My worst nightmare was confirmed today at the veterinary opthamologist….My boy Sonny has Progressive Retinal Atrophy with 90% of his vision already lost...Not the way I wanted to celebrate his 4th birthday this week. My heart is breaking into a million pieces for my sweet boy. I realize in many ways he has already adapted to the loss in vision and I just have a lot of catching up to do. I love him with all my heart and will do all I can to make life happy and secure for him.

I know there are those who will ask about his breeder and please know I am dealing with that on a private level and realize the importance of relaying this hereditary disease diagnosis to them.

I am so sorry about your dog.

On the breeder issue… please consider this. Many dogs here are related. A genetic disorder affects us all. We all need to know when it appears in a line. You have no idea how many lies I was told, only to get REAL information when problems arose. A good breeder doesn't hide the truth. So if the breeder isn't willing for you to share the bloodline... guess what?

Hugs to Sonny, I hope he surprises you with his ability to adapt to whatever life throws his way. This is truly a breed with heart, with your love and support I know Sonny will find his comfort place in this world. Hugs to you too!
Therese

@DebraDownSouth:

I am so sorry about your dog.

On the breeder issue… please consider this. Many dogs here are related. A genetic disorder affects us all. We all need to know when it appears in a line. You have no idea how many lies I was told, only to get REAL information when problems arose. A good breeder doesn't hide the truth. So if the breeder isn't willing for you to share the bloodline... guess what?

It is my own personal decision not to discuss the breeder on this forum. Sonny is from a responsible breeder that is not an issue….It's a heart breaking day for me and I just choose to share what I am feeling.

I feel so badly for you, he seems very young to lose his sight. That said, if it has been gradual, his other senses have kicked in and he is probably doing fine. He doesn't feel bad for himself, for dogs "it is what it is" and they make do. When my 12 year old went blind, I hardly realized it she compensated so well. We even know a blind dog (catahula mix) who comes to dog park (he can see some light and dark) and he runs with the others, people don't know he is blind.
So grieve for all he is losing, but know that most blind dogs live good lives. Maybe no long off-leash runs, all on-leash now, you are his seeing-eye human. Just don't move the furniture!

Hugs to YOU on this day, and ear scritches for Sonny.

So sorry that this is happening, I recall you had thyroid issues with him previously too, hopefully he will take this in stride and live a long and happy life.

Such sad news for a young boy. My heart aches for you both. It will actually be more difficult for you to bear. So a huge virtual hug to you.

I understand. And like Anne, I know several blind dogs who have done remarkably, especially if they have a companion or have gone blind slowly so they adjust.

Oh no..I am so, so sorry to hear this..sending hugs and thoughts to you both.

I always enjoy your pictures of Sonny. He often seemed to me to have a "wide-eyed" expression in his pictures which is very endearing – I don't know if that's related at all. That doesn't change the fact that this is a heavy diagnosis to take, especially for such a young dog. We all know you are a loving owner and will stick by him, through thick and thin.

Thank you all for your kind words…today is a much harder day on me then it is on Sonny....he's snoring next to me quite happily now He'll be well loved and cared for in all the happy years to come...

I am sorry. I know you will both make it through this challenge. Hugs to you…

Something like this is very hard to hear - I can feel your sadness. I'm sure Sonny will live a good full life with you, his loving and caring owner.

I'm so sorry. I will be keeping you both in my thoughts. I think he will surprise you with his resilience.
Hugs to you both.

@sonnyboy:

It is my own personal decision not to discuss the breeder on this forum. Sonny is from a responsible breeder that is not an issue….It's a heart breaking day for me and I just choose to share what I am feeling.

Sorry to hear about Sonny, but blind dogs can get along quite well… Obvious trick is not to move the furniture.... I know someone who's Basenjis past over the rainbow bridge years ago. They didn't know what he died from so had a necropsy done to see if they could find out. Turns out they discovered that this boy was blind and had been for some time. They (the owners) never even knew. They knew that his eye sight was not as good, but never considered that he was fully blind.

I hope that whoever his breeder is makes the pedigree public with the knowledge of PRA. Makes it difficult for breeders to try and do the right thing with breeding when possible health afflictions are found.

On 4 January 2011, our dearly loved MinPin named Dobie was diagnosed with SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome). She had gone completely blind over a period of ~3 days. It was extremely traumatic for her and for us. She tried very, very hard to see … straining for some vision ... for about 6 weeks. But, she has adapted. She still bumps into things and doesn't run with wild abandon anymore. But, she is pain free and comfortable. And she is VERY loved. Several people recommended a book (Living With Blind Dogs by Caroline D. Levin). It is a nice reference and might help you deal with what lays ahead.
With sympathy

@JoT:

On 4 January 2011, our dearly loved MinPin named Dobie was diagnosed with SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome). She had gone completely blind over a period of ~3 days. It was extremely traumatic for her and for us. She tried very, very hard to see … straining for some vision ... for about 6 weeks. But, she has adapted. She still bumps into things and doesn't run with wild abandon anymore. But, she is pain free and comfortable. And she is VERY loved. Several people recommended a book (Living With Blind Dogs by Caroline D. Levin). It is a nice reference and might help you deal with what lays ahead.
With sympathy

thank you for sharing that…I came across that book today while looking for resources. I take comfort in knowing Sonny also isn't in any pain and has so many people surrounding him with love..

I'm so sorry to hear about Sonny and more than sorry for your heartbreak but I'm sure he will adapt - after all he's a young dog and will learn to live with blindness. He still has his smell which I'm sure will now compensate.

We had a blind border collie and she could go through gaps and clear fences as fast as any other dog. She herded sheep with aplomb ( I assume through her sense of smell. Her main problem, strangely enough was at dusk, she was much more uncertain then. She lived a happy and fulfilled life as I'm sure Sonny will.

You will always be in my thoughts. Please let us know how he progresses.

Sorry to hear about Sonny. With his potential blindness, what will he really miss out? Will he miss out in your hugs? Will he miss out your love? Will he miss out barooing? Seems like he will still be the same basenji you loved before you heard the diagnosis.

i am so sorry to read this. but really, i think blind dogs do okay. i know there are yahoo groups that will be very helpful and an earlier poster already mentioned a book. i hope you have many years to come with sonny