Phene Is Losing His Eyesight

[robinw]

Last time I took phene to the vet, he said that there were changing on the surface of his retina (i think), resulting in some deterioration of his eyesight. That was consistent with what i was seeing at home. he won't up the stairs without lots of light and i need to accompany him. it seems to be worsening. when he goes in for his dental in a few weeks, we'll be looking at his eyes, also.

 

this is all new to me. what questions should i be asking? has anybody here had anything? are there any tests i should inquire about? has anybody here had anything similar happen to their dog? what did you do to make life easier for all involved?

 

thanks

[Guest KennelMom]

It's not uncommon for dogs to lose some or even most of their eyesight as they age. Once they start to have "old dog eyes", a thorough exam by the vet is a must. As long as the changes in their eyes are "routine" degeneration that can be expected with normal aging, which your vet should be very familiar with, there's really not much to do specifically. My primary concern is that the dog isn't in any pain due to eye changes.

 

Of course, our Hanna is blind from a genetic condition and she went blind at 6 - Champ was nearly totally blind towards the end. I've noticed the same issues with Quilty...she bonks into things from time to time, doesn't track things with her eyes like the other dogs will. I just try to anticipate things that might cause them problems and help guide them as best I can. I use more verbal queues and make sure they have as much light as possible at night, esp near stairs.

 

Most dogs handle(gradually) losing eyesight pretty well...they rely so much more on their other senses than humans do.

[robinw]

thanks, Heather. i know that this is normal, but it seems to be quickly deteriorating. of course, phene is such a diva and drama queen that it's almost hard to tell . it just seems like things have gotten much worse over the past couple of months.

[Batmom]

Might want to check in with a veterinary ophthalmologist? "Old dog eyes" (why can't I ever remember what that's called?) don't normally progress quickly nor result in total blindness.

 

Special scritchies and tummy rubs to Phene.

[Burpdog]

I haven't read all the replies. Did he see a specialist? It's a must.

[Guest Swifthounds]

I would have him to a veterinary opthamologist. There are lots of things they can do these days, and you're more likely to get a good diagnosis with someone with the tools and experience to know what he/she is looking at.

[ZoomDoggy]

Might want to check in with a veterinary ophthalmologist? "Old dog eyes" (why can't I ever remember what that's called?) don't normally progress quickly nor result in total blindness.

 

Special scritchies and tummy rubs to Phene.

 

I agree with this completely. Ophthalmologists can catch things a normal vet (even a very good normal vet) might miss.

[Devotion]

Robin, I'm sorry to hear about Phene. I don't think it's normal to just get old eyes and it progress this quickly. You know all the stuff Avril is going through. She sees a Vet Ophthalmologist. Her eyesight is pretty much gone in her one eye but that's because of the cancer. Rocky lost his eyesight but it happened suddenly. He did remarkably well. Although, I didn't change the furniture or anything. I know the stairs are the scary part. Can you keep the light on when you're not there? I would really look in to seeing an Opthalmologist. Phene's a Divo not a Diva. These blue fawns keep us on our toes.

[robinw]

i'll definitely ask for a specialist referral but it would be great if i knew something more than the possibilities i could find on google. i barely know where to start.

[Guest MnMDogs]

Mork was diagnosed with PRA just over 2 years ago - I had no idea he was going blind and was devastated. Fortunately, he's handling it much better than I did Like Heather said, dogs really do very well and can compensate with their other senses very well. We have noticed now that he doesn't seem to see much at all in the dark, and we have to keep things out of his normal paths or he'll bonk into them.

 

He also seems to have no fear, so it doesn't seem to phase him at all. Definitely have Phene checked out by an ophthalmologist - I'm not sure what questions to ask. But the vet opth will be able to tell you what's going on. Give him some love from me... he's such a sweet boy.

[greytpups]

I have a name of a great opthamologist near Strathroy. We took Bailey there to check for Pannus. Probably that would be the vet your vet would refer though since there are only 3 in Canada.

Edited January 25, 2010 by greytpups

[Rickiesmom]

No experience with rapid loss Robin. I can tell Rickie is losing some vision (like Phoenix, he hesitates on stairs if light isn't good) but it isn't deteriorating quickly. There is an opthalmologist at the VEC but I have never had reason to take one of the dogs to her.

[2hounds]

I don't have any advice or help, but I wanted to send hugs

[Guest spider9174]

Last time I took phene to the vet, he said that there were changing on the surface of his retina (i think), resulting in some deterioration of his eyesight. That was consistent with what i was seeing at home. he won't up the stairs without lots of light and i need to accompany him. it seems to be worsening. when he goes in for his dental in a few weeks, we'll be looking at his eyes, also.

 

this is all new to me. what questions should i be asking? has anybody here had anything? are there any tests i should inquire about? has anybody here had anything similar happen to their dog? what did you do to make life easier for all involved?

 

thanks

 

 

I'm sorry to hear about your pup. I had a foster that couldn't see below her nose. The group had taken her to a doggie ophthalmologist. She had scarring on her retina from the midline up. There weren't many limitations. She was super active and happy.

 

Things she couldn't do:

Stairs--she couldn't see below her and doing stairs would mean she was basically walking where she couldn't see. I was always afraid she'd jump from the middle of the flight. She was happy to stay on our first floor and was fine by herself at night.

Night time--her sight was limited in the dark. She got around, but wasn't super active at night.

She'd bump into things or trip over stuff on the floor...so don't move furniture or leave shoes around.

She loved to chase flies. But they would land right below her nose and she'd be looking up...it was cute and endearing.

 

The vet had me give her extra fish oil. She actually prescribed 4000 U/day. I never could do that much because it gave her really loose stool.

[rycezmom]

A big hug to you and Phene

[nyGreys]

Sending hugs & prayers to you & Phene.

[RobinM]

Sigh. Hugs to you both, Robin

[Guest jerrybird]

I would recommend Dr. M. Zigler, Veterinary Emergency Hospital at www.vetemergency.ca

[robinw]

I would recommend Dr. M. Zigler, Veterinary Emergency Hospital at www.vetemergency.ca

 

thank you! it looks like a referral isn't necessary...

Edited January 25, 2010 by robinw

[robinw]

Phene's a Divo not a Diva. These blue fawns keep us on our toes.

really, i think poor phene is more of a diva

[CaliforniaGreys]

Please keep us posted Robin. No experience here other than what is considered normal for seniors.

[Guest ss556]

Thinking of Phene and you Robin. I did take Alan to an ophthalmologist when he had his eye problem, but that was pannus and he was younger. Let us know.

[moosesmom]

We are going through this with our Moose. He was diagnosed 6 months ago with PRA. His opthamologist put him on several supplements including at least 2000U a day of fish oil. We have noticed that he has now lost a lot of his peripheral vision, but is doing well. We have put many night lights through out the house to help with his diminished night vision. We also have solar lights positoned on the fence in the yard and have two very bright lights on either end of the pool deck. So far, this really helps him navigate at night.

 

Hugs to you and Phene.

Edited January 25, 2010 by moosesmom

[Guest MomoftheFuzzy]

You're getting a lot of good advice, Robin, but I just wanted to send comforting hugs to you and Phene.

[greyhead]

Our vet called this old dog eyes "retinal degeneration" in Spencer, who's in the same age range as Phene. He doesn't do as well in low-light situations, including late walks. Things also look blurrier, not as sharp as before. I gather there might be an operation but the vet said it would cost thousands.

 

We, too, keep lights on in critical places. He pretty much does fine this way, taking the stairs slower and being more tentative on darker walks. Fortunately, younger Shane is more than happy to step up, pretend to be the alpha, and go first when needed!