blindness in my cairn

Question
Hello Beth,
I stumbled across your advice while seeking information on my Cairn's vision problem.  We adopted Merlin from Colonel Potter  Cairn Rescue when she was three.  She is now nine and in the past six weeks has lost her eyesight.  She has been to her vet several times, and then to a neurologist, because at first it was not apparent that the problem was vision.   Merlin was having something akin to panic attacks in the night and was resistant to her daily walks and did not initiate play.   There are no signs of cataracts.  We have an appointment with an opthalmologist on April 15, so we hope that helps.  Merlin still resists going on walks, but we have taken her in the car to a point a few blocks from home, and then she usually walks home happily.  She cannot see her food, runs into things, etc.  I have read about ocular melanosis and wonder if that is the issue, though her vet could not be sure (thus the opthalmologist).  Merlin is a lovely, wonderful companion and an endearing friend.   We will do the best for her no matter what.  I wanted to write and see what someone with lots of experience might tell me.  I wrote to the Colonel Potter website right before Easter but have not yet received a response.   I too have thought of getting a second dog, and in fact there is one available in my vicinity on the Col. P website.   In my email to them, I did ask to be put in touch with that foster mom, and I hope that might work out.
We are making a concerted effort to be "normal" with Merlin, to keep her life happy and full.  But any information that might help us take the right steps is appreciated.   I have read a lot about how to deal with a blind dog, but would love to hear from Cairn owners.
Many thanks.    m a r y

Answer
Mary -

I am so sorry that Col Potter didn't get back to you - Was Merlin your dog's Col Potter name - or do you know what it was ?? Or her CP tag # ?? I would like to have the more medically astute people get in touch with you directly, but do **not** want you to give me your email address since this is a public place.

On to my impressions from your description.  I gather that the loss of sight was sudden onset ?    That is the one factor that makes me doubt OM a little. While it is unfortunately found often in cairns, it's usually a progressive thing. On the other hand, it could have been happening for a while but just got to the point where she is bothered by it.

I am quite familiar with the anxiety limited sight can cause. My gordon setter, Taboo, has night blindness. It is likely to be progressive retinal atrophy, a disease that affects gordons.  She is terrified at night, and night lights are no longer enough to help her find her way around the house.  Additionally, she has become panicked at the sound of beeping things - No wheel of fortune in my house unless you want a 70 lb dog in your lap shaking like a leaf.

There are things you can do to help Merlin.  I have fostered several blind dogs, but they had my own dogs to teach them their way around... all I did was put a little cat bell on my own dog.  I also added a ramp from the deck to the yard.

The best trick I heard of was using tiny drops of vanilla extract along the floor along the pathways that Merlin would commonly use.  For instance from her favorite place to lay to the kitchen or her bowl.  This helps her gain confidence because she can rely on a different sense to get her around the house.

Another suggestion might be putting a tag silencer bag on her tags, or change her dishes to a different material. Sometimes dogs with limited sight are startled by the sound of their own tags against a dish.

Mary, a second dog might be a good idea, but it would have to be a careful match. One of my fosters was adopted by a family that had a dog with an early case of OM. They knew what a comfort it would be to their dog when he lost his sight to have a buddy that he trusted and who was gentle with him. They specifically sought out a gentle and sweet friend, and my foster fit the bill perfectly. She moved to OH from here in NY a little more than a year ago, and I am very proud of her.

Consistency and predictability are the factors which will help her make the adjustments. I am so thrilled she has you looking out for her, and loving her so much.

I hope we can be of some help and that this has given you a couple of more tips to consider.  You may also find a yahoo group on living with blind dogs helpful. I am certain there must be one since I know there are ones for deaf dogs.

Let me know what more I can do to help....

-Beth