Dog Community

Cujo woke up blind yesterday

Posted : 2/5/2008 1:25:13 PM

At first I thought he had injured his leg or something because he wouldnt jump off the bed, then he wouldn't go down steps. Later we were playing with his favorite ball and he couldn't see it unless was right in frount of him. He went to the vet and they suspect SARDS but he really doesn't fit. It mostly happens to older overweight female dogs and he is only 3 perfect weight and male. He has no vision in his right eye and very little in his left. His pupils are dilated. He is going to a speacialist Thursday. Just hoping someone might know of a treatable reason for sudden blindness. Anything to give me some hope.

Julie

minimom

Posted : 2/5/2008 2:00:06 PM

Oh, geez, I'm sorry to hear that Julie. The Specialist will be able to rule out or diagnose SARDS fairly easily with a Renital Scan. One of my boys was afflicted with SARDS two years ago and he lost the majority of his sight within a couple of days. He retained a "sliver" of sight in one eye for a few months after diagnosis, but he eventually lost that as well. My boy was 8 at the time and at a healthy weight. Sending good vibes to you and Cujo. I hope it isn't SARDS, but I can't think of anything else that causes sudden blindness....not saying there isn't something out there, I just don't know what it would be. But....my dog's VO did tell me that he's had a few cases of dogs with SARDS regaining their eyesight....rare, but apparently possible. And someone sent me some info awhile back about experimental treatment/surgery being conducted for dogs blinded by SARDS. Perhaps there is a treatment in the future. My best wishes to you. I know you are probably reeling right now. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I'll keep you in my thoughts and if I can answer any questions or if you just need someone to talk to, I'm here.

jessies_mom

Posted : 2/5/2008 2:10:03 PM

I don't have any advice to offer; just wanted to let you know I'll be sending good vibes your way. I hope Cujo's sight can be restored. <>

juliekay

Posted : 2/5/2008 2:24:01 PM

Thanks I keep telling myself he will adapt if it can't be but right now he is pretty bewildered. . I just had to take stormy in last week and they found nothing wrong so believed it was stress related. Maybe thats whats causing this with Cujo?

sl2crmeg

Posted : 2/5/2008 2:39:37 PM

Oh man, I have no idea, but (hugs) for Kujo.

minimom

Posted : 2/6/2008 1:20:38 PM

juliekay

I keep telling myself he will adapt if it can't be but right now he is pretty bewildered. . I just had to take stormy in last week and they found nothing wrong so believed it was stress related. Maybe thats whats causing this with Cujo?

Such a sudden onset of vision loss is very bewildering for them. :( Here are some things you can do to help him out. Start using different scents to signify different places, such as his crate, the door to go out, food/water area, toys, etc. Try to make his normal pathways through the house as wide as possible and avoid placing hard furniture where he's likely to bump into something. Take a good look at furniture placement for any really dangerous possibilities. For instance, an end table next to a sofa. If Cujo jumps (or slips) off a piece of furniture at an odd angle, what might he hit? Be aware of anything inside and outside the house that might stick out at eye/head level. If you don't already, I'd recommend keeping him confined when you aren't home until you figure out what's going on.

I continue to hold good thoughts that this will be something reversible. I know you have been through a very rough time and I'm just so sorry that you now have to go through this.

cakana

Posted : 2/6/2008 1:25:30 PM

I don't have any experience with this type of thing but I did want to say that I'm thinking of you and hope that you hear some positive news soon.

BCMixs

Posted : 2/6/2008 1:27:17 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about this. Poor Cujo! Sad I don't have any direct experience but there's a couple of Aussies that come to our dog park. One was born with no eyes. The owners tie a bell on the collar of the other one and the blind one uses it as sort of a guide dog. It stays with the belled one and does really great, even with a bunch of other unknown dogs zooming around it. It probably didn't have any adjustment to go through as Cujo will, but it might help him to follow your other dog around for a while as he gets his bearings.

I'm keeping you in my thoughts and hope that as the Cujo from TV has done, your Cujo is able to live a happy and full life despite his health issue.

Hugs!

erica1989

Posted : 2/6/2008 1:43:13 PM

oh wow! I've dealt with a few dogs that became blind - and they did adjust very well. Almost to the point where you couldn't tell with the one. She used to be able to see, and was attacked by the other dog in the house.

juliekay

Posted : 2/6/2008 5:39:55 PM

I had to reschedule his appointment. This darn storm we are getting got me nervous. Its a three and a half hour drive there. Its now scheduled for next tuesday at 9 am

GraniasBard

Posted : 2/6/2008 6:11:29 PM

Oh, man--praying for you and Cujo! <3

jessies_mom

Posted : 2/6/2008 7:43:04 PM

juliekay
I had to reschedule his appointment. This darn storm we are getting got me nervous

The storms have been awful; it's probably best that you rescheduled. It would have been risky to make the trip.

westiegirl3

Posted : 2/6/2008 9:36:48 PM

I am sorry to hear about Cujo. I can only imagine what you are going through. You both are in my prayers and thoughts. Also sending puppy hugs your way. Keep us updated on how he is doing!

sandra_slayton

Posted : 2/7/2008 12:44:24 PM

Many years ago my Grandma's dog went blind. Dottie lived several more years and once he adjusted was quite happy. She never left anything out of place and he could zip around in tahe house with no problm. yes, Dottie was a HE. He showed up as a stray a few months after my Grandpa died and my grandma took him in and because he had black spots, she named him Dottie. She had never allowed a dog in the house--perfect house keeper--until Dottie and he was even allowed on her bed--which even us grandkids were not allowed to do. She loved him so much and I think that helps with any ailment a dog gets...lost of love and TLC

calliecritturs

Posted : 2/9/2008 1:23:21 PM

Sorry, been crazy with work --

MY suggestions (I've had a couple of blind or near blind dogs). Take him ON LEASH thru the house -- literally walk him thru the house talking ALL the way. He won't 'get' it all but he WILL 'get' not only the comfort but he will remember and connect things with what he saw. LIke:

"Ok -- here's the back door. Right 2 steps to the fridge, then the stove (urge him to touch his nose to each) -- then as you approach the door you can even 'count' steps. They actually *do* count -- they have no real meaning of the numbers BUT they do remember the progression of our spoken word and they'll hear it in their own memory later "1, 2, 3, 4, DOORWAY" then literally talk him all the way around the house that way.

They do learn/know 'right' from 'left' -- (Rally dogs use it all the time)

Then on another pass (on leash again so you can stop/start him as need be) take one particular scent of oil just for doorways. Be REAL minimal and he'll find that scent long after YOU are unaware of it.

Be VERY consistent in how you mark doorways -- only one side is necessary and either mark it on the south or north side of all so he always knows which side he's on (and he'll smell it from the other side of the doorway -- just give him consistency). As that scent fades he'll have learned it.

But use one particular scent for 'danger' -- like this is the stair to the cellar or this is the edge of the deck.

You can also mark stairs (one scent for 'down' and one for 'up';). As long as he's still young enough to not wander off a flight of stairs you shouldn't have to gate it off.

If you move furniture, take him over and SHOW him. He'll truly be zooming around soon and he will greatly appreciate you taking non-scaredy time to SHOW him what he already actually knows.