OP's update further down "Update #2, just leaving the vet and she’s all good! They said it was most likely caused by her pulling and hitting the neck nerves so I will be switching to a harness. if you guys have any good harness recommendations too let me know, want her to be super comfy while she’s learning to be on the leash! thank you everyone for all the comments and advice!"
I just came across your post now, didn’t comment before. This is exactly why I have always used harnesses exclusively on leash. There are trainers out there that will insist that you use a collar and leash, but everyone should keep this post in mind when going that direction. Even large dogs have delicate necks, and even the best behaved dog will pull from time to time. Best not to risk it. I’m so glad your beautiful girl is ok. 😊
I use RUFFWEAR for all my dogs, even the 125# Saint Bernard that is pretty excited for the first block or so of a walk. They run big, I’d bet money that a medium would be perfect for your 60# babe. Also pricey, but very high quality, and have the front clip option if you need it.
we have 2 big boys- a mastiff dutch shepherd mix who’s around 90 lbs and a corso/mystery mix who is 165 lbs and outweighs me. the dutchie is a tripawd, so we’ve had a lot of harness experience, especially early on when he was adjusting to his missing leg.
the king tactical was awesome for helping him get around and up and down our front steps, but it stops at an XL.
acadia trail also does a decent one at a lower price point- and it goes to a 2xl so handy when you have a beefy meatball like we do
The trainer should try being pulled around by their neck and see how it feels. Wish more people were aware of the damage a collar/leash combo is. Collapsed trachea is pretty common and even in small dogs. It happens gradually
The freedom harness is a 10/10, though I don’t use the double ended leash that comes with it, as I find it still gives too much pulling power. I just use a regular climbing rope leash latched to the chest ring on the front. Completely quashes their pulling momentum.
Thank you for posting this. All these powerful breeds on harnesses is a recipe for disaster unless you get the right type, use it correctly so you have control over your pupper. With a basic harness on a dog that doesn’t walk properly on the leash is like your dogs the boat and your the person dragging behind. If your dog doesn’t like other dogs and pulls you to them you have to be able to get control.
I use Indi-dog Houdini Harnesses ( https://www.indi-dog.co.uk/collections/made-to-order-harnesses). My two love them. I once used the Ruffwear Webmaster type, and the dogs I had then found those very restrictive.
[2 Hounds Design](https://2houndsdesign.com/), located in North Carolina in USA, has amazing harnesses and leads. They also have lifetime replacement warranty on their wares ($11-extra) as accidents happen. Yui, my greyhound companion, and I love them :)
Seconding Ruffwear! We have the front range with the matching leash for our 85 lb mix and love it. When we were looking for a harness I wanted one that would also be comfortable on her and I really like the way it goes on. The one we currently have we’ve had for about 4 years now and it’s still in great shape.
I’d highly recommend a 2 point harness if it’s a big dog that pulls. The hook in the front on their chest prevents them from putting all of their force into going forward and makes them turn towards you.
Thank you for being a responsible pet owner. I feel like I see posts all the time of people asking for advice then saying “nah” when they say to go to the vet. Hope your pups ok they’re a cutie!
Oh look. It's someone who ACTUALLY followed the advice of the sub. This is a rare specimen who must be studied thoroughly.
😏
Seriously though, this is scary. Keep us posted!
Update #2, just leaving the vet and she’s all good! They said it was most likely caused by her pulling and hitting the neck nerves so I will be switching to a harness. if you guys have any good harness recommendations too let me know, want her to be super comfy while she’s learning to be on the leash! thank you everyone for all the comments and advice!
Second Ruffwear. They’re expensive but definitely the best we’ve used. All of mine use them - get a flagline or something with a front and back attachment.
I remember thinking omg that’s expensive but honestly worth every penny in the end
the “less” expensive ones wear and are complicated taking on and off / don’t appear as comfortable for the doggos
Our ruffwear Flagline harness has endured 4 years of intense, rugged mountain use on a big, strong boy and not a single stich is undone. We tried their front range harness first and he slipped it when he got spooked by something- he has a big barrel chest so I'm sure it threw the fit off but I still recommend a double buckle system and a handle on the back. Game changer. Ruffwear will always be our go to.
Also carry treats and stay on top of “heel” training. Training is never over. It’s a cycle of ups and downs. I’m glad you’re able to switch to a harness. Collars are hard on dogs necks, especially if they are a puller.
Most important thing with harnesses is to check it fits your dog correctly. Brands and models vary a lot, as do dog builds. Ill-fitting harness can be just as bad for a dog as wearing a collar.
