KokiBella

That's who I called - I wont bother repeating my previous post but based on their advice we will wait for the DNA test, go back to our vet and then go and see them.

Ok, well I just called the specialist, I can only find two opthamologists in Victoria. The one that was still open and within 100kms of my house says that they wont see Koki until the vet agrees she needs to see the specialist because they will have to fax her history over to them. They suggested waiting for the DNA results and then making an appointment, the longest wait they have is 1.5 weeks so I will get the results and go straight to our vet with them and ask for a referral to the opthamologist. Should all be done within two weeks, maybe 3. I must say I disagree about the specialist not caring about the results. Fair enough if they are all clear/negative for herditary cataracts, but if it comes back that she does have them then it would be quite relevant to the consult. Thanks again for your comments though, it is appreciated hearing peoples perspectives - particularly considering this is new to us!

I thought I needed a referral from the vet to see an opthamologist? Can I just make an appointment without the vet sending me there?

Hi GRLC, thanks for your post! We will be back at the vets next weekend once the results are in, then off to a specialist. I've never heard of SARDS - but as I've said all along, very new to eye problems!! Koki gets lots of special treatment - hehee not sure we could treat her any better even if she does go blind!! hehee She sleeps all day at the moment, always has though - she has her 30 minute 'zoomy' time after dinner and then goes back to sleep! I'm glad to read yours and other Dolers posts about their blind dogs and how happy and 'normal' their lives are! Did you have to see a specialist to work out what the problem was or did your vet pick it up? How did you know something was wrong? I think you need to understand that a vet can see signs that can lead to certain eye conditions but your normal vet can not give you a defiant answer to any eye condition as they do not have the qualifications or the equipment that is required to diagnosis these conditions & any secondary condition that can be associated. Showdog, I completely understand what you are saying - perhaps you haven't been reading my posts clearly? I have said that we will be asking for a referral to a specialist, but that we are going to wait for the DNA test results to come back in first. I'm sure it will be beneficial to have the results before seeing the specialist, particularly if they come back saying she has hereditary cataracts. My question to nickojoy was purely a question as to whether or not his vet did pick it up or not.

I hope she is ok and the vets can at least improve her somewhat... I couldn't imagine what your auntie must be going through, it's awful watching your dog when there is something wrong... that they sort it out asap!

Did you have to see a specialist to work out what the problem was or did your vet pick it up? How did you know something was wrong?

Like my boy, he has (had) Distichiasis which caused constant ulceration which lead to a cataract. The cloudiness has grown nearly accross his entire eye in the last 12 months. There is nothing to fix his blindless in that eye now, too much damage occured by constrat ops when he was 6 months old. He is now 3, doesn't worry him a bit. What sort of dog do you have?

Thanks Ellz! I think the vet wanted to investigate hereditary cataracts first because she is very young for cataracts. I'll keep you posted on what happens when the results come back! :D

Thanks for your thoughts Showdog! :D We are new to the whole 'eye issues' thing! I guess we are thinking that since the tests results will be back so soon, we will wait to see what they say, then we can take that to the specialist - whatever the results indicate. The vet probably wouldn't give us a referral until we have the results anyway!

The DNA test will be back by the end of the week or start of next week. She had full blood work and full physcial examinations prior to going on clomicalm and regularly since she has been on it. Without the clomicalm she would probably be seriously injured if not dead by now. When she gets scared she tries to escape or hurt herself and has caused some pretty nasty injuries even with clomicalm and valium or xanax (not together). Her fears are very severe so yes she was fully assessed prior to going on medication - our vet doesn't just hand it out thankfully. She sees the vet very regularly and we see an excellent vet who also owns a Staffy and has quite a lot of experience with behavioural issues - this is her main area of interest/expertise. Obviously if the tests come back positive or her eyes get any worse we will be referred to a specialist - at this stage though, the vet is suspecting cataracts are forming and has suggested visits every 2 months to keep an eye on them. As I said, she hasn't lost any vision yet (well not that we nor the vet can determine) but there is some clouding visible to the vet. She doesn't have dry eyes at all, just this slight cloudiness. As I said, our vet is really good, she suggested getting the test done, if it comes back positive then off to the eye doctor for Koki, if it comes back negative, we'll probably still ask to go to the eye doctor!! :D

Our Staffy goes either on the back seat or in the back of the Dualis, the middle seat belt comes down from the roof so we can attach her harness attachement to the seatbelt and strap her in that way! :D

Thanks for your comments! We cant remember if the parents were tested or not. We bought Koki from a friend who was breeding at the time because we absolutely adored the mother. We are no longer friends with the person, so it makes it tricky to find out for sure which is why we decided to do the DNA test. Koki is a little replica of her mum so we got exactly what we wanted but since she was a back yard breeder (both parents have papers) I guess we could pay the price. We were young and thought we new best at the time! Wouldn't trade her for anything though - even with all her problems! If she has cataracts, we'll get them removed if that's what the vets say to do, we couldn't put a price on her - especially not at 4 and a half! I never realised hereditary cataracts started so young in SBT's.... Looking back through photo's its hard to tell if there has always been something there or not - her eyes have always looked a little evil in photos!! She has been seeing the same vet since she was 1 so I would have to assume that there was nothing there before? I guess our concern with her going blind is just because of her fears, we understand that dogs can still be happy when they are blind, we just don't want her fears to get even worse! Thanks again :D Susie

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the forum! My husband and I have a 4 and a half year old English Staffy named Koki. We took Koki to the vet for her annual vaccination and the vet commented on her eyes looking a bit cloudy.. I had noticed the reflection when she was under lights but never really thought anything of it until the vet said something :D She suggested it could be the start of cataracts but that it was quite strange as she is so young.. We ordered the DNA test for hereditary cataracts and are waiting patiently for the results to come in. The vet thinks hereditary cataracts is all it could be since she is still so young - we are incredibly anxious waiting!! We bought her as a pup from a friend who was a breeder, I thought the parents were both clear in the eye tests but I could be mistaken - I guess if this is the case, the DNA test should come back negative? Does anyone have any experience with Staffy's and hereditary cataracts? We will obviously be watching her eyes closely now and getting even more regular check ups than before. If they get worse, she'll be off to have the surgery - we cant have her go blind (she is terrified of loud noises like thunder and fireworks and has been on clomicalm for what feels like ever!) - I think if she went blind it might make her fears even worse! I'm no expert on any of this, I just love my dog and hope she is going to be ok! Thanks Susie