Sophie going blind
 

My little Sophie, a 5 year old puppy mill rescue has a bad cataract in the right eye. We were treating her with prednisone eye drops for inflammation. The opthamologist was concerned because the retina didn't respond well to light. Finally we had the ultrasound and ERG done. Bad news. The retinas haven't detached but the right eye reading was 18.5 and the left eye was 63.7. She also has 3 opaque areas on the left. I ask about glaucoma but she wasn't concerned because her pressures were low just 2weeks previously. She checked just to make sure everything was unchanged. Her pressure in the right eye was 67. So now she has cataracts, PRA and glaucoma. No surgery will help. I don't see her getting adopted so. need to prepare to take care of her. I've read a lot about safety but don't know time frames to get her used to everything. She still runs in the back yard but won't go out at night or go into dark rooms so I assume she has at least some night blindness in her one eye. I understand it progresses fairly fast in some breeds but can't find info on yorkies specifically. We started her on supplements for vision but her vet doesn't think they'll help too much but certainly can't hurt. She's also on drops for her glaucoma and prednisone. Any other advise, and prayers appreciated.

I'm so sad that little Sophie is losing her sight. Since she can still see, I'm wondering if it'd be a good idea to give her some practice now with one of those halo harnesses for blind dogs?
Take care,

I'm so sorry that little Sophie is losing her sight, but glad you're on top of it. Was the pressure in her eye 67 before or after treating with drops? Did the drops bring the pressure down? Glaucoma is extremely painful, and once the pressures start spiking like that, they are very hard to control. Once my little one's pressures started spiking into the 50's range, we spent a few months chasing the pressures with various drops which were expensive and did not work well or for long, trying to save an eye that she couldn't see out of anyway. Near the end of the chase, she was on five different drops, giving each three times per day. That's 15 different doses of eye meds, and none of them could be given at the same time. I spent at least three hours per day just medicating her, trying to save the eye. And all for nothing anyway, because Glaucoma always wins in the end. With pressure spikes like that, Sophie has probably already lost the vision in the eye anyway, and if she hasn't already, she will soon. It is probably time to start exploring your options for enucleation (removing the eyeball).

I know, it sounds - ICK - but as surgeries go it wasn't bad at all, and she felt so much better. Happier, more active, more alert, once that painful mass of an eyeball was gone. My girl checked in first thing in the morning, had her surgery around noon, and was released at 5:00 pm with bright blue stitches holding her eyelid closed and wearing the cone of shame. She needed pain meds (tramadol) for about 3 days, and was fully recovered in two weeks when her stitches came out and she could ditch the cone.

My girl has now lost both of her eyes to glaucoma. She had enucleation in one eye and chemical ablation in the other, and became completely blind at 13. Honestly, we don't even notice the missing eyeball anymore, and she's cute as a button and has adapted really well to her blindness. We're a little more careful now to keep things out of her way, because she still has one eyeball that she can't see out of anyway, and I worry about her bumping into something and injuring it. But she can do just about everything she could do before she lost her vision. She finds her way around the house easily, still sleeps on the bed (although I'll admit to taking the frame of the bed away and we now sleep on a box springs and mattress on the floor LOL), she goes up and down stairs on her own, still goes outside to potty, and is very happy and content.

There is an excellent blind dogs list on Yahoo that you might want to check out. It is a pretty active list, and they deal with all kinds of diseases of the eye including PRA, glaucoma, etc. I was scared stiff in the beginning, and the thought of my girl going blind sent me over the edge. I learned so much from that list about how to help my girl adapt to her loss of vision. It's been three years since she was diagnosed with glaucoma, two and a half years since she lost the first eye, and one and a half years since she lost the second one. Honestly, I don't even think about her being blind anymore. We have three dogs. Two males, and she's the only female. And she is still the alpha dog in our house!

Good luck with little Sophie. I can't imagine her being un-adoptable just because she's blind. I'd take on another blind dog in a heartbeat, and many on the yahoo list have adopted dogs that are already blind or quickly losing their vision. Yes, it takes a special kind of person to adopt a special needs dog, but I don't consider blind dogs to be handicapped. Get those eyes fixed up or out of there and I'm sure you will be able to find her a forever home!

