Blindness In Yorkies - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Helen UK · 04-05-2005, 06:40 AM

Hi there, I have a 9 year old yorkie bitch who last week started to go round and round in small circles.

I was also aware if I gave a treat she couldn't see it. I took her to the vets who advised a eye specialist, off we went he seems to think its neurological as her pupils weren'#t dlilating on one side and sluggish on the other.

He has put her on antbiotics for two weeks to check it isn't inner ear infection ?

Has anyone else had blindness in their yorkies or even neurological problems, she is fine in every other way in the home she is adjusting, still enjoys her food and little walks

Any advice greatly appreciated as I am so upset.
Helen

eensor · 04-05-2005, 06:46 AM

Helen, My little Scruffy (RIP) was blind when I rescued him and after antibiotics he could see! Eventually he got blind and deaf, but it was amazing how well he got around. I don't think they are as aware of those things as we would be. Their other senses kick up some and they are okay. Scruff Man could always find the refrigerator!

Keep us posted on her progress. I hope she will be ok!

SoCalyorkiLvr · 04-05-2005, 06:49 AM

I just wanted to say welcome and lend my support although I cannot offer advice in this area. We love having new members join us especially from other countries. I hope your baby is better soon. What is her name?

Helen UK · 04-05-2005, 07:05 AM

Hi there again, sorry I should introduce myself I am Helen and live in Sheffield UK and have a miniature Yorkie called Molly who I adore !

Helen UK · 04-05-2005, 07:07 AM

eensor can I just ask you what they said caused the blindness, some days Mollys pupils dliate on both sides somedays they don't.

YorkieMom2 · 04-05-2005, 07:12 AM

My 16 year old Yorkie named Rodney is blind and deaf. I took him to the vet last week and she said, under very bright fluorescent lights, he might be able to see a shadow, but in the normal house setting, he wouldn’t be able to see. This was very noticeable after we rearranged some furniture, and he starting walking into it because it was now in the path he used to take to get outside. After we realized he was blind, I would stay with him when he walked around, he is now used it. Although his other senses like smell are remarkable, he could be in my bedroom sleeping and if I fry hamburger, he comes right in the kitchen and sits. The vet said other than the blindness and deafness he is in great shape. We recently brought a yorkie puppy (Diesel) home and it only took three to fours days and they are romping on the floor all day long. I think it gave Rodney a little bit of spunk back that he lost when his little pal Dusty (another yorkie) went to Rainbow Heaven 2 years ago.

Helen UK · 04-05-2005, 09:34 AM

I have left all the furniture untouched my first reaction was to make life easier for her by removing obstacles, when in fact I did the worse thing! she is ok now though, all the furniture is where she remembers it.

YorkieMom2 · 04-05-2005, 09:38 AM

I was going to put the furniture back how he remembered it, but the vet said to leave it alone, that he would realize it had been moved. we keep everything else the same.......all of his bed cushions and things.....and i have to keep after my son to pick up his stuff when he is finished with it so he wont trip over it....

Maddie-Rudy-Mom · 04-05-2005, 02:50 PM

My Max was blind and deaf the last couple of years in hes life. He had a great life for 17 years. Like Yorkiemom2 said they will ajust to there surrounding. Max could get around the house great and when I saw him get up from his bed I would take him out and put him in the same area every time and he would get a round and come back to the back door. Even being this way his other senses worked great, If I put my hand on him he knew it was me and would wag his tail, but if someone else he wouldn't. They are so smart even as they get up in age. Yorkiemom2, I bet your diesel is good for your Rodney. My 15 year old chow-Mix "Lucky" was lost with out Max but, now with Maddie and Rudy she is like a puppy again. Lucky was abused as a puppy and is blind in one eye. Lucky just loves Maddie and Rudy so much, she lets them do anything to her........Cindy

YorkieMom2 · 04-06-2005, 06:02 AM

Yes Diesel has been good for Rodney, but after a while, I can tell Rodney gets tired and needs to get away, so i pick him up and put him on the couch, since Diesel cant get on the couch yet.

spydergurl · 04-08-2005, 12:25 PM

Does anyone know what causes this blindness? Is there any way to prevent it, or is it just part of the aging process?

eensor · 04-08-2005, 12:42 PM

Helen, at first when we got Scruffy from the shelter, I think his blindness was due to his kidneys being shut down and infected. The antibiotics helped him a lot and his sight came back, although he did still have cataracts. Later on in his life, the cataracts got much worse. I'm not sure if his degenerating kidneys caused his blindness to come back, or if it was just the worsening cataract problem. I do think he could see shadows for a long time.

Let us know what happens with your baby.

Helen UK · 04-10-2005, 01:30 AM

Thanks for your messages, I am just letting you know that Molly had to be put to sleep 5am this morning, she had a brain tumour, I am devastated and can't even think of life without her.

aimee · 04-10-2005, 01:40 AM

Helen, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers during this hard time. Know we are all here for you if you need us. ::

::

Junebug · 04-10-2005, 02:01 AM

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. We will be thinking of you.

