progressive retinal atrophy
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| Hi Tina I am sorry to hear you are going through this  If you can email me, I can put you in touch with a family that adopted from us that went through the same thing.. I know he had surgery but, is doing well! Judy, his new Mom is more than willing to share! My email is carolinasoes@gmail.com Sorry, she is not on oes.org |
| I can't share any information on the PRA other than an article which you've probably already read. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... 92&aid=343 I do want to offer encouragement though... IF he does loose his vision. I know the uncertainty and that his loss of vision saddens you. I was bringing in a severely vision challenged puppy 6 years ago and should have been prepared yet still mourned the loss of her sight. I honestly expected to tether her to me so I could lead her around for the rest of her life. (I knew nothing about "blind" dogs.  ) With your support, encouragement and some modifications, your boy will adapt and thrive. I know what you're experiencing is not the same as being born with sight and loosing it... my dog never relied on sight to navigate. But... we went to Michigan State University to see Dr. Petersen-Jones when Kaytee was around 6 months old. Her "good" eye that has a cataract clouded and she was totally blind. We think she can see some shadows. The other eye eventually shrunk. When we were told there was nothing that could be done to help her see normally, they stressed that a dog's vision is NOT their primary sense. That some dogs go blind and their families never realized it. His other senses, especially smell and hearing, will help him to adapt. He will learn to map out his surroundings in his head, memorizing the layout of the house, yard. But this will all come with time. Look for the book, "Living With Blind Dogs- A Resource Book and Training Guide for the Owners of Blind and Low-Vision dogs" by Caroline D. Levin RN. It was recommended by MSU. There is a brief section on PRA... pages 15 & 16. Just some things we did/do... Open/close doors completely so he won't run into the edge. Keep doors to stairways closed. Don't change the furniture positioning for a while. I wore an anklet at first that had bells on it so Kaytee could follow me. I got the book after we had had Kaytee for 4 months so we had a lot of it figured out on our but I see they mention you can use a cat collar with a bell! I later got so I patted my leg so she could follow the sound instead. Begin teaching a warning word... we use "CAREFUL!" I also taught "edge" when on the bed or table. Get down to your baby's level... look for things that could pose a danger... this includes anything sharp that might poke him in the eyes or nose and remove them. I also go around the yard and clip low branches that could poke her in the eye. Food/water always in the same place. See if you can find ways to continue to play favorite games. Kaytee plays fetch... I tell her "fetch", she runs out, I throw the ball and she listens for it. If she can't find it, we play a version of hot/cold but the words are yes, uh-uh, slooooow, stop!, this way, etc. You can put a bell inside a ball too so it produces more sound. It's her favorite game. All kitchen chairs get pushed up to the table when no one is sitting in them. Don't leave things in the yard that might pose a danger... the wheelbarrow, lawn mower, rake, etc. You can use those swimming noodles to help soften the impact on corners. Kaytee runs and her flight path will get too close to a cement block wall we have so we planted a bush in front to cushion the impact IF she were to get way off course. If people are approaching, I say "friend". If he plays with other dogs, pawing can be a problem. Bumble will paw at Kaytee and she can't see it coming so she ends up "yelling" at him.  We have to remind him that he can't do that because it startles her. Begin teaching step down and step up.  And at some point, if he does have PRA, please notify the breeder because others may also be affected or be carriers. Best wishes to you both.  |
cahalanjones wrote: Can anyone provide some advice about this disease in their sheeepie? Our approx three year old sheepie may have it and we are trying to learn all we can - tests for diagnosis? Is there any therapy or Treatment? How did your dog handle loss of Eyesight? Our poor sweet boy ... thanks, tina I'm so sorry you're going through this. It must be scary. As already mentioned, dogs who lose their sight do very well. I grew up with two blind poodles and the way they adapted was amazing. I think it's much harder emotionally on the owners than the dogs themselves. I'm guessing you've already seen a canine opthamologist which is why you suspect PRA specifically? There are other hereditary conditions in the breed which can cause blindness and it takes someone specifically trained in evaluating