A Sad Day…....

[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

[sonnyboy]

@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..

[Patty]

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.

[pari1art]

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.

[agilebasenji]

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

[lvoss]

I can understand your not wanting to publicly share at this time more information about your boy but please register him in the Canine Phenome Project and fill out the health survey for your boy. His DNA could help insure that no other owner has to feel what you are feeling now. BCOA would like to fund research into a DNA test for basenji PRA but we need confirmed diagnosis and access to blood for DNA from affected dogs.

Please register with the Canine Phenome Project, http://www.caninephenome.org

[MacPack]

Great idea, Lvoss, it would be wonderful to have all the inherited diseases in the DNA data base, and hopefully find the markers for all of them!

[nobarkus]

Definitely a sad day as I hold Sonny Boy to be special. But I know that Sonny Boy is not to be stopped easily in life and will surprise you in how well he does.:) Dogs are really not to be held down by a disability and are very adaptive, they're just wired that way. My last Basenji lost vision in 1 eye (the lens slipped inside the eye) and I fought with very expensive eye drops to save the other eye which showed slight lens slippage as well. You couldn't even tell there was any problem until she reached 15-1/2 and lost all vision.
So we will still expect our usual great pics of Sonny Boy doing and acting in his entertaining ways! You'll be surprised to see that he'll do well at the farm too.

[Janneke]

I am so, so very sorry to hear this.. I have you both in my thoughts. On your pictures I always see a very happy Sonny, so I believe he is already learning how to cope with it and will do so when he loses all of his vision. Just remember that blind doesn't mean unhappy.

Hugs

[thunderbird8588]

I am very sorry to hear about Sonny's problem, it must be an awful shock to you.
I do believe like other people have said that it is probably far worse for you than him.
He will as you have said begun adapting and will no doubt just get on with the rest of his life with a very loving owner.

[YodelDogs]

For those unfamiliar with PRA, at this time, there is no definitive test to determine whether a dog carries this disorder or will later be affected by it. A diagnosis of PRA does not indicate that the breeder was irresponsible. Even the most responsible breeder who CERF's their dogs' eyes for generations into old age and uses vertical pedigrees to plan breedings can be surprised when PRA appears. There is hope that in the future will will have a direct test. This is why it is important to report affecteds to the Canine Phenome Project. The more information that breeders and owners provide can lead to the discovery of the genes that produce PRA. Together, we will eventually stamp out this disorder.

[sonnyboy]

@YodelDogs:

For those unfamiliar with PRA, at this time, there is no definitive test to determine whether a dog carries this disorder or will later be affected by it. A diagnosis of PRA does not indicate that the breeder was irresponsible. Even the most responsible breeder who CERF's their dogs' eyes for generations into old age and uses vertical pedigrees to plan breedings can be surprised when PRA appears. There is hope that in the future will will have a direct test. This is why it is important to report affecteds to the Canine Phenome Project. The more information that breeders and owners provide can lead to the discovery of the genes that produce PRA. Together, we will eventually stamp out this disorder.

Thank you Robyn for explaining that better then I could have found the words to do so. Some of the reason I choose not to discuss Sonny's breeder in this post was because I knew those that did not understand PRA completely would assume Sonny's breeder was at fault because this was a hereditary disorder. And that is just not the truth. Sonny's breeder is a responsible breeder who does all the right health testing. And I have started the process or registering Sonny in the Canine Phenome Project.

[tanza]

Thanks for posting Sonny with CPP…. I would also like to say, that as a responsible breeder, the most responsible thing you can do is be open about health issues and when you have a problem or discover a problem put it out there.... The thing to remember is that most all our Basenjis are related and carry many of the same blood lines, so if something pops in one line, others that have related dogs could breed into having the same problems and not know it....

[DebraDownSouth]

Glad you explained because I thought you were simply trying to protect the breeder by not disclosing. A good breeder wouldn't care. And as sad as this is, at least you can help educate others so they understand. I would have hoped everyone here with a basenji had read up on PRA… so I wasn't even thinking about people thinking the breeder was bad for producing a PRA dog, I was just concerned if the info wasn't shared. You are a good owner.

I always hate to hear bad things, but am always glad when the dog is lucky enough to be with an owner like you who will do right by it. Rescues see so many blind dogs from owners who toss them aside. And then there are people like you. I can't help your dog, I can't help you feel less sad, but please allow me to applaud and be grateful Sonny has you.