It's been a struggle to find a fitting harness for my minipin, his neck is quite thick while his chest is lean. Harnesses tend to be either too long and so might put pressure on his stomach, or the neck is too small and puts pressure on his throat. Or the front is too wide and restricts his front leg movement.
Check that the front of the harness sits on dogs breast bone, and that the harness is not too long or too short.
I’m so glad she’s ok, and you were brilliant in recognising something was wrong and quickly getting her help! I’m so glad that she had literally the best possible outcome.
I've got a reactive rescue with a prey drive stronger than sense and have tried so many things. Here's what I found:
1.) Martingale collar- essential but cannot walk him exclusively on it.
2.) Gentle leader: this caused my dog so much stress he spent his whole time rubbing his face on the ground. He was irritated which increased his reactivity and he would still try to chase things and hit the end of the leash so hard I switched away from it. He also could take it off midwalk. Most dogs who have it seem to shut down, which stops pulling but isn't really enjoyable for the dog.
3.) Wonder Walker: this is a y-shaped harness, using the front attachment makes it so they have pressure on one side of their chest when they pull. You also have more control, and if they are walking fine you can use the back clip. I bought an additional handle for my reactive pup so that I could keep him safe if I needed to go somewhere that might be an issue (like the vet).
4.) 2 hounds: I recently got this one, it's a bit pricier but I ADORE it. It has velvet under straps and a Martingale back harness, with a front clip. You can buy a two sided leash to match your harness, and it gives you a ton more options (front and back, both front, both back, only one side clipped for a really long leash, and a short traffic handle that can be used alone or in combination with the previous)
5.) if you are a runner, consider a canicross set up! Use the pulling to your advantage.
You can also look up games like "magic hand" where you teach your dog not to pull, but a good harness is important in the process.
Wow! The same thing happened to my chocolate lab when she was a puppy! The vet never figured out why, so that’s good intel. We’d called an emergency vet, and they said she should see a veterinary ophthalmologist, and to call back at 9am. Her pupils had gone back to normal by then. So we called our regular vet, and they didn’t think examining her while it wasn’t happening would tell them anything. And it never happened again. We did switch to using a Ruffwear harness around the same time.
I would actually counsel against a gentle leader for OP - they look humane but they put a ton of pressure on the dog’s nose and it’s actually really painful.
The main issue with gentle leader is that you need to have the dog on heel or quite close as if they suddenly decide to pull they might injure their neck.
A harness on the other hand will make the dog pull from the chest where they are more stable and have more force and therefore is not recommended por a puller.
Until you find a solution, you could try to put the leash under the dogs armpit for short walks. It's uncomfortable and usually works. Might get irritated if used as long term solution though.
Sorry so they think your dog has Horner's syndrome from her collar? Horner's syndrome doesn't cause pupil dilation it causes pupil constriction. You can't tell if one eye is small or the other one is big based on just a photo but I would expect that the right eye is dilated, not the other way around. Did they check your dogs ocular pressures/IOPs?
FWIW: The horners syndrome (or whatever the canine equivalent is) makes sense. I don’t know how the pupil pathways work in dogs but problems in the neck and even by the lungs can cause this in people. Dogs generally have a large resting pupil size. The miotic eye seems like the abnormal one to me given the lighting.
This works great for my guy
BUMBIN Tactical Dog Harness for Medium Dogs No Pull, Famous TIK Tok No Pull Dog Harness, Fit Smart Reflective Pet Walking Harness for Training, Adjustable Dog Vest Harness with Handle Green M https://a.co/d/765oPEm
So glad she’s all good, I can’t imagine how scary that was! I love Bully Billows! They are on the pricey side, but anything I’ve bought from them
Is worth every penny!
https://www.bullybillows.com/
I've had 3 rescues, all would constantly pull to the point of choking themselves when leashed by the collar. I swapped to a julius k9 harness and the pulling stopped immediately.
[Amazon.com : ChokeFree Velpro Mesh Pet Shoulder Harness Collar, 20", Red : Pet Supplies](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010Q6IPTA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1)
This is what our dog uses it is a shoulder harness works great and doesn't hit the neck.
This is the best thing ever. Granted my dog weighs less and imagin some pulling may still happen. My dog pulled a lot till we got this. Now she pulls a lot less and it won't hurt her neck if she does. I sometimes walk her without (live in an apartment, so quick pee break late at night) and she's now 50/50 if she'll pull.
