My labrador puppy, Chewbacca or Chewie for short, is turning five. His mom is my sister's dog, Vanilla Wafer or Niller, and she has an eye problem. She's gone blind and has such problems that she may have to have her eyes removed. I'm terrifed that Chewie is going to develope the same eye problems. Is there anything I can do to prevent it from happening?
strawberrychic answered Thursday October 28 2004, 6:27 pm: ok if your dog is under 5 then she/he has time to go to the doctor and ask he/she. if she is over 5 then it would not be for you to worry that much but to still be safe take it to the vet. hope i helped [ strawberrychic's advice column | Ask strawberrychic A Question ]
Victornado answered Monday February 23 2004, 9:12 am: You didn't mention Niller's age so I am not sure if this is something affecting her due to age or if she has been diagnosed with an ocular disease.
Labs are prone to ocular abnormalities Congenital cataracts and eyelid defects—such as entropion or rolling in of the eyelids—are usually recognized in the first year of life. Abnormal development of the sensory layer of the eye, called the retina, may minimally impair vision or it may cause severe visual deficits or blindness.
I would get as much information about Niller's condition as possible from your sister (is it a disease? dog's age? etc) and contact your vet with your concerns.
You can take Chewie for a retinal examination. Sometimes prevention is the best medicine.
cait52291 answered Sunday November 30 2003, 1:51 pm: I don't think there is anything you can do if it is hereditary. Don't worry, though. Many dogs are blind or otherwise handicapped. Her personality won't change. She'll be the same Chewie that she's always been.
cait52291 [ cait52291's advice column | Ask cait52291 A Question ]
Kira_Valoka answered Friday October 17 2003, 7:04 pm: Unfortunately, no. However, you can learn how to help Chewie and Niller through it (like being a seeing-eye-dog, except Youre the human and youre helping a dog) [ Kira_Valoka's advice column | Ask Kira_Valoka A Question ]
Shywillow answered Thursday October 16 2003, 9:11 pm: Most pure breeds have some sort of problem. Just keep him healthy over all. If the time comes that he loses his eyes, you won't love him any less. [ Shywillow's advice column | Ask Shywillow A Question ]
snarfism answered Thursday October 16 2003, 8:51 pm: hmm, not sure. I suppose you can take her to the vet and see if you could buy some sort of medication or have her checked to see if she will have the same eye problem.
P.S. Did you get the idea for her name from the baby sitter's club books? [ snarfism's advice column | Ask snarfism A Question ]
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