robinw Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) Phene went to the vet for his annual physical this afternoon. He eyesight has been gradually worsening during the past year or so. This evening the vet realized that his pupils remain dilated, even when exposed to bright light. I hadn't noticed that but I had noticed that his amber eyes seemed darker. Now I know why. It seems that Phene can see and certainly follows movement. The vet suspects the pupil problem might have something to do with his optic nerve but doesn't suspect cancer because he seems so healthy. He's has a referral to an opthamologist in London, ON. Does anybody have any experience with this or any thoughts? thanks May 16. Saw the Vet Eye Specialist today. Here is his report: The changes that we are seeing are age-related and perhaps a thin iris musculature to begin start with. No cause for concern and his vision should remain good. Diagnoses: Right eye: Iris atrophy, moderate Left eye: Iris atrophy, moderate. Cataract, immature, anterior cortical He went on to explain that this condition isn't uncommon in dogs with light coloured eyes like Phene's. Now if only we could solve his rear end problems. X-rays are tomorrow. Edited May 16, 2011 by robinw Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytkidsmom Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 No experience with Phene's problem but have been to a opthalomologist with one of mine for Pannus. It was a very educational visit. They do all of the same things they do for humans - slit lamp, intraocular pressure, etc. Wishing you luck with your visit and hugs to your handsome boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 No experience, just best thoughts for sweet tummy-rub boy. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ullaluv Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Don't have any experience with it, but if his pupils don't constrict, I wonder if he wouldn't benefit from doogles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Ace's pupils don't constrict as much as they should, and I was told that's just old age in dogs. She does squint a little when it's sunny outside, and now I know why. Will be interested to hear what the eye doc says... Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggiespet Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Sorry - no experience. But hugs to you and Phene. Best of luck with the eye doc. Looking forward to meeting his handsomeness at GIG. Quote http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g240/mtbucket/siggies/Everyday-2.jpgJane - forever servant to the whims and wishes of Maggie (L's Magnolia of JCKC) and Sam the mutt pup.[/b] She's classy, sassy and a bit smart assy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I'm sorry to hear Phene is having some vision problems. The first thing that came to mind was Progressive Retinal Atrophy, but he's a bit old to have that starting up...it usually appears in a middle aged dog. The first (and only) symptom we saw in Hanna was that her eyes stayed dilated in bright light. I mean, almost TOTALLY dilated in bright sunlight. Her eyes have always been really reflective in pictures, which I'm told is another sign. Here's a picture of Hanna shortly after her diagnosis and you can see her eyes are pretty much solid black with a iridescent look to them Hopefully, it's nothing serious...an ophthalmologist is definitely in order Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambuca Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I don't have experience with it in dogs, but my pupils have never dialated properly and the've never found any other issues. Other than being VERY sensitive to light, I don't have any other issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hoolyghans Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Louie is a PRA pup and his eyes are fully dilated at all times. He has a green laser eye effect when light catches his eye, like many dogs do in pictures but this is just looking at him directly. His was pretty well advanced when we adopted him so I'm not sure what the normal progression time is. Also I don't know if other eye conditions can cause this but PRA is something to consider. The good news is he doesn't know he's nearly blind. He plays like a loon, bothers the cat when he can see him (when the cat walks slowly he's safe LOL!) and has a blast at the dog park. We don't really do any special to accommodate his vision, he's good at figuring out his world in his own way without bells or scents in rooms or anything like that. The only thing is we are a little more verbal with him, especially at the dog park when he can lose track of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr8mama Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Hi Robin, If it helps at all, Radar's eyes are dilated a lot as well. I know he still sees OK - I know this for sure because when we are at M&Gs in larger outside locations even if DH has him across on the other side of a field or open area, when I look over at him, his eyes are riveted on me. (Did I mention that he's my heart hound?) No stumbling of any kind, and he still races around the big 3/4 acre lot like a young dog. Since Radar and Phene are brudders, maybe it's just old age? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Phene and will anxiously wait to hear what the doctor says. Hugs to your precious boy and a paw bump from Radar, Gail and Radar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MnMDogs Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I was also wondering if it could be PRA. Hugs to your gorgeous boy, and I hope you get some answers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BleuDog Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I would also be thinking PRA...my 81/2 year young broodie had this....just like KennelMom said & pictured................. per KennelMom's posting............ I'm sorry to hear Phene is having some vision problems. The first thing that came to mind was Progressive Retinal Atrophy, but he's a bit old to have that starting up...it usually appears in a middle aged dog. The first (and only) symptom we saw in Hanna was that her eyes stayed dilated in bright light. I mean, almost TOTALLY dilated in bright sunlight. Her eyes have always been really reflective in pictures, which I'm told is another sign. Here's a picture of Hanna shortly after her diagnosis and you can see her eyes are pretty much solid black with a iridescent look to them Hopefully, it's nothing serious...an ophthalmologist is definitely in order .................... Hanna's pic is so very like my Miss Olivia was.....I called her my 'seal eyed' pup!!!!! I was just told she would not go blind from it....and treatment would be Doogles in REALLY BRIGHT SUNLIGHT... Wishing you & Phene the best.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoomDoggy Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 My Tipper's pupils lost their ability to constrict as he got older. His ophthalmologist (whom he regularly saw for his pannus) said it was purely age-related and nothing to be overly concerned about. I was advised to simply try and keep him out of harsh sunlight as it might be bothersome to him. He was pretty squinty in bright light. Quote ~Aimee, with Flower, Alan, Queenie, & Spodee Odee! And forever in my heart: Tipper, Sissy, Chancy, Marla, Dazzle, Alimony, and Boo. This list is too damned long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WarmheartedPups Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Sending good thoughts for Phene and his eyes. If his eyes are totally dialated,,,the sun or bright lights may really bother his eyes. Please keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CampWhippet Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 No experience but sending good thoughts for P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) I finally remembered what our vet said it was called...nuclear sclerosis. Again, he said it just happens with older age in dogs. Edited to add a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_sclerosis Edited April 13, 2011 by krissn333 Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) I finally remembered what our vet said it was called...nuclear sclerosis. Again, he said it just happens with older age in dogs. Hopefully that's all it is, but I would hope a vet could distinguish between normal eye aging in a dog and something that required a specialist. Perhaps he's just being overly cautious...Usually this condition is associated with a cloudiness in the eyes (not cataracts). I call 'em "Old Dog Eyes"...pretty obvious when you see it. Edited April 13, 2011 by KennelMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HoundyGirl Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 There's a disease that humans and dogs can get called Adie's Pupil or Adie's Syndrome. In humans it's when all involuntary reflexes are diminished. My dad has it and his pupils are permanently dilated, one more than the other. He also has no response when the doctor taps on on reflex areas like his knee. The article I found on it in dogs suggests that it's only the pupils that have problems. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1800946/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Hoping it turns out to be nothing serious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Robin, hope it's nothing serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha_gurl Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 If you need anything Robin...you know the rest. Hope it's nothing major Phene! Quote Greyhound Collars : www.collartown.ca Maggie (the human servant), with Miss Bella, racing name "A Star Blackieto" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 No experience - hope it's something minor Robin. When does Phene see the specialist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Thanks so much for your advice and comments. We have an appointment with the specialist on May 4. Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximum Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I don't have anything to add, Robin - except lots of good thoughts for good outcomes at the appointment! And biiiiiiig hugs to that gorgeous Phene; it's a bugger having our babes get old, isn't it?? Quote My boys, together again... A hui hou kakou, my loves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirocco_Nikki Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Hoping that everything goes well for Phene. I bet a cookie would help! (DD had eye surgery when she was 3. Afterwards, she looked at me with those big blue eyes all red and watery and said "Mommy, I need chocolate chip cookies to make my eyes all better." ) She still swears at age 20 that eyes need cookies to keep them feeling better. Quote Drake - Fortified Power x Cajun Oriel Janney - Ronco x Sol Happy Waiting at the bridge: Sirocco - (Reko Sirocco) - Trojan Episode x Reko Princess; Nikki - (MPS Sharai) - Devilish Episode x MPS Daisy Queen;Yukon - (Yak Back) - Epic Prince x Barts Cinnamon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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