[khanis]

Sorry to hear about Sonny's diagnosis.
As PP has said, it is far worse for you than it is him.
I have lived with more than one blind Basenji and quite frankly…
they live a great life.
None of mine ever starved themself.
They did not pee in their bed or all over the house.
They did not have muscle atrophy.
They were and ARE great companions.
They adapt well to their losses.
The thing about PRA is that it is progressive.... it is not all at one time.
They lose sight over time.
They learn their surroundings and adapt to them.

I lived with my blind Africans for nearly a year before I knew they were blind.
Unlike PRA, they have Juvenile Cataracts.
This was not something we knew about... nor could have predicted to happen.

They didn't take their time going blind.
Many people told me I was nuts that my dogs did not act blind and could easily see everything.
I knew differently after much money spend with specialists!

You have a great dog that you love dearly.
Be happy that he is healthy and a good companion.
Just don't change the furniture!!

[sonnyboy]

@DebraDownSouth:

Glad you explained because I thought you were simply trying to protect the breeder by not disclosing. A good breeder wouldn't care. And as sad as this is, at least you can help educate others so they understand. I would have hoped everyone here with a basenji had read up on PRA… so I wasn't even thinking about people thinking the breeder was bad for producing a PRA dog, I was just concerned if the info wasn't shared. You are a good owner.

I always hate to hear bad things, but am always glad when the dog is lucky enough to be with an owner like you who will do right by it. Rescues see so many blind dogs from owners who toss them aside. And then there are people like you. I can't help your dog, I can't help you feel less sad, but please allow me to applaud and be grateful Sonny has you.

Thank you very much for those very kind words….

[sonnyboy]

@khanis:

Sorry to hear about Sonny's diagnosis.
As PP has said, it is far worse for you than it is him.
I have lived with more than one blind Basenji and quite frankly…
they live a great life.
None of mine ever starved themself.
They did not pee in their bed or all over the house.
They did not have muscle atrophy.
They were and ARE great companions.
They adapt well to their losses.
The thing about PRA is that it is progressive.... it is not all at one time.
They lose sight over time.
They learn their surroundings and adapt to them.

I lived with my blind Africans for nearly a year before I knew they were blind.
Unlike PRA, they have Juvenile Cataracts.
This was not something we knew about... nor could have predicted to happen.

They didn't take their time going blind.
Many people told me I was nuts that my dogs did not act blind and could easily see everything.
I knew differently after much money spend with specialists!

You have a great dog that you love dearly.
Be happy that he is healthy and a good companion.
Just don't change the furniture!!

Thank you Kathy…As the week as gone on and I've watch Sonny go about life at normal...Playing with his friends at the farm. Enjoying our long walks and playing around the house I've slowly started to smile again and realize he's still the happy dog he's always been!

[tanza]

Just a quick note, as a responsible breeder, if I found that one of my breeding had PRA or Fanconi for that matter.. I would be the first to put it out there… A responsible breeder should not be afraid to admit health problems and should not expect their puppy owners to "hide" the facts or the pedigrees, once the breeder has been notified. Just saying................

[sonnyboy]

@tanza:

Just a quick note, as a responsible breeder, if I found that one of my breeding had PRA or Fanconi for that matter.. I would be the first to put it out there… A responsible breeder should not be afraid to admit health problems and should not expect their puppy owners to "hide" the facts or the pedigrees, once the breeder has been notified. Just saying................

I have never made any statement that said Sonny's breeder asked or expected me to "hide" anything…. I said very clearly it was my personal choice...

[agilebasenji]

@tanza:

Just a quick note, as a responsible breeder, if I found that one of my breeding had PRA or Fanconi for that matter.. I would be the first to put it out there… A responsible breeder should not be afraid to admit health problems and should not expect their puppy owners to "hide" the facts or the pedigrees, once the breeder has been notified. Just saying................

Yes, but I also think that Sonnyboy's owner needs time to talk to the breeder, maybe several times before deciding to go public. I think that is the right order of things. And while my first thought was wanting to know the pedigree of SB, I think not putting that information here in this thread was perhaps a better, wiser route as now this thread is about SB not about the breeder and bloodlines. I also think that after SB's owner has time to reflect, and grieve that he or she may be more forthcoming about SB's pedigree. Whatever the descision, I hope Sonnyboy has a long, fun-filled life ahead.