Help, Dog is blind

[Renee]

Hi Everyone,
My 5 yr. old Australian Shepherd went totally blind overnight. Our vet sent him to the College of vet. medicine at Ohio State University yesterday evening where he was diagnosed with
"Suspected uveodermatologic syndrome"
Tissue biopsy results won't be in for about 5 days but the vets are almost certain the diagnosis is correct. This is an immune-mediated disease and must be treated with steroids for the inflammation behind the cornea.
Is anyone aware of nutritional support that could aid this dog? He has only a 50% chance of regaining his sight (we got him to the vet's the same day the blindness occurred) but from what I am reading it doesn't look promising.
Zeke's retinas were bulging and detached BUT NOT TORN.
Diet changes?? anything that could help his body stop attacking the pigmented cells????
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Renee

[sisterpine]

Renee: I am so very sorry to hear about your dog. I do not know of anything that could help. But wanted to let you know that one of my dogs (years ago) went blind in a similar fashion and was a happy healthy dog for several years after the blindness. Still chased balls, but only in the house where she could hear the ball strike the wall or furniture. She was a wonderful dog and is sadly missed after dying of old age. I have you and your dog in my prayers for a good life whatever the outcome of the blindness. kathleen

[Yvonne]

This site helped when one of my Shelties became blind and deaf at 16. Penny handled everything much better I did.

http://www.blinddogs.com/

When one of my other dogs was hit by a car and had to be in the clinic for 3 months I worked with the vet to provide him a more supportive diet which I delived twice a day. It consisted of raw meat, eggs, liver, yorgurt and brewers yeast.
This dog was losing pigment in his nose [collie nose, where pigment is lost and can become cancerous] and the brewers yeast, B vitamins, helped it retain black color.

If worse comes to worse, Dogs are very adaptable to these problems. Main thing is that they can live pain free. Hoping for the best.

Yvonne

[mikell]

Raw liver helped my Gordons setter the other dogs wouldn't touch it but she ate it and it pulled her back from the brink. I gave it a quick fry after the firast week because I couldn't stand to watch her eat it. I pound in the morning and one at night plus it's normal food.

mikell

[margo]

Renee, I have no help, but want to let you know I am interested, sympathize, and want to know what you find out. I sure hope your pet can regain his sight..........Margo

[ponyexpress]

Renee,
I'm sorry for you and your dog! Just wanted to add to what Sisterpine has already told you, dogs do adapt really well to being blind. We had a collie/shepherd mix that went blind, and she could navigate the yard area (about an acre and a half) and run with the other dogs. I think they helped look out for her. Just don't go moving furniture without advising your dog of where it is.
My Appaloosa has something similar to what your dog was diagnosed with. Since he is incredibly stupid in addition to being hard to get along with, we were not able to put the eye drops in his eyes every day. He knocked me flat several times and I had to just give up, can't afford to be disabled... But he manages just fine. He stays in the same paddock every day and he can trot the fence lines. I still ride him in the ring and around the yard, and I could probably trail ride if I had anybody to go with, even though he is totally blind.
Best of luck to you!

[JulieNC]

Just another voice of sympathy and encouragement. One of our old dogs went blind. We had taken her to the vet for her shots, and it turns out that she was almost completely blind. It was a gradual thing--we had noticed her eyes getting cloudy, and the vet said it was cataracts. By the next visit (maybe 4 months later), she was completely blind. Never did notice a big difference.

She still got around the house just fine, and she never had a problem in the yard. We were, of course, careful to watch her outside to make sure that she didn't run into any problems with other dogs coming onto the property or whatever. We also had to be careful about not moving furniture or leaving stuff on the ground. My house was never tidier.

So as sad as it would be if your dog were to lose his sight, it's not a death sentence. With just a little extra care on your part, your dog could have a great quality of life. I hope that he regains his sight, and we're sending good thoughts your way.

[Corgitails]

I've fostered two blind dogs for rescue- and both of them got around just fine. Outside was difficult for them, but in familiar areas, I couldn't tell they were blind!

Yvonne gave you the link I was going to give you, so I won't repost that. Dogs function primarily by scent and sound- sight is a secondary sense for them, and I don't think we realize how much they use their other senses, being such visual creatures ourselves!


Cait

[kathy H]

Two things that might help is vitamen c., maybe 500 mg once or twice a day. And kayo green which you get at a healthfood store or on line it has blue green algae and wheatgrass which helps the imune system.

[Renee]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and ideas. I do have Zeke on vitamin B, C & E supplements. I will skip the kayo green because with this condition the dog's immune system is attacking his pigmented cells (goes for the pigment in the eyes first). It may not be good to boost his immune system at this time. I'll buy him some liver tomorrow.
I agree with those of you who have blind dogs... my dog does better than I would have imagined. We walked about 2.5 miles this evening.
Ponyexpress.. does your blind horse have the same condition that John Lyon's Appy stallion has?
Thanks again,
Blessings, Renee