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Dog going blind
William Robinson United Kingdom (Verified User) Posts 183 Dogs 7 / Races 0 31 Mar 2011 14:24
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My friend has a dog who is 2 1/2 who has suddenly gone blind the vet has no explanation to it.His eyes started going a greeny colour and his pupils where enormous she only realised when she went to gallop him.She wanted to know if anyone knew of any rehoming centres that rehome blind greyhounds as she doesnt want to go down the other route and its not fair keeping im in a kennel all his life.she has already 4 retired greyhounds and one of them does not get on with this dog.He would make a fantastic pet as he is so loveable and just loves cuddles and being around people.I hope someone can help her find a home.
Orchard Greyhound Sa Ireland (Verified User) Posts 434 Dogs 15 / Races 0 31 Mar 2011 15:06
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Some can home blind greyhounds but I am told right now that most UK adoptions are at a standstill.
Called SARDS, or sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome, there are a lot of ideas on what brings it on.
Douglas Campbell United Kingdom (Verified User) Posts 3940 Dogs 0 / Races 0 31 Mar 2011 17:50
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William ; I remember this boy being rehomed by Greenfields
I believe he settled in very well and he is very much loved by all that meet him... From what you say it may well be the same condition that both dogs suffer from.
Monika Then Bergh Germany (Verified User) Posts 571 Dogs 1 / Races 0 31 Mar 2011 23:34
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CLICK HERE I can not tell, who is able to rehome the dog, but maybe some of the informations in this other thread here may be useful for the adopters. I have a blind grey at home - it is different to a healthy one, but is works well, if some little things are keept in mind and concidered. To find out the reason why the dog got blind might be useful, as different reasons may need different treatment and care. We have visited an ey-specialised Vet to get that sorted. I don`t know if there is any around where you live.
I know I wont be popular for saying this, however its time to face reality. There are thousands of healthy greyhounds that are looking for homes, why would you pass a disabled dog to kind adopters when you dont even want to keep the dog in the house yourself??? Is this fair to the kind and warmhearted adopters??? Theres issues with sudden blindness - it does have a negative affect on the dogs mental health and to move the dog from its present surroundings would in my opinion be risky. In my opinion the most humane thing to do is to put the poor dog to sleep. Good Luck, Lotte.
Wayne Larson USA (Verified User) Posts 2666 Dogs 0 / Races 0 01 Apr 2011 20:34
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Lotte Orum wrote:
I know I wont be popular for saying this, however its time to face reality. There are thousands of healthy greyhounds that are looking for homes, why would you pass a disabled dog to kind adopters when you dont even want to keep the dog in the house yourself??? Is this fair to the kind and warmhearted adopters??? Theres issues with sudden blindness - it does have a negative affect on the dogs mental health and to move the dog from its present surroundings would in my opinion be risky. In my opinion the most humane thing to do is to put the poor dog to sleep. Good Luck, Lotte.
Do we understand correctly what you are saying? In other words, a blind dog whose quality of life is otherwise good - in your opinion - doesn't deserve as good a chance at continued existence, compared to a dog without disabilities? On what basis do you draw your conclusions about the mental health of a blind dog being rehomed? Compassion, care and affection have a positive effect on both sighted and blind dogs over time, barring dogs that have been so badly abused that their behavior can no longer be modified. I have a disabled greyhound - a leg amputated early this year after he was diagnosed with bone cancer. Today he is without pain, has received chemotherapy and has an excellent quality of life. He brings light and happiness into our home and receives it in turn. The lack of a leg doesn't make him less deserving of that. If we had the opportunity to help a blind greyhound find a comfortable and secure home, our family would have no hesitation in adopting it.
I know I wont be popular for saying this, however its time to face reality. There are thousands of healthy greyhounds that are looking for homes, why would you pass a disabled dog to kind adopters when you dont even want to keep the dog in the house yourself??? Is this fair to the kind and warmhearted adopters??? Theres issues with sudden blindness - it does have a negative affect on the dogs mental health and to move the dog from its present surroundings would in my opinion be risky. In my opinion the most humane thing to do is to put the poor dog to sleep. Good Luck, Lotte.
