seeh2o Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Sheila lost her sight within a matter of hours to SARDS, she was 10 at the time and acclimated very well. She still roamed the yard, went up and down the steps outside. One day at Ed's I found her upstairs outside the bathroom waiting for me to come out of the shower! She had a real 6th sense about things, could find her tennnis balls by smell only. Initially, I did wear a bracelet with bells on it when I was home and had my other dog wear a bell. I put essential oils on the casings to the doorways, down low on the wood so she could smell it, a different oil for each room. I only had to do that for a short while, she acclimated so quickly. She still went for walks with no problem. The one thing that did change, as she aged she became very cranky with other dogs (she had been a dream around all dogs before, no aggession, no interest either). If they approached her too closely she would become aggressive, but that was mostly because of old age. When she was diagnosed I asked the ophthalmologist if her quality of life would suffer, if it would be kinder to put her to sleep (I was ignorant about SARDS and blind dogs at the time) and she smiled and said, "Not at all, look at her," (Sheila was laying in the middle of the lobby with her legs fanned out very very relaxed yet alert and happy), "She's not having a problem with this at all, you are. She will be fine, you just need to adjust your way of thinking about this." I took her advice, changed my outlook. Sheila lived another healthy and sweet 5 years until she just wore out. As far as dog parks are concerned, I won't take mine to them now and they have full vision, I'd be afraid to take a blind dog to a dog park, busy or only with a few dogs. Walks should be fine, just listen to Bella and she will tell you what she is ready to take on. Many hugs to you and Bella, this will just be a new chapter for you. Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 One other thing I remember being told by the eye specialist who diagnosed Lynch, the younger the dog is, the faster they go blind. It took less than 1 year for Lynch to become totally blind, he was just under 2 at diagnosis and I was told this had been going on for a while. It's also usually genetic, so that if there are other pups in the litter, your dog may have blind litter mates. Lynch's Mom was totally blind by the time she finished having pups, and I know that several of his litter mates also had issues with blindness. I wouldn't do dog parks either, too much possibility of him running into a tree or fence or another dog and it could end tragically. Lynch never went to the dog park with us. Good luck, I think you'll find that 95% of the time the blindness isn't really an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Bella and Maggie. You have gotten such wonderful advice here. It sounds as tho the biggest adjustment will be not for Bella but for her mom. You can do it, girl. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Just curious... what were Bella's symptoms?Was this discovered at a routine wellness check-up .... or had you suspected something was wrong? Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ShanYu Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Maggie... lots of good advice here so nothing new from me. I had a cat who went blind. We didn't know until we closed a door that was always left open and she walked into it. Didn't affect her life at all. She was still the happiest purriest creature we always knew. You and beautiful Bella will be fine. Sending hugs from me and Nike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha_gurl Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 Thank you so much for the wonderful advice everyone! I'm booking an appointment with a specialist, since the vet said he was 80% sure it's PRA...well, that's not 100%. I took her to the vet because one time she ran bumped into my bf, and the other time she jumped right on his chest when he was laying in bed, and she steps on Cleo quite a bit. However, today I've been doing my own little tests, throwing treats and such, and she's on the ball...so I think a second opinion is key right now. I know many have said that it's ok, and yes...but we're very active, and for Bella not to be able to run or go to the dog park would be quite a downturn in her life 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...
