My Katie Just Went Blind Almost Overnight

[JadedDancer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincolnboy2 It appears to be either SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Detachment Syndrome) or Glaucoma. Will know for sure after next Wednesday Opthamologist. So she is very shook up about not being able to see. She is slowly adapting to getting around sightless at home, I can't imagine trying to take her out traveling anymore in the coach. She has had mobility issues the past couple of years with her rear legs/arthritis/weakness so I've had to carry her in and out of the MH in the past. But now she can't see so so cant jump up and look out to see me around anymore, can't imagine what her anxiety level would be then. She is my longest, dearest, and most beloved little four legged soul. My Mother, God Rest Her, tracked the breeding line down in 1999 when I lost my first little one. She has been with me since she was 8 weeks old. I can't bear to see her with this disability, but she is a tough little girl and I'm cheering her on each time she successfully navigates back into the house from going outside to poddy. Anyone out there with experience in this matter?

That is so, so sad. These poor little animals cannot articulate to us their fears or confusion with suddenly losing one of the senses they always had.

I have no experience with a dog who was going blind, but I did have a dog who due to a slipped disc became paralyzed. It was so heart wrenching as you could see it in her face that she was miserable, and coudln't figure out why she couldn't move when she saw a bird or squirrel run outside in the backyard through the glass door. She had surgery, and eventually regained her ability to walk but it was a hard road.

The good news, however, is dogs are kind of like kids in their ability to bounce back and be resilient, despite a disability. With a loving home, as it is apparent that is the case with your sweet little Katie, they learn to adapt and can still live happy lives even with a disability. And dogs rely so largely on scent, she will learn to adapt. I do not know right off if Katie (I can't tell right off if she is a shih tzu or a poodle??) is more largely a scent or sight dog, but she can adapt.

Just love her and provide her with as much comfort as you can as she learns to adapt to a new situation in life. "hugs"

[Lincolnboy2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JadedDancer That is so, so sad. These poor little animals cannot articulate to us their fears or confusion with suddenly losing one of the senses they always had. I have no experience with a dog who was going blind, but I did have a dog who due to a slipped disc became paralyzed. It was so heart wrenching as you could see it in her face that she was miserable, and coudln't figure out why she couldn't move when she saw a bird or squirrel run outside in the backyard through the glass door. She had surgery, and eventually regained her ability to walk but it was a hard road. The good news, however, is dogs are kind of like kids in their ability to bounce back and be resilient, despite a disability. With a loving home, as it is apparent that is the case with your sweet little Katie, they learn to adapt and can still live happy lives even with a disability. And dogs rely so largely on scent, she will learn to adapt. I do not know right off if Katie (I can't tell right off if she is a shih tzu or a poodle??) is more largely a scent or sight dog, but she can adapt. Just love her and provide her with as much comfort as you can as she learns to adapt to a new situation in life. "hugs"

Thank you so much. Katie is a Lhasa Apso. She has always been the controller and the big boss (at least in her mind and its been very hard on her, but I do see signs of hope. She appears to be regaining the ability to remember when she bumps into certain things, that "hey, I need to go this way, or that way" when she is coming back in. Nightime she has to be on her leash, because she is kind of like a sundowner syndrome and doesn't know where or how. But during the day, she is showing improvement. I am so hopeful, but very guarded.

She was out on the back patio while I was working on my MH Stair cover over the weekend and I got a great shot of her.

Its attached.

Thanks for the sharing and the support!

[John H...]

Didn't see your attachment...

[JohnRR]

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Originally Posted by John H... Didn't see your attachment...

At least now I know I was not the only one not to see it.

[Lincolnboy2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H... Didn't see your attachment...

Sorry! I didn't realize it didn't upload!

[John H...]

OK, Got it now. She looks happy...

[Lincolnboy2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H... OK, Got it now. She looks happy...

