Sudden blindness in a dog - SARD

[blue2]

Hi

My 3 year old Shih tzu has just been diagnosed with SARD Sudden Acute Retina Detachment. Has anyone had any experience with this? The vet said that there isn't any treatment at the moment and we should expect to live with a blind dog. He's become depressed, cautious of stairs and of course bumps in to things. He has a wounderful personality and is very loving and friendly. He's going to see a consultant next week to confirm he has SARD but the vet seemed very sure and called in another vet for a second oppinion, who agreed.

If anyone has any advice for living with a blind dog I would really appreciate that too.

Thanks

[jakep]

Our situation is a bit different because our labrador went blind gradually and it was not such a shock to her. It was still difficult for us to hear the stark fact from the specialist that nothing could be done. Grieve briefly for the dog that you thought you had and then move on with the special dog you now have.
The obvious thing is not to move anything in the house or garden for a while. If we do change anything now we take her to it and 'show' her.
She seems to have her major problem with going down. She won't jump out of the car without support but will happily jump in; won't come downstairs on her own; is reluctant to walk down a steep hill; needs to be carried down strange stairs eg. down to a beach.
Having said that she still pays very happily. We have rubber balls with bells inside, empty bottles with stones in and so on. She hears where they land and sniffs them out.
She is a well loved member of our dog walking group and all our friends are very supportive. She needs to be held onto if a strange dog wants to sniff 'hello' as it spooks her.
Yes, occasionally she does walk into things but so far not at any great speed and it doesn't distress her.
We have recently taught her to respond to 'Steady'. She will slow down and knows we are warning her about a hazard ahead.
Hope some of this helps.

[garner]

To anniebar...just to say how nice to hear from a lovely owner who cares for her loved one and understands their girls needs, well done for still giving her a chance.I have two oldies, both with hearing problems and one with failing eyesight and we are doing the same but it's worth it for all the love we have been given.g

[blue2]

Thanks to you both, sorry for the delay but you both gave great advice. x