Confirmed PRA

[greenshank1]

Today I got my worst fears confirmed.

My 6 year old black lab has PRA and is losing her sight.

She was at the local vet on Tuesday morning for booster and I asked the local vet to check her eyes and he suspected PRA but recommended a specialist and today the specialist confirmed she is well along the road to being blind.

I am absolutely gutted as she is a great family pet , comes to work with me in the woods most days and is a great shooting companion.

[Stacia]

I am so sorry to read your beloved black Lab has PRA, am gutted for you. Dogs can manage well being blind but I guess won't be able to go shooting but she can still be your beloved companion in the woods.

[Naj]

So sorry to hear this. I've always enjoyed your obvious love of being out and about with your dog. Hopefully it will be a slow progression.

Naj

[newf]

Terrible news. I feel for you.

[Strathcraig]

Sorry to hear this.

No reason she can't continue to be many of the things she has always been for some years to come.

[ips]

Echo all of the above.

[greenshank1]

Thanks Everyone

I really appreciate all your kind comments .

[Rothievale]

So sorry to read this, what a gut wrencher. Have you informed her breeder? It may save future puppies going blind. Still so many claim that PRA is rare because they've never experienced it. I'm sure she will adjust and still live her life to the full

[greenshank1]

Thanks Rothievale

Yes i am absolutely gutted.

I have informed the people I got her off and as it was a one off litter they have informed the breeder they got her Dam from and they did they did say they have never experienced a problem

My head is still swimming , but I need to decide if starting again with a new pup or buying a youngster that's less puppyish is best , to give her company and ultimately help her when she is totally blind .???

[Sgurr]

Not been around for a while so late is seeing this, apologies - so very, very sorry to hear this news. I have a friend with an ESS with PRA and it has been a very slow onset, the dog is 10 now and still doing fine. The sense of smell is so much more important for a dog than sight so if the change is gradual, they tend to adapt well. I do hope this is the case with our girl. Another young ESS became totally blind after a road accident but he has one of my pups as a companion on walks and it is working well as he follows her scent. On the sandy beach he has confidence to run after her at top speed, so still very much enjoying life. I think a companion dog would be a real help for later. Again, so sorry that you have had this news.