canine eyesight to make a definitive diagnosis. If not, that would be the place to start. I'm not aware of any treatment or therapy for PRA, but the Old English Sheepdog Club of America is supporting breed specific research into the condition in order to discover the genetic basis so breeders will some day be able to test for and avoid producing affected dogs. To accomplish this the researchers are in strong need of DNA (a blood sample, essentially) and, ideally, pedigree information of afflicted dogs as well as, when available, DNA from close family membersl. If your boy is diagnosed as affected would you consider helping with the research? The head researchers contact information is Simon Petersen-Jones Assistant Professor, Comparative Ophthalmology Michigan State University Phone: (517) 353-3278 Fax: (517) 355-5164 Email: peter315@cvm.msu.edu See http://www.oeshealth.org/progressive_retina_atropy.php for full article. Ann Lapp (pettibonesoes@aol.com) is the OESCA Health and Research Committee's liaison for PRA research, although one can certainly always contact the researchers directly. Ann can be a big help if you want someone to talk to and help guide you though the process though. Please keep us posted and best wishes for your boy. Kristine |
| I think that they also make balls that beep. I have seen them used for blind kids playing softball. Not sure if they make any dog versions or if the softball would hold up to a dog's mouth. I also have a few friends that have had a horse that was blind and they used the other horses almost like guides around the pasture. There has also been a horse that competed in dressage that was completely blind as well so don't give up hope. It is amazing how resilient animals can be when given the chance. |
| Thank you all so much! For background -- We rescued Bo this summer through the OES Rescue Network of the Southeast. He was a blessing to us after losing our 13 yo sheepie earlier in the summer. After a few months with him, we just wondered if he was having a little trouble seeing - nothing major at all. Most people we mentioned it to thought we were crazy, but we just had a hunch. On a regular grooming appt at the vet's I asked them to take a look at his eyes and our regular vet told me that he was concerned about the amount of light refraction from his retinas (not sure I have that term right - but basically his retinas were bouncing alot of light back instead of letting it pass through to the optic nerve). So, I took him to a veterinary opthalmologist yesterday. He has significant scarring on both retinas, his viscous is deteriorating faster than usual, and he has a strange "bump" on one of his retinas. The scarring could be related to poor nutrition or illness in puppyhood but since we rescued him at 2 1/2, we don't know his medical history. The other two things are troubling. I take him back next week to have an ultrasound and two more tests done, so we'll know more, but PRA is the leading suspect right now. I think the thing that makes me the most sad about it all isn't just the loss of his eyesight, but that we were really hoping to give him this magical life that he never really had before. He's been through some tough times and we wanted that to be behind him so he could have his happily ever after with us. BUT, the good thing is that we are very fortunate to be in a position to take really good care of him, and I am actually glad that if this was going to happen to him (and we still don't know for sure) we are glad to be his new family. Thanks again for all the encouragement and resources -- Sheepie owners are good people! Tina |
| You did give him a new magical life! He is loved and that is what is important! I was mistaken that our former foster had Juvenile Cataracts..sorry  I am sure you will recieve wonderful advice here though! Good Luck |
| I totally agree with Kathy. You ARE giving him a magical new life. You love him and are willing to do whatever you can to find out what is wrong and what you can do about it.  I shudder to imagine what might have happened to him if he didn't have you to care for him. Good luck with your boy. |
Mim wrote: You ARE giving him a magical new life. You love him and are willing to do whatever you can to find out what is wrong and what you can do about it. I shudder to imagine what might have happened to him if he didn't have you to care for him. . Amen! Kristine |
