Bella's Eyes. We Are Told She Is Completly Blind But Sometimes?

[NOBELHOWLUC49]

I know this is a bit of an ask, and quite possibly nobody will be able or willing to even suggest the possibility that she may have some sight.  But when she is walking she just seems to know something is there and moves out the way with out prompt.

 

I would love to think our little girl may be able to see even shadows. Our vet has told us she is totally blind but not told us why. If you shine a light in her eyes they reflect colour, the pupils do not dilate or open much but they do change.

 

I think I am definitely clutching at straws but I would so love to think she could see us when we are cuddling her.

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

Honestly unless she's had extensive tests to try n prove otherwise it's more than likely she's just used to everything being where it is n being able to smell things aswell to know where stuff is

[Andy]

My Stepdad was diabetic and had severe macular degeneration his forward sight was non existant.

However he still had a tiny amount of periferal vision. Not enough to see by

but he too had a vague sense when he was nearing objects.

[NOBELHOWLUC49]

We talk about having extensive tests too be able to have a definite answer, and also to see if there is anything we can do but the vets never even consider or offer this option and we wonder if we could do something would we put her through it.   But I just feel sad that she misses out on so much.  I know she is happy but she can be so distressed at times cause she can not understand what is happening around her, I just want her not to have to feel this way.

 

Andy That is interesting and maybe she does have a slight peripheral vision.  But as Nix says it maybe that she has just got highly tuned other senses which gives this impression.  I wish she could tell me but, until I learn woof language not likely to happen.   I am going to seriously consider pushing for further investigation if only for closure and just accepting there is nothing I can do.

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

One way to know tho it could be classed as cruel would be to move something in the home n call her see if she realises it's there , tho I don't know how much she'd appreciate being embarrassed like that lol

[NOBELHOWLUC49]

When we built the new fence in the garden sectioning part of it off she just new the garden had shrunk and went and examined it. But that was probably because she could smell it. She knew not to run there any more.  But when we take her to new places she seems to sense the boundaries, she has never bumped into a fence, wall in a park. But that maybe because she has been following Noah's lead. One thing I have noticed she is clumsier during day light and prefers night time.

[Emma]

It's amazing how well they adjust to losing one of their senses, the others seem to grow stronger to compensate.  I honestly can't say if she's able to see a little bit or not but it sounds to me like she's got a good quality of life surrounded by a terrific family who adore her and would move heaven and earth if they could to make her more comfortable.   

[NOBELHOWLUC49]

That's one thing for sure we all love her, and I suppose at the end of the day that's most important thing for her to have. X I think sometimes I just can't give up the hope that she can see a little.  People say are you sure she is totally blind and it just gets me thinking, maybe she can.  Once we have her spayed, which we have booked now for the end of March, if the investigation will not be to traumatic for her, I will try to find out one way or another or at least know why she cannot see.  

[Jase]

I reckon she sees you super clearly with her nose and ears 

[NOBELHOWLUC49]

Don't forget her tongue, she licks your face, hands, feet if you'd let her,  so taste being close to smell its another way of her seeing you.    Just talking about her being blind helps me feel more positive for her. So thank you every body for your posts.   

[Elyse]

Dog's primary sense is their nose, so while losing their sense of sight is bad, they can still navigate the world around them with their nose and ears. Sound bounces, so they may be able to tell how close an object is based on the sounds that come off of it (might be similar to echolocation). 

 

[Clare70]

I'm sure she knows you love her and is safe, I can see that but can't see you x

[Maz51]

There are injections for stopping macula degeneration which has been done at Cheltenham hosp on a friend of mine and he says they have managed to halt the disease and...has marginally improved his sigh toot. He was/is on a trial experiment and can still drive.

I'm sure there will be treatment if caught in early stages but at a cost.

So long as she's happy with you keep going.

I spent a fortune of my NHS pension on a Westie with dry eye syndrome. The specialist Jeremy...... may be worth seeing - I think he goes round the country & your insurance may cover part of his consultation fee if you just want to clear your mind. I'll look for his surname.

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[SibeHush]

I met a guy last year while I was out hiking... with him... a blind lab walking some pretty rocky and uneven terrain. I didn't even notice the dog was blind. I didn't see him stumble or even hesitate as he trudged along. It's quite amazing how well a dog compensates for the loss of it's sight.

