My dog seems to have lost all her sight

[mydogsandme]

buggybelle- how are you and your dog doing? I replied to your post mentioning my dog was losing her sight. She is a 12 year old cocker- a rescue- and was diagnosed with the oset of cataracts 18 months ago. Nothing was mentioned at her check in February and she has always been a clumsy dog but a fortnight ago she walked straight into the patio doors and seemed disoriantatd when we got her up in the morning. This past week everything's become worse and we think she must have lost all her sight. When she's in the garden she can't find her way in and walks into the wall. Her favourite thing in the world (besides food) is walking and she's okay on the field but getting there along the streets she's really nervy and stumbling. She's a nervy dog anyway due to what she experienced in her early days. It made me cry today watching her feel her way into the house. The vets are closed what with the bank holiday so can't take her yet. I know some dogs cope with blindness but she's such a nervy dog anyway. I never wanted to subject her to any more surgery as she has a heart murmour. It's breaking my heart to see her . Is there anyone who can offer any advice or thoughts please?

[shaneystar2]

Bless her ..I can't offer any advice but this website can
http://www.oldies.org.uk/?p=322
It's a bit sad here and there but scroll through and they give some good advice.
I hope you overcome this and that she still has some quality life ahead of her .Best wishes and Shane sends a wag.

[mydogsandme]

thank you shane

[kita1]

Firstly I would take her into the garden on a lead so that you can prevent her bumping into things, also could you carry her to the field? Imagine if you were blind and try and guide her the way you would need to be guided. Sound will be so much more important to her, so keep talking all the time to let her know where you are. She needs to feel secure and things need to be kept in the same place (like chairs etc). Her water bowl needs to be offered to her on a regular basis to make sure she knows where it is.

I have a book on natural health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn.

Under Cataracts it says to use a homeopathic remedy SILICEA 6X (6X is the strength of the tablet) give 1 or 2 tablets 4 times a day for several weeks.

He also says to use high doses of vitamin E.

Do not touch homeopathic tablets, tip them into the lid of the bottle and then into the dogs mouth, they are only tiny so there should not be a problem. Homeopathic remedies NEVER have any side effects, so are completely safe. They can be bought from most health food shops and are for humans and animals.

Hope this may be of some help, if you do not want to have your dog operated on I would definately try the homeopathic, you have nothing to loose (they cost about 5 pounds). Some results can be very quick, you do not have to give the tablets for ever, usually about a month, then again if the cataracts start to return.

Good luck (remember you are now her guide, take care of her).

[mydogsandme]

thank you very much kita we'll certainly look into the homeopathic tablets, anything that may help. Forgot to mention that she is hearing impaired too.