Multifocal Retinal Dysplacia - Help please!

Hello,

I am trying to find how Multifocal Retinal Dysplacia affects a dogs vision, and if it can suddenly become worse.

A GSD I raised from a puppy saw an eye professor at aged 10 months, no abnormalities. Then again at 13 months when MRD was seen. He was checked again at age 15 months no further deterioration. He is now 18 months.

This dog is in training as a service dog, and an incident occurred with him behaving completely out of character, and i wondered if his vision could have deteriorated and perhaps explain his reactions. I realise it could of course have nothing to do with it, but the question keeps popping up in my head!

Sorry I'm unable to be more specific, but I was just wondering what anyone elses experiences were of the condition.

Thanks

Hi

I'm not an expert but my husband had a labrador that was a trained Guide Dog. They had noticed retinal dysplasia on her 12 month eye check and didn't think it would cause her any problems working.

At the age of 3.5 years she developed sudden signs of problems. Walked him into things, refused to go out into the garden alone in the dark, excessive drinking and clingy behaviour. She was referred to an eye specialist and diagnosed with SARDS which is an odd eye condition.

Anyway, we were told retinal dysplasis wasn't expected to cause her any problems but it clearly did so I would say the first thing is to get a vet to check the dog, especially his/her eyes. The second would be to consider whether the service dog training should continue because potentially to dog could have to retire early which is really hard on dog and handler.

HTH

Ali x

Superb answer...I am really sorry though about your OH's dog, how horrid for all of you.
I particularly agree with the part I highlighted.

Fluffybland...just hugs really x

Is this Z? Poor little man. I hope they get to the bottom of it. GSDs can spook at stuff sometimes because they are big woosies at heart though.
X

Thanks. He was heartbroken to lose her because we'd just moved 400 miles from the place he'd grown up and knew like the back of his hand to somewhere he'd been once or twice. He expected to have a Guide Dog that was working then suddenly she was gone within months of us having moved. He will have another one day, it's just not practical now.

Fluffybland... *hugs* seconded.

Gosh I am so sorry, that must have been (and be) so very hard for both of you...and of course the dog as well. Think you deserve a hug too x

Hi Claire yes it is Z sadly

Gosh that must of been very hard on all of you x

I will be pushing for a vet check minimum, but as far as i am aware the incident is being investigated, and i await further info, but I def think his eyes should be checked again as his behaviour was so out of character. thanks for your reply, it has been helpful.

Woody was diagnosed with MRD at about 11 months. We took him to the vets for a behaviour related check up and were referred to an eye specialist who found lesions all over his retinas.

We were told it was absolutely nothing to worry about as his is non-progressive stage one (five being the highest) and that it will un-likely cause him any future problems.

You should have the vets refer you to an expert so they can see what stage it is at and reassure you. Hope it works out OK for him xx

This is what they said about Sabbie as well but hers did end up turning into something. I really hope Woody's doesn't cause any problems.

Take care

Ali x

Thanks for the hug. I appreciate it. It was a rough time. She went to a good home for retirement. Hopefully he'll get another working dog when things are more settled.

Ali x