Diana

My Paris went blind from PRA in his last years and I wrote a blog with some of the ideas I used to help him cope. He adjusted very well. The link for the blog is in my signature. I hope you can find some ideas that will help you.

I think we are more traumatized then our babies when this happens. I have just recently ordered a halo vest for my Presley who became blind in the last 3 months. It helps protect them from bumping into things with their head. It should come in the next couple of weeks. I'm hoping it helps my baby. It doesn't bring his eyesight back, but it should help him from getting a concussion.

Your baby is relatively young as well, and may adapt better. Presley is 17 and having to deal with this. I'm just thankful it didn't happen till this year.

Good luck.

We just started the drops for the glaucoma but she doesn't act like she's in pain. When she does we'll go ahead and have the eye removed. She still has vision in the other eye, although it is getting worse. What I'd like to know is there a typical time frame before the vision is totally lost or is the combination of PRA and cataract going to throw that off. I will probably get her a halo vest just in case but she seems to get around fine right now, except in dim light. We just make sure a light is left on. And if nobody else wants her she has her forever home.

Honestly, I don't know about the cataracts and PRA, but what I do know is that, with glaucoma, once the pressures are starting to spike up into the high 60's and 70's you won't be able to control them for long. What we experienced is that a particular medication would work for a short time (days or weeks) then lose effectiveness, and we'd have to add another kind of drop and then another and another. With our girl, for the first eye it was about 4 or 5 months from dx of glaucoma until she had to have the eye removed. Her optic nerve was already destroyed anyway from the glaucoma so she had no vision left in that eye. And she was in pain. A year later, glaucoma hit her other eye. We knew she was not a surgical candidate at that point as she has chronic bronchitis so we would have to do the chemical ablation. Once the pressures are spiking high, ablation isn't an option, so we fought it with the drops for maybe three months, then threw in the towel and had the procedure done. She still had some very slight vision left at that point but her pressures were spiking into the sixties and we knew she was in pain, so we sacrificed the little vision she had left and just did it. Dogs are stoic and often don't show their pain, but your vet should have explained to you that glaucoma is very painful - like having a severe migraine times ten - and a pressure spike near 70 is going to cause pain. Give Sophie some snuggles and belly rubs from us. I bet she's quite a cutie. Good luck with her. I hope you are able to find her a forever home.

Diana and Scooby

I'm so sorry to hear about Sophie. All of our prayers are for her and for you. Our dog Oliver has junior cataracts. He is almost three years old. Thank God he was a candidate for surgery. He's had his first surgery and he is doing fine. He has to have another one shortly.

I am sorry to hear about Sophie/Morgan has glaucoma in both eyes but we are able to keep his pressures normal with the eye drops

If dogs eyes are anything like humans a pressure reading in the sixties is unheard of!! Steroids to reduce inflammation will cause the pressure to increase. How do I know? I have been dealing with it myself. Steroids help one problem but can cause another. Hopefully the pressure lowering drops will work for her because that high pressure will damage her optic nerve, as it keeps the blood supply from getting there. See the best vetrinary opthamologist you can, as this is tricky stuff to treat.

We are seeing an opthamologist who has an excellent reputation and I trust totally. Whenever we ask for a reference she is who is recommended. We have to continue the prednisone because of the cataracts. With the PRA, cataracts and glaucoma we know she we be blind. The question is how long before she is totally blind. The prednisone seems to be helping the functioning eye and the pressures are normal at this point. With the readings from the ERG we know that eye will lose vision also.

It is so sad that a young pup like yours will go blind.:( Best wishes!

The glaucoma meds seem to be working. She goes friday for a pressure check but is already behaving like a puppy. For the first time ever she actually played with Felix, my maltese. The opthamologist didn't think she was in pain but she must have been. The eye even looks less swollen. She still doesn't like going into dark areas but with the PRA that won't improve.