She was/is, always when Dad is home. I was working on the stair cover and she just ambled out to say hi, I had to take her picture since she was in such a good mood that day, she got up on the deck and was wanting to know what I was doing..... I am so thankful that so far she is still stable and seems to be slowly developing a life without her site. But I don't want to boast too much. Always guarded against cancer or some neurological thing going on that is yet to be discovered. I just enjoy each day with her sweet self, day by day, thats really all any of us have, after all. Thanks so much for your concern and interest. It is so treasured.

Virtual Hugs,
Kent

[Lincolnboy2]

Angie, Katie's baby sister's story....

Please Help Save Shih Tzu Angie

Sad News for Shih Tzu Angie | DFW Tzus & More Rescue

Shih Tzu Rescue Updates | DFW Tzus & More Rescue

Spencer (Yorkie) and Susie (Shi Tzu) Pictures along with Angie...

Susie's picture was laying snoozing on her recliner.

Susie's Happy Home Picture from the Rescue Leage:

Happy Home Photos | DFW Tzus & More Rescue

Susie was named Sue Ellen. Page 11 of the Happy Home Pictures...

[PNWGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincolnboy2 It appears to be either SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Detachment Syndrome) or Glaucoma. Will know for sure after next Wednesday Opthamologist. So she is very shook up about not being able to see. She is slowly adapting to getting around sightless at home, I can't imagine trying to take her out traveling anymore in the coach. She has had mobility issues the past couple of years with her rear legs/arthritis/weakness so I've had to carry her in and out of the MH in the past. But now she can't see so so cant jump up and look out to see me around anymore, can't imagine what her anxiety level would be then. She is my longest, dearest, and most beloved little four legged soul. My Mother, God Rest Her, tracked the breeding line down in 1999 when I lost my first little one. She has been with me since she was 8 weeks old. I can't bear to see her with this disability, but she is a tough little girl and I'm cheering her on each time she successfully navigates back into the house from going outside to poddy. Anyone out there with experience in this matter?

Unfortunately, yes, I do. One of my Alaskan Malamutes, Scarlet, went through this. Due to age, she was losing rear movement (as you can see in the photo) and she went completely blind.


The best thing that you can do, for a blind dog, is just like for a blind person. You keep everything, in their environment, exactly the same. In the house, I took her around- over and over- on a lead (talking to her all the time), teaching her the lay-out of the living room, dining room and kitchen.

Going outside. I had a step, coming off the porch. With a lead on, and her in heel position on my left, I would stop- at the top of the step- and say 'step'. Then I step down with my left leg first (she is touching my left leg and can feel it move down). Then I gently guide her down. From there we moved into the yard for her to learn everything there.

It took no time at all for her to go into the yard, by herself. You would never know that she was blind. She memorized the yard and the scents in it.

When she would come back to the porch, I would say 'step' and she would step right on up, after touching with her nose. Soon, I did not even have to do that.

The inside was the same way. You can't, however, change anything. It upsets them, just as much as a person, when they hit something they were not expecting.

As for going in the RV, she will be fine in it. I recommend setting up an ex-pen. I set mine up so that the dogs can go in/out of the RV door. This way, even when traveling, her 'yard' is always the same and you can control how you set it up, each and every time. This also protects her from strange dogs and kids, who could come up and startle her. You will not ever want to 'stake her out' again. She needs more stability than that can give her.

After Scarlet understood her environment, people would say that they had no idea that she was blind. They could only see that by looking in her eyes and realizing that she wasn't focusing on them. Her sense of hearing and smell went off the charts though. So don't worry about Katie not being able to see you from the steps. She will be able to follow you with sound and scent. At first, you can keep up a running conversation, with her, while you do everything outside. She will quickly learn to follow you, without her eyes.

I hope that some of this helps you. Dogs are able to overcome handicaps, in a lot of ways, much better than people and can lead just as rich of a life than a dog without a handicap.

Sheila

[PNWGirl]

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Originally Posted by Dunner I think Sadie(on the left) is blind or impaired in the right eye. She eats out of the left side of her food bin and paws at it when there is still food on the right. The earliest appointment I could get with her vet was this morning; at the same time I had to go see my vet. She will be 7 in March. She still chases birds and rock like she always has. When I get her in, is there a way a vet can tell for sure?

