Sad day :(

[Broch]

I am very sorry to say that my Springer Spaniel has been diagnosed with SARDS (Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome) - she went totally blind overnight on Saturday. I had an emergency appointment with our vet last night then another with an Eye Veterinary Clinic in Leominster this morning.

I'd never heard of it before; the cause is unknown and there is no cure. So, now my poor dog is having to learn to get around by smell alone; she's doing remarkably well but occasionally bumps into stuff

 

[Wayne]

Poor pup. New condition for me. Hope your dog adapts soon.

 

[santaman2000]

Sad news indeed. It will take time but I hope she and you adapt well.

 

[Janne]

Sad. It is horrible when a family member gets ill.

 

[CLEM]

Sad news, it's no compensation when I say this but dogs are remarkably really resilient aminals and she will adapt I am sure.

 

[Nice65]

Awful for her that it’s so sudden. Traumatic for the pair of you I expect.

As said, she’ll adapt, her nose and ears will become her eyes. My oldest has such bad cataracts now her eyes are just grey. Not so sudden, but both her and our family have adjusted to it, helping her out of corners and into bed, back of car, out of car, etc. We lead walk her only now, and let her off for a bit in open spaces. She has a couple of falconry bells on her collar so we have an idea where she is if she disappears. She’s stone deaf too poor love so we can’t call her back, but the bells are very helpful locators for us.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Aww mate

 

[Broch]

Thanks for all your thoughts.

She's already adapting unbelievably well and finding her way around the house quite easily. We'll have to make sure we don't put things in odd places!

The bell idea is worth thinking about but maybe it's me that should be wearing them so she can find me

 

[PREPER]

Glad to read she is adapting well. I have seen my spaniel run into a tree head first and just carry on as if nothing happened. Tough and loyal dogs.
You can get GPS trackers for dogs that go a wandering. Worth considering.
Regards,
Preper.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Sorry to hear that Broch.

 

[Dogoak]

Sorry to hear this and glad to hear she's adapting, I'm always amazed at our canine friends. All the best to all of you.

 

[Dreadhead]

awh bless, really sorry to hear that what a damn shame. like most dogs i'm sure she will learn to adapt pretty fast, especially being a springer, but that doesn't make it easy. lots of fuss and cuddles right now im sure

 

[Nice65]

She’ll find happy places you’d never have dreamed of.

“Hot, time for a lie down on my sheet and pillow.”

Or, “you’ll obviously be a while, here if you need me”.

Mine is a gentle old lady now and needs a fair bit of help, it’s a matter of making adjustments for her. If she leaps out of the car, she kind of knows how far down it is. If I’m parked uphill, or it’s a different car then I lift her.

 

[Toddy]

Broch ? I'm sorry to hear of this. I never knew that this could happen to a dog. Heck of an adjustment to make for you both really.
Dogs are resilient though, and their other senses are heightened compared to ours. I doubt it'll make up for her lack of vision, but surely it'll help with the day to day living.

 

[Janne]

The only thing I would like to add is that if you see the dog is in huge distress please end its suffering.
It should not be necessary, not until the dog is very old, but you never know.

On our first dog, Mimmi, we waited a couple of days to long. I regret that hugely.
Our second dog, Perikles, only a few hours between visible distress and Dog Valhalla.

 

[Broch]

She's lying next to me on the settee with her head on my lap as I'm typing; she's happy.

 

[Toddy]

She's lying next to me on the settee with her head on my lap as I'm typing; she's happy.

Good to hear Not much more contented than a happy pet curled up in peace with it's human

 

[bob_the_baker]

Poor thing. Maybe consider getting a second dog to help her out, something with a herding instinct?

 

[Bishop]

Take heart as old dogs can learn new tricks. Oscar had similar problems developing cataracts shortly after being diagnosed with diabetes. It did not take him long to figure out why we kept saying Go Left, Go Right, Step Up/Down.

 

[Robson Valley]

Broch: I am so sorry for you all. Must be a stunning turn of affairs for the dog!
Time for everybody to have a hug and a treat of some favorite kind.
Might I ask if this condition is at all age-related?