He will adjust ....

Dogs use scent as their primary sense in getting around in the world
I had a dog that lived to be 18
and we had taken him to the vet when he was 16 or so because of the usual old age things arthritis and such but the vet came out and said
You know that hes blind right?

We had no idea
He was getting around fine
He seemed very happy
So happened that during his last year he also went deaf
If it is catarax ... and something that can be easily taken care of
correct it but he will not be bumping into walls and having problems forever

Dec 08 there was a Yorkie pup, Kirby, who was born blind w/no eyes. He is in a great forever home in SC. If you would like, I can pm you his "Dad's" email address (w/his permission) and you can correspond.

Kirby is doing great:). If anyone would like the updates, I will be glad to post them, but where on Yorkie Talk can they be posted.

WOW - Wonderful :p

You can start an Update on Kirby thread in the Rescue Section or even the General Section ;)

I had cataract surgery done on our Mini Schnauzer. It was very expensive and not totally successful. I would recomend doing only one eye. Her retina detached in one eye after the surgery and she only has one good eye with limited vision. They were unable to implant a lens because the capsule that holds the lens had ruptured. Ask your vet about Rimadyl. It is good for the inflamation. PM me if you have any questions. Sounds like you are doing everything right. It just takes time for them to adjust, but mine is doing very well.

Tritsy,
If your baby cannot see, please make sure you don't put him on the sofa or any other elevated surface. If you feel you must, close off other rooms to him so he doesn't have as far to roam. If he has problems finding his pee pad, further restrict him to a smaller area. I have an X=pen set up on a 5'x7' rug right here in my living room. The rug only costs about $20 at WalMart. Under the rug, I spread a shower curtain liner to protect my tile. This way, my dogs who can see, can see me and the ones who can't see can at least hear me and/or the TV so they know they are not alone. Please don't feel too bad if you find out he is not a good candidate for surgery for the cataracts. I've had a lot of blind Yorkies and you will soon become amazed at how well they can cope with it. I actually think they can cope with it better than we can. Just last month, I drove to California and picked up 10 month old Kirby who was born without eyes. He truly is a remarkable little dog. Since he has never had vision, he doesn't really understand what he's missing. He's a lively boy who jumps up and down to show me how excited he is that I'm home. I've also got an older dog who used to have vision but lost it as he aged. Since he lost his vision slowly over a period of a couple of years, he learned to adapt as the blindness advanced. He's still with me and he still loves to go outside. He has learned to move slowly to keep from running into things. He does that outside as well as inside. Kirby on the other hand is still a lively puppy and would charge into things 'full speed ahead'. Eventually, he learned not to go into certain areas of inside the house as well as in the yard. Just love that dog, keep him safe, but it's not necessary to coddle him although I know from experience that you will. LOL He'll be fine, believe me. You'll be amazed to see what he is capable of doing all by himself. If you need more help, please write to me privately at richere@yahoo.com
I will also be able to send you photos of Kirby or Timmy as well. While still livng in CA, I also adopted Miss Wuzie out of a shelter when she was 17 years of age and already deaf and blind. (she was an owner turn in and I still curse them for dumping her at the shelter) I had her for another wonderful 2 years before I had to help her to Rainbow Bridge. My Mr. Jones was found wandering the highway in the high desert North of Los Angeles. Fortunately, he was picked up by Animal Control and taken to the safety of the shelter. I picked him up the next day and brought him home with me. He was the sickest little dog I've ever had to get well. He had a really bad case of Kennel Cough that I had to treat. He was also old as dirt, deaf and blind. I had to hydrate him subcutaneously for about 2 weeks before the 3 antibiotics he was prescribed began taking effect. I was also able to have him with me for another 2 years before he finally decided to go off food. All these dogs showed me how well blind dogs can cope to new surroundings and new people and new dogs.
Ric

You are all so wonderfully sweet and knowledgeable!!! UPDATE: We went to the specialist on monday, and he is an excellent candidate, but due to the very rapid loss of vision and swelling, i needed to do the surgery immediately.... so, 2.7k later, tuesday morning, he had cataract surgery. implants in both eyes, and it was done using the same method as on humans. i am now beyond broke (my mom said i should put him down.. sigh... and really i'm not adopted lol), but sammy is SO happy!!! we got home from the surgery and he RAN around the house, tried to go up the stairs (not allowed for 2 weeks), ran to his litter box and used it! it was a rough night-he would NOT sleep! he just looked and looked! though he has to wear the e-collar for 2 weeks, and have lots of drops, he is great. he is expected to have full vision in one eye, and close to full in the other, but if it was never been than it is now, it would be wonderful! i forgot how much energy he had! I'm glad the vet said the surgery was required, because i was not sure if i could afford it, and figured he would adjust, so i was somewhat debating.... naw, i would have done it anyway :) we do what we can for our babies, right?

THANK YOU, YT FOLKS!

Thanks for the update! I had just found your thread for the first time, and my heart was breaking when I read about him bumping into things. I'm so glad that he's had surgery and it seems to have gone well!

Please continue to update us on his progress...I'm sure we'd all love pics (or even a video;)) of him getting around!

What a wonderful update! I am so glad Sammy has his vision back!

Tritsy
 

I am so glad to know this problem has been solved with a very good outcome. Please do continue to keep us updated about little Sammie.
Ric :)

What wonderful news!!!! Please continue to keep us updated. Hugs!!! :) GO SAMMY!!!!

Our little 3.5 lb Papillion, Spicy is 97 % blind and the other dogs take care of her. She cannot see food in front of her face. At first she fell down the stairs and bumped into everything. Now she doesn't even seem blind. She still cannot see anything but light and shadows but she has adjusted beyond my wildest imagination.

I actually though she would break her neck before she finally learned how to navigate without sight. Our Yorkie Mandy will make sure Spicy gets food and treats! We do make sure not to move things around to much as she will bump into something and bark like "what was that! where did it come from!"


Hang in there it gets easier.

Hi there! Well...........Truman my rescue is pretty much blind too and does GREAT! He loves to go on walks and will follow behind me all over the house. Yes he has run into the fence and even walked off the back stairs before but now that he has been here for a while he has even started to go up and down the stairs. :D Once they adjust to their new environment it does get much better. Truman will follow my voice all over the yard and house. I also do a lot of clapping and he responds to that really well too. On the leash he is wonderful! We had him on the trials for a walk last weekend and he was so happy that he was prancing....wouldn't have even know he was not able to see. I hope that you get a good prognosis from the eye surgeon. Good luck!:)

ANOTHER GREAT MOMENT! As you may know from his profile, sammy is a puppy mill (hell) rescue. I just got home from work, and let him out of his area, and he RACED around the house!! he has trotted before, when he had some sight, but he truly ran at top speed!!! The joy in my baby is worth every single late i can no longer afford :) oh, and for those of you who have dogs with cataracts, if you have not checked into the surgery, know that, at least in the case of my surgeon, he said that almost EVERY dog he operates on comes out with good (at least) vision... but not every dog is a candidate, and some vets will operate without doing the ultrasound and other tests....

SAMMY AND I ARE SOOOO HAPPY

WONDERFUL news!!!! I just love happy endings!!! :)

On another note... I have to chuckle b/c as I write this my little guy is RUNNING around the house barking at some phantom sound he heard that the house let out...lol... his chest is all puffed out in furry...lol

Oh I am so happy for you and Sammy!!!
What wonderful news!!!! Offering up the "happy dance" for Sammy:D
Please keep us posted with up dates.