Date: Tue Jan 12, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] Daisys in the Wars again.
Found another ulcer on Daisy's eye last night so it was back to the vets today. We've had a traumatic day. The eye specialist we went to before is on holidays to the end of the month so took Daisy back to our usual vet this morning, he took one look at her eye and said he didn't like the look of it at all and sent me to the only other eye specialist in Perth who is right up in the hills.
Luckily was able to get an appointment today. After getting hopelessly lost, my sense of direction is atrocious got there half hour late, was in a total panic.
This is a lot worse problem than just an ulcer this time. She has received a knock and the eye itself is swollen and the pupil instead of being dilated is like a pinprick and the eye has gone all milky.
She's had steroid injection, antibiotic injection, local anaesthetic in the eye so he could scrape the ulcer, and now I'm home with her putting eye drops in every 5 minutes!. Keep this up for an hour, and then one an hour until the pupil dilates again. I've got so many eye drops and pills to use! Back to the specialist on Thursday.
Now, any suggestions to prevent this happening again. Don't want to talk her out for walks with a bucket on her head, I was thinking perhaps a peaked cap or something which she would bang first rather than her eye and give her warning something is there.
A very stressed out Pam, Daisy (The Princess with PRA) & Symi (I'm Okay)

Date: Wed Jan 13, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] Daisy Update
Good news is after doing the drops until 11pm last night finally Daisy's eye is dilating again so I was able to get some sleep. She had to have eye drops every three hours today for the ulcer I think but luckily a friend was able to help me out whilst I went to work. Still looks awful and sore and cloudy, as well as the ulcer is quite big and the other eye seems to be coming out in sympathy.
She was being so chirpy and brave tonight and wanted to come walking with us I relented and took her with us to pick up the neighbours dog I'm helping look after whilst they are away. This dog didn't seem to have any water so I'm wandering around their back yard looking for the hose and splash, Daisy has fallen into the swimming pool so I had to do the life saving act and dive in and get her. We both got drenched and poor darling is now traumatised and refusing her dinner .
To really put the icing on the cake there was a message on my answer machine when I got home from the vets (opthamologist) to tell me they had stuffed up my appointment tomorrow which was meant to be at 5 o'clock. The vet is only working in the mornings. So now, I don't know what I'm doing, they open at 8am so will ring them before I go to work and see if I can get in straight away (give or take an hour for me to get lost again) otherwise its another day and I'm not that confident about her eyes. he's the only specialist left in Perth at the moment so I can't kick up too much of a stink.
If this all sounds disjointed it because I'm so tired. Anyone got a tranquilliser for me?
Pam, Daisy (The Princess with PRA) & Symi (I'm a Reformed Scallywag)

Date: Thu Jan 14, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] I Need Your Help
Been back to the specialist and the results are not good. Her left eye is not responding to treatment and the right eye has come out in sympathy. That's now got an ulcer and the pupil has shrunk like the other one did and I'm on the 5 minute drops again.
The specialist doesn't see much hope for her left eye and we've come up with the following options.
1. Scarification of both eyes in the hope that they will be more resistant to the ulcers. He doesn't really think that will work on the left eye.
2. Enucleation of the left eye and scarification of the
right
3. Prosthesis in left eye and scarification of right. Or bite the bullet and get them both removed/prosthesis now.

The cataract in her left eye has been leaking causing more pain. Given her history of bumping into things I don't know if Prosthesis is the way to go and its a long operation for an older dog.
Would really appreciate any input from you out there who have gone through this awful decision. Specialist thought Daisy's mum was very brave, thanks to you all I was able to ask the right questions and didn't just freak out - that come after I got out of the surgery. I've got to go to work this afternoon otherwise I won't be able to pay for any of the options!
Pam, Daisy (The Princess) & Symi (I'm a Reformed Scallywag)

