Is my cocker puppy partially sighted?

[Elle123]

Hello,
Thanks in advance for any replies, going out of my mind about this.

I have a 13week old blue roan cocker spaniel puppy called Pixel. From reputable breeder, both parents optigen tested etc. Got her at 8 weeks.

I finding some of her behaviour quite concerning, a concern which was also voiced by my friend and Pixels trainer.

She is a very happy puppy and I think unless you watched her for a while and knew about puppies that you wouldnt think there was anything wrong. We are going to the vets tomorrow but I would really be grateful for any input from you lot as you are such a knowledgable bunch of people!

I have made a list of notes for the vet and have pasted them below, hope they make sense, am having to type quick as the little mite will be awake soon!

- trouble with feed bowl, loses it
- can't see cat till about a metre away
- ran into back door when closed
- only goes down the steps in some lights, night and when cloudy/raining
- never looks at your face
- third eye lid always almost completely covering eye when sleeping
- constantly scenting
- got lost in ditch on walk
- will go over things but tests with feet and nose
- when called and more than about a metre away starts squeaking and
franticly looking for you. Especially bad when windy or where sound
echoes
- sniffs peoples faces a lot without licking or biting
- doesn't always see when the other dogs are coming towards her when they're playing. I'm worried about her getting hurt. My Goldie is very careful, but sisters schnauzer isn't at all and will just smash into her. So she has started making noises when they play so he can keep track of her.

Out on walks she goes off lead, but stays close. She will also very happily great other dogs, but is shy.

those are all I can think of for now, have had experience with a number of issues with our past and present dogs but never with eyesight. I and the behaviourist feel that she can most likely see shadows, but in her years of doing puppy classes she hasnt ever seen a puppy act in this way, so has no knowledge to fall back on.

The other question is if there was something wrong, where would i stand as far as the breeder goes. Should I get all but deposit back?

I love this little dog with all my heart and could never part with her. She will always have a home here and if she does have a disability, she will have just a greater life had she not. Its the not knowing which is getting me. Just want to do whats best for her

Finally, her is the little bundle of fun herself.
Meet Pixel!

With my goldie, Ronnie

A good one of her eyes, difficult because she never looks at you directly when you call her.

Thank you once again, hope it made sense.

Elle
x

 

[CAYLA]

It does souns a little odd the behaviour, but do not stress until you have sene the vet, if there is a problem ask your vet how likely that would have been picked up if their vet had checked the puppies, then contact the breeder and ask if they where checked.

 

[SusieT]

She does sound partially sighted, but don't worry they can lead happy healthy lives.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Awwwww she is soooooo cute!

I have no idea about eyes etc my blue roan has eyes that look like that. He is nearly 12 now and never really had any problems - would get it checked out by the vets. Some of the things you mentioned could be stooooopid spangle puppy behaviour

 

[Vizslak]

I'm sorry I have no idea on further advice, other than if I had bred her and she is partially sighted, I would give you a full refund minus expenses (I would simply factor expenses as vaccs, chipping, worming and flea treatment) regardless of whether or not you wanted to keep her.
I hope all goes ok at the vets tomorrow and its not as bad as you fear. She is an absolute poppet, I can see how she has won your heart, what a cutie!

 

[s4sugar]

Were the parents eye tested as well as being DNA checked?

Not all known eye problems have DNA tests.

 

[Elle123]

Thank you so much for all your replies. They have all been very comforting.

Yes they both fully hip and eye tested. So the by the DNA tests Pix just shouldn't get the FN and PRA. I'm guessing it can be a bit like labs with hip scores though, and that clear eyes by examination doesn't mean the pups will always be okay. Either way if there's something wrong I will be contacting the breeder. I have a bit of paper which came from her vets when they all had their check up saying her eyes were fine, so if there was something wrong she might have a case with the vet.

Either way I can't help thinking thank god I chose her if she is. Some would have just put her down

Fingers crossed for the vet tomorrow though Her big mate Ronnie is coming too for a check up for his fractured sesamoid.

