Question About Vision Loss - YorkieTalk.com Forums

simonandhallie · 12-05-2007, 03:48 PM

Does anyone have any experience with vision loss in a yorkie? I searched and can't seem to find anything. I guess I'm just wanting to know how they adjust, what I can do, the basics.

Thank you~

kalina82 · 12-05-2007, 03:58 PM

i don't have experience with a yorkie, but have seen other dogs go blind. They usually adjust because in most cases its not a quick thing. They lose their vision gradually over time. Just don't move the furniture LOL

AprilLove · 12-05-2007, 04:08 PM

Hi Kimberly,

My Bichon is blind. It was harder on me then him, when I first found out it was happening. (I cried, didn't know it wasn't the end of the world for him) It was gradual, he started by gradually loosing his sight at nighttime (still did alright in daylight). You will start to notice them bumping into things somewhat. The best thing you can do for them is NOT make any changes to furniture or large objects in your living space. He does just fine now, he has compensated with his acute ability to smell

. Anything I have had to change or move, I have worked with him for a couple days so he knows where it is. He goes up and down the stairs fine still, he appears to be able to count them!!! I am always there when he does go up or down stairs just in case he needs help, so far he hasn't.

Belindtch · 12-05-2007, 04:11 PM

Our vet just talked to us about blinidness in yorkies. Our Emmy has dry eye, a genetic problem caused by continuous breeding. She says that Emmy's eyes are the worst she has seen. We are on medication and will be for the rest of our lives. Her eyes have not worsened but are the same. The scar tissue remains constant on both eyes. Our vet said that she would guess that Emmy would not lose her sight until possibly l0 years. She said her vision would just gradually get worse. She said that dogs do quite well blind as their other senses take over and make up for lack of vision. She also said that right now surgery is not easily available for dry eye. By the time she starts needing surgery it will be very common and readily available everywhere.Until then I will do whatever I can to help my little sweetheart and to maintain the vision she has. I just find it so sad that the breeder continues to breed these two dogs again and again and again...just as fast as the mom can get pregnant.Then when I asked she tells me that she has had no problems with dry eye. I guess Emmy is her first.

AprilLove · 12-05-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belindtch

Our vet just talked to us about blinidness in yorkies. Our Emmy has dry eye, a genetic problem caused by continuous breeding. She says that Emmy's eyes are the worst she has seen. We are on medication and will be for the rest of our lives. Her eyes have not worsened but are the same. The scar tissue remains constant on both eyes. Our vet said that she would guess that Emmy would not lose her sight until possibly l0 years. She said her vision would just gradually get worse. She said that dogs do quite well blind as their other senses take over and make up for lack of vision. She also said that right now surgery is not easily available for dry eye. By the time she starts needing surgery it will be very common and readily available everywhere.Until then I will do whatever I can to help my little sweetheart and to maintain the vision she has. I just find it so sad that the breeder continues to breed these two dogs again and again and again...just as fast as the mom can get pregnant.Then when I asked she tells me that she has had no problems with dry eye. I guess Emmy is her first.

that is what my Bichon has. He is 13.5 yrs old. We have had him on Optimunne and another ointment for the last 6 six years. He started losing his vision about 2.5 years ago.

simonandhallie · 12-05-2007, 04:55 PM

Thank you both. I know this is harder for me and I just wanted to hear that it's all going to be ok~

AprilLove · 12-06-2007, 02:31 PM

It will be all be ok.

I just wanted to add something. When new people that haven't met my Bailey (bichon) come to my home, they are surprised when I tell them he is blind. They say they wouldn't have known it by how he gets around as if he is seeing everything.

YorkieRose · 12-06-2007, 02:48 PM

Belinda..Have you seen a canine ophthalmologist?
I had a puppy born with one dry eye. I saw a specialist at 12 weeks. He said it was congenital, not genetic and surgery was done. Puppy was kept by me until it was 6 months old and then went to live in NY with a retired breeder firend..she is about 8 yrs now and has had no other eye problems.

I find the statement by your vet, "continuous" breeding interesting. This was my bitches first litter and the sire was a stud service who was unrelated, making the breeding an outcross. The bitch had future puppies with no problems.

Gypsy & Me · 12-06-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonandhallie

Thank you both. I know this is harder for me and I just wanted to hear that it's all going to be ok~

It WILL be okay.

Our Trixie lost her sight in one eye and then a few years later she had to have the other eye removed because of an attack by another dog. She could get around the garden, the whole house, (including the stairs), and managed absolutely fine! We were just careful to not leave things out in the middle of the room, (bags, etc) and aside from the occassional bump or when one of the other dogs knocked her slightly so she misjudged where she was facing she didn't have ANY problems! She lived a long and happy life up to the age of 20 and for more than 8 of those years she was blind.

labrown · 12-06-2007, 04:00 PM

Hallie will be just fine. I have to remind myself that the sense of sight is not a dog's strongest sense (like it is for humans), and dogs actually hear, then smell, taste, touch, and then see. Tina has had vision problems since her incident in April (not to mention always having her bangs in her eyes), but she gets around fine. I can notice her using her body when she is moving around our living room. She backs her butt into things like couches and walls to feel where they are around her. Just think of it as a new quirk in their personality!

BIG HUGS! I know the feeling of wanting your pup to have the best life possible. But Hallie is great and she will remain happy, I am sure! Especially with a momma like you!