Date: Thu Jan 14, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] Daisy Decisions
I'm thinking the whole time about this and it does help to put it down in writing to people that understand.
What I feel at the moment is Daisy is blind now, she doesn't care if she has eyes we that can see or not, but she is in pain. Opthamologist said whatever little vision she has will be gone within 2 months and I think it has
already gone. The repeating ulcers and now swelling and pressure, the cataracts are leaking (? I hadn't even given that a thought before - didn't even know they did that) . She wouldn't even know her eyes are gone. it
started in the left eye but now the right eye is doing the same and has the ulcers too and swelling. Measurements today one was 16 and other 32.
I have ruled out a prosthesis cos she is so good at banging her head, and why try scarring an eye just to have a repeat operation in a years time, and more pain.
Sounds good on paper but emotionally very hard, but only for me. I love her too much than to do what is the absolute best for her. A friend phoned me today that doesn't even like dogs, and said if she was a human she would be the most kind gentle person going. She really does get under your skin.
So, please, I know you've written it before but you always hope that wont happen to your pet and try not to take too much notice , I need to know when you had the op how did they respond etc. I think she can cope with the
blindness, she's almost used to it.
Pam, Daisy (The Princess) & Symi (I'm a Reformed Scallywag)

Date: Fri Jan 15, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] Daisy Decisions
Thank you all for your words of support and Stephanie & Gudrun for sharing your experiences with me, it really helps to know you are not alone.
I've decided on having both the eyes removed and suctured. I know prosthesis would be easier on my eyes but with the chance of infection and bumps I just can't do it to Daisy. I want her to be pain free forever. Am going to phone the specialist tomorrow and book surgery hopefully for next week. Poor Daisy's eyes look so sore and she's being very brave about it.
We'll have to invent a new hairstyle for her with a long fringe :)) I feel almost as bad as her, haven't eaten properly in days and have this constant ache in my stomach and heart so we'll all feel better when this is over. Can't believe what an emotional decision it is.
Keep telling myself its only a diseased organ that needs removing.
Don't know what I would have done without this group, reaction among my friends ranges from shock to horror when I tell them what is happening
Thanks again.
Pam, Daisy (The Princess) & Symi (I'm a Reformed Scallywag)

Date: Mon Jan 18, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] Daisy's Home
I can't believe it. Daisy had here eyes removed this morning at 10.30am, I phoned at 1pm and they had finished half hour previous and she was already awake and sitting up. Phoned back at 4pm and said she could come home.
Poor darling is still under the effects of the anaesthetic, bounced off a few wall but still managed to eat two plates of food before falling asleep and when I moved into the computer room she sneaked in and fell asleep by me feet snoring soundly.
Specialist said it went extremely well, she's a strong little dog.
She looks like Dracula's daughter at the moment, all her hair is shaved from her nose to middle of forehead and stitches in her eyelids and bruising. Oooh, I can hear her now she's woke up again and is chinking around the plates seeing if there is any more food.
Personally, its been one of the worst days of my life, I was shaking that hard when I took her and went to work afterwards just to keep occupied but was in a dream, hope I didn't stuff up anything . Was getting these weird thoughts like how do you know you are awake if you don't have eyes. But we are both going to sleep peacefully tonight. I'm taking tomorrow off to be with her to help her adjust.
Thank you all for your good wishes, told the specialist that she had people all round the world praying for her - he was quite taken back by that. I'm off to give her another painkiller now and I think a stiff drink or something for me.
Pam, Daisy (The Princess) & Symi (I'm a Reformed Scallywag)

