In Memory of Pets

Hi,

My german shepherd has diabetes and has developed cataracts in her eyes. I don't feel she is coping well from losing here sight. Can they be removed or isn't that possible? I'm going to talk to my vet tomorrow but I just wanted some input from anyone else who is experiencing this. I've had two dogs previous who have been through the same thing (my darling Polly and Mum's dog Max.....both who are in heaven) but they seemed to cope better.

Look forward to hearing your views.

Suz

Dear Suz,

I did a little research for you and found this information.
I hope that this helps. My thoughts and prayers are with your baby. Please keep everyone posted. The best source of information is from your vet and specialist.

The most common metabolic disorder resulting in cataract formation in the dog is diabetes mellitus. In diabetic dogs, the glucose concentrations in the lens increases. The extra glucose is converted into sorbitol, which causes an increase in the influx of water to the lens. The increase in water causes a breakdown of the lens fibers and a resulting cataract. Cataracts in diabetic dogs can develop extremely rapidly, if the dog is not regulated. They generally affect both eyes. Surgical removal of the lens can be successfully performed in the diabetic dog, if the animal has been regulated successfully for at least three months.

Trauma

Trauma from an automobile accident, or penetration of a thorn, shotgun pellet, or other object may damage the lens and a cataract may develop. These types of cataracts usually only occur in one eye and can be treated successfully with surgical removal.

Treatment

Treatment for canine cataracts consists of surgical removal of the lens. Currently, there is not a good non-surgical treatment for this condition. With the increase in veterinary surgical skill and equipment, the surgical procedure to remove the problem lens is becoming increasingly more common. There are several different techniques used to remove the affected lens including; the removal of the entire lens and surrounding capsule, the removal of the lens leaving the surrounding capsule, phacoemulsification of the lens, and aspiration and desiccation of the lens. All of these techniques can offer excellent results. For a successful outcome, the affected animal must undergo a thorough examination to determine if he is a good surgical candidate. Diabetic animals that are not regulated, aggressive animals that are difficult to treat daily, or animals in poor or failing health, are not good surgical candidates. If you suspect your dog is developing cataracts, then you should work closely with a veterinary ophthalmologist to take the best and most effective course of treatment for the dog.

With blessings and caring thoughts,

Carole

Thank you Carole for your informative message.

Jen's has stabilized with her diabetes thank goodness. I will go and talk to my vet. I do know of an excellent eye specialist (I took my other darling dogs Polly and Waffle to him years ago) so we'll see how it goes. I do hope something can be done for Jen's sake.

I will keep you up-dated.

Paw cheers,
Suz

Dear Suz,

Our hearts pray for your little one with hope that something can be done through your vet and eye specialist
for your little friend.

Our prayers will be coming through and please do keep
everyone posted.

With blessings and caring thoughts,

Carole

My prayers are with you and your dalring Suz.

Take care and let us know how it goes?

Thanks

Kerry

_________________
Friends of the heart never truly leave us. They are with us always in all ways.

Hi Kerry,

Thanks for your kind wishes.

Yes I'll keep you updated with Jen's progress.

I have put some essential oil on things about the house (doorways, outside steps....1 step out back (I'm always with her when I take her out the front steps), furniture) so Jen is aware of where things are. She knows where they are already but that just gives her a little more assurance when she uses her sense of smell. Because she is such a big dog (german shepherd) I decided to put her harness on this morning (she wasn't too good with her direction this morning) and lead her outside to do her wee

She knew somehow I was going out in the car today to get petrol and I was worried whether to leave her here or take her in the car as I normally do. She got up as if to say 'ok Mum I'm ready', so of course I took her. During the week I drop her off at my Mum's and pick her up when I come home, so she is always with someone during the day. Mum is great with her, very understanding and caring. Jen loves Mum too and is comfortable at Mum's place

Paw cheers,

Suz

Dear Suz,

Our Setter "Bridge" had PRA in her later years and adapted quite well to her surroundings. She would "hug" the wall and pick up her scent and this she would follow. I talked with my vet about dogs and blindness when she was first diagnosed and he told me that dogs do adapt to their disability. I worked very closely with her and she would follow my lead around the house by using vanilla cookies. She got used to this and would follow "our trail". She was so strong and so loving. She had many health issues during her lifetime and each one she adapted very well even from having total hip surgery at a very young age. She was amazing and was so adaptable no matter what her challenge was. I gather my strength from her over the years of her life with us. I hope that this helps you and please do keep us posted on how you baby is doing.

