The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Kris T Wisconsin · **Joined:** Sun Feb 06, 2011 10:11 pm **Posts:** 10

Hello Everyone! It has been a while since I posted on here, we have been so busy! I have a been looking for a male for our 2 year old black female for the last year, and have had no luck. They have not had the temperment, personality that we have been looking for. Long story short, we found a 2 year old silver/buff male with the best temperment, classic good cocker looks and were so excited!! It was short lived however, the day after we brought him home we took him to the vet and he is blind, has a mild heart murmur:( The breeder we got him from said she had no idea, she only had him for 6 months and could not use him since he was related to her females. he was kept in an outside kennel so I don't think he got a lot of attention. Looking at him his eyes looked fine except some goop which I know Cockers are so famous for. Upon examination, the vet said he has NO tear production and his retinas were not visable. She was not sure if it was congenital or not but he probably had it for a long time and compensated with his other senses making it hard to detect the vision issues. The breeder I got him from refunded my money and we have already spent that in vet bills. He is on multiple eye drops and antibiotics and She did give me the option of returning him, but she would put him down. I could not bear that, we have a special needs daughter who fell in love with him:) Advice on PRA, dry eye and possible vision coming back please. I know I can't breed him and am so disappointed, but we have him for a reason. My concern is to have him comfortable.Kris

beckyboo · **Joined:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:35 pm **Posts:** 910

you have a good heart! so glad you decided to keep him. :love

pics please?

Melanie C · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:38 am

Sorry I can't offer any advice on the eye problems but I would just like to say how wonderful of you to care for this little boy after the bombshells that emerged after you'd taken him home. He was obviously meant to go to a wonderful home and I wish you all the luck in making him comfortable, which I'm sure you will. Some pics would be great!

Julie Hydro · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:29 am

The dry eye is manageable but the PRA is permanent. I would go to an ophthalmologist just to make absolutely sure of the diagnosis.

Jackie H · **Joined:** Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:31 pm **Posts:** 1541

First of all, thank you for keeping him!

Yes, dry eye can be very manageable. There are some great meds out there. If it is severe, you can supplement the medication with lubricants as frequently as you are available to give them. The one my optho liked to use was Optixcare and the best price I found was on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Optixcare-Surgica ... 783&sr=8-4

I also think it would be a great idea to have this guy checked out by an optho. Also, we would love to see some pictures. Keep us advised.

Karen T · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:45 am

You should check to see if there are any dog shows near you. Often times dog shows will have CERF clinics. I know at our clubs show we allow un-entered dogs to come to the eye & microchip clinics. This would probably be the cheapest way to have his eyes checked by a specialist that can tell you exactly what is wrong with his eyes. At our show in April we had one lady have her dog checked. He was born blind and she had always wondered exactly what was wrong and the Dr was able to tell her.

Kris T Wisconsin · **Joined:** Sun Feb 06, 2011 10:11 pm **Posts:** 10

Thanks for all the advice ladies!I know I did the right thing by keeping him, I could not sleep last night, thinking about our new guy. (Gypsy is my female on the left and Toby is on the right.) Today I had to take him to our ophthamogist and find out what was going on with Toby.She confirmed he definitly has dry eye. He has some vision but has so much pigment was unable to see his retina. I was told he would never pass a CERF test and he is not to be used for breeding.It is disappointing due to the plans I had but it is not meant to be. He is on two more eye medications,steroids and recieved an injection of antibiotics with the hope is he will start tear production. His pressure is normal! YEAH!! Our last cocker had glaucoma and had to have her eye enucleated so that news was a relief. He is such a sweetie, he gave the girls at the office a hug and laid his head on their shoulders:) He has a new nickname~Romeo and Loverboy! Each day his personality comes out a little more and am so happy he found us. Now if the housetraining was a little more successful...... he is getting better

beckyboo · **Joined:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:35 pm **Posts:** 910

oh oh so handsome and a flirt? look out! :gig

good luck with the tears.. keep us updated!

Julie Hydro · **Posted:** Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:48 pm

That is just so sad that something as simple as dry eye was neglected for so long it's caused his vision to be impaired. However, the scarring can be reduced so here is hoping for improved vision in the future! That is really awesome news that it's not PRA.

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