Went blind, losing weight, licks water from dog bowl but doesnt drink..

fredandcheryl · 07-10-2010

I am posting this only because I have lost faith in vets. My dog is a shepherd mix that I bought from the humane society almost nine years ago. Six months ago she started to walk less because of pain in her joints (gave her meds for pain from vet but it made her bleed inside), her joints are still bad but we now have a back yard again that she can lounge around in. Recently she went blind in both eyes simultaneously. She has a white cloudy appearance in both eyes. She has also lost about half her body weight over the past six months and probably more since the move from VA to CA. Today I noticed that her water bowl had a bloody tinge to it and that even though she appeared to be drinking water for hours on end that the water bowl was still 3/4 full. My gut instinct is to try and care for her most people say to put her down. Looking for some outside input. Thank you.

cherylmartin · 07-10-2010

fredandcheryl

I truly understand that you have lost faith in vets-it does happen but my only suggestion is to get your girl to a vet as quickly as possible. It does not sound good.

Please keep us updated as to how she is doing.

Hugs,

CorkyMax · 07-10-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredandcheryl

I am posting this only because I have lost faith in vets. My dog is a shepherd mix that I bought from the humane society almost nine years ago. Six months ago she started to walk less because of pain in her joints (gave her meds for pain from vet but it made her bleed inside), her joints are still bad but we now have a back yard again that she can lounge around in. Recently she went blind in both eyes simultaneously. She has a white cloudy appearance in both eyes. She has also lost about half her body weight over the past six months and probably more since the move from VA to CA. Today I noticed that her water bowl had a bloody tinge to it and that even though she appeared to be drinking water for hours on end that the water bowl was still 3/4 full. My gut instinct is to try and care for her most people say to put her down. Looking for some outside input. Thank you.

Have you had blood work done lately? Has she been checked for liver or kidney problems, diabetes, cancer? I am having a hard time knowing where to begin here. I am going to be giving you quite a few links. I don't put much stock in most vets either but you need to find a good one because this dog needs a lot of help. I know you are going to say yes before I even ask this question---Was your dog on Rimadyl for the arthritis pain!!?? Here is a long thread on this killer: Please Do not Give Rimadyl (carprofen)--CAN KILL Please read it all and click on the links given in that thread.
And here is another link on the German Shepherd not being able to get proper nutrition: Attention-german shepherd/and gs mixes

I just had to put my Corky down 4 weeks ago. It was about the hardest thing I ever had to do. He had heart disease/failure. I think I should of let him go a little sooner than I did. Dogs can suffer in silence. I am afraid maybe your dog is doing this too. About how old was your dog when you got him from the Humaine Society? I am not going to tell you to put him down--Only you can decide that but I am going to give you a link here to a poem I just found a couple days ago---I wish I would of seen it before I finally put my Corky down--> Poem for My Corky

I think I would definitely go to a new vet ---blood work and get your vet's opinion on whether she may be suffering in silence and have a good talk with the vet. Just seeing the results of the blood tests may help you decide what to do. The meds my Corky was taking and the condition of his heart caused his kidneys to fail----You could not even get a bun/kidney reading ---It was beyond the highest reading they had. I decided right then at the vet's office that it was time to let him go because that very last day he got drastically worse---so weak he had to be carried part of the way. I am really missing him but I had to do what was best for him and not let him suffer.--That poem said it all. (Please read it.) I have pictures of him (Corky) and my other dog in my album on my profile page. You can see him there if you like.

I know how you must be feeling right now as I just went through it all recently myself. Hope you can help your girl. What is her name?

This is a long shot for sure but just saw this:
Pet Columns, Office of Public Engagement, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Maddie44 · 07-10-2010

Oh my dear. My dog has recently gone blind too with Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Other dogs get Cushings Disease. What does the vet say has caused this?

Is your dog eating OK? I always think if a dog eats he is not too bad. Obviously if he stops eating, then we worry.

My dog has been very physically sick last couple of days. I know he is very stressed because of the blindness.

Do you really think your dog is so ill you want to have her put down?

Yogi · 07-10-2010

Symptoms are common for diabetes. I would have a vet do a blood work up asap. Good luck.

runwithdogs · 07-13-2010

Losing weight, bloody water in her bowl, and appearing to drink constantly but the water level isn't going down - all could be related to some painful lesion in the mouth, such as an ulcer, severe tooth disease or even cancer. I know you're not into vets, but I don't think you have a choice here. Perhaps you can have a look inside her mouth and see if there's anything obvious?