"Bridge" celebrates her birthday today. She is so very missed. Keep us posted.

My prayers of caring are with you,

Carole

Link for the following article (on Cesar Milan's web site):

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/askthevet ... vemberNL_2


Blind and Deaf Dog
Written by Dr. Sherry Weaver
I just found out that my dog is going to be blind and lose her hearing within two years. She is a very active dog, but I can already see the differences in her behavior because the problems have already started. Is her life worth living after losing these senses?

Riikka Karppinen
Helsinki, Finland


Helen Keller would say yes, life is worth living even with blindness and deafness. Dogs who lose some senses will compensate with their others. She will still have smell to recognize the people she loves and touch to enjoy a good petting. She will still have taste to enjoy a good meal. And with your guidance, she can still enjoy a good run on a relatively even surface on a leash. Depending on the cause of blindness or deafness, often conditions will leave some ability to see shadows and navigate around things, but even if this is not the case, as long as the furniture doesn't move, they usually navigate quite well.

I think the hardest part of living with a dog losing senses is when we see them struggling or bumping into things. I have experienced this with my own dog Einstein, who at 18 years of age has lost most of his hearing and vision, but no one could look at him and say he is not still enjoying life. Remember, as Cesar says, a dog does not intellectualize. She just accepts and enjoys what the world gives her!

You can see more tips from Dr. Weaver in Cesar's Way magazine.

Dr. Weaver


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I hope that the above also helps!

I had a beautiful red lab, Monty, who as an old dog, went very deaf and then gradually, quite blind (Could see shadows etc though) and he took on these problems in his stride...... we just made sure that we didn't mess with the house smells with air freshners and didn't move the furniture much ... and he created a mind trail, he knew where he was going and just went about his business...... and he moved in a way that if he did bump into something, it was never at a fast pace where he would hurt himself... he learnt caution.... as we all do in our advancing years...

It was many happy years together with these conditions before he went to the bridge..... and I wouldn't hav missed out on one day of that time!

Keep strong, know that dogs use their noses and can navigate about in the pitch dark at night quite well using this sense..... who knows maybe they just think that it is always night time when they lose their sight.....

In my thoughts and prayers,

Kerry

_________________
Friends of the heart never truly leave us. They are with us always in all ways.

Hi Carole,

Thank you for your message and advise

Also happy birthday to 'Bridge'...I'm sure they're all having a party at Rainbow Bridge....maybe vanilla biscuits and all. It would be so cute watching their party......tails wagging and all

Paw cheers,
Suz

Hi Kerry,

Thanks for that info and taking the time to send to me.

I've noticed when Jen isn't sure where she's going she'll just sit down. I don't blame her, I'd do the same.

I'm not moving my furniture about so she'll get use to where it all is from memory.

I remember my darling dog Polly, when she went blind from diabetes she was totally different about it. She was more confident and found her way by smell. I distinctly remember one day my family went to a park for a picnic and we took Polly and her brother Waffle. As we were all leaving to head back to the cars, I watched as Polly followed my Mum (I think) by 'sniffing' her scent along the ground. It was amazing to watch.

Jen has always been a very timid dog so she is a different story altogether. I guess once she gets use to remembering where things are she'll be right. I'm just worried for her as I hate seeing her like this.

I'd like to use food as a 'leader' for her, but being diabetic she can't have any more that what she gets at meal times.

I find if I put her harness on I can lead her a little better.

I decided I'd wait until next Sunday when I take her back for her blood glucose test to ask the vet about the eye operation. They can then look at her and give their opinion. In the mean time I will ring the eye specialist and ask what the price would be so I have an indication. Even if they could just do one eye, at least she'd have some sight.

I will keep you up-dated though.

Thank you, to you and Carole for your concerns.

Suz