She knows she's cute! Hehe! She's got quite a little attitude on her, she barks at you if you don't get her her breakfast quick enough! Hehe!

Elle
X

 

[Alec Swan]

Elle123,

I'm not a vet, but from your pics, I would say that your puppy was focusing on what it was looking at. Entirely normal.

What is also entirely normal, for some breeds of show bred dogs, is that as puppies, they do tend to be a bit dim! They'll walk into, or trip over, whatever is available. I really wouldn't worry, at all. They're just being a trifle dense, they usually grow out of it!

Enjoy your puppy, and stop worrying!

Alec.

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

I really hope that she is fine BUT if she isn't then she still could'nt of got a happier and lovelyer Mummy than you

Our blue roan bitch was born on Friday, can't wait to go and see her in 2 weeks time

 

[Brownmare]

I've nothing useful to add beyond what others have said but I do want to say that last pic is possibly THE cutest puppy pic ever and.........

**whispers** could possibly convert a confirmed skinny dog fan into a spangle lover

 

[Cinnamontoast]

She has the same look/eye shape as Bear, one of my pups. He is clumsy but I wouldn't say there are sight issues, just typical puppy clumsiness.

I hope she is fine. Keep us updated.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Elle here is a piccy of St Sweep as a puppy - same dopey eyes.......

 

[prosefullstop]

That's it. I need to add a blue roan cocker spaniel to my brood

I've no idea about the sight issue, but I have a one-eyed dog who does more than well in life. Good luck at the vet.

 

[poorchickens]

If she does have eyesight problems, I would ask for my money back from the breeder. Mine was confirmed as being deaf at 5 months old (how bad are we for not realising earlier ) and after a bit of a to-do with the breeder plus a vet certificate stating how deaf he was, she refunded all of our money. At one point she said we could take him back to her if we didn't like him - imagine doing that

Good luck at the vet!

 

[Cedars]

Ansiscool I think its disgusting that you'd ask for the money back!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Flamehead, any good breeder should offer money back without being asked if a puppy has a hereditary defect. They may offer to take the pup back and replace it but I am sure most people would be reluctant to give up a much loved pup. I sold a GSD puppy whose ears never went up, although his owners adored him I refunded half the purchase price as although it did not affect the dog in any way he didn't look like the well bred GSD he actually was.

 

[Cedars]

But I love Chloe whether her legs fall off or her eyes pop out or her tongue explodes. She's worth every penny of the £450 we paid. I never even considering asking for our money back - she's the light of my life and even with her problems she's still the best dog on earth?

And what even if it was a defect they dont have to test for? How many of them can there be? If a dog gets to 12 and they develop something like parkinsons, should they give you the money back at 12?!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Its not implying anyone loves their dog less, its just breeders being responsible. Quite surprised Chloes breeder haven't offered you anything tbh, particularly as her surgery has cost you so much. The soft ears I mention can't be tested for, if both parents have correct ears no breeder can be expected to know pups may have problems, as I said it is just something responsible breeders choose to do. Obviously if a dog develops a problem in old age it is different and I don't suppose anyone would expect a breeder to offer money back in that case.

 

[Scranny_Ann]

I wouldn't worry too much, but nevertheless great you're actually being proactive about your concerns

My lab pup is as stoooopid as they come! Constantly walking into things, falling over things/herself/other dogs/random objects etc

If she is partially sighted she couldn't be with a better person

Good luck and let us know how the little cutie gets on. We have a spaniel who had one eye removed at the age of 5. Vets said she would have to retire from her working career etc and basically become a brain-dead cabbage for health and safety reasons, pffffft no chance! She's 14 now, still one-eyed, still working and still going on strong!

Never under-estimate the sheer will & determination of the spangle!!!

 

[Cedars]

We obviously have differing opinions, and I'm not suggesting anyone loves their dog less than I do.

HOWEVER - I totally disagree that they should have to give you the money back.

And thankfully Chlo has cost us nothing as we're insured!

Would you expect a horse breeder to give you money back if your horse developed a genetic defect, say aged 8?