Guest MnMDogs Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Thank you so much for the wonderful advice everyone! I'm booking an appointment with a specialist, since the vet said he was 80% sure it's PRA...well, that's not 100%. I took her to the vet because one time she ran bumped into my bf, and the other time she jumped right on his chest when he was laying in bed, and she steps on Cleo quite a bit. However, today I've been doing my own little tests, throwing treats and such, and she's on the ball...so I think a second opinion is key right now. ... What I noticed when Mork was diagnosed (we were at a vet opth to get an eye scratch looked at, we had no idea he was losing his vision), is that he had poor peripheral vision, and couldn't see well in low light. As I said, neither of these things really concerned is, and we never imagined he was losing his vision, but in retrospect, the deficits were apparent. He never stepped on other dogs, or us (any more than usual in the years we had him up to that point). So maybe she's just klutzy . Did your vet look into the back of her eyes? Are here eyes reflective green as a previous poster posted? Anyway, many good thought for you and your girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I don't have any firsthand experience, but one of Heather (KennelMom) and Ken's girls had PRA and IIRC she did just fine. I agree with getting a second opinion though too, in case something else is going on and it can be treated. Hugs to all of you 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 grey_dreams Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Sorry to hear this. No experience, but from what others have said it sounds like Bella will be ok. Sending lots of hugs to your beautiful girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) I'm so very sorry about Bella's diagnosis, Maggie. So many excellent responses, and the links galgrey posted are very helpful. Just a few thoughts to add as you become Bella's seeing eye person: - Begin teaching Bella proper "heeling" while on leash (if you haven't already). Bella's right shoulder next to your left thigh. This keeps dogs away from passing cars since pedestrians are supposed to walk against traffic flow. Try to step with your own left leg first each time you begin walking. - Teach "heel left" and "heel right" when making a turn. Helpful to teach u-turn or round about. - If leash walking two dogs on your left side, Bella would benefit from walking in the middle (between human and other dog). Bella next to your left thigh; Cleo next to Bella's left side. As her sight worsens, you may notice her keeping her head very low watching the ground as she walks, especially at night. I agree with others about completely avoiding a dog park, especially with a blind retired racer. Besides crashing into dogs, trees, humans, fence, chairs; other dogs and wild ground critters dig holes causing falls. Bella would be perceived as the weakest underdog in the park. She would become the most likely target for other dogs to attack. She couldn't see her attackers to defend herself. Good luck, and please let us know how the specialist's opinion goes for Bella. Edited January 29, 2014 by 3greytjoys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha_gurl Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) We are heading to do a pressure test for glaucoma in about 30 min, if it's not glaucoma then we'll see the specialist. However, I've been throwing small treats at her and she catches 95% of them. So here's for hoping the vet (that originally said 80% of it being PRA) was drunk or something along those lines! Edited January 30, 2014 by Yamaha_gurl 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...
sarabz Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 That's a possibility that I never would have thought of!!! Fingers crossed for the original being a misdiagnosis. Quote Dave (GLS DeviousDavid) - 6/27/18 Gracie (AMF Saying Grace) - 10/21/12 Bella (KT Britta) - 4/29/05 to 2/13/20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Maggie, have you visited Rick Quinn, the veterinary ophthalmologist? If not, I highly recommend him. Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 We are heading to do a pressure test for glaucoma in about 30 min, if it's not glaucoma then we'll see the specialist. However, I've been throwing small treats at her and she catches 95% of them. So here's for hoping the vet (that originally said 80% of it being PRA) was drunk or something along those lines! Maggie, have you learned anything more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Just seeing this now. So sorry for the diagnosis. Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarabz Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Maggie, I think you are seeing a specialist today... Fingers crossed! I know your at-home tests have been positive so hoping your regular vet was just having a bad hair day Quote Dave (GLS DeviousDavid) - 6/27/18 Gracie (AMF Saying Grace) - 10/21/12 Bella (KT Britta) - 4/29/05 to 2/13/20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha_gurl Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 Maggie, I think you are seeing a specialist today... Fingers crossed! I know your at-home tests have been positive so hoping your regular vet was just having a bad hair day On the 27th, so still some more time for me to throw treats at her! 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...
Guest ShanYu Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Keep us posted. Fingers crossed the news is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverhound Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 On the 27th, so still some more time for me to throw treats at her! Watch out. She'll start bumping into things on purpose if she realizes why you're doing that! (I really, really hope she's ok.) Quote Masterful Joe and Naughty N Nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarabz Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Wow - where'd I get today? Quote Dave (GLS DeviousDavid) - 6/27/18 Gracie (AMF Saying Grace) - 10/21/12 Bella (KT Britta) - 4/29/05 to 2/13/20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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