5 month Yorkie vision challenged Hi everyone, I have a 5 month male Yorkie pup who has been declared partially blind. I have taken him to the vet and he can see somewhat but appears to have great difficulty seeing. The vet who checked him felt he had some vision but it was not cataracts but possibly his retina or optic nerve not developed properly since he was the last born. His eyes seem normal. My problem is with potty training. He is getting good about knowing when to go pee and knows to go to the door. He is terrified to go outside and down stairs. That is holding up the potty training. Any suggestions how to get him to go down stairs without being frightened? I have been gently pushing him (I repeat gently) down the stairs but he is so scared. Suggestions please. Pam and Casey |
Does he walk up stairs fine? If not then I would start by teaching him how to walk up the stairs first because that is way easier. If I were you, I would probably take my pup and sit on the stairs with him/her until they are calm. I would then take my pups favorite treats and toys and start laying treats on different steps and toys on different steps. I have never dealt with a partially blind dog, though =( So I don't know how valid that advice would be or if you have already tried it. I would just work on positive reinforcement and familiarization before anything else. |
Yes he will walk up the outside steps. He goes pretty slow but he does it. We kept putting his feet on the steps and he finally got brave. I feel he is more secure going up instead of down. He probably feels like he is going to tumble down the steps. Thanks for your suggestion. |
Did the vet check him for encephalitis? |
Can you carry him down the stairs? That way he will feel more secure. |
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This is really tuff on me....I just put myself in that baby's place....imagine how scared he is, partially blind....I can completely empathize with his fear of stairs/steps...so carry him down the stairs....hold him tight and secure and make him FEEL safe....and just carry him down the stairs, poor little soul! and contact the breeder...she needs to be aware of the issue in her puppy....she needs to be checking if this is going on with his other litter mates.....and she needs to evaluate the breeding pair and the possible propensity for these two dogs to throw eye developmental issues. |
I'd use a pee pad upstairs and let him take his time learning to use the stairs. His vision might even get worse over time, so having him pee pad trained may come in handy. I wouldn't push him, even gently. He's needs to learn to do it on his own, pushing might even make him more scared. Train him by tempting him with a treat, like a tiny piece of boiled chicken. Just a couple of steps at a time and give him a treat with lots of verbal praise. Make sure the steps are well lighted, and I agree with Yorkiemom, tell the breeder about this. |
Thanks to everyone who has offered me advice. I have notified the breeder, so she knows to check the other litter mates. I always have carried him down the stairs and we plan to build him a ramp. That is the easiest way to deal with the situation. Pam and Casey |
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Also, hydro encephalitis is common in Yorkie pups. Some are lucky and grow out of it. Excess fluid in the skull/brain can put pressure on the optic nerves (and other nerves like the ones that control respiration). Often this can be treated, and his sight can return to normal. There are medications that will reduce the fluid in the brain, and some reduce the production of fluid (CSF-cerebral spinal fluid). I highly reccommend having a Vet Neurologist evaluate your pup ASAP. |
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Poor vision I agree with Yorkiemom, if the poor dog has poor vision and is scared he should be carried or have a ramp. I see the pet mom is now taking this approach. When outside or uncertain of his environment perhaps being on a leash will give him confidence and comfort? Hope his vision is stable and that he gets accustomed to his poor vision. So sorry that he has this issue at such a young age too. Potty training is hard enough, but this certainly is more challenging. Good luck. |
Hi there, My Paris went blind late in his life but had a good life. CHeck out his blog for ideas to help you and your pup cope. |
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