Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: My Buddy is blind!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    412

    My Buddy is blind!

    On Friday I noticed him run head-first into several things. I took him to the vet this evening and he is completely blind. She said it is likely hereditary,and that he has likely been blind for 3 months,but she did a few tests to make sure. I'm still waiting for the results of them. But if it is neither of the things she tested for, he is permanently blind and he is only 2 years old... I'm still in shock. Please pray for us. Thank you!
    Last edited by lolli94; 06-18-2013 at 08:00 AM.
    Owned by my baby and heart-dog Lolli.

    If each pet we love takes a part of our heart and replaces it with a part of theirs, my heart is a very strange collection of pieces, but I wouldn't have it any other way


    Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go, and then do it. --Ann Landers

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Illinois, USA
    Posts
    28,379
    Wow, I am not sure what to say. I am so sorry. Here is a candle for Buddy.
    http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...g&cid=18753639

    Thinking of you,
    Elyse
    Praying for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and around the world.

    I've been Boo'd ... right off the stage!

    Aaahh, I have been defrosted! Thank you, Bonny and Asiel!
    Brrrr, I've been Frosted! Thank you, Asiel and Pomtzu!


    "That's the power of kittens (and puppies too, of course): They can reduce us to quivering masses of Jell-O in about two seconds flat and make us like it. Good thing they don't have opposable thumbs or they'd surely have taken over the world by now." -- Paul Lukas

    "We consume our tomorrows fretting about our yesterdays." -- Persius, first century Roman poet

    Cassie's Catster page: http://www.catster.com/cats/448678

  3. #3
    I'm so sorry! Blind dogs can adjust very well. My neighbors dog went blind and did well getting around.
    http://petoftheday.com/talk/signaturepics/sigpic9646_1.gif
    Forever in my heart...
    Casey.Ginger.Corey.Mandy.Sassy
    Lacey.Angel.Missy.Jake.Layla

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Windham, Vermont, USA
    Posts
    40,828
    He'll be in our prayers, I know some spaniels are prone to this. Just keep your furniture in the same places, or lead him around if you decide to move things, and he should adjust just fine!
    I've Been Frosted

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    412
    Thank you all! Yes he does very well already...it's only if something is out of place that he runs into it. The vet called me last night and said he tested negative for diabetes and whatever the other test was...I can't remember the name, so it's probably Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), which is a hereditary problem in Springers. I'm going to talk to a specialist, but it's probably permanent, and I probably couln't afford to fix it even if it was fixable, so I guess he'll just always be blind. He is still a sweet, happy boy though
    Owned by my baby and heart-dog Lolli.

    If each pet we love takes a part of our heart and replaces it with a part of theirs, my heart is a very strange collection of pieces, but I wouldn't have it any other way


    Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go, and then do it. --Ann Landers

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Windham, Vermont, USA
    Posts
    40,828
    Quote Originally Posted by lolli94 View Post
    He is still a sweet, happy boy though
    And that is what matters! Balls that make noise when they bounce, and life will be good!
    I've Been Frosted

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    California
    Posts
    11,778
    I am so sorry to hear about Buddy. Glad to hear he is still the happy dog he always has been. That means he will continue to lead a happy healthy life regardless of his sight.
    Our goal in life should be - to be as good a person as our dog thinks we are.

    Thank you for the siggy, Michelle!


    Cindy (Human) - Taz (RB Tabby) - Zoee (RB Australian Shepherd) - Paizly (Dilute Tortie) - Taggart (Aussie Mix) - Jax (Brown & White Tabby), - Zeplyn (Cattle Dog Mix)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    412
    Thank you all for the encouragement! I found this article online...

    "It is also important to realize that it is OK to grieve about your pet's vision loss, but you must not put your sad feelings in your dog's head—they aren't really there! Your dog is not suffering. They adjust well to their vision loss, and it is by far hardest to deal with on the owner's side. Your dog's job description has not changed. Your blind dog is happy as long as its routine is stable. From your dog's point of view, life continues to be great-- you are there as always, and they just need to use their other keen senses a bit more to get the same information they used to view."

    And I think that describes the situation perfectly. He will still always be my beloved silly boy... but I do miss those hi-fives he used to give me. He always obeyed me because of the hand signal, not my voice command. Hi-five was our favorite trick. And looking back, I remember how in the last several months he started sitting up on his hind legs and using both front paws...maybe because he couldn't see my hand very well? Now he completely ignores my hand. Anyway...enough of my rambling; I'm thankful I still have him.
    Owned by my baby and heart-dog Lolli.

    If each pet we love takes a part of our heart and replaces it with a part of theirs, my heart is a very strange collection of pieces, but I wouldn't have it any other way


    Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go, and then do it. --Ann Landers

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Methuen, MA; USA
    Posts
    17,105
    I'm just seeing this now. I'm sure this is a shock for you. I'm glad you got him right in to the vet.

    Blind dogs learn to navigate from the water bowl. So you should try to never move that. Then, moving furniture will take him time to adapt to. Most folks move furniture at Christmas time, to make room for a tree, so you may need to reconsider what you want to do, in December. And any holidays where they host a big dinner, often furniture gets moved around then, as well.

    If you have a fenced in yard, and you are confident there are no holes from ground hogs and such, you can buy a ball with a bell in it. Buddy can still hear fine, and will quickly catch on to the new game of 'fetch.' Of course, it helps if he USED to play fetch, one of my dogs just watches the ball, then looks at me: you threw it, you go get it.

    If you took him for walks around the neighborhood, you can also still do that. You need to watch for the sewer grates, a dog normally will walk around those, you will want to be sure you move the ensure his feet don't fall in the holes.
    .

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    412
    Thank you! I'm going to start a new thread for ideas for helping him.
    Owned by my baby and heart-dog Lolli.

    If each pet we love takes a part of our heart and replaces it with a part of theirs, my heart is a very strange collection of pieces, but I wouldn't have it any other way


    Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go, and then do it. --Ann Landers

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Copyright © 2001-2013 Pet of the Day.com