I recently acquired an English Springer Spaniel from a Shooting Lodge that was closing down. Without going into too much detail the kennels in which these dogs were kept were very basic, with five/six to a pen. The appearance of all the dogs was pitiful with very long, very matted coats and very, very smelly. We have had him now for around four months and despite the fact that he was not used to human contact or living in doors he has adapted well. But I have noticed one strange thing about him and wondered if anybody had experienced the same situation before.
The dog, Baileywho is 1yrs old, follows me everywhere and very rarely stays in a room alone or with other people. That bit I can understand but what puzzles me is if someone has been in the room with him and then left for a short period of time, he becomes very aggresive. Not biting but lungeing at the person who returns, he growls very deeply and barks with his hackles up in the air. He also does this if someone (but never me) leaves the room and returns wearing other clothes ie: coat, cardigan, blazer. No matter what is said to him he contiues this for quite a while, generally though he will stand behind/near me after a few minutes, continuing the behaviour.
Also I can be in a room and Bailey can walk into the room and not see me at all. He then seems quite taken aback when he eventually spots me until he greets me afterwards.
His long vision appears to be fine and his vision very close up seems okay too, as he can spot and play with insects (usually with fatal consequences for the insect).
I haven't had him examined by a vet for this problem yet, but have noticed just an ever so slight tinge of blue in Baileys right eye. I thought 1 years old was too young to have a Cataract but not sure really.
Bailey has managed to earn himself the name 'Grumbleweed' because of his behaviour and most of the times really frustrates younger members of the family, who don't understand why he can like them one minute and then not the next.
If it is a medical/behavioural problem I would like to understand it and if possible solve it for all concerned.
Any information or possible causes that anybody on the board may have will be much appreciated.

Hi,
Sorry to hear about the possible problem with Bailey's eyesight. There is a gundog/eye-testing specialist called John on this Forum - I'm sure he'll be along soon to give advice on where you can get Bailey's eyes tested and know for sure.

One of our springers has a blue r/eye and we had him checked out, he has retinal dysplasia and is blind in that eye, he is a lovely dog but has to work harder than the others because he can only see from the left.
Maybe you should get him checked out.

Hi Clare.
Springers are one of the few breeds which do not as a general rule suffer from hereditary cataracts. Of course, there is always the occasional one, but very few! Cataracts do not of course have to be hereditary, they can easily be as the result of injury and of course with a Springer’s love of hunting up cover this is always a risk.

I agree this does sound like a sight problem, maybe one eye? He sees ok out of one but gets taken by surprise if approached on the wrong side? Really, from the way you describe it, it sounds more like a restriction in both rather than the loss of one.

As a guess, does it give you the appearance of "Night Blindness"? Ok in good light but not so good if the lighting is less than perfect? Thinking PRA. Springer’s are prone to both Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Centralised Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

As a first step I would get the eyes tested, that would prove or disprove that aspect then we can think again. If you like to post your general location I'll be able to tell you you’re nearest Canine Ophthalmologist.

Regards, John

HIya

My general location is Middlesbrough, Cleveland. On thinking more of Bialey's problem, his eye sight and shocked reactions do appear to be more aggressive if in a dimmed room. Or if someone is stood at the top of the stairs etc. I guess it was a problem that was never picked up before with him running in a pack. His eyes were quite weepy when we got him so we took him to the vets and she gave us drops to put in them. They looked really bright a for a few weeks then I did notice that the soft tissus surrounding one eye was moving closer into the eye again. Not drastically so but noticeable to me. Don't know whether that is an indication of anything.
It is a shame as he is such a nice gentle soul too considering the start in life he had. He's very patient and tolerant with my seven year old daughter who loves to give him big hugs.

Hi Coulby.
Your nearest eye test Panellist is:-

S. R. Ellis BVSc CertVOphthal MRCVS
Castle Veterinary Surgeons
Montalbo Road
Barnard Castle
Co Durham
DL12 8ED

Phone 01833 637700

This is a part time eye clinic so it will in all possibility be only one day a week.

With a dog with poor eyesight it is the stationary things they loose sight of first, Something moves and it takes them by surprise, it’s possibly the first time they realise there is anything there! Add to that the fact that you have only just acquired him and you can appreciate how he must feel.

If the problem is with his eyesight and I feel that is where the problem is, then there is a certain amount of adapting to do. Try to avoid taking him by surprise, speak to him when you enter the room, draw attention to yourselves. As he settles, your scent and the scent of your usual visitors will get more familiar. Remember, it’s early days yet. When my Lucy went blind from sugar cataracts, (she was diabetic,) she was an old dog and knew all the smells around the house. With your Springer, he has not been with you long and quite possibly not had failing sight for long enough to have got use to it. Things should get easier.

Please let me know how you get on.

Best wishes, John

hey john while were on about eye sight , would a baggy eye in a cocker effect its sight at all?
Cuz my vet said she has baggy eyes and if she dosent grow into them then he wants to put a stich in each one. they do get a little watery,
The reason i asked was because my cocker has a thing for shadows i recently read up and it said that eye sight could be a reason.
Lady xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

There are two possible problems that can occur.

1/ Entropion: this is where the baggy eyelid can roll in and the eye lashes and hair on the eye lid can rub on the eye.

2/ Ectropion: where the lower eyelid can bag out away from the eye. This can expose the mucus membrane and cause conjunctivitis.

Entropion is occasionally seen in puppies of some breeds such as Flatcoats to name one, and self correct it’s self as the head shape develops.

Ectropion is usually corrected as you say by removing a small piece and sewing the two haves back together again to tighten the lid.

In it's self Lady I would not have thought it would have caused damage to the eyesight unless the condition has been going on for some time and the lashes have scratched the eye, or the eye is watering to the extent that it is causing blurred vision. Of course, (just to be cheerful, ;) ) there may be another eye problem.

Best wishes, John

Hiya John

Thanks very much for your advice and the address of the eye specialist. But Barnard Castle is a long way from here. Would taking him to the vet's spot the problem just as well?

It is best to go to a canine opthalmologist for eye problems. Compare your vet to your G.P. He has a few tools available for looking at eyes but has nothing like the specialised equipment (or training) that an specialist does.

Christine

If you go along to your vets and explain the problem they should then refer you to a opthalmologist, they will know someone local, ours is a mobile opthalmologist and he comes to our vets surgery to see our dog.

Thanks for your replys:)