Moon bear Juniper’s eye problems caused bad moods making her unpopular with sanctuary pals but now she’s back to her old self again.

Nine years after being rescued from a bear bile farm, moon bear Juniper has had her right eye removed to end the agony of an untreatable ulcer.

Tiny Juniper’s eye problems were first spotted in 2014 during a visit from a specialist vet when she was discovered to be blind in both eyes. Sadly, in recent months Juniper also developed ulcers in one eye causing swelling and pain.

The discomfort had grown so great that Juniper had reacted angrily with some of her oldest friends raising the concern that Juniper’s pain could cause her to lash out.

Animals Asia Veterinarian Sheridan Lathe said:

“Juniper’s right eye was scarred, swollen and sore. Her eye removal surgery went very well, and we hope that when she recovers she will only feel relief from pain and won’t miss the eye at all. She has lived with blindness for many years now and copes very well with the condition.”

Following surgery, Juniper was put on antibiotics and pain relief while she recovered, but questions remain over where she will live in the future.

Animals Asia Bear and Vet Team Director China, Nic Field said:

“We are confident that now the pain is gone, Juniper is back to her lovely old self. We’ve begun to monitor her behaviour very closely and are weighing up her overall health and well-being to determine whether moving to one of our special care areas or returning to her former house-mates is in her best interests. We’ll do what is best for Juniper in the long run having taken everything into account.”

During surgery, Animals Asia vets took the opportunity to give Juniper a complete physical exam and found that she was in good health apart from severe arthritis in her elbows.

It’s a condition which she has suffered from for some time, but thankfully has not worsened and will be managed with pain relief medication over the next year.

For now, Juniper’s pain is over and while it may take her time to adjust to life with one eye, this stoic bear has overcome worse hurdles in the past. 

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