Faith- a potentially sight impaired foster...

[Cataholic]

Hi all. I am fostering Faith, a younger shep x, just spayed this Friday. So, she is resting with us for the week before she heads on to her rescue in Canada. The shelter told the rescue Faith was near blind, perhaps seeing only shadows.

I have had her up with us since Saturday am, so two full days. I have taken her outside, on a couple of short walks, and observed her in the house. She is very timid, and really doesn't come off of her blanket/crate at all.

I have yet to see anything that makes me say, "yep, she has sight issues". Her eyes are kind of squinty, and she doesn't make eye contact, but I have had dogs before that don't make eye contact. She plays and zooms around outside, has never run into anything, and walks up and down steps fine. She balked big time with the open concept of my stairs...but I have had plenty of dogs do that before.

Anyone have any experience with a sight impaired dog? Someone told me I could shine a flashlight into her eyes and if something happened, with the retina, it was telling. I can't remember exactly what the person said, and it sounded kind of hookie. Seems like the same test I do to test the Wii sensor, LOL.

Sight impaired or not, she is still a beautiful girl, and will go on to rescue next Saturday am. Just looking for some insight. TIA.

[Freedom]

My Sugar was blind w/ cataracts when we adopted her; she has since had surgery, and new lens implants, both eyes.

This is what the eye specialist did to determine how much sight she had:

Dog up on the exam table (you could use the kitchen counter).
First, drop a cotton ball -- you want something with NO smell, and NO noise when it lands. Hold it dog's muzzle gently, so she can't move her head, and drop the ball first on the right, then on the left. So, you are testing each eye.

Next, do the same with a Q-tip.

If the dog tracks the item, then she sees it.

Hope that helps!

[kaycountrygal]

I sure hope she doesnt have vision problems.

Freedom: That was interesting and informative.

[lizbud]

If she shows no signs & does all that you have seen her do, I'd take the
rescue's info with a dose of salt. They do the best they can, but they deal
everyday with so many dogs, they could be mistaken.

Freedom's advice on a test sounds like a truer test of vision.

[Cataholic]

Thanks, everyone.

Oddly, I took her on a brief walk yesterday, and saw my neighbor. She said, "what is wrong with her eyes"? Something does seem off about the physical appearance of her eyes...just not sure it is her sight.

Freedom, I will do that test, maybe tonight. Do you think I need to don a white lab coat, or will my typical after work garb of natty sweats work? :D

[Freedom]

Oh come on, lol, you don't want to have a white background for the cotton ball test! :D WHERE FUSHCIA! :cool:

[lizbud]

Johanna, I was thinking what you said about her squinting and found
this info that might explain that. It could be her eyelashes are the problem
and not the eyes themselves. Just some info.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2023236/distichiasis_eyelash_problems_in_dogs.html?cat=70

[Cataholic]

Liz- that article is very interesting. I am going to print it and send it on to the rescue. Thanks!!