BamaFan121s · 12-07-2007, 08:06 AM

Well, not a Yorkie, but I had a Peke that went blind gradually over time...old age, bless her.
As someone mentioned, one thing important is to not make any major changes with how things are arranged in your house. Don't allow for furniture or large objects to be out of place. Renee became very dependant on vocalization in some situations, like coming in from outside--she learned to follow our voice when she was in places that she wasn't extremely familiar with. Start doing that with her now. Every once in a while you could tell that she was kind of 'lost' in where she was and would just stand still and kind of 'stare' around, but we could say something to her and she'd immediately figure it out and get going again.
Luckily, she was able to make the adjustments as she needed gradually rather than complete vision loss all at once. And really, it was harder on us than on her. She never acted like it bothered her.

12-05-2007, 03:48 PM	#1
simonandhallie *I Love My Monkeys!* Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Falling Waters, WV Posts: 11,166	Question About Vision Loss Does anyone have any experience with vision loss in a yorkie? I searched and can't seem to find anything. I guess I'm just wanting to know how they adjust, what I can do, the basics. Thank you~

12-05-2007, 03:58 PM	#2
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	i don't have experience with a yorkie, but have seen other dogs go blind. They usually adjust because in most cases its not a quick thing. They lose their vision gradually over time. Just don't move the furniture LOL __________________ Kellie and Morgan

12-05-2007, 04:08 PM	#3
AprilLove My Three Hearts Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wrapped around their paws :-) Posts: 7,190	Hi Kimberly, My Bichon is blind. It was harder on me then him, when I first found out it was happening. (I cried, didn't know it wasn't the end of the world for him) It was gradual, he started by gradually loosing his sight at nighttime (still did alright in daylight). You will start to notice them bumping into things somewhat. The best thing you can do for them is NOT make any changes to furniture or large objects in your living space. He does just fine now, he has compensated with his acute ability to smell . Anything I have had to change or move, I have worked with him for a couple days so he knows where it is. He goes up and down the stairs fine still, he appears to be able to count them!!! I am always there when he does go up or down stairs just in case he needs help, so far he hasn't. __________________ MaryKay AprilLove Wubs Moosie R.I.P. Bailey & BitsyRoo

12-05-2007, 04:11 PM	#4
Belindtch Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rossville, Georgia Posts: 972	Our vet just talked to us about blinidness in yorkies. Our Emmy has dry eye, a genetic problem caused by continuous breeding. She says that Emmy's eyes are the worst she has seen. We are on medication and will be for the rest of our lives. Her eyes have not worsened but are the same. The scar tissue remains constant on both eyes. Our vet said that she would guess that Emmy would not lose her sight until possibly l0 years. She said her vision would just gradually get worse. She said that dogs do quite well blind as their other senses take over and make up for lack of vision. She also said that right now surgery is not easily available for dry eye. By the time she starts needing surgery it will be very common and readily available everywhere.Until then I will do whatever I can to help my little sweetheart and to maintain the vision she has. I just find it so sad that the breeder continues to breed these two dogs again and again and again...just as fast as the mom can get pregnant.Then when I asked she tells me that she has had no problems with dry eye. I guess Emmy is her first. __________________ Belinda and my furbabies, Alyssa , Emily Kate , and Lucy Lucy Dexter

12-06-2007, 02:31 PM	#7
AprilLove My Three Hearts Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wrapped around their paws :-) Posts: 7,190	It will be all be ok. I just wanted to add something. When new people that haven't met my Bailey (bichon) come to my home, they are surprised when I tell them he is blind. They say they wouldn't have known it by how he gets around as if he is seeing everything. __________________ MaryKay AprilLove Wubs Moosie R.I.P. Bailey & BitsyRoo

12-05-2007, 04:55 PM	#6
simonandhallie *I Love My Monkeys!* Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Falling Waters, WV Posts: 11,166	Thank you both. I know this is harder for me and I just wanted to hear that it's all going to be ok~

12-06-2007, 02:48 PM	#8
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	Belinda Belinda..Have you seen a canine ophthalmologist? I had a puppy born with one dry eye. I saw a specialist at 12 weeks. He said it was congenital, not genetic and surgery was done. Puppy was kept by me until it was 6 months old and then went to live in NY with a retired breeder firend..she is about 8 yrs now and has had no other eye problems. I find the statement by your vet, "continuous" breeding interesting. This was my bitches first litter and the sire was a stud service who was unrelated, making the breeding an outcross. The bitch had future puppies with no problems.

12-06-2007, 04:00 PM	#10
labrown T&T-DYNOMITE! Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,111	Hallie will be just fine. I have to remind myself that the sense of sight is not a dog's strongest sense (like it is for humans), and dogs actually hear, then smell, taste, touch, and then see. Tina has had vision problems since her incident in April (not to mention always having her bangs in her eyes), but she gets around fine. I can notice her using her body when she is moving around our living room. She backs her butt into things like couches and walls to feel where they are around her. Just think of it as a new quirk in their personality! BIG HUGS! I know the feeling of wanting your pup to have the best life possible. But Hallie is great and she will remain happy, I am sure! Especially with a momma like you! __________________ TBone Tina & Lauren

12-07-2007, 08:06 AM	#11
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	Well, not a Yorkie, but I had a Peke that went blind gradually over time...old age, bless her. As someone mentioned, one thing important is to not make any major changes with how things are arranged in your house. Don't allow for furniture or large objects to be out of place. Renee became very dependant on vocalization in some situations, like coming in from outside--she learned to follow our voice when she was in places that she wasn't extremely familiar with. Start doing that with her now. Every once in a while you could tell that she was kind of 'lost' in where she was and would just stand still and kind of 'stare' around, but we could say something to her and she'd immediately figure it out and get going again. Luckily, she was able to make the adjustments as she needed gradually rather than complete vision loss all at once. And really, it was harder on us than on her. She never acted like it bothered her. Last edited by BamaFan121s; 12-07-2007 at 08:08 AM.