Joy's eyesight.

[Candy]

Phew, that's better! The traffic on the motorway home was horrendous, probably not helped by windy conditions, so it took us a long time to get back and I was really hungry! I'm glad I had the forsight to buy something that only needed putting in the oven. Also, it being Friday, a small glass of is allowed, which is currently going down rather well!
I'm very sad, of course that Joy's losing her sight, but the vet was supportive and encouraging. He told me that the older of his two dogs has the same condition and they still have a lovely life together, he just had to learn to communicate verbally with him more. Then he asked how long I'd been talking to Joy as much as I do for. I was a bit taken aback and said 'Always really '. Apparently this is good, because it means I don't need to change much, just keep talking to her, maybe work on a few more commands to help her understand what she needs to do at certain times, particularly when travelling ( I'd mentioned train travel to him) but he said he watched me walking her into the consulting room and that I was already doing what was needed. I was a bit surprised, having just assumed everyone talks to their dogs a lot. It was also helpful to be told that she will struggle more in the dark. I had started noticing last Spring that when I opened the door into the garden for her after dark she was reluctant to go out unless I put the outside light on, whereas it was never a problem before, so presumably her difficulties had started then. He has also just emailed me an article on Joy's condition and ways to help with it and said to get in touch if I need any more information. Altogether I feel we've been well cared for and most importantly Joy is still clearly a happy little dog, enjoying her life, her ball games and sniffy walks, her food and her snuggles by the Fireinametalbox, she's not in pain, she feels safe and loved, so that's more to be happy than sad about, and I'll make sure she continues to have a lovely life for as long as possible. However, if anyone here has experience of living with a dog with sight loss, I'd welcome any information or advice you have to offer.

 

[Cath]

So sorry Candy about GGJ, but you have each other and a wondeful relationship. You will work things out together.
I found the following article hope it may help you both. Don't forget we are always here for you

9 tips for living with blind dogs | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

www.rspca.org.uk

 

[Lab_adore]

I am so so sorry Candy, it is heartbreaking for you and darling GGJ but you have the most beautiful relationship and will be fine. I wish I could give you both a hug

 

[Cath]

How are you this morning @Candy, don't forget we are here for you if you want to talk

 

[Selina27]

Sorry Candy that there isn't any treatment for Joy's eye condition, but I am pleased to read that you feel informed and well supported by the specialist vet, it can make such a difference in these situations.
I suppose the thing is that for dogs their sense of smell is so much more important to them than their sight, so she will still experience the world in much the same way, with you as tuned into her as you are to keep her safe in any out of the ordinary situations.
I do recall as a child when our old family spaniel began to lose his sight my parents made every effort not to move furniture etc so that he knew where obstacles were placed. I remember being sad for him, but this is what I was told. Took a family effort, as my sisters were teenagers then and the house was always full of people!

 

[M.F.]

I'm going to be just that supportive hooman for my girl

@Candy you are just the most wonderful human being and Joy is the luckiest dog to have you. It is heartbreaking to learn that she is losing her sight, but as you say, she’s not in pain, and with you by her side, she has a wonderful life ahead.

A friend of mine has a blind miniature schnauzer (caused from diabetes). She has baby gates to prevent him going up the stairs alone cos he can’t get down by himself. Otherwise, she says he’s happy. She has another dog and a cat, they all carry on as usual. I’ve also read about blind dogs wearing a halo attached to their collar to prevent them from walking into things—the halo touches it first. But you’re not there yet. Did the vet say how quickly this condition deteriorates? He sounds lovely and very supportive. Thinking of you both xxx

 

[Joy]

I'm very sorry that Joy is losing her sight. However I don't think it will affect the quality of her life to a huge extent, especially with your considerate care of her. A friend's dog occasionally comes to stay with us (Harvey, a Lab x Giant Schnauzer) and he now has very little sight but seems to cope well. He's always been a 'sniffy' dog and seems to navigate with his nose, enjoys walks and doesn't bump into things. When I was a child we had a blind cocker spaniel who was a very confident mover too.

 

[Candy]

'Goodmorning frends! Me nose still werks and I smell TOAST!'

 

[Candy]

Pretty lively thismorning, thanks!

 

[Stacia]

Good to read that Joy is pretty lively this morning xx

 

[Candy]

And this photo isn't very clear, but she still knew her friend Lucy (2 year old Black Lab) from a distance on our walk thismorning and ran to play with her!

