Is blindness inevitable?

[CavMom]

I've been so wrapped up in Beau's glucose numbers I haven't read much about the cataract connection, until tonight. I had to stop reading. 75-80% within 9 months of diagnosis?

I want to cry right now. A month ago my baby was healthy.

[pacots]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

I feel the same way, I am sick over this. Ben will be going on 1yr. he has it. I am so upset because now I think I spotted a cataract it just is not fair. I cannot stand to watch & see my doggy go blind.

[amydunn19]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

Blindness is not inevitable - there are a few dogs who haven't lost sight. In truth, many, if not most, dogs do lose sight and this is something nobody tells you, at least the vets don't usually mention it. Getting control of blood glucose early can help slow down the formation of cataracts, but even that is no guarantee.

After you have lived with a diabetic dog for a little while, through all the complications and secondary issues, blindness can become the least of the potential complications that your dog can experience. Maggie went blind practically overnight but did not cope well with it. I was devastated that she was in such a state of panic but she has a really weird history with separation anxiety that must have contributed to her failure to cope. We had cataract surgery and luckily it was successful but most dogs can cope and even thrive with blindness as I am sure many here will attest to. If they lose sight gradually, some dogs don't even notice.

Most likely, our dogs had diabetes a bit before showing classic signs so the chance is your dog was not "healthy" a month ago, they just seemed healthy. I know it is easy for me to say in my position but I would try not to worry excessively about if your dog goes blind, just try to live and enjoy each day. Also, it is great to be pretty vigilant as you should be, I wouldn't let the fear of blindness cause you to become overly vigilant. They are still dogs and sometimes, letting them live their days with some fun and happiness is a better gift than sight. There are worse things than blindness to fight on this journey.

[Eddie]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

Our dog Eddie lost his sight a couple of years before he was diagnosed with diabetes, due to an unrelated condition. It is horrible to realise that that is happening - but if it does, then you cope, just as we all cope with the injections, testing etc that goes with diabetes.

We didn't have any option of surgery because his retinas just disintegrated.

He learnt how to manage and we followed his lead and helped him adjust. There are lots of practical things you can do to help them. We decided early on that there was nothing to be gained from regretting it - we just had to get on with it as he was still our Eddie and he now needed us more than ever.

He is still a happy dog whose tail wags most of the time. He still runs around outside and plays ball games with us - just differently from how he used to. He still loves cuddles - and his food! In some ways it has made us closer to him - like having to look out for him and calling out "Bump" when he is about to run into something, showing him when there is an unfamiliar obstacle or steering him around an unfamiliar place on the lead, a bit like holding his hand and guiding him along.

Try not to fear it or anticipate it too much - and have confidence that if it happens, you will find a way to cope, whether through surgery or through practical ways to help your dog.

Antonia

[CavMom]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

What would I do without this forum?

I was in such a state last night. Like I said, I've been so wrapped up in his numbers I haven't put much thought into it. Our vet checked him for cataracts when he was first diagnosed and showed no sign of it. He has some haziness but she said that was just natural age-related, my 8yr old girl has it too. I thought his eyes looked a bit hazy last night which is why I started Googling, and then wished I hadn't. It's all just so much to process.

I know he probably just seemed healthy a month ago before he started losing weight and everything. I'm not afraid of having a special needs dog, I already have one, and now with Beau. He's just still so young, only 6. I've already decided we will get the cataract surgery done if needed, and have scoped out a good veterinary ophthalmologist in our area. I feel better having a plan in place.

I know you have all gone through the range of emotions that I am going through right now, and though I wish none of us were in this situation with our babies, I do feel better knowing that this is manageable, people and dogs cope, and life somehow carries on. One step at a time...

Thank you, truly.

[CavMom]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

Has anyone had any success with this OcuGLO Rx supplement recommended on this site? http://animaleyecare.net/diseases/ca...sdiabeticdogs/

I've read from multiple sources that supplements, drops, creams don't really work, but I thought I'd ask as I'm exploring options!

[DonnaBrody11605]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

CavMom,
I kind of freaked out when I saw your original post about blindness. The numbers are terrifying. I knew that blindness and diabetes are often linked in humans. I had no idea it was so bad in dogs. We see the vet next week and I am going to ask him about the Ocu GloRX. I've been reading about it and it sounds like a good thing. I know my Brody will cope with it if it happens to him. He's always been such a happy guy. Our plan is to do everything we can to prevent it. Any way, I know there are worse things that can happen. We are just trying to get a handle on what we can. It's all so overwhelming at times. This forum has been a godsend. Thanks, to everyone here.

[CavMom]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

CavMom,
I kind of freaked out when I saw your original post about blindness. The numbers are terrifying. I knew that blindness and diabetes are often linked in humans. I had no idea it was so bad in dogs. We see the vet next week and I am going to ask him about the Ocu GloRX. I've been reading about it and it sounds like a good thing. I know my Brody will cope with it if it happens to him. He's always been such a happy guy. Our plan is to do everything we can to prevent it. Any way, I know there are worse things that can happen. We are just trying to get a handle on what we can. It's all so overwhelming at times. This forum has been a godsend. Thanks, to everyone here.

Aaww sorry, I didn't mean to freaak you out. I kind of had a little meltdown last night. I just wasn't ready to process that. As amydunn said nobody tells you this. It's kind of like the elephant in the closet. 4 weeks and 3 vets, and nobody has said "Beau will most likely go blind".