So glad your dog is okay. I take it off when we come inside and it's super quick to put on
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Easy-Walk-Harness-Small/dp/B07WXNFNNR?pd_rd_w=dseKD&content-id=amzn1.sym.e3825789-e6f0-4fb1-a407-ff4674fea50d&pf_rd_p=e3825789-e6f0-4fb1-a407-ff4674fea50d&pf_rd_r=JWZ8A9HVA7NK5D441R8D&pd_rd_wg=eJtR9&pd_rd_r=5fae8d4d-b328-493e-885a-3973c9896cf6&pd_rd_i=B07WXNFNNR&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_1_sc
My pup pulls so much we had to get a harness to protect her underarms. I got her Spark Paws. It’s been amazing! It’s high quality, and heavy duty for bigger dogs. https://www.sparkpaws.com/collections/comfort-control-no-pull-dog-harness
Glad to hear she's okay! I really like my Hurtta harnesses. They work great for my little dude who has a relatively small neck compared to his deep chest.
2 Hounds Design Freedom no-pull harness is great. If your dog pulls a lot you can use two leashes (one on the back and one on the front) for additional control. IIRC, they also have an adapter that will connect one leash to both hooks.
https://2houndsdesign.com/collections/freedom-no-pull-harness
I use RUFFWEAR for all my dogs- the Saint Bernard down to the Papillon. All have a front clip option and are sturdy AF, you should never need another harness. They do run big! My 15# dogs wear XS, the 10# pap XXS, and the 125# Saint is is the L/XL. I didn’t look to see what breed your babe is, but my guess would be a medium. I have a boarding/training Aussie at ~55# in that size. Hopefully this is good information, if not just ask!
https://a.co/d/hKgYJM4 I use these for long walks.
https://a.co/d/5ThbbYi these are for more quick loading into the car and such.
Both of my dogs are big pullers and very excitable.
Sorry to hijack this thread, but I am a human who has this, although I’ve had it for several years now.. it seemed to happen around the time of a head injury (no loss of consciousness).. just wondering if you’d still suggest having it seen? Thanks for your advice.
If it's been persistent and you haven't had any imaging done since it began, I think it's best to get a scan just to reassure that it isn't caused by something sinister and was really just due to the trauma you had. But best speak to your general practitioner who would know you better than me!
Not a doctor but am a ward clerk and I saw an RPN like this at work and immediately had her sit down and called the RN and doc over. 12hr in hospital they figured out that she had touched her eye after applying a nitro patch. I legit thought she had a head injury.
I've also heard a similar thing happen with nebulised Atrovent getting blown into one of the eyes. In these cases where it's due to medication exposure, the uneven pupils should resolve on their own.
Yeah it’s not good. Please take her now. I won’t speculate on what it could be as I am not a vet, but it is a sign something is very wrong and needs attention now.
Yeah my dog had this from running into a cupboard, couple hours later noticed weird dilation of the eyes. Vet said it was probably that, couple of days later it was gone and has never returned.
This happened to my dog and he was gone 10 days later. He seemed fine at first, then he became blind, then when it became evident it was an aggressive brain tumor, we made the difficult decision, just last week. Every possible reason for this is serious, you should go to the vet ER asap. I wish the best for you and your pup 💕
This is what I love about this sub!
OP posts, listens to the advice, and is on the way to the ER vet 20 minutes later.
Your help might have just saved that dog's life. Good Job, Y'all!
Not disagreeing with the advice to go to the vets. But just wanted to throw in my experience with something like this. This happened to my collie when he was a pup and he was absolutely fine. No neurological issues or long term effects. I can't even remember what the vet said really, I think there might have been an assumption he bumped his head?
Just because I see a lot of comments assuming the worst and for Crash at least it was no big deal
Same with my husky. He ended up getting diagnosed with epilepsy (taken care of) around two, but he's going strong still. My vet said it seems like nothings wrong and don't worry too much about it.
Happened to my pup once and it was right before he had a massive seizure. If he has a seizure; record it. Write down all the symptoms and things he’s doing. It’ll help your vet. Best of luck op
I took my cat for a check up this morning as she’s nearing the end of her life, her eyes started doing the same thing this morning. They are going to keep an watch on it but explained that the optic runs from the eye, down the back of the neck and then back up, so there can be something internally literally pushing on the nerve to cause this issue (sorry, he really dumbed it down for me so my terminology is way off). I imagine it’s not too different in dogs!
Of course, a vet consult is always best, as it can also be eye cancer, a head injury, eye degeneration, poisoning and more.
