my chow went blind

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cheryl
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my chow went blind

Post by cheryl »

It has been almost 2 weeks now since my chow went blind. She is almost 14 and was struck with glaucoma. The vet eye specialist did everything she could , drained her eye put her on medicine hopeing she will get some vision back but by now I don't think she will.She is such a kind gentle chow so sweet not mean at all.

I feel so sick and devastated about this. I know my chow is miserable. she sits all day and is certainly not the same chow she was. I try so hard to do whatever I can to make her comfortable and happy.This is so depressing she certainly did not deserve this.
Cheryl
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Chow going blind

Post by Guest »

You really need to talk to Roxana, she has been threw it all with her Chow Dakota. I think once you talk to her this may not be as devastating as you think.
Keep checking back I'm sure Roxana will see your post, in the mean time theirs away to look back at all the messages someone has posted try looking up all of her past messages you will find some good reassuring help.
Once the others see your post and respond you will feel much better so besure and keep checking back.
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Jeff&Peks
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Post by Jeff&Peks »

This thing didn't take my log-in but owell the last message was from me if it matters
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SWANCIN
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Post by SWANCIN »

Dear Cheryl

Here's a recent post of Roxana's about Dakota (used search feature, check this out more; use dakota as search)

http://chowchow.org/forum/viewtopic.php ... ght=dakota
Purple kisses & Hugs to all,
Cindy & Kodi

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kingalls
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Blind chow

Post by kingalls »

Cheryl,
Check out Community Discussion forum around May 5th - Dakota Update is the topic. I know this can be devastating but as Roxana and Dakota have proven - not insurmountable. The two of you can do it :!:

Karen
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Post by Guest »

Roxana's post about Dakota is such a must read for Cheryl and anyone else's Chow that may be going blind I will just repost it, that way it will always be under my Chow went blind heading so others can find it.

Repost, Dakota

Hi All!

Just thought I'd update everybody on Dakotas progress. As you know, it's been about 6 months since she lost her eyesight. In the beginning, it was very difficult, between the guilt I felt and the constant worry for her, it was pretty stressful. Going for walks was extremely challenging and there were days when I would feel sorry for myself and for her, remembering how we used to walk for miles & miles.

Well, all I can say now is that this girl surprises me every single day. She is doing so well and seems to finally be adjusting to her disability. Now that the snow is all gone I take her to the walking trails in the park near our home, let out her retractable leash and let her walk on the grass as far out as she likes. She loves it! I keep an eye out for anything that may trip her up, but otherwise she just trots along like the olden days. I love seeing her walk so confidently with that silly Chow grin on her face! It makes me so happy because I thought that was gone forever.

She makes her way around the house no problem, although she still bumps into things occasionally. Just last night while we were watching TV, I told her to go into the bedroom and bring out one of her treats to snack on. She listened to me intently, then snuffled her way along into the bedroom and came back out a few minutes later with her greenie in her mouth, as proud as a peacock. She really does amaze me.

I know this post is a little long-winded and doesn't really have a point, but I guess I just wanted to say to all those people who told me (nobody on this board) when she first went blind that the best thing to do would be to put her to sleep, well....... you were wrong!!
cheryl
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Post by cheryl »

Thank All of you so much. I went to her post and it felt good to hear that she was writing about the improvement of her dogs life. It does give me hope inside that My chow, Ariella, can little by little get on her feet again.

I am still in shock about this and My Chow is scared and depressed. She was a vibrant chow with such personality, now she sleeps in the kitchen all day and I baby her so much. I just want to do everything to make her comfortable. I felt so guilty about this thinking I should have noticed when her glaucoma started but there was no way of telling. I wish that Doctor would stop giving me hope that there still is a chance she could get her vision back because at this rate I find that hard to believe although I wish it were true.

sorry I dragged on and on. Thanks again and I will come back and check the posts to see if she responded. My Aol mail is on here to I think so you can also mail there if you would like.
Cheryl
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carolyn dewrance
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MY CHOW WENT BLIND

Post by carolyn dewrance »

DEAR CHERYL
I AM SO SORRY TO HER ABOUT YOUR BELOVED CHOW, I HAD A CHOW THAT HAD GLACOMA A FEW YEARS AGO, AND WE HAD TO HAVE HER EYE REMOVED, AS IT WAS CASUING HER SO MUCH PAIN HER NAME WAS MELUSHKA, AND YOU CAN READ HER STORY IN MY BOOK THAT I POSTED CALLED DOGS IN MY BED, IT'S HORRIBLE BUT I AM SURE THAT WITH THE RIGHT TREATMENT YOU GIRL WILL BE FINE, MELUSHKA LIVED FOR EIGHT YEARS BEFORE I HAD TO PUT HER DOWN, AND SHE WAS A VERY HAPPY GIRL,AND MANAGED TO GET AROUND WITH NO PROBLEMS, SHE WAS ALSO BLIND IN HER OTHER EYE, I HAVE A CHOW AT HOME THAT IS 6 YEARS OLD AND AMOUR WAS BORN WITH CATERACTS, THE VET SAID PUT HER DOWN AND I SAID NO YOU DONT PUT A BLIND BABY DOWN, AMOUR IS THE SWEETEST THING AND GETS AROUND FINE SO DONT WORRY TO MUCH YOUR GIRL WILL BE O.K.
CAROLYN
Carolyn Dewrance
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Richwood
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cheryl
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Post by cheryl »

Thanks Carolyn,

I can only imagine what you went through. God Bless you. This is so hard seeing how my chow acts as if she does not want to live.But I will not put her to sleep for loosing her sight.