Do we understand correctly what you are saying? In other words, a blind dog whose quality of life is otherwise good - in your opinion - doesn't deserve as good a chance at continued existence, compared to a dog without disabilities? On what basis do you draw your conclusions about the mental health of a blind dog being rehomed? Compassion, care and affection have a positive effect on both sighted and blind dogs over time, barring dogs that have been so badly abused that their behavior can no longer be modified. I have a disabled greyhound - a leg amputated early this year after he was diagnosed with bone cancer. Today he is without pain, has received chemotherapy and has an excellent quality of life. He brings light and happiness into our home and receives it in turn. The lack of a leg doesn't make him less deserving of that. If we had the opportunity to help a blind greyhound find a comfortable and secure home, our family would have no hesitation in adopting it.
NO, IM NOT SAYING A BLIND DOG WONT BE ABLE TO HAVE A BRILLIANT LIFE - BUT I DO FIND IT A LACK OF DECENCY THAT THE OWNER DOESNT KEEP THE BLIND DOG HIMSELF AND REHOME THE SEEING DOG THAT DOESNT GET ALONG WITH THE BLIND ONE. WE NEED TO LOOK AFTER THE WARM HEARTED ADOPTERS BY GIVING THEM THE HEALTHIEST BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL. AND IN THIS CASE THE BLIND DOG WOULD BENEFIT FROM STAYING IN ITS FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS. While Im whipping you and your friends a.. for trying to get rid of a blind dog to adopters instead of keeping him in you own loving home - I must say it was like an American movie reading your story about your dog and the way you had it treated for cancer - Could almost hear the violins..... So you had your dog treated for cancer - what does that have to do with ditching a blind dog to adopters???
I would like to fit something in here: I think, i will never again have an other ExRacer, who can be off lead this much, as my blind one can.
Just a fact to think about - the sighthound without sight does not chase much. As long as he is knowing his surroundings and is otherwise healthy, it is less problematic then we as humans presume.
But yes, Lotte - I am with you - first to rehome should be these dogs, who have the best part of theyr life in front of them, to keep adopters and dogs happy. It does not make sense, to save the poorest dogs, while totally healthy dogs are pts.
If someone decides the other way for himself - well no problem! But rehoming should in my opinion save the healthiest first as long as there are still dogs pts due to overstocked kennels.
Ann Karamoutzos Australia (Verified User) Posts 5087 Dogs 8 / Races 0 01 Apr 2011 23:54
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As a member of a self funded group that rehomes greyhounds, it is OUR right to choose the ones we rehome, whether blind, three legged or whatever.
We have recently rehomed three siblings, all with varying stages of PRA, we also rehome greys with pannus, heart mumers etc. We only take on one or two special needs at a time, but we never ever have trouble finding homes for the extra special ones. All of our prospective adopters are thoroughly checked out, medical conditions fully disclosed, vet reports provided etc, and there are a lot of people out there who want to open their homes (and couches) to these special ones.
I looked after a 90% blind grey recently whilst his mum went on holiday - he was an absolute dream, he just followed my voice everywhere, including at the oval where he never left my side.
I get really sick of people preaching the "there are plenty of good ones you should be finding homes for" well all I can say is that there is nothing is stopping YOU from doing exactly that.
Now finding homes for healthy black males - well that's another story!
Ann
Wayne Larson USA (Verified User) Posts 2666 Dogs 0 / Races 0 02 Apr 2011 03:24
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Lotte Orum wrote:
Thought the last post was from the thread creator - Spot on as regards to the American movie bit though :-)
I'll take that as an explanation, but not an apology, however. You got so mad that you didn't even bother to look to see who wrote the message before dashing off a wicked response. Next time you may want to think twice before losing your temper at someone who merely differed with your opinions. You would be quite embarrassed to recite the words you wrote while looking in a mirror, seeing the rage contorting your face as you read them aloud.
You also know better - that I referred to my dog's disability in the context of adopters' roles as caregivers for special needs greyhounds. I take your mocking my dog's cancer as a mean-spirited personal slap. And apparently you also decided to throw in a slur about Americans, although nationalities werent part of the discussions. It was just another way for you to launch a personal attack.
The latest picture was taken tonight and depicts his amputation. It isn't pretty. He has become a special needs dog, just as blind dogs also have special needs. Gary was adopted last September. At Christmastime, X-rays revealed bone cancer in in his right hind leg. His leg was amputated the Tuesday after New Years Day. Untreated, he would not be alive today, and his last weeks would have been extremely painful. Amputation alone relieves the pain, but bone cancer spreads quickly. Without additional treatment, it would probably claim his life by the middle of this year. However, Gary is receiving a new experimental chemotherapy protocol at The Ohio State University Center for Veterinary Medicine, and early results from the study have shown that the median survival time is extended to 12 months from diagnosis, with 20 percent of patients surviving to 18 months or longer. Since the beginning of the year, we have made seven round trips to Columbus, Ohio - 360 miles away - for Gary"s surgery and chemotherapy. That totals 5,000 miles on the road to hopefully extend the life of a dog I love deeply for perhaps a year.