04-05-2005, 06:40 AM	#1
Helen UK YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 5	Blindness In Yorkies Hi there, I have a 9 year old yorkie bitch who last week started to go round and round in small circles. I was also aware if I gave a treat she couldn't see it. I took her to the vets who advised a eye specialist, off we went he seems to think its neurological as her pupils weren'#t dlilating on one side and sluggish on the other. He has put her on antbiotics for two weeks to check it isn't inner ear infection ? Has anyone else had blindness in their yorkies or even neurological problems, she is fine in every other way in the home she is adjusting, still enjoys her food and little walks Any advice greatly appreciated as I am so upset. Helen

04-10-2005, 01:40 AM	#14
aimee The Royal Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 2,010	Helen, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers during this hard time. Know we are all here for you if you need us. :::: __________________ (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) «´¨ `·.¸¸.Aimée, Sandy, and Tia.¸¸.·´¨`» (¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸)

04-05-2005, 06:46 AM	#2
eensor YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Effingham, Illinois Posts: 2,535	Helen, My little Scruffy (RIP) was blind when I rescued him and after antibiotics he could see! Eventually he got blind and deaf, but it was amazing how well he got around. I don't think they are as aware of those things as we would be. Their other senses kick up some and they are okay. Scruff Man could always find the refrigerator! Keep us posted on her progress. I hope she will be ok!

04-05-2005, 06:49 AM	#3
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	I just wanted to say welcome and lend my support although I cannot offer advice in this area. We love having new members join us especially from other countries. I hope your baby is better soon. What is her name?

04-05-2005, 07:05 AM	#4
Helen UK YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 5	Hi there again, sorry I should introduce myself I am Helen and live in Sheffield UK and have a miniature Yorkie called Molly who I adore !

04-05-2005, 07:07 AM	#5
Helen UK YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 5	eensor can I just ask you what they said caused the blindness, some days Mollys pupils dliate on both sides somedays they don't.

04-05-2005, 07:12 AM	#6
YorkieMom2 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 133	My 16 year old Yorkie named Rodney is blind and deaf. I took him to the vet last week and she said, under very bright fluorescent lights, he might be able to see a shadow, but in the normal house setting, he wouldn’t be able to see. This was very noticeable after we rearranged some furniture, and he starting walking into it because it was now in the path he used to take to get outside. After we realized he was blind, I would stay with him when he walked around, he is now used it. Although his other senses like smell are remarkable, he could be in my bedroom sleeping and if I fry hamburger, he comes right in the kitchen and sits. The vet said other than the blindness and deafness he is in great shape. We recently brought a yorkie puppy (Diesel) home and it only took three to fours days and they are romping on the floor all day long. I think it gave Rodney a little bit of spunk back that he lost when his little pal Dusty (another yorkie) went to Rainbow Heaven 2 years ago.

04-05-2005, 09:34 AM	#7
Helen UK YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 5	I have left all the furniture untouched my first reaction was to make life easier for her by removing obstacles, when in fact I did the worse thing! she is ok now though, all the furniture is where she remembers it.

04-05-2005, 09:38 AM	#8
YorkieMom2 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 133	I was going to put the furniture back how he remembered it, but the vet said to leave it alone, that he would realize it had been moved. we keep everything else the same.......all of his bed cushions and things.....and i have to keep after my son to pick up his stuff when he is finished with it so he wont trip over it....

04-05-2005, 02:50 PM	#9
Maddie-Rudy-Mom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 1,887	My Max was blind and deaf the last couple of years in hes life. He had a great life for 17 years. Like Yorkiemom2 said they will ajust to there surrounding. Max could get around the house great and when I saw him get up from his bed I would take him out and put him in the same area every time and he would get a round and come back to the back door. Even being this way his other senses worked great, If I put my hand on him he knew it was me and would wag his tail, but if someone else he wouldn't. They are so smart even as they get up in age. Yorkiemom2, I bet your diesel is good for your Rodney. My 15 year old chow-Mix "Lucky" was lost with out Max but, now with Maddie and Rudy she is like a puppy again. Lucky was abused as a puppy and is blind in one eye. Lucky just loves Maddie and Rudy so much, she lets them do anything to her........Cindy

04-06-2005, 06:02 AM	#10
YorkieMom2 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 133	Yes Diesel has been good for Rodney, but after a while, I can tell Rodney gets tired and needs to get away, so i pick him up and put him on the couch, since Diesel cant get on the couch yet.

04-08-2005, 12:25 PM	#11
spydergurl YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 516	Does anyone know what causes this blindness? Is there any way to prevent it, or is it just part of the aging process?

04-08-2005, 12:42 PM	#12
eensor YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Effingham, Illinois Posts: 2,535	Helen, at first when we got Scruffy from the shelter, I think his blindness was due to his kidneys being shut down and infected. The antibiotics helped him a lot and his sight came back, although he did still have cataracts. Later on in his life, the cataracts got much worse. I'm not sure if his degenerating kidneys caused his blindness to come back, or if it was just the worsening cataract problem. I do think he could see shadows for a long time. Let us know what happens with your baby.

04-10-2005, 01:30 AM	#13
Helen UK YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 5	Thanks for your messages, I am just letting you know that Molly had to be put to sleep 5am this morning, she had a brain tumour, I am devastated and can't even think of life without her.

04-10-2005, 02:01 AM	#15
Junebug *Moderator Emeritus* Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,149	I'm so sorry you had to go through this. We will be thinking of you.