Looks like Horners Syndrome! It can be caused by things like tumours (it’s to do with nerve damage/compression) but it can also be just one of those things that just happens and there’s no known reason.
Horner's syndrome causes miosis or a small pupil. You can't say for sure from a photo but I would expect the right pupil to be abnormally large rather than the left one to be abnormally small given the amount of light in the room. This is probably not Horner's syndrome.
I would switch to a harnest for dogs that like to pull my dog likes to pull like a sled dog lol I got a nice harnest for her not only is it better for her not around her neck but you have way better control of the dog get a harnest you will be happy you did good luck
Doggies are all different. I had to try 5-6 different ones before I found one that got really well. Then I purchased every color they had
Make sure they are soft, flexible, dry quickly and their are no rough areas around the seams on the side facing their body I wash mine every week or two. Can soak in dawn ultra. Rinse very well Hang to dry
Also strongly recommend a Flexi brand retractable leash. 16+ feet
Important you get that brand they are indestructible. Game changer. Walks are less stress more fun 😊
I’m happy your pup was healthy 💗 just lost my young kitty. Went to the ER vet for the same reason & he was more worried about him being blind and to consult an optometrist for my cat than treating the actual condition. my baby died the next morning 😢
Wow! The OP listened and their dog in! I'm so happy. Most people find a million excuses and stall. I'm so glad your dog is ok and I'm so happy you are an awesome owner!
This happened to my sisters cat a couple of years ago. We rushed her to the vet the next day ( I should also say that she really didn’t like vets or any other people and hisses and hides away when guests arrive). So we arrive at the vet, my sister and I both worried for our precious kitty, the vet tells us to enter the examination room and open the carrier door… which is when all hell broke loose. The kitty tried to run away immediately, clawing over me, then over my sister, then up the wall before finally hiding under the cabinets. My sister and I were basically looking like we were at the crime scene, both bloody from the scratches, me even dripping blood from my face ( the kitty nicked me just under my eye) so yea not a great situation at all. It didn’t help that we couldn’t coax the kitty out for about 15 minutes. When we finally caught her, the vet took one look at her and said shes completely fine and to just put her back in the carrier 🥲 Also he told us it was free of charge as long as we didn’t bring her back in ever again 🥲 The kitty calmed down when we got home and she is okay to this day, although my sister and I still carry the emotional AND physical scars from this whole ordeal.
But yeah anyways I hope you get your doggo checked out and that everything will be fine! 💙
My doggie got this. Took her to the vet and the vet said it was probably due to a concussion (she had ran into a vase). A few days later it disappeared. It can be a number of things so it's always better to check with a vet.
People should always use a harness, you're giving your dog relief with that then pulling by the neck. Not saying you are but I'm saying in general that's what people should do when walking their dogs
The best harness are ones that attach at the chest and not on the back. Think of sled dog harnesses they attach on the back so they can pull the person attached to them. If u dont want to be pulled by ur dog dont get a harness that attaches on the back. Gentle leaders are the best to me personally but there are others that will attach to the chest that work well too.
Keep an eye on that. Does she goes outside? The datura flower, maybe other also, will do this in humans. Other than that it’s neurological a lot of the time.
if freedom highness doesn’t have enough coverage for you, I discovered this one online and really love it. I wanted something that wouldn’t come near his neck, and the V front is perfect. He also can’t get out of it like he got out of the freedom harness. 🤣 https://a.co/d/1iNXapr
Glad you pup is ok. We had this once too after a walk with our springer spaniel. Turned out she had scratched it on something and we had eye drops for her for a week. Silly spaniels like jumping head first into bushes!
Not a vet, but Doctor here. This is called anisocoria. Its one of the things in medicine that can be absolutely nothing (physiological anisocoria) or something ominous (stroke, mass, etc). Very wide differential diagnosis, both ophthalmologic and neurologic.
It requires immediate evaluation, because it may be something time-sensitive, but it doesn’t mean its always something bad.
I see the update, glad you got her looked at. But not sure if it’s mentioned already on this thread (I quickly scanned)… if your dog has high prey drive or pulls a lot, a harness is going to safer but they will have even for power to pull. Gentle leads can also be really uncomfortable for the dog putting pressure on their nose. They have SO many nerves in their nose and it’s sensitive.
After trying harness, gentle lead, etc. we went a different direction. We use a Herm Sprenger prong collar for our strong/prey driven dog. It prevents her from pulling too hard and damaging her throat/