Gary is without pain at present and enjoys life to the fullest. But I know that his months are numbered. The cancer will never be eliminated completely. Ultimately it will spread, most likely to the lungs, liver or other organ, and take him. I dread the day when I will lose him.
Under the circumstances, perhaps you can understand why I don't much appreciate your insensitive comment about Hollywood scripts and violins. Or why I might not be too keen to drive you 5,000 miles if you were in the same situation as Gary.
It comes to this. Adopting greyhounds is not about self-gratification. It is not about selecting the prettiest purebred cocker spaniel or handsomest golden retriever. It's about peoples' roles as caregivers to astonishingly intelligent and affectionate animals who respond many times over to the kindness and security we give them - regardless of their physical situation, their age or their infirmities. This is the kind of family that deserves the privilege of adopting a greyhound. The kind of family that realizes it's really all about the dog.
Dean Matterson Australia (Verified User) Posts 1474 Dogs 11 / Races 11 02 Apr 2011 04:54
I also am a little surprised that she does not take in the blind greyhound herself rather than letting him continue to live in kennels, which is a sad existence for him. The idea of her healthy greyhound not getting along with a blind dog is a bit worrying - what's not to get along with?
Yes, there are some people out there with great patience and great hearts who know how to deal with blind dogs. Just a pity that they are so few and far between.
If this dog was posted on the various UK pet sighthound boards, a home might indeed be found. They would be sighthoundsforlife, sighthoundsonline, sighthoundwelfaretrust, just to name a few.
to Ann Karamoutzos: Didnt get the "hard to find homes for black males" is that an Aussie expression? Well done for finding homes for ex racers - not an easy task to do especially not in these times.
to Wayne Larson: In my opinion its every dog owners duty to get their dog treated when they get ill - I dont go around praising everybody for doing their duty. The ridiculous amount of money Ive thrown after vets in both Denmark, Sweden and Ireland is insane - thats why I didnt thought you treating your cancer stroke dog is something out of the ordinary, but hey good luck with him. Im mocking the American heart sobbing movies! America has a lovely variety of people from all over the World - it would be like mocking the entire human race which Ive no intention of doing.
Wayne Larson USA (Verified User) Posts 2666 Dogs 0 / Races 0 03 Apr 2011 17:56
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Lotte Orum wrote:
to Wayne Larson: In my opinion its every dog owners duty to get their dog treated when they get ill - I dont go around praising everybody for doing their duty. The ridiculous amount of money Ive thrown after vets in both Denmark, Sweden and Ireland is insane - thats why I didnt thought you treating your cancer stroke dog is something out of the ordinary, but hey good luck with him. Im mocking the American heart sobbing movies! America has a lovely variety of people from all over the World - it would be like mocking the entire human race which Ive no intention of doing.
Appreciate your comments. We'll put it to rest, then.
William Robinson United Kingdom (Verified User) Posts 183 Dogs 7 / Races 0 03 Apr 2011 20:57
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The person in question lives at home with her parents who have cats and they do not want dogs in the house.she has her kennels there which to say the least are more like a house but each dog has its own bed all her dogs when finished racing are rehomed apart from 4 that she has kept.eventually when she has a house of her own then she will be able to keep as many as she wants and knowing her she would have a houseful.
SO PLEASE DONT MOUTH ABOUT SOMEONE YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT AND IS TRYING TO DO HER BEST NOT LIKE OTHERS WHO WOULD JUST PUT THE DOG TO SLEEP.
she has aslo got dogs rehomed from others kennels and before they are rehomed are neutered vaccinated etc she is a responsible owner and just doesnt dump them at the rehoming centres she keeps them until an owner is found.
Wayne Larson USA (Verified User) Posts 2666 Dogs 0 / Races 0 04 Apr 2011 03:39
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william robinson wrote:
she has aslo got dogs rehomed from others kennels and before they are rehomed are neutered vaccinated etc she is a responsible owner and just doesnt dump them at the rehoming centres she keeps them until an owner is found.
Thanks for speaking up on your friend's behalf. Best wishes to both of you and for the greyhound you're working to rehome. Patience - it'll happen, even though it may take awhile.
If you need help or advice about a dog you are retiring then this is the place for you.