Fast forward 24 hours, I'm over it. If it happens we'll deal with it. Beau, and Brody have lots of living to do yet. It's up to us to get them through these hurdles, then we're good!

[amydunn19]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

I personally avoid any supplements that make promises to improve vision or blood glucose. There are some excellent supplement products like d mannose and milk thistle and slippery elm that have helped with conditions related to diabetes. On the forum, we haven't seen any measurable results with most holistic supplements and many times, the supplements can cause higher blood glucose, digestive difficulties and can make them worse. I would talk to the veterinarian opthalmologist and start on a drop they might recommend.

[CavMom]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

I personally avoid any supplements that make promises to improve vision or blood glucose. There are some excellent supplement products like d mannose and milk thistle and slippery elm that have helped with conditions related to diabetes. On the forum, we haven't seen any measurable results with most holistic supplements and many times, the supplements can cause higher blood glucose, digestive difficulties and can make them worse. I would talk to the veterinarian opthalmologist and start on a drop they might recommend.

Thank you!

[egclark]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

Hello everyone, I don't post often. My beloved Chesapeake bay retriever, Shae, is 9 years old, diagnosed diabetic last year. Today, while playing fetch on the beach, she couldn't see her balls until she heard them hit the ground. We live remote. Our nearest certified veterinary ophthalmologist is 4.5 hours away. Her vet up here will check her eyes tomorrow.
I'm afraid to ask how much surgery and all the appt.'s would cost even if I could manage the travel, because I love her so much that I'd hate to think that money would make the decision about her cure. Can she really be happy even blind? Can I ever get over the guilt of not treating her eyes? I don't know.

[CraigM]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

Hello everyone, I don't post often. My beloved Chesapeake bay retriever, Shae, is 9 years old, diagnosed diabetic last year. Today, while playing fetch on the beach, she couldn't see her balls until she heard them hit the ground. We live remote. Our nearest certified veterinary ophthalmologist is 4.5 hours away. Her vet up here will check her eyes tomorrow.
I'm afraid to ask how much surgery and all the appt.'s would cost even if I could manage the travel, because I love her so much that I'd hate to think that money would make the decision about her cure. Can she really be happy even blind? Can I ever get over the guilt of not treating her eyes? I don't know.

Of course every dog / situation is different and most of us with blind pups can only tell you "our stories".

Annie has been blind for a year and it really doesn't seen to affect her much at all. She is a house dog, possibly a "country" dog would have a little more trouble. You indicated you just realized your pup was blind, or nearly so, today. Sounds like she is coping pretty well if she has been able to keep it from you?

Of course no one WANTS their pup to loose their sight, but a part of me wishes we had not "fought" the blindness in Annie. First, there is the $$$$ we spent over 3-4 years. About $3500 for the cataract surgery that saved sight in one eye. MANY trips to the eye vet (sometimes twice per month) over the next several years at about $65 for each visit. Eye drops that ran from probably $50 to $150 per month. Finally, somewhere around $1000 to treat her glaucoma and eye removal.

Since she went blind she has only seen the eye vet once in the past year, and the eye drops are only about $15 per month. She does just about everything she did as a sighted dog, but a little slower. Instead of playing ball outside, we play ball a couple of times a day in the house. Bounce & roll the ball and she will usually wag her tail as she chases it. In the mornings, she seems to go straight to the ball of her choice. She jumps on / off furniture without a care. If I say: "mailbox", she will go to the door to get hooked to her lead and then goes almost directly down the driveway and across the street to the mailbox. I have no idea how she does that: smell? memory? She's not much different than any other 14 year old. Yes, when she gets excited she does the "ping-pong" walk between the walls, BUT HER TAIL IS UP AND WAGGING. She will walk around our fenced in back yard without much trouble (does walk through the flowers, but no harm done) and finds her way back to the door on her own.

Yes, it would be nice if she had her sight, but she (we) does well blind.

One other thing. I think her diabetes is better controlled since she went blind and has been reduced to just one eye drop. I think some of the eye drops she was on for years actually messed with her blood sugar, and there could have been a bit of pain during that time.

THEY REALLY COPE MUCH BETTER THAN THEIR HUMANS!

Craig

[k9diabetes]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

Please see the following story about Rena, a dog who lived in rural and mountainous country...

http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5389

Natalie

[Charlie's mom]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

Charlie too has been blind for nearly a year. He lives in two different homes, stays in hotels during our 1350 mile trips between the warm and cold homes. He's not as frisky as Annie, but finds his toys, his water bowls, his beds. He wags his tail when other dogs sniff him when we're walking. He doesn't go for long walks, but he walks 6-7 times a day. We even rearranged the furniture and he figured it out.

And, he's still sassy and naughty...oh those bathroom rugs are not a chew toy Mom?

[spiritdog6]

Re: Is blindness inevitable?

A dog must really be seen by an eye specialist. I had 2 dogs, Hunter the Poodle and Sidekick the Wonder Dog.

Hunter was diagnosed with diabetes 1st, and although he had cataracts, he never went blind.

Sidekick had Cushings first, then diabetes. He went blind very fast.

I was told by the eye specialist that Hunter had old age cataracts, and Side had diabetic cataracts. She knew the difference.

When Side went blind so quickly, I had surgery done and he saw the last 2 years of his life. He did not do well blind at all, lost all confidence, he lost himself. I am ever so grateful he had sight the last 2 years of his life as was he!