Date: Tue Jan 19, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] Daisy Update
Have spent the day at home with Daisy and she is remarkable. She was still a bit groggy most of the day but is in no pain. Gave her a pain killer last night but she hasn't needed another one today. I feel like Mary had a little lamb, she's following me everywhere then just flops beside me. She even managed to find her way through the dog door in the night to go to the toilet. I wouldn't have minded if she had an accident. Still eating like a horse.
When I got ready to take Symi for his walk tonight she jumped up and wanted to come too. Its really hot here (strange reading about all you having snow) and even though it was nearly 6pm the sun was still strong so I found this cute little hat I'd bought one of my other dogs years ago at a fete which clips under her chin with a peak that I pulled right down to the end of her nose. Covered up all the pink bare skin and the horror looking stitches. I drove them to the park, didn't want to tire her and she trotted along on her lead and was real pleased to see all my friends with their dogs cos she got heaps of fuss. They all thought she looked cute, I don't want peoples first reaction to be yeeuuk cos she'll sense it.
I can't believe she was only operated on yesterday and she's contented now and had yet another big plate of food. I want to keep her in a normal routine as much as possible. She is still bumping around the house a bit more and is unsure of herself but think all the drugs she's had are contributing to that too.
Its funny, even though she hasn't got eyes I can still tell her expressions by the way she stands, holds her head etc. Yes and I can tell when she is asleep and awake ! There's a lot of adjustments to do for both of us, she must have been able to distinguish light and dark and the occasional shadow before. But this is one relieved Mum here. I can go back to work happy tomorrow and actually concentrate.
Symi is doing Daisy watch and goes and find her when I ask him and just checks on her every so often. He even let her have his Bonio biscuit today - they've actually fought over that before.
Wouldn't have been able to do this without you. Some of the dumb comments I've got from people, but how can she see without eyes (when they already know she's blind), suppose you'll have to carry her out on walks now (why the eyes have gone not the legs). Thank goodness for the Blind List and people that understand and care.
Pam, Daisy (The Princess) & Symi (I'm a Reformed Scallywag)

Date: Sat Jan 23, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] Daisy and Mum are Recovering Well Daisy is recovering very fast. Now the pethidine is out of her system she's not bumping into half as many things and is trotting around the house again.
She has insisted on coming out for a walk with us every night since the operation, the first couple of times I had to carry her part of the way as she got tired (she's a big mini poodle and is quite heavy) but that was
partly due to the very hot weather conditions here too. But now she is trotting along, leading the way sometimes, doing her normal sniffs as she goes along. I can't believe it. She is walking with a very proud stance again, head in air, tail wagging, something she hasn't done for a long time. In fact I had to find a very early photo of her to remember it. I keep her lead tied to my waist. I'm going to try and see if she's up to our regular early morning walk next week. Poor Symi hasn't had a real walk since this all started.
She is also getting more demanding for fuss, and comes up and taps you with her paw for cuddles. She did it all the way in the car to the vets the other day, try driving patting a dog the whole time. Think that's because Symi
wasn't with us, he normally leans up against her for support.
She did have an infection in one of the eye slits, it was weeping so our vet has put her on some stronger antibiotics and that seems to have done the trick. He thinks she's marvellous. I'm lucky as my local vet who is now treating her (thank goodness no more long treks to the hills to see the eye specialist), his wife is a nurse at the eye specialists surgery so she's their special little project and she's getting extra attention and there is a lot of communication between him and the eye specialist. He's not even charging me consultation fees, just the cost of the drugs.
New nicknames for my two, Whoops a Daisy (been saying that a lot lately) and Symi the "Minder" cos he's really keeping watch over her.
Stitches don't come out for another 10 days but now the swelling has gone down she doesn't look so bad. My niece says she looks like one of those teddy bears with stitched up eyes and she's got her cute hat to wear when we go out walking.
Have met a couple of people that were just horrified and said I was cruel to do that to her, should have had her put down!! I asked if they would like to be put down if they lost their sight. They can't seem to grasp that she couldn't see anyway and its really no different for her except the lack of pain.
I slept for 12 hours last night so my batteries are recharged again and I feel so much happier. Still a lot of work to do with her but we're both on the mend.
Pam, Whoops a Daisy, and Symi (The Minder)

