In the streets of Chelyabinsk, dogs are now seen sporting fashionable mirrored sunglasses, similar to those worn by snowboarders. These four-legged companions, resembling characters from a science fiction novel, may look trendy, but they actually wear sunglasses to hide their eyes from the sun due to a serious illness, as explained by a local veterinary clinic.
The dogs are forced to wear this unusual accessory because of an autoimmune disease called pannus. Due to this condition, their eyes are very sensitive to external irritants, including light. If the pets are not given timely assistance, they can become blind.
One such unfortunate dog is a German Shepherd named Joy. "Joy is six years old and has autoimmune corneal disease. He is undergoing therapeutic treatment with cytostatic drugs, and as a protective measure, he has been prescribed ultraviolet sunglasses," explains veterinarian Vyacheslav Glushkov. "He wears them proudly and with pleasure."
Veterinarians advise Chelyabinsk residents to pay special attention to the condition of their pets' eyes. Even if everything appears normal at first glance, they are encouraged not to neglect regular preventive check-ups with veterinarians and not to postpone a visit if there are any changes in the animal's condition.