My chow is old and this is a shock to her she is miserable. I hope she at least starts to adjust.

I will read your book.

Thanks again.

Cheryl
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Roxana
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Post by Roxana »

Cheryl,
Just read your post and I am so very sorry for what you are going through. As you probably know by now, my girl Dakota also has glaucoma and is completly blind.

She was first diagnosed about 2 1/2 years ago with glaucoma in one eye. From that point we put her on eyedrops to try to prevent the glaucoma from appearing in her good eye. We were successful for about 2 years and then it developed in her good eye (which just so happened to occur about 3 months after we got her bad eye removed). She has been completely blind now since about November.

Believe me, the depression and sadness you are feeling is completely normal. Your Chow is probably feeling much the same as you are right now and there will be a period of adjustment. This is very normal. Do not give up on her! Yes, she is old, yes she is probably feeling confused & scared right now, but she will come around. They are amazing, intelligent, brave creatures. I also believe that they pick up on your feelings & emotions, so if you are feeling depressed and sad....so will she. Try to treat her as normally as possible, do not treat her as if she's helpless.

I found a lot of helpful information at the Blind Dogs website at http://www.blinddogs.com. It gives you tips on how to help your blind dog adjust and find its way around and there is also a discussion board with people who are going through the same thing you are. I found it very comforting to read about others and how they have coped.

Trust me, things WILL get better! You just have to give it time. The important thing to remember is that you still have your girl with you, healthy other than her sight, and she still have alot of life left to live and you can help her to have the VERY best life that she has remaining.

Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.

Roxana & Dakota
cheryl
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Post by cheryl »

Hi Roxana,
I'm sorry about Dakota. I am so glad to see how much of an improvement she has made.
And Thank you so much. you have no idea what a great help you have been.


I went to the blind dogs site that you posted the yesterday. They have so much info!
I did what they said about putting borders so she can guide herself around the house. I put a furry mat under her food and water bowl and a wool mat by the door and now she is starting to get around a bit to find her food and water and to sit on the mat to tell me she wants to go out. I also stopped hovering over her every second as I was doing these passed 3 weeks like she was on her death bed and I am starting to see the old Ariella coming back in her. When I gave her , her usual milk bone she actually gave me a growl when I went near it!! A friendly growl of course something she always did when I botherd her while she was eating her Milk bone,but stopped when she went blind until now.

I am just shocked that in one day of doing things differently and putting boarders down I see a change.

Also,
When I woke up this morning I was suprised to see her almost in front of my bedroom door.She traveled a long way from the kitchen. she has been staying only in the kitchen these past 3 weeks and now she is starting to move around.

sorry how long this was.

Thanks again and Keep in touch!!
Cheryl
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Judy Fox
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Post by Judy Fox »

Wonderful, Cheryl!
I think you and Roxana are so brave dealing with a blind girl. But you have both proved that it can be done. :)

Purple kisses to you both from Milly and Mabel. :) :)
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Roxana
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Post by Roxana »

Cheryl

Yay!! Thats wonderful news about Ariella. Every day will get better & better, trust me. She will continue to surprise you with her improvements. Be prepared though, she will have good days & bad days (just like all of us!)

I'm glad you found the blind dogs website helpful, they do have a lot of good tips on there. One thing I also did was to put a few drops of different scented essential oils in certain spots around the house. A few drops of one scent near her food & water dish, a few drops of another scent near the back door, another scent at the entrance to the bedroom, etc. That way they begin to associate the scent with certain areas in the house. I dont even have to do this anymore, as she navigates her way around so well.

I am so happy things are getting easier for you. Please keep me updated on Ariella's progress, I would love to know how she's doing.

Take Care
Roxana
cheryl
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Post by cheryl »

Hi Roxana,
Thank You but maybe I rushed with my comment or perhaps that was just a good day. Or maybe I am taking this worse then she is but I am doing all I can to make her happy and she has yet to even wag her tail. I think I am taking this worse then she is. How old was dakota when she lost her site?
Thanks. Cheryl

Roxana wrote:Cheryl

Yay!! Thats wonderful news about Ariella. Every day will get better & better, trust me. She will continue to surprise you with her improvements. Be prepared though, she will have good days & bad days (just like all of us!)

I'm glad you found the blind dogs website helpful, they do have a lot of good tips on there. One thing I also did was to put a few drops of different scented essential oils in certain spots around the house. A few drops of one scent near her food & water dish, a few drops of another scent near the back door, another scent at the entrance to the bedroom, etc. That way they begin to associate the scent with certain areas in the house. I dont even have to do this anymore, as she navigates her way around so well.

I am so happy things are getting easier for you. Please keep me updated on Ariella's progress, I would love to know how she's doing.

Take Care
Roxana
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Post by Guest »

Cheryl,
Dakota was nine when she lost the sight in her first eye and was almost 12 when she went completely blind. She is 12 now.

Did Arielle go blind in both eyes all of a sudden or was it a gradual thing? At least with Dakota, she had some time to adjust to life with just one eye before losing her sight completely. I can imagine it must be much worse for them to go blind all of a sudden. It hasnt been that long yet for Arielle, she is still adjusting. I know what you mean when you say you want to baby her. I was the same way with Dakota, watching her every move, over-analyzing everything, depressed and scared that she would never be happy again. And while its true that she will never be the same, she does have a happy life. It is sad to think of the things she will never be able to do again, but I am just so grateful to have her with me, I just try to make her life as full & enjoyable as it possibly can be.

You can do this Cheryl, I know it's hard but you have to give it time. It gets better, I promise!

Roxana
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