[Maz51]

Hi - just for info (to anyone):

When I took on a Westie 2012/13 she had really horrid eyes - thought it was conjunctivitis - and cleaned up both (very mucky sticky eyes) with warm salt water then put in chloramphenicol ointment which I always carry.

Symptoms seemed better and the muck certainly went but I realised after three days something wasn't right.

Took her to my vet (on a Wednesday) who asked to let a specialist eye consultant who comes to the practice every Wednesday look at her.

Dolly was examined very thoroughly for 20 minutes.

The chap then went back out for 10 mins. Came bk;

He said he knew this lovely bitch from Worcestershire.

Said he'd had issues with the owner some time back because she'd hadn't brought Dolly back for a long time because she had been told by him that her dog breed (Westie - more common but also in other canine breeds of small dogs and large too) had a genetic fault called 'dry eye syndrome' which if left, can totally destroy eyesight.

This was because of 'no tears', or, the tear ducts' functioning not working.

Ultimately lids stick to cornea...esp in sleep and no movement and when waking, lids move and tear cornea/s.

He told me as he had told her,

'Treatment is special drops throughout the day every two hours' ...or

Not 100% ... (as may be over excessive with over lubrication) but taking an outlet from mouth salivary glands to eyes. Also

Ph is different but...it lubricates, and food around certainly increases it! However he knew of several good success stories including by his own ops on larger breeds.

Anyway - I could not afford this £1K minimum per eye....had Dolly's insurance NOT been cancelled but able to be transferred to me I would have with my £75 excess....

It finally cost me a large lump sum off my pension payout (convenient eh...) when I was finally... (after a year's investigations and every exhaustive, conceivable and alternative treatment!!) medically retired with 'severe crumbling and degenerative spondylosis of neck vertebrae;

£1000 per eye to have Dolly's eyes removed I was quoted exclusive of VAT.

When they each suddenly perforated a couple of months later....I arrived in tears, at my vets.

JW was there (it was a Wednesday!) There was nothing I could do to have prevented this, the Consultant said, - I was absolutely distraught.

It happened again within three weeks of the first op.

I paid.

She was so much happier because the eye pain had gone.

Dolly went back to the Cat Protection lady six months after; she had originally brought her to me in that bad state.

(I reckon she KNEW I'd want her being the big softie I am over ANY animal - my husband just sighed...) bless him.

She used to have 'Polly' (I changed it to Dolly because I already had a Polly-Westie) in the past when the owner went on holiday.

The owner apparently kept Dolly outside in a shed in all weathers when she went to work; had a young daughter and was pregnant again - didn't want the dog any more....because baby might hurt her.....duh!

I let Dolly go because (my pup then) Chester used to tease her incessantly jumping round her all the time and poor Dolly was chasing him away but also snapping and biting at all my other three Westies (so fights every day)... because they'd not move aside so she'd get a fright and snap when she bumped into them.

My total personal outgoing on Dolly was £3K+ at least.

Anyway...The CONSULTANT is JEREMY WILLS.

He visits different practices around Worcs, Gloucestershire and other counties - working from other vet's practices.

Not cheap - a tad arrogant I thought but ... very caring for dogs...(he was not always impressed with some owners!)

However, he became very chummy with me; my nursing background meant he could be more medically familiar in terminology.

He almost teared up with me when I said 'for God's sake please stop this silent screaming in her' - when the first (left) eye perforated.

I was so distraught.

I had anaesthetic drops for her until she was 'nil by mouth' long enough and she was booked in within 24 hours. My vet was attending the op because he hadn't seen enucleation of an eye before.

Sorry for the long diatribe...needed to explain.

●● May I suggest you ask YOUR vet to get this chap in?

If the 'condition' started after your insurance did, you should be covered. ie she was symptom free ....read small print and any 'exclusions'.

Some breeds carry this 'genetic tendencies' and premiums are therefore raised.

I KNOW there are huge updates in improving macular degeneration in humans esp if caught early enough.... (a friend has benefitted from injections - he's also diabetic).

(I also worked with the NHS consultant during my three years in 'eyes' outpatient and in theatre too) who developed this - Dr Peter Scanlon (MBE) who's at Chelt hosp.

I am SURE these advances can and do apply to animals....now...

Just ask for a second opinion....to see JW... OR ring him up (remind him of my Westie Dolly in Tewkesbury with 'dry-eye syndrome').

