Glaucoma, eye loss, spaniel (not mine)

Cinnamontoast

Cinnamontoast

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A lovely colleague had her KIT day yesterday and we caught up re recent issues. She has a 4 year old sprocker who has been diagnosed with glaucoma and has lost an eye. The vet says he will lose the other eye. She is devastated for him. She's thinking of starting scent work and getting him an adult companion. I have no idea if his parents had eye tests, yesterday was not the time to ask. She would like pointers to possibly a spaniel breed rescue and any advice from people who have experience with glaucoma/blind dogs. No idea of time frame, she is currently on maternity leave. She isn't on here, but I will say to her that she is best off becoming a member/logging on.

Thanks for any help in advance.
 
Many, many years ago we had a Lab dog who went blind (PRA) as a fairly young dog. His litter sister became his guide dog, while others that we had at the same time also looked after him, all quite naturally, with particular provision from us. He got around the house very well, so long as nobody moved the furniture or left something in his way and was fine walking in either familiar or unfamiliar places with the other dogs.

I know someone who had a terrier who went blind in old age, he was an only dog and taught himself to carry a toy to help him get around, rather like a blind person with a white stick.
 
I met an eyeless springer a couple of years ago
He was running around at a hunter trial before the classes started - off lead, totally biddable and managing splendidly with his ears and nose
 
skinnydipper said:
A halo when he loses his sight and don’t move the furniture.
Click to expand...

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Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs (blue)

Muffin's Halo for Blind Dog is excellent for helping your blind dog navigate their surroundings, what makes this halo better than cheaper versions is the stiff back board behind their neck which holds the halo consistently in place. For example, the halo will not fall forward when your dog...
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One of our cockers went blind, I think she was about 8 at the time, and her sister became her guide dog. She managed fine in the house as long as nothing was moved around, in the garden if she circled for a pee and then lost her bearings we would tell her sister to go fetch her and she would either pull her ear to get her the right way round and then walk close to her. I think dogs do adapt very well, hope all goes well for your friend,
 
Unfortunately eye tests are not totally effective. We had a springer whose parents had been tested and in theory couldn't get glaucoma but did... She was more cautious with one eye. We lost her before the second eye went.
 
I had a kelpie who went blind but sadly she was a neurotic dog before and she completely could not cope.
But if your friends dog is calm and trained I think what SD suggests sounds great. Why a companion? I would worry about blindness triggering poor behaviour in the new dog. Although I got a rescue lurcher when my kelpie could still see a little bit and although the lurcher tended to be dominant as poor Bonnie couldn’t see it she just used to barge past her, which ultimately meant the lurcher decided she was harder than she looked.
(They were never left together).
 
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