Update - Is my cocker puppy partially sighted? (PICS)

[Elle123]

Hello everyone,
Apologies for the delay in giving you an update, have been in hospital having parts of guts ripped out!

Original Post
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=405641

We went to the vet that Monday and got referred to a specialist at Seadown, Southampton straight away. Managed to get an appointment for next week before my surgery : )

Vet was amazing. Unfortunately we were right. It kind of summed it up when Pixel walked into the consultation room and straight into the vets table

So we have a diagnosis. Pixel can most likely only see lights and shadows.
She has 2 conditions:

- Bilateral Micropthalmia
- Optic Nerve Hypoplasia

The Bilateral Micropthalmia essentially means 'small eye'. The eye doesn't form correctly and she will always have smaller than normal, most likely sunken, eyes. This most commonly seen just in one eye, but Pixel has been very unlucky and has it in both : (

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia is where the Optic Nerve hasn't developed properly, and is abnormally small, meaning the brain can't receive the messages correctly.

Basically there is nothing to cure it and it is something which she would have been born with. There is only one more test that can be done, but that would only be to see if her brain is also affected, but we feel at the moment she is too small to undergo the general anesthetic, plus the cost factor of an MRI, we would only go ahead with this if she start showing other mental issues, as well as the physical ones she already has.

So basically she cannot see but she is very happy and it is nothing which is causing her pain.

Have talked to the breeder and she was absolutely lovely about it. Actually got quite choked up about it on the phone She offered us either a free puppy from her next litter or half to original price minis the £100 deposit. We were really grateful for this an we have put the money away for any problems with her eyes in the future as it looks like the insurance company won't cover it.

Just goes to show no matter how much testing you do, these things can happen.
anyway, here's the little monkey!

With her special Chow Bella Spaniel Bowls

What lead??!!!!!

and just because I love this one of her out on a walk

Will be training her to a whistle and her best mate Ronnie has a bell on his collar which has already made a difference

Thanks for looking

Elle
x

 

[GinaB]

Sorry to hear of her issues She sounds like she is going to be just fine though, many dogs lead good lives even though partially sighted. I used to own a dog who was totally blind and with careful management, she coped justf ine

She is such a little cutie! I want to give her a big cuddle

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Awww she is just so cute

What a shame but at least you adore her and have done everything possible for her and no she isn't in any pain. I am sure with all you've and care she will have a great life with you and will manage to cause enough havoc and chaos as it is!

 

[prosefullstop]

If she's been like that from birth, she'll cope far better than a dog who suddenly goes blind from, say, PRA. My Boston terrier lost her right eye in an accident over two years ago, and she adjusted to the change in about a week.

Your puppy is adorable. She seems like a real spitfire

Also, if you do need extra support, there's a blind dogs group on Yahoogroups. There are quite a few owners with blind Cockers on there, and I found their advice to be helpful and comforting when my Stella first lost her eye.

 

[poorchickens]

Oh that's rubbish

But now you know, you can get on and have loads of fun!

We have a deaf cocker and didn't realise for months (bad mother ) but you adapt and it makes them more special.

 

[SusieT]

Have to say I would have wanted a full refund as whilst the dog will lead a happy life you will be fairly restricted with her and as an owner of a totally blind dog, it is less easy than a 'normal' dog. I feel that a reputable breeder would have offered you all your money back :S

 

[Cedars]

I think the breeder has been more than reasonable. Sorry to hear about your dog but they're incredibly adaptable.

 

[Elle123]

I personally was happy with the refund. My partner wasn't.
I saw it as the breeder still put all the effort into caring for her and the bitch etc. Her level of care wasn't any different.

The vet said not to be surprised if we didn't anything back. At the end of the day there is nothing the breeder could have done. Her mum and dad had every test they could have. Had had a previous litter together no problems. It seems Pixel was just unlucky

As far as her care goes my friend is a well renowned behaviourist and is going to work with me with training.

I have disabilities too, maybe shes a little gift to show me how I can deal with mine too

Im just happy its nothing that is causing her discomfort and shes happy

she still throttles my sisters schnauzer okay!!!

Thank you for all your lovely comments

Elle
x

 

[reddie]

Oh I am sorry, but it sounds as though she has great owners and will be okay. My dad had blind golden retreiver. She had a long and happy life. She wouldn't go for a walk though. She would rather have her neck pulled out. Luckly he had a acre garden that she wandered round in, and occassionally visiting neighbours. Her favourite game was fetching stones, she would always find the right one, and would bark until you threw it again. They adapt really well. And she would sit, give a paw etc. But she did have an independent streak which i think served her well. Good luck

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

She is so cute and so lucky to have a Mummy and Daddy like you two I hope she doesn't have any real probs and adapts to life easily xxx

 

[SusieT]

If you need any advice, mine wasn't blind from birth but went gradually blind over a few years at a young age and still swims, plays etc. (takes her a little longer to find the ball!) If you have another dog they can be really useful particularly for a pup, so if you don't I'd start looking for a walking buddy so she can go with another dog and learn about things that way if you see what I mean as opposed to not knowing what to do due to not seeing it.

 

[Bearsmum]

Sorry to hear about her problems - BUT that is one cute little puppy, how do you not just squeeze her all up?

JDx

 

[mollichop]

Well at least now you know the reason behind your suspicions. She looks a real poppet and i'm sure will go on to lead a very happy life as she isn't aware that she's any different.

Also her friend with the bell will help a lot. She's gorgeous!