I am getting a new foster this week, a 5 year old girl that went blind within a week. Just happened recently.

Lynda, was your Smokey always blind, or did it happen suddenly?
I had a foster dachshund with SARD (Sudden acquired retinal degeneration). He was very angry and depressed about it, but some dogs cope fairly well with the sudden change.
My little senior dachshund Baby Ruth was blind, but it happened over a couple years and she did very well.

I am used to taking care of blind dogs, but was wondering if anyone has more info about what it could be besides SARD? The owner said her greyhound lost weight recently. May she have another medical condition that has nothing to do with her sudden blindness? Or is there a connection?

I'll have her checked out by our very greyhound-savvy vet and maybe even by eye specialist Dr. Robert English here in Cary, he is excellent.

Thanks!

my digger went blind twice from detached retnias, they found his blood pressure was extremley high and felt that was the cause. each time he adapted to the house but was very frusrtated with it but some miricle brought it back both times. he would adjust to it and be able to function but it was still frustrating to him. they can adapt to it as they are very smart creatures.

That's interesting, thanks. I didn't know high blood pressure can cause it, I am always learning something new.

If this dog is as sweet as Lynda's Smokey I may be in trouble! I like the special needs dogs, but I have to realize that this one may be better off in a quiet home without silly puppies running her over!

Smokey has PRA-Progressive Retinal Atrophy which occurs over a time. He probably went blind by age 2 or 3. He is 7 now so he has had time to adjust.

He is amazing in that he was at Continental Kennel for about 2 weeks and adjusted very quickly. Then came to our house and within 2 days knew the house layout.

To help him I put scents on different things using essential oils. I used lemon on walls so he knew that smell meant to be careful. His bed I used a Calming scent and I only scented his bed and his kennel so he knew they were his. And the backdoor was lavendar. Now they all sleep in each others bed and the biggest challenge is for him to know a bed is occupied. He will try to lay on just the edge with 95% of his body on the floor. Fortunately my others are okay with his stepping on them.

You may want to contact Cathly Lloyd at

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for a special blend of flower essence to help the new foster settle in. She did a seminar at Open House and has vended at Mtn Hnds. Let her know the dog is a foster and what you want the essence to accomplish.

He is special for sure.

Well, I think the Montgomerys are pretty special folks and I'm sure that Smokey would agree with Me !!! Special needs animals can be a challenge and I have nothing but respect for those people who are willing to take that challenge. You're A#1 in My book !!!!!

Gary

I have Poca the blind greyhound at the house, she is very sweet. She doesn't mind silly Diesel sniffing all over her and nudging her to play.
She holds her head down to sniff where she is going. Right now she is sleeping on the pillow next to my chair. I feel sorry for her, she will never be able to race around the yard. Maybe she'll learn to trot next to me on leash like my dachshund did, I'll start her on commands like "step up/down", "wait", "left/right". Amazing how animals adjust to being disabled, very amazing. We have a lot to learn from them.

Poor baby.

The vet called with the blood results, poor Poca is diabetic...
To be prepared for the vet visit, I am trying to find info about normal glucose levels in greyhounds but haven't been sucessful, just checked Dr Stack's website. Does anybody know if greyhounds are different from other breeds? Vet said she's over 600 and that it's bad. I think around 200 is normal? She is going for another test on Monday after fasting. She's been losing weight rapidly. But having diabetis explains the blindness, weightloss, coarse coat and zero muscle tone. She looks and feels awful.
My friend let me have some of her dog's prescription food (DCO?) that is specialized for diabetic dogs so her glucose level won't rise too much until Monday, hopefully.

Poor baby...

poor sweet girl. i'm sure once her sugar is under control, she'll be a completely different girl. good luck! feel better, poca

The vet gave me a crash course on how to give insulin shots, it is much easier than I thought, no big deal!
She is also on antibiotics for UTI and gets ear drops for yeasty smelly ears. My kitchen looks like a farmacy.
Yep, once she is regulated she'll feel so much better!
She is very sweet, never growls when my shameless hounds bump into her or try to steal her food .
Poca will make someone a wonderful pet, someone who doesn't mind her being blind and spending $80-$100 per month on meds.

Poca found new foster parents who are planning on adopting her if everything works out!
She lives with two other brindle greyhounds (I call them the "brindle bunch").
So far so good!!!

Al right!! Congratulations Poca! Hopefully everything will work well and she will have her new forever home.

People with "Hearts", a rarity these days, God bless Em' !!!
Good going Poca, You deserve it !!!

Gary