Rocky's Going More Blind

[Chicklette]

Well to make a LONG LONG story short Rocky (One of my jack russell’s) is missing one eye it had to be removed. She has to have three different kind of drop in her eyes 9 times a day. We are doing everything possible to keep that one eye going. But I have noticed she is bumping into things more and more and I will be over in say the kitchen and she will want a treat and barks but she will be baking at the fridge or something. She will also think Im in spots when Im not in that spot. It’s going down hill and that’s my fear. We have an appointment with the specialist in two weeks. (4 hours away every 3 months she goes), long trip but I would do anything for her. Im just really sad it’s declining and my fear is she will have to get her other eye removed. She still does see some thing which is good but not very well. However, she is such a happy energetic dog with everything she has been threw. She is very happy, even blind. I love her so much it totally breaks my heart watching her go blind even though it does not seem to bother her. She does not deserve this and I wish I could explain to her what's going on, but I think it bothers her more then me.

One of our road trips

 

[Anne & Gang]

awww the poor little tykey....postive thoughts and healing energies coming her way...my doggie was blind the whole last year of her life and deaf as well..She got along great...

 

[Greycloud]

Re: Rocky is going More Blind

Courtney, I am so sorry to hear this! Poor Rocky girl. I hope the vet has some insight for you. I know you hate the trip but it is great you have Rocky with a specialist.
I know how much you love her and have followed her story a long time. Even if the she mut have the other eye removed I think with your gentle manor and kindness you can guide her through life. Hugs and prayers coming to you and Rocky.

 

[Birdiemarie]

Re: Rocky is going More Blind

I'm so sorry to read this. Rocky is so fortunate to have you taking care of her.

 

[expressmailtome]

I hope that things go ok with the vet and something can be done.

Matt

 

[MollyMouse]

I hope that things go ok with the vet and something can be done.

Matt

Me too

 

[BraveheartDogs]

Well to make a LONG LONG story short Rocky (One of my jack russell’s) is missing one eye it had to be removed. She has to have three different kind of drop in her eyes 9 times a day. We are doing everything possible to keep that one eye going. But I have noticed she is bumping into things more and more and I will be over in say the kitchen and she will want a treat and barks but she will be baking at the fridge or something. She will also think Im in spots when Im not in that spot. It’s going down hill and that’s my fear. We have an appointment with the specialist in two weeks. (4 hours away every 3 months she goes), long trip but I would do anything for her. Im just really sad it’s declining and my fear is she will have to get her other eye removed. She still does see some thing which is good but not very well. However, she is such a happy energetic dog with everything she has been threw. She is very happy, even blind. I love her so much it totally breaks my heart watching her go blind even though it does not seem to bother her. She does not deserve this and I wish I could explain to her what's going on, but I think it bothers her more then me.

One of our road trips

I'm sorry to hear about Rocky's eye. The good news is that most dogs adjust very well when they lose their eyesight later in life. You will need to use your voice more to let her know where you are, and not move around furniture in your house and I think she will adjust just fine.

 

[Gilraen]

I was actually going to post what BHD just did. We had a cocker spaniel when I was a kid who went completely blind because of cataracts. She was still happy as a clam(although she was pretty stupid too, there's a good chance it had to do with that. My favourite "Pam moment" was when my old psycho kitty was trying to kill her and she was wagging her tail at it, thinking he was trying to play XD) About all I'd suggest is that if she does lose her other eye, try to not rearrange the furniture very often so she can get around by memory.

 

[Chicklette]

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts and prayers, it means a lot since you understand what it’s like to love an animal so much, with all your heart. She means the world to me. I do use command words now like stairs, I go ahead of her and use my voice, on walks I am training her “curb”, “tree” ect. Im preparing her for becoming blind.

No furniture will ever be moved around. I have too many tanks and cages to move anything, lol. There is no more room. I also don’t leave things laying around so she can’t bump into them.

Thanks for the support guys.

Someone had the guts to tell me to euthanize her, can you believe that. Since I have to put 9 drops in her eye they told me to put her to sleep.

 

[Danita]

Put her to sleep
If someone said that to me about my dog I would be so mad!!!

I understand how hard it is to watch them age My GSD is almost 14 now going blind and completely deaf.

 

[Chicklette]

Oh trust me I was mad, I said if you were blind in one eye I think Im going to put you to sleep. No need for you to live anymore if you can’t see well. And it was in a hard way. All he said, “Time to euthanize her.” And that’s all. Trust me I was mad. She is such a happy dog, playful, full of life, even when she goes totally blind she will be happy, I just know it.

 

[Renae]

Anyone that suggests she be *that word* (I hate it) needs to have it done to them - there's absolutely no reason to do such a thing to a dog that is perfectly fine, sure she may be going more blind, but that's NOT to say she can't continue living life like every other dog. I do feel so very bad for her, but like it's been said, she'll adjust fine as long as you let her know where you are, and anything else.

 

[Rebecca in Israel]

Courtney, my prayers are going out to you to have the strength to continue caring and loving Rocky as much as you do. Even when it is tough remember that Rocky knows that you are doing you best. Rocky be pain free and tell Mommy Cortney you understand about how she is feeling.

 

[happybirds]

We had a chihauhau, Alexander Socrates was his name. He was 18 1/2 when I had him euthanized.

Alex was completely blind and bowel and bladder incontinent, but other than that and old age, he was fine. ..lol.

Seriously, he was blind for many years and was able to navigate the house quite well.

During his last year or so, I had to confine him to the kitchen due to the bowel and bladder problem and came home every night to wash the floor and sometimes the dog. I did learn that giving him some canned pumpkin did help control the diarrehea - that was very helpful.

Even as he transitioned from being able to navigate, to only being at rest when he was in my arms, I kept him with me. When he transitioned into being frightened even in my arms, I knew it was his time.

As the anniversary of my Freedom's passing (Scarlet-fronted conure) approached, I knew that was the day I was going to choose.

But, as I said, Alex was 18 1/2 years old and going down hill very fast, and was afraid to even come out of his bed, so in my case, it was the right thing to do.

With your baby, all you can do is what you are doing, and give him time to adjust (and he will) if he loses the sight in his other eye. (heck I have a bird who had his wing amputated, and it really took him a couple of years to be steady on his feet) Patience and love are always the key. As long as he is happy and healthy and able to have a quality of life, and until he no longer can, you keep him close and love him.

Many kudos to you for the love and dedication you have given to Rocky.

(We had a Pug named Sheffield's Rock of Gibralter - Rocky for short - he was the best and left us too soon due to oral cancer at the age of 9)