 

[MellowYellow]

Our JRT from many, many years ago lost his sight in old age. He just followed the other dogs around the whole time! In the house and the garden he was absolutely fine, I suppose because he knew where everything was, but he became more cautious out on walks and eventually of course we had to have him on the lead all the time. However, he lived a happy life to a ripe old age.

 

[Granca]

'Goodmorning frends! Me nose still werks and I smell TOAST!'

Joy’s eyes in that photo look just like our dog Callum’s did when he became older. I’m sorry the condition isn’t treatable, but she will no doubt adjust well. Callum sometimes bumped into things that weren’t in their usual place, but his nose definitely compensated for his lack of sight! We had another dog, Amber, and then puppy Wispa too, so he was very much helped by them, as Joy will be when you’re walking with friends and their dogs. He didn’t lose his confidence and continued to enjoy a long and happy life.
As long as Joy has you, food, friends and interesting sniffs she’ll be fine!

 

[SwampDonkey]

Moo went blind at at about 13 and Rory at nearly 12 is partially sighted due to age related cataracts. He occasionally bumps and misjudged stuff but he manages well. Moo learned quickly but the other problem for her was deafness. I've found a harness with D ring at the front was useful because you can lead them easily from the front but swapping sides easier and guide their bodies if necessary. Get a good long line too it's invaluable in challenging terrain as they can wander as much as they like safely. Once you both adjust it will be fine. Her eye sights probably been going for a while so she'll have been adjusting for a while. I worked on the wait close and stay Qs as they are useful in some situations. I'm sorry this has happened and it daunting at first but it you and Joy will sort it. It's a thing I've had to do a few times with my oldies now and dogS are so adaptable. Blind dogs UK is a good charity to take a look at and there are a good sites on FB and things like halos which can be helpful.

 

[HAH]

My mum’s dog Jambo lost most of his sight in his last year and adapted amazingly well, we did the things already mentioned - kept his home set up very stable and predictable, went on walks he knew - and he did really well. We also introduced a little mouth click - like a gentle horse ‘giddy up’ - before doing anything like clipping his lead on his harness, which gave him a bit of notice, and we reinforced it with a treat. This reinforced positive associations with handling as well as letting him know something was coming, and it built a lot more engagement with him. We’ve carried on doing this with our two, it’s an easy habit and helps avoid startle responses.

 

[Joy]

@HAH That's a great idea.

 

[Loraseal]

I am sorry to hear that Joy's eyesight is reduced. One of Hunter's friends is blind and he wears a little cow bell when out on a no leash walks! They also have a small GPS reader on his collar for their own peace of mind. I think they know to stay close and I know you will both work out your new normal. I love what @HAH does.

 

[HAH]

One more idea that might be of interest is along the same lines of verbally giving notice - I say ‘ready, steady, off we go’ in a lot of situations now - particularly when setting off somewhere in the car (I do an adaptation of this actually for the car - ‘and, on!’ before I start the ignition, ‘ready’ when just about to take off the brake, and’ off we go!’ just before we physically move off). I started doing this when Kipper’s arthritis had a flair up, as it seemed to help give him some warning so he could physically prepare/brace himself for moving off and reduce sudden jolting. We now do similar when he’s in the hydro pool, and it just gives him a tiny bit more control physically and psychologically to know what’s about to happen. I think this can help even more when they’re not able to read subtle physical cues so easily, so I thought it worth mentioning!

 

[Woodwoman]

Oh no! I have only just caught up with this. I am sorry lovely Joy has been diagnosed with this condition. On the plus side the vet sounds very supportive and it seems you are already doing the right things, I guess as others have said she may have been adjusting to her more limited sight for a while. That said it is still a shock for you so take care of yourself too. Lots of hugs.

 

[Candy]

Whenever I'm doing something that Joy doesn't find interesting (e.g. cooking that doesn't involve anything she likes to eat) , she goes to lie on the landing, where there is a stained glass window that goes down to floor level. She loves to look out at the street from here and to keep an eye on the comings and goings. If a dog who she doesn't like goes past ( or even one she doesn't know, but is of a type she dislikes) she barks. If it's a dog who she knows and likes ( usually Keir) she wags and squeaks. There has been no change in this at all since she started losing her sight, you really wouldn't know that there is a problem, yet if I change the position of a piece of furniture or a flower pot she will bump into it. This is a photo of what I can see if I crouch on the landing at Joy height and peer through the window..Not a lot! So my question is, how does she know who's going past? She has never made a mistake about who has been there, to my knowledge. Can dogs smell through glass, and at that distance?
I'd be interested to know your thoughts .