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Seeing is believing for Bugsy

Looking sharp: Ten-year-old Bugsy is one happy dog since Bonnie Leibowitch treated his Pannus condition with tinted goggles. (Picture courtesy of White Cross Vets branch in Tividale, England)

Bugsy the dog is seeing things with style after being treated for his Pannus condition.Bonnie Leibowitch, who was born and raised in Bermuda, was the veterinarian who treated Bugsy’s condition.Mrs Leibowitch attended Gilbert Institute, Saltus Grammar School then left the Island at age 18 to pursue her baccalaureate at Seven Oaks.She is the daughter of Serge Leibowitch, a chef at Fairmont Hamilton Princess, works as the clinic director of the White Cross Vets branch in Tividale, England, and provided ten-year-old Bugsy the solution to his condition in the form of tinted goggles.Bugsy was diagnosed with Pannus four years ago and his owner decided to try the White Cross Vets branch in Tividale, with hopes of helping the beloved pet.The goggles help Bugsy cope with the discomfort and pigment changes on the surface of his eyes caused by Pannus, which are worsened by ultraviolet light.Ms Leibowitch, explained she has been a veterinarian for nine years and has only seen a few situations as cute as this one.“It’s definitely up there, in terms of cool stories,” she said.” It’s very unique, you don’t see this everyday, you don’t see very many owners willing to try it or a dog willing to try it. A lot of people are saying they’ve seen Bugsy and we are becoming celebrities in the Midlands.”She explained the cause of the Pannus condition is not entirely certain, but is normally found in German Shepherds. Bugsy was treated topically with anti-inflammatory eye drops twice a day.“I spoke to few specialists in the UK and they suggested we try goggles, they were about £24,” she continued laughing. “He didn’t like them at first, but he did tolerate them better than I thought he would, it just means his eyes are more comfortable.”Mrs Leibowitch attended the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School in Edinburgh Scotland where she earned her Veterinary qualifications. She gathered work experience in England, went to the Cook Islands to do volunteer work with mainly dogs. Mrs Leibowitch went to New Zealand for work experience, before she established herself in Tividale, England.