Dogs with dry eyes are more at risk of getting eye infections and need to have fake tears put into their eyes daily. Pets will also paw and rub at the gland which can cause them to damage their eye permanently.
Buttons needed surgery to replace the exposed gland through his third eyelid. The gland was prolapsed and it was causing severe pain and discomfort – if our team did not act fast, Buttons would develop conjunctivitis and could have lost his eye.
Luckily vet Úna and nurse Ellen gave him the very best of care at our clinic in Inchicore. Buttons is now recovering very well at home from his surgery, and his family are spoiling him rotten!
“I cannot rate them highly enough, they provide a life saving service. He’s a pet, but he feels more like a another child or a brother – he really is part of the Family. The Irish Blue Cross has always been there for Buttons, we cannot thank them enough” – Lyndsey & Taylor Walker, Buttons’ Family.
Over a year on, living with COVID-19, and our work at The Irish Blue Cross is as challenging and crucial as ever. As I write we are currently still on lockdown level 5. This means we are down to skeleton staff to maintain COVID-19 protocols and ensure client and staff safety. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however.
I enjoy Medical Nursing. Part of my job includes dentals, of which we are seeing increasing numbers. Our most common cases are older pets with badly infected and rotten teeth; this can affect their entire system from the infection in their mouth. We cover give tips on good dental health for your pet here.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is to see an elderly dog walk out The Irish Blue Cross clinic doors post-dental treatment, full of life and energy! The thing we hear most commonly from owners is, “They’re like a puppy again!” It gives me great job satisfaction to make an older pet so much more comfortable in their twilight years!
Cuddles from patients like Ziggy, remind me why I love my job at the Irish Blue Cross so much. Knowing our work is vitally important to the thousands of patients we treat, together with our amazing team of vets, nurses, and volunteers, provides me with all the motivation to keep working and helping as many patients as possible.
We appreciate any support that we can get. So, if you can, please donate here.
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