Dunner,
What did your Vet say? Even if she was completly blind, in one eye, she should cock her head to see the food bowl with the good eye. Dogs compensate, really well, for vision loss.

My concern is that she may have had a mini-stroke. I have known a number of dogs that get these and your dogs behavior is similar to what they do afterwards.

I am not trying to scare you but you should have her checked out for that. They might even put her on an aspirin regiment as that is a mild blood thinner and can help prevent a bigger episode.

Sheila

[Dunner]

I think I was over-reacting. I just covered her left eye and her right eye followed a treat when moved in front of her right eye. GF sez her dogs do the food thing too. I didn't take here in, but may soon, just for a check-up. Thx for the concern.

[Lincolnboy2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNWGirl Unfortunately, yes, I do. One of my Alaskan Malamutes, Scarlet, went through this. Due to age, she was losing rear movement (as you can see in the photo) and she went completely blind. The best thing that you can do, for a blind dog, is just like for a blind person. You keep everything, in their environment, exactly the same. In the house, I took her around- over and over- on a lead (talking to her all the time), teaching her the lay-out of the living room, dining room and kitchen. Going outside. I had a step, coming off the porch. With a lead on, and her in heel position on my left, I would stop- at the top of the step- and say 'step'. Then I step down with my left leg first (she is touching my left leg and can feel it move down). Then I gently guide her down. From there we moved into the yard for her to learn everything there. It took no time at all for her to go into the yard, by herself. You would never know that she was blind. She memorized the yard and the scents in it. When she would come back to the porch, I would say 'step' and she would step right on up, after touching with her nose. Soon, I did not even have to do that. The inside was the same way. You can't, however, change anything. It upsets them, just as much as a person, when they hit something they were not expecting. As for going in the RV, she will be fine in it. I recommend setting up an ex-pen. I set mine up so that the dogs can go in/out of the RV door. This way, even when traveling, her 'yard' is always the same and you can control how you set it up, each and every time. This also protects her from strange dogs and kids, who could come up and startle her. You will not ever want to 'stake her out' again. She needs more stability than that can give her. After Scarlet understood her environment, people would say that they had no idea that she was blind. They could only see that by looking in her eyes and realizing that she wasn't focusing on them. Her sense of hearing and smell went off the charts though. So don't worry about Katie not being able to see you from the steps. She will be able to follow you with sound and scent. At first, you can keep up a running conversation, with her, while you do everything outside. She will quickly learn to follow you, without her eyes. I hope that some of this helps you. Dogs are able to overcome handicaps, in a lot of ways, much better than people and can lead just as rich of a life than a dog without a handicap. Sheila

What a beautiful girl! She is so lucky to have you!!

Very much appreciated Sheila. In addition to the blindness, she also is dealing with CNS or a form of canine altzheimer's or sundowner's syndome, it is much worse at night.

I have had two blind dogs in the past, a shi tzu (my sweet little Jazz) and a poodle mix (Emmy) and nobody knew they were blind.

We do what we can for our babies. Thanks so much for the time and loving attention. Greatly cherished.

Kent

[Lincolnboy2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNWGirl Dunner, What did your Vet say? Even if she was completly blind, in one eye, she should cock her head to see the food bowl with the good eye. Dogs compensate, really well, for vision loss. My concern is that she may have had a mini-stroke. I have known a number of dogs that get these and your dogs behavior is similar to what they do afterwards. I am not trying to scare you but you should have her checked out for that. They might even put her on an aspirin regiment as that is a mild blood thinner and can help prevent a bigger episode. Sheila

I thought that is what happened to Katie at first too (a stroke or mini-stroke) and am not sure yet that its not partially to blame.

[JadedDancer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincolnboy2 Sorry! I didn't realize it didn't upload!

OMG she is ADORABLE!