| Hi tina I've known two OES over the years that were diagnosed with PRA and even though a gradual loss of sight they did OK. It was One person started noticing things with there dog when it was about 2 1/2, a specialist eye vet confirmed the diagnosis and by the time the dog was 5 completely blind. There is no medical cure for PRA but otherwise with the loss of sight there healthy in every other aspect. The dog I mentioned lived a happy and good life even though blind till the age of 13, old age got her in the end. Loss of sight is manageable as everything else in their senses seems to be more stronger with the loss of one aspect "sight". Also they even though they cant see there still hearing your voice commands so training is easier then say a deaf dog which has to rely on hand signals and a bit harder there if they are not looking at you for those hand signal commands. Usually first sign of possible PRA is you notice a bit of night blindness happening. Then it gradually progesses from there to total loss of sight over a period of time. My old girl what was 14 when she passed was virtually blind in the end, we had no problems with her diminished sight as we kept everything where she knew it would be and she got around OK with her old age loss of seeing. I'd take her out into the yard to potty and she would just follow my voice to the spot where she liked to potty. Inside she was great as she knew where the door was, funiture etc so no bumping into things as she knew her area inside like the back of her paw. I could off lead her at a park still (a big grassy area) with no trees in the way and she was OK too because she would follow me and snoof around, have a romp and if she went too far away she would come back to me calling her.  Best wishes for your Bo and glad you have him in your care, if it does come back as confirmed PRA you still will have many years of happiness with him even though his sight will fail in the end but he will still be able to do everything with you regardless of no sight. |
| Just wanted to quickly update everyone on Bo's appointment today - GOOD NEWS! His eyesight and retinal function are fine - amazingly! However, he does have a lesion on one retina and some signs of what may be a slight retinal detachment or perhaps bleeding in both eyes. I was so shocked and relieved, that I feel like I didn't ask any good questions about why there is such a discrepancy from the first appointment. They are still worried about what his retinas are doing/look like, so they drew some blood and want to see him back on Friday. They are now wondering if the lesions are caused by either a tick-borne disease or blastomycosis, which is prevalent in this area of Tennessee - in fact, sadly our neighbors' dog died from it. However, Bo has no other symptoms of any disease and is really very very healthy. Sooo, we go back on friday to get the results of the blood tests. Thanks again for all your support and encouragement - I'll keep you posted! Tina |
| Thanks for the update Tina. I hope Bo has a good appointment on Friday, and you can get some answers.  |
| Thanks for letting us know... I hope you get great news on Friday! Sorry, I haven't responded to your email yet... I kind of am bad with emails sometimes |
| didn't someone else have a pup that had a retinal dettachement??? I can't remember what they did for him. I know that they can do surgery for that on humans but I think it does depend on how long it has been dettached whether it will help or not. Keep us posted. |
| Hello all! I am very happy to report that Bo definitely does not have PRA. woo hoo! It turns out his blood tests were positive for both lyme disease and rocky mountain spotted fever - which I am assuming he contracted before he came into rescue. I can't imagine he contracted them lounging around on our couch! Both diseases can cause retinal bleeding and lesions. So, his treatment will consist of antibiotics and steroids. we started the medications earlier this week, even before his tests results came back - and in just four days, the parts of his retinas that were "lifting" a bit, have flattened out. The doctor thinks he was heading to a retinal detachment, so we are very fortunate to have caught this so early. He is as healthy as a horse and had no other symptoms, so the disease may have been latent and not active. Thanks again for everyone's encouragement and concern -- wanted to "close the loop" in case anyone else has eye issues with their dogs. Maybe our experience can help! Tina |
| WONDERFUL NEWS, Tina!!!! |
Great newsTina  Howver, just a word of caution...Maybe you should treat your hosue with a fogger to be sure the tick didn't come from the house. Not sure if they can live in your couch. Hopefully not. But if you can get yourself and the dog out of the house a few hours, it maybe a good idea to bomb...Hope his Lymes gets better. I know we have a lot of Lymes in our area. |
| Thanks for the update! And that IS basically good news, and something you can work at treating. |
| Sorry to respond so late. That's FANTASTIC news. I'm so glad it's treatable. And kudos to you for chasing it down so dilligently. Since your pup was otherwise symptom free he could have been sick for a long time, and ended up with permanent damage had you not been so on top of things. You've rescued him more than twice over. Congratulations! Virtual hugs to you both. |
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