Blindness

Question
I have a Sheltie that is about 12 years old. The last few days she seems to have totally lost her vision , I knew it was getting bad, but 'all of a sudden' it seems to be gone totally. She also started losing her hearing 2 years ago (confirmed by our vet)and now that is also gone. Is this 'normal' for an older dog?  

Answer
Hi Roxann:

I am so very sorry to hear this news.  I know your pup is confused and needs your attention at this time and my heart goes out to you both.

In Shelties there is a condition derived from poor breeding where the head does not grow to its proper size and the pressue on the eyes causes them to go blind.  I had not experienced the loss of hearing thing but it seems plausable that the hearing could be impared from poor development too.

As I have never seen your pup in person I don't know if she is a proper Sheltie that just had bad luck, or if it is from poor breeding.  Also, any dog over 10 years old is pretty darn old!  Sometimes age just catches up to us.  Some of us faster than others.

A well-bred Sheltie will typically live to be 12-15 years old at the most.  Some longer, some less-but the biggest group hit that 13-15 year range and don't go much further.  

I'll go a step further and add this last paragraph for you  to tell anyone intersted in Shelties: If you are curious what to look for in a pup to avoid health issues you merely need to check the newspaper and sheltie websites and spend 500-1000 on a pup.  **Never buy from a pet store or the guy at the local parking lot of the shopping center.  Always see the mother of the pup in person.**

These small efforts produce a long and trouble free relationship and are small expenses compared to medical bills from poor breeding.

I say this because I get quite a few questions on puppy-mill dogs.  Very sad things indeed, and I want all Sheltie owners to spread the word.  

With yours I suspect that you and your vet are making the judgement call on how to help your pup.  If she seems happy, keep her happy.  If she seems miserable then you have a difficult choice to make.  Listen to your vet, he sounds like he takes the time to speak with you and that is the best advice you can have.

I wish I had some encouraging and meaningful thing to say, but just know that she still knows your scent and loves you very much.  Do what you can for her.  Keep a routine that she is used to.  Listen to the vet when it is time for her to go.

'sneezes
Dave