My 3 lb. yorkie 'Greta' is 11 yrs. old and now has PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy).
My 11 yr. old baby Greta is almost completely blind now.
The beginning symptoms were: occasionally not wanting to jump up on the usual sofa or chair, etc. but lying in the floor instead. Occasionally not wanting to jump off the outdoor patio and run and chase squirrels. Sometimes running into walls, missing the steps or doorways completely.
We just thought she was being too hyper and too excited and got careless, but it got worse and worse, so we took her in and the vet said to take her to an eye specialist....we did, hoping we could get the cataract surgery and all would be fine, but instead we found out she had genetic PRA. No surgery, no cure.
So we're taking Ocu Glo vitamins and learning how to live and play and take walks, with a blind 3 lb baby.
I now have a doggie stroller and we don't move ANY furniture around anymore.
We do however, believe in prayer and miracles....so we're praying, hoping and loving every day.
I've read so much about PRA, I'd love to help if any of your babies have it and you want to talk. I have to stay strong, or I'd just hug her and cry all day long. She doesn't understand...she wants me to help her, but mommy can't help her see. It breaks our hearts, but we try to keep her happy and we cleared out a huge room and finally got her to play 'fetch-the-ball' again. Her little tail wags and wags when she hears the little 'practice golf ball' rolling on the stone floor.
She still doesn't like to go for walks, she's just too unsure, but I think we can work through it, or maybe playing fetch is enough exercise?