Just went back for a pressure check and basically no change in pressure. The vet thinks that the pressures may be fluxuating which is why she has a few playful days. We were given 3 options, plus adding more meds, but it all comes down that enuclation will be enevitable so we'll be making arrangements as soon as I know when I get a long stretch of days off. I only work 3 days a week and try to schedule them together. My daughter, who will graduate from nursing school next month, is certainly qualified to stay with her but Sophie is comfortable with me so I do want to be with her ad much as possible. I don't think there will be much adjustment since she is already blind in the eye. Just have to keep a close watch on the other eye. We'll keep her on pain meds of course but have already started since they feel she's in pain from the glaucoma.

The opthamologist I use does not recommend removing the eye. You might want to ask the opthamologist you use if there are other options. I had a foster whose eye was injected with gentamycin...it cannot always be done because the dose needed is sometimes too much for a smaller pup. Just a thought. :)

I have a foster who came to me when he was eight. Sadly, his owner did not tell me he was losing his sight...he was terrified at first. Did not take long for me to figure out he was having vision issues...turned out it was PRA. He also has cataracts. I wish I could remember how long it took ... I don't think it was all that long before I felt he could not see at all. Maybe a year? No one has even applied for him and he is precious...he just turned 13. His name is Gizmo. Gizmo is a love...he knows his way around my home and does very well. I just make sure his environment does not change. I have another boy...my own pup, George, who was diagnosed with glaucoma last year. He already had cataracts. He had glaucoma in one eye and amazingly he no longer has it!!! He sees the eye doctor ever six months...at his last appointment he was taken off his eye drops. I never knew glaucoma could go away like that!

Bless you for taking care of that baby. I wish more people knew how wonderful these special needs pups are.

One of the options we were given was the injections to stop fluid production which should help with the pressure and therefore the pain but she thinks the chances of it working is low and that removal is inevitable. I just want her to be free from pain. If people can't see beyond her vision, or lack of, then they aren't the right family for her. I would love to see her go to a home where she would be the only spoiled princess but if no she'll be loved by us. I realize that not everyone has the time or ability to take a special needs dog but they miss out on a lot. So many who come to us for adoption want a dog who's 5 lbs, house trained, doesn't bark, good with kids and othet pets , leash trained, perfect coat and no health issues. When you find one of these, eitherwith a breeder or a rescue pick one up for me. Sorry about the sarcasm but the last few days have sucked.

You left out female.

It is true, BUT while the majority may want perfect, there are awesome homes out there who love the pups no matter what. We just have to be patient and wait for them to appear! :)

If Sophie is strong enough to undergo surgery to remove the eye, it is the best option. We just lost our blind poodle this weekend. She had one enucleation and a gentamycin injection in the other eye. The enucleation was a little tougher recovery, but much better in the long run. Blind dogs do great in houses with multiple dogs or in single dog homes. Don't limit her chances to find a forever home. My yorkie led my blind girl around and they were best buddies.

Diana and Scooby

I am curious as to why you think the enucleation is better. The opthamologist told me how painful it is...and with one of my fosters we did the gentamycin and it worked out fine. Just curious since you have had both done.

LadyJane, you are right. We have had both, on the same dog. I have a couple of reasons for preferring the enucleation. First, once the eyeball is gone, it's gone. No further problems. As long as the eyeball is there, it is a risk. For infection or injury. Months after the gentamyacin injection, our girl got a horrible infection from running into a small piece of grass. The surgery was not a breeze, but she only required pain meds for about three days after her enucleation surgery and then she was up and moving and happier than she'd been for a long time. Also the chemical used for the ablation, gentamyacin, is an antibiotic that is very hard on the kidneys. We had to have a kidney profile done prior to the injection to make sure her kidneys were functioning okay. And they were, so that was not an issue. But it can cause kidney problems after the procedure. Also, it took about 3 or 4 months for her pressures to drop fully. So we were paying for the treatment, plus the pressure checks, plus the eye drops, for quite some time. While the injection was cheaper in the short term, it turned out to be more expensive for us in the long run when considering the drops, pressure checks, and treating the infection she got later. It's an individual choice, and the gentamyacin shot is a good choice for a dog that cannot handle a major surgery, but I would choose enucleation whenever possible. Like I said, everyone looks at it in their own way, but if my dog could have handled a second major surgery I would have chosen enucleation hands down.

