PLEASE HELP RUFUS AGED 3 AND 7 MONTHS SUDDEN BLINDNESS :(

[stephiewoo]

Hello firstly to everyone who reads this.

I am an owner of Rufus who is 3 yrs 7 months, he is my first dog and first schnauzer,i love him dearly and weve had some tough times together, me as a human and Rufus as his marvelous self.

Ive not been on here before, but so wish i had.

Rufus and his history:

Born 22/8/2008

Roofie chose me when he was 6 weeks old and he came into our loving home, a true friend and companion.

Rufus is unfortunatly suffering with skin complaints,intolerance of some dog foods and quickly greasy fur,hes well mannered if a little excited sometimes.
He was on a diet of fish and rice alternated with chicken, carrots fresh fruit and veg from 6 months old to may last year, closly monitored by the vets.

Roofie was weened onto harringtons food in may 2011, he enjoyed it, he skin was great and his bottom stayed in one piece!

Rufus lives with 3 cats and a grey hound,weve recently moved in with my partner, Rufus and the cats have a loving relationship and the grey hound is 9 now but still enjoys roofies youthful outlook, a strong bond between them is lovely.

So Rufus has been a bit down over the last week, although his bright eyes are still there to greet me everyday, but yesterday we noticed he was acting strangly.
we checked his right eye, which looks cloudly and he dosnt seem to be able focus with this eye, we covered his good eye this morning and he sat there looking very lost, we waved and did a jig but no response at all.

Although we focused on the right eye, he has now over the course of the day seems to be struggling, weve played and hes happy.

We tested rufus by throwing his toy, my partner lay on the floor and rufus ran straight into him with a thud.

This broke my heart and i realised my bright eyed boy was not so bright eyed anymore.

Rufus is happy and safe, but im so fearful now for him.

He has his regular groom tomorrow which i will now stay for and an appointment with the vets, but i would love any feedback anyone has to offer, as this is so sudden,as far as im aware theres been no trauma to the eyes and hes had no sight issues recently.

Thanks in advance

Stephiewoo xx

[Judi Ibbotson]

Oh Steph how awful for Rufus and for you, sorry I can't be of any help to you, I can only wish you both all the best and hope all works out ok in the end.

[stephiewoo]

Thank you so much, i have in the last hour done a lot of reading, im still sad but feeling more positive now about our future ) x

[Maty]

Welcome to the forum.

Being blind isn't the end of the world for Rufus although it is very sad. I can think of two dogs already on the forum that are blind, Mouse & Prue. Have a search for one of Eddie's posts about Mouse, it really will reassure you. It is this one: http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewto ... 49&t=10671" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I hope that your vet can also give you some comfort and maybe even some hope.

Have you had Rufus's eyes checked annually? Did you get him from a KC Assured breeder and have you spoken to them?

Do come back and let us know how you get on tomorrow.

[mummysnoo]

Welcome, and how I wish it were under nicer circumstances, but don't despair until you know for definite, I know its one of the problems with Schnauzers but until you get it checked by the Vet, don't worry too much.

Dogs can cope with things we usually cannot, so don't give up, hope is a good thing, please keep in touch, that's what we are all here for. For the love of Schnauzers and all it entails, including the ups and the down. Fingers and paws crossed from Alfie and me.

[stephiewoo]

Thank you to all have replied so far. I'm feeling so much more hopeful for the future, just adds a little more to his already quirky personality!
I've not had his eyes checked annually as he's had vet checks almost every time he needs his shampoo.
I feel a bit better, rufus is fine of course, a few bumps here and there, but still manages to go out via the catflap!
Patch is helpful, guiding him about with his stinky greyhound bottom, so rufus will always know where he is! Hehe
But really, thank you so much for being there, a new journey for me and Roofie xx

[frazers mam]

Hi Steph,
Hope you get little Rufus sorted tomorrow at the vets, fingers and toes crossed, please let us know what happens,

[tombaker]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your boy.

I'd definitely wait to see what the vet says. If they can't come up with any answers inquire to see if there are any local BVA eye clinics near you. They could maybe shed some light on things.

[Claire Farrington]

I do hope you get Rufus sorted out at the vets and let us know how everything goes, sending healing hugs from me and my gang.

[BeeBee]

How worrying but don't despair, even if he has lost his sight there may be things that might be done. Our Susie-Belle had a new lens in her blind eye (due to cataract) before she came to us and there are others here on the forum who have had this done. But as already said, blindness in dogs can be lived with as others here know from experience.

Let us know how you get on.

[stephiewoo]

Booked in at 12 today, he's doing grand to be fair, looks funny though when he stares at me and both eyes are in different directions!
Will keep you updated. xx

[Claire Farrington]

All the very best for the vets appointment today, I really hope everything goes ok.

[jentucker]

Hope it all goes well today & you can get some answers & support.

[nickycaplan]

goodness what a worry! wishing you the best today at the vets - its true there are a lot of members on here who should be able to empathise and inform you on this. let us know and fingers crossed

[disneysigntalker]

Good luck, our last Schnauzer lost her sight, but she learnt to cope, and where furniture was etc etc

just makes you love them even more if possible.
let us know how you get on.

Jules