She is 11. Our first born. A couple of weeknd ago we noticed that she seemed to be losing her eyesight. Then I got so sick, that I couldn't take her to the vet. Coincidentally we made an appointment for today. She has gone downhill rapidly in the last 24 hours. She seems confused. Then when I patted her on the ears this morning she started yelping hysterically. She has also been shaking uncontrollably.
Yesterday she became lost at the park....
She is the best dog ever. She cuddles with the kids, and goes everywhere with us.
She was a naughty puppy though. She chewed plants, hoses, a lounge suite. But once over that puppy stage has just been awesome. She is a beautiful Black and Tan Kelpie.
I just love her so much. I don't want to say goodbye.
I love Kelpies. They are my favorite breed. I am so sorry she is very sick. I hope the vet can help her and she is home with you soon. Keep thinking about the good times you have had with her and try not to worry to much. She is at the best place she can be now. I hope your goodbyes are years and years away
Sounds similar to what happened to my old girl. It was a stroke She declined over a couple of weeks and then must have had another and was just a walking shell.
I hope not.
Try to keep her away from the kids while she is altered.
So it appears that she has a severe infection (Kind of like I had a couple of weeks ago) So I can totally sympathise with how she feels. She also has cataracts, so will go blind eventually. She has a high temp, and is generally unwell. She has had a shot of AB’s and will be on AB’s for a week. Then we have to go back. Poor girl.
Yes – I the kids are being kept separate from her, and being unwell I would hate for her to snap if that accidentally hurt or scare her.
Thanks everyone for your kinds words. I don’t seem to be able to catch a break with anything at the moment. DD is having a tonsillectomy tomorrow. I am not sure I have the energy to get through everything that is going on. I truly am utterly exhausted, but physically and emotionally.
Thank goodness for BB. Here is the place that I can chat, get everything down into words, as well as read other posts to just ‘forget’ everything that is going on. As well as feel grateful for what I have.
My 14 year old cat lost her sight and i thought that would be the end for her. But because she was so familiar with our house, you never would have known she was blind. She could find her way outside through the cat door and would jump up on her favourite windowsill when it was sunny. She was very healthy until a stroke took her a year later at nearly 15 years old.
Keep positive xxx
Oh sweetie your poor furbaby! I hope that she recovers well with the AB's.
My DH had a beautiful girl named Matilda/ Tilly and she was also a Kelpie who went blind from cataracts. I think it may be quite common for that breed.
I really hope you are all feeling better very soon!
I'm so sorry to read about your girl. I hope that the infection clears up soon and that she starts to deal with her eyesight loss.
It's so hard when they get old. Unfortunatley it's a price we humans pay, that they will always be taken from us too soon... they give us unconditional love and affection, but they go to the bridge before we are ready...
Not sure on your setup, but have you considered a crate for your girl? you can teach her that it's her own special place that she can go that she won't be disturbed. Teach the kids not to go near the crate when she's in it. It will especially help her when she becomes less confident walking around the house, or if she is upset by activities in the house you can put her in there and close her off and she'll feel safe.
I would also consider NOT letting her off lead at parks anymore after her recent scare. if she's older she may also not have the best hearing. That combined with bad sight could be disasterous if she gets a fright and runs.
Thanks for the advice. I was doing some reading about crates. It sounds like a good idea. Also about talking to her as we approach her so not to scare her. I am also trying to find a reasonably priced tennis ball that have a bell inside. She never chews tennis balls, so I know it won't be a choking hazard.
I am going to buy a retractable lead for the park, so we an give her space but know she can't get lost.
She still seems really confused. She goes around the perimeter of our house over and over. Not sure if she feels she needs to check the boundaries because she now can't see them?
Last edited by lilima; October 19th, 2012 at 07:00 PM.
I'm so sorry she's ill. We have a poorly pup too at the moment. He has a cyst on one eye and has gone deaf,as well as having arthritis and ?dementia. We use the retractable lead now as he won't come when called and we have got him a new kennel so he's comfy outdoors during the day. It's so hard though, breaks our hearts to see him go downhill.
Sorry to hear that Traveller. It is hard isn't it?
Yes we are thinking that she may be developing dementia at the moment. That is why we are being extra careful with her around the children. I would hate for her to accidentally snap them. She is so very placid, and has been the best dog ever, but I know that her temprement may change if she does have dementia.
Her hearing appears intact - a good singn.
As our dog has got older, nearly 15, and wanting a time out place we have a material kennel with a blanket in it.
The boys know now that if she is in there they are to leave her alone.
She loves the boys and follows them so still wants company.
I agree on giving her a place she can go and know it is hers when needed.
We are not looking forward to the time when we no longer will have our girl
Once again our dog has taken a huge decline. She has not really eaten or drank anything today. She is unsteady on her feet, and is very confused. She has started wetting inside the house as well. We can't get into the vet today, as being semi rural they are closed. We had pain relief meds for her from last time, so I have given her that, and will try and get in to the vet tomorrow morning. Otherwise I may have to drive to Essndon for after hrs vet. The car ride will distress her though.
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Our dearly loved dog is very sick
She declined over a couple of weeks and then must have had another and was just a walking shell.
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