Diana and Scooby

I kind of get that, but they are at risk if they have good eyes, too. It does end up being a bit of a pain until the eye actually shrinks....I did have quite a few visits for a while. It took some time for Gabby's eye to shrink. You are right about the Gentamycin...they really cannot do it with a smaller pup...the dose it takes often is too much for the pup to handle. It is a balancing act. I still don't know if I would go with the enucleation if I could avoid it ... if the only issue were the possibility of injury or infection. But..it is an individual choice. Thanks for sharing! :)

Gentamycin can also be ototoxic. I don't think I would want to risk her being blind and deaf.

Just wanted to say how sorry I am over the loss of your poodle. May he/she Rest In Peace at the Rainbow Bridge. And may you find peace. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

One small suggestion from someone who has zero experience - so take it for what it's worth - we have a strip of bells at the back door for Pluto and he rings the bells when he wants to go outside to do his business.

The cats have been ringing the bell strip too now wanting to go out to their catio. I was thinking that if you installed an auditory option now - that when the time comes and your dog bumps into the bells it's a way for her to identify the location of outside - and tell you what she wants.

We also have wind chimes outside and I'm wondering if that would help with directional orientation for Sophie down the road. We also have a water fountain for the animals inside that makes a nice trickling sound - which could be another homing device like thing you could have already in place to aid in easy identification of her feeding bowl and water, etc.

Hope these help.

Hello
I actually don't have a Yorkie but I was researching my dog's health condition on dog forums and I joined specifically to answer this post.
I used to have a blind dog as does a neighbour. Hers is a young 'rescue' collie who was kept tethered up most of his life. Even with no sight he has settled into his new home and you wouldn't realise he can't see. He knows his way round the house and he walks off the lead (we live in a rural area) He knows the route for his walks and he knows where every obstacle is. For example halfway down the lane, there is a farm gate which is sometimes closed - he knows exactly where it is and automatically walks round it - even when it is open. He even runs free in the field. She calls him back if he looks like he is going to run into a tree but that rarely happens as he has learnt where everything is. Plus it's as if his other senses are heightened. The other day a cat walked past the door of the house and he smelled it and gave chase!
So just to say a dog with no sight is not as disabled as you might think. Because their other senses are so much better than ours. :thumbup:

well she had the enucleation yesterday. The opthamologist felt she would feel less pain from the eye removal than she was feeling from the glaucoma and she seems to be right. Of course it could also be the pain meds. She sits and stares at the wall like it is the most wonderful thing she has ever seen. She came home and was able to eat a little and keep it down, then started staring at the wall. We'll see what happens next.

that is what I am so afraid of with morgan// even though his pressures are in the normal range

I was so glad to read this post, and to know that Sophie has gotten rid of that yucky old glaucoma that was causing her pain. My dog only needed tramadol for about three days after her enucleation, and then she was off and running. Let us know how Sophie does. One eyed dogs are very cute, btw.

Diana and Scooby

I know this is late but wanted to post an update. Sophie had surgery 16 days ago. I felt like I was abandoning her when I left her at the vets but withing 5 days she was acting perfectly normal. By 10 days she was as wild as a terrier should be. Prior to surgery she move from her bed to the couch and back to her bed. After she got into the closets, scattering tings everywhere. Then she pulled out all the toys and chased the cats. It was very evident that she needed the surgery. Then today she was adopted by a wonderful couple, and their adorable sweet yorkie, who are very aware of her special needs and are willing to do what is necessary. I will miss her but she deserves the best life possible and I feel they will be able to give her everything she has earned in this life. Puppy mill dogs are special. Once you get through to them they make the most wonderful loving dogs. It's as if they appreciate what you do for them and want to give back 110%.

I am so happy to hear the happy ending to this story thanks to your loving care. How wonderful that she found a family who will treasure her and spoil her just as she deserves. Job well done!