Date: Mon Jan 25, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] Princess/Daisy
Gladys,
Believe me I know how you feel, we've all been there and I've shed many a tear. Short resume of Daisy (she used to be known as the Princess too). She's a mini poodle I got from a Rescue almost six years ago. They reckoned she was about 2-3 years old. She was very nervous, wanted a lot of affection which she got in abundance and turned into the most loving, placid dog you could ever wish for.
Looking back on it, I think she must have started going blind with PRA about 3 years ago but I was totally ignorant on such matters and it wasn't until she got her first eye ulcer and the vet casually mentioned she was losing her sight that I had any idea. That was about 2 years ago. No information was given to me, I just assumed she was a lot older than what we'd thought and these things happen.
The ulcers kept reoccurring at about six monthly intervals, very painful for her and meant a minor op to have her third eyelid stitched up to her eyelid to assist healing. It was only after I found this group and got some real info that I started asking questions.
In the meantime Daisy just carried on at her own pace, bumping into more things but carried on regardless. Until the last 12 months it was mainly a night blindness. Then the eyes got worse and we got in to a specialist who confirmed the PRA but said she had secondary cataracts. I'm still angry about this, I thought secondary meant it wasn't really important, that's the impression the specialist gave me as she said well Daisy is blind anyway so it doesn't really matter. At the beginning of this year the ulcers formed again, this time in both eyes and when I went to see another specialist he said the cataracts were leaking as well causing pressure. She was in so much pain, I didn't even know they could leak. By this time the eyes were so bad that after a lot of agonising we agreed that removing both eyes would be best for her. We had choices of having a prosthesis put in, but that means they remove the diseased inside of her eye but the top membrane is still there. With Daisy's history of the ulcerating I believed that was not for her, I wanted these painful vet visits to stop.
It was the most agonising decision of my life, and believe me I've had a few. My worst nightmare come true. Happened a week ago today and now I've got a happy little girl, she is already doing 99% of what she was before. She's been strolling down the park every night since but this morning took her on a real walk with my active 2 1/2 year old and she strutted along, negotiated 6 flights of stairs and even went over the stepping stones over a stream at the park with a bit of encouragement from me and a retractor lead to wheel her in! I think I was fooling myself before that she could see a little. Distinguish light and dark.
I don't know all the surgeries that have been suggested for you, others on this list will know. But all I can say what we humans see as the most awful thing that can happen doesn't traumatise the dog half as much as us and the dog can adjust very well. By next week Symi will be sending her outside to see off the imaginary intruders whilst he stays safe in the bedroom to bark It always worked for him before :)
Whoops, this was meant to be a short mail, but please hang in there. Talk, touch, feel your dog, they get the warm feelings from you and will respond.
Pam, Whoopsy Daisy & Symi (The Minder)

Date: Mon Feb 1, 1999
Subject: [blinddogs] Daisy Progress Report
Well, Daisy had her stitches out at the weekend and one scar is completely clean now, all healed up and the scabs gone. The other one is still a bit messy cos that's where she got a little infection but that should be clear by the end of the week. She's in great spirits. The Mum is a bit more ragged cos Daisy must have seen a bit of light and dark before so there is a bit more head banging. I had started saying Whoooops a Daisy when I saw one coming even before I got Caroline's book so glad I was on the right track (it just came naturally :)) It doesn't seem to upset her, she just gets her bearings and keeps going. I'm having to be very tidy too, not my best trait, I'll have such a neat house soon.
She's great on the extendable lead when we are out, that seems to give her all the confidence she needs and is still negotiating the stairs and the stepping stones with greater confidence each time she does it. She did come down with me tonight off lead to get the rubbish bins in, I live in a complex so its a fair walk up to the road, she used to love doing that with me but she headed for brick walls a couple of times so we have got to do a bit more training. I find I'm aware of her the whole time, sort of helping her on her way. It really does form a special bond with the dog. She's even more special than she was before.
Trouble is Symi is beginning to react, probably jealous, he was great while she was not well but now she's better he's playing up. I spent a fair bit of money on a personal trainer for him to work out his behavioural problems and he's behaved great ever since until now. It's probably me giving him the wrong vibes. In one week down the park he has cocked his leg up a lady sitting on the grass, a bag of fruit which some picnickers had on the floor and another lady sitting on the grass - her library book. And decided to join some picnickers on the table in the middle of their dinner, this white apparition suddenly appeared in the middle of their food. Thing is he makes me laugh, its a bit of light relief after Daisy and I have a problem keeping a straight face telling him off, the people concerned aren't too impressed though. Anyway, the trainer gave a lifetime guarantee on his training so think he is going to earn his money.
Well, that's where I am at now, but its only two weeks since the operation today so think we're going fairly okay. Nothing that can't be sorted.
Love to all the other babes out there going through their problems
Pam, Whoopsy Daisy (Poodle with PRA/cataracts/eyes removed) & Symi (The Scallywag Minder)