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Hi! I was on this board afew years ago when my Darby had back surgry and you were all a wonderful blessing and helped me so much. Well now, Darby has just been diagnosed with sudden retinal degeneration. He basically has gone blind in a matter of days and there is no cure. I was wondering if any one else has gone through this and what suggestions you may have to help me make this easier on my baby boy doxie. FYI - Darby is a 10 year old, red smoothie, mini. Thank for any suggestions you may have!
Don't know about that condition, but our Angel Emma was blind for the last few years of her life, due to diabetes. Let me tell you she did not slow down one bit, most people did not realise she was blind.
What we did was kept the furniture in the same place, don't move water bowls etc. Try and leave doors fully open. We have always had a patoooie mat on the kitchen floor so she had bearings. The ramp from the back door we put edges so she could not go off the edges.
Remember they are scent hounds and rely a lot more on their sense of smell than sight, a trick I read somewhere is to put some scented oil on the edge of things so they know where the edge of things are, food was never a problem, funny about that!
She did not like going for walks in the city, but she got enough walking the garden etc, but up bush she RAN, we used to put a red jacket on her and just watch as she chased down scents, but never let her out on her own. Then again once, we looked out of the kitchen window to see her full gallop down the hill, she unlike the other two had managed to get out the blocked cat flap.
Just be prepared to do nose mark removal from about every surface.
Email me at any time
Roberta
I was able to take Darby home from the Vet tonight. I am surprised how well he is doing. He bumps his nose alot, but it doesn't slow him down any! It was great when they took him out to me. I could tell he couldn't see me. But as soon as I said his name, he started wiggling and crying for me. Boy, did I get a face wash! These little dogs never cease to amaze me! I can't think I would take such a drastic, sudden change to my life as well as he is.
Thanks! It's great to hear a happy story. I'm more nervous not knowing what to expect and how much to protect him. I am starting to see that with alittle common sense not much else needs to change. Thanks again
Boy you sure have been through a lot...but he is obviously VERY loved and that alone will be all he needs from you to do well. He'll take care of the rest. :) He sounds like an amazing little spirit and I'm sure he teaches you a lot. Please keep us posted on his progress, many prayers coming to you both!
You are going to take this a lot harder than Darby will. As far as Darby knows this is the natural order of things. One thing animals can't do that we can is think "poor me" or "why did this have to happen to me". I had a boy who was deaf and then went blind in the last 4 years of his life. It just about broke my heart but as it turned out He got around just fine. He always was at the door to greet me when I got home, he followed me from room to room, and as I didn't move things around much, he learned to get around my apartment just fine. On our walks he stuck close and sensed from my movements how to navigate. I think they can see more with their noses than we can possibly imagine.
I am glad that Darby has such a loving home and you to care and love him !!! You have gotten some good information already - I really have none - other than to love him and be patient and you will both find the way !!! Smoochies and rays to Darby !
Hi there,
Sorry to hear about your boy. SARDS is actually pretty common in dachsies--and it's pretty mysterious. I have a friend whose dog went blind from this--it was the first time I'd ever heard about it. They really don't know what causes it, and there's lots of ongoing research about it. If it makes you feel any better, her boy led a pretty darned normal life, considering he was blind. Still had the run of the house and still managed to get into lots of dachsie trouble.
I'd recommend a couple things.
First, join the blinddogs list. Tell them about your dog and ask for suggestions:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blinddogs/
Second, get ahold of a couple really good books by Caroline Levin. She's got one on living with a blind dog, and also one called "Dogs Diet and Disease" which has recently been updated to include some information on SARDS. You can get the books here:
http://www.petcarebooks.com/
There are quite a few links with info on this disease. Just google 'sudden acquired retinal degeneration'
Hope that helps. Hang in there. First few weeks adjustment are the hardest.
MaryAnne