Dog hates bright light

[ohboob]

Just re-posting this from chat.

I'm looking for a last ditch solution really. My beloved dog of 18 years is fit and healthy (just about) apart from the fact that she hates bright light and in particular going from dark to bright light, which is a problem in the garden with all the shadows.

She really really cannot tolerate it now and so I'm having to think about putting her to sleep. This is breaking my heart. I don't want her to suffer though. Before I have to take that step, can I ask if anyone knows if anything can be done about this problem? I've looked at dog sunglasses online but am not sure if she would like wearing them. It feels so cruel to be making this decision when she loves her food and isn't arthritic other than a bit of stiffness and could otherwise have some very happy months left in her.

I am really distraught so anything anyone knows about this and can suggest would be great. I do know I will have to let her go eventually .

What has the vet said?

PTS does seem to be a harsh solution if she is alright otherwise.

What does she do when she can not tolerate the change in light?

i agree with minimu pts does seem extreme if she is ok otherwise.

what has the vet said? i recently took my oldie for an eye test as i noticed that she seems short sighted. she is and she has cathartic (sp) spots on her eyes. otherwise vet said she is in great condition for her age

The vet said that it's just old age and there is nothing he can do. I've been looking online at dog sunglasses but can only find American sites where they're fashion accessories. And I don't know that she would tolerate something being stuck on her head.

She'll be alright one minute and then it's like someone has slapped her in the face. She'll physically recoil and flinch a few times. When it's really bad she's stopping every few paces outside to do this. It's like it's really hurting her, which is why I'm considering the option I am. I've taken to keeping some of the curtains shut in the day so that the light isn't streaming in through the windows and that has helped. But it's clearly not ok for her outside, which is tough because she has to go outside a few times a day for obvious reasons (ie to poop!).

She's a bichon, by the way. And I love her to death.

Actually this morning was pretty bad. I took her out and she just stood there and looked at the ground and it was like she didn't dare move. I sat with her in my arms outside for ages and she just lay on me (normally she wants to run off to scamper round a bit). That isn't like her. Then tonight she was back to herself and running around again and very happy, but then the light was much lower again.

Thanks for your input. I so want to find a solution for her!

awww i wish i could help

i have seen peaked baseball type caps with elastic to go behind the ears for dogs at dog shows. they are a fashion accessory and i know my dog would hate to wear them but just thought i would mention it in case you think it would help. it may shade her eyes when outside if she would wear it.

thinking of outside - could you put a large fabric gazebo or one of those sail type shades near the back door so she could go outside but be in shade? i bought a few of those cheap parasols from morrisons £5 to give some extra shade to my chickens, would that help at all?

she sounds lovely btw

Thank you. She is lovely. She has the best personality.

I have been chatting to my parents, who look after her for the most part and we have agreed we will try to work around it. She's just not ready to go and I'm not ready to let her go. My mum is trying to carry her when they go outside and put her down directly in the shade so she doesn't have to walk around in the bright light, and I will definitely look into one of those shades. It might help. It really depends on whether she would tolerate wearing it.

I love the fact that you bought parasols for your chickens.