Personally - I'd push your vet to try anything (and maybe they should have much earlier) if this was found to be happening in regular checkups...?

Like you...I'd exhaust every avenue. She (your loved girl) sounds to be in no pain...and pretty happy otherwise. ???? do bear in mind it may be too advanced now but I'm praying for you. XOXOX

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[Maz51]

We talk about having extensive tests too, to be able to have a definite answer, and also to see if there is anything we can do but the vets never even consider or offer this option and we wonder if we could do something would we put her through it. But I just feel sad that she misses out on so much. I know she is happy but she can be so distressed at times cause she can not understand what is happening around her, I just want her not to have to feel this way.

Andy That is interesting and maybe she does have a slight peripheral vision. But as Nix says it maybe that she has just got highly tuned other senses which gives this impression. I wish she could tell me but, until I learn woof language not likely to happen. I am going to seriously consider pushing for further investigation if only for closure and just accepting there is nothing I can do.

Meant to write 'huge improvements' in human eye treatments for Macular degeneration....

Hi - just for info (to anyone):

When I took on a Westie 2012/13 she has really horrid eyes - thought they were conjunctivitis - immediately put in chloramphenicol ointment which I always carry. Symptoms seemed better and the muck certainly went but I realised after three days something wasn't right. Took her to my vet (on a Wednesday) who asked to let a specialist eye consultant who comes to the practice every Wednesday.

Dolly was examined very thoroughly for 20 minutes.

The chap then went back out for 10 mins. Came bk;

He knew this bitch from Worcestershire. Had had issues with the owner then who hadn't brought Dolly back for a long time because she had a (Westie - more common but also in other canine breeds of small dogs) ) 'dry eye syndrome' which if left can totally destroy eyesight because 'no tears' or tear duct functioning not working. Ultimately lids stick to cornea...esp in sleep and no movement and when waking, lids move and tear cornea/s.

Treatment is special drops throughout the day every two hours...or

Not 100% (as may be over excessive or not with over lubrication) but taking an outlet from mouth salivary glands to eyes.

Ph is different but...it lubricates, and food around certainly increases! However several good success stories.

Anyway - I could not afford this £7.5 per eye....had Dolly's insurance NOT been cancelled but able to be transferred to me I would have with £75 excess....

It finally cost me a large lump sum off my pension payout when I was medically retired wirh crumbling degenerative neck vertebrae £1200 per eye to have Dolly's eyes removed when they each suddenly perforated. Nothing I could do to have prevented this, the Consultant said when I was absolutely distraught. It happened within three weeks of each eye. I paid. She was so much happier because the eye pain had gone.

Dolly went back to the Cat Protection lady who had brought her to me as she used to have 'Polly' (I changed it to Dolly because I already had a Polly-Westie) when the owner went on holiday. My Chester used to tease her incessantly jumping round her all the time and poor Dolly was snapping and biting at all my other Westies because they'd not move aside so she'd get a fright and snap when she bumped into them. My total personal outgoing on Dolly was £3K at least.

Anyway...The CONSULTANT is JEREMY WILLS.

He visits different practices around Worcs, Gloucestershire and other counties - working ftom other vet's practices. Not cheap - a tad arrogant I thought but very caring for dogs...(not always impressed with some owners!) However he became very chummy with me and my nursing background meant he could be more medically familiar in terminology. He almost teared up wirh me when I said 'for God's sake please stop this silent screaming in her - when the first (left) eye perforated. I was so distraught. I had anaesthetic drops for her until she was nil by mouth long enough and she was booked in.

Sorry for the long diatribe...needed to explain.

May I suggest you ask YOUR vet to get this chap in. If the 'condition' started after your insurance did, you should be covered. ie she was symptom free ....read small print and any 'exclusions'. Some breeds carry this 'genetic tendencies and premiums are therefore raised'.

I KNOW there are huge less in improving macular degeneration in humans (a friend has benefitted - he's also diabetic).

I am SURE these advances can apply to animals....

Just ask for a second opinion and/for OR ring this Cons up (remind him of my Dolly in Tewkesbury with dry eye syndrome).

Personally - I'd push your vet to try anything (and maybe should have much earlier if this was found to be happening in regular checkups...?

I'd exhaust every avenue. She (your loved girl) sounds to be in no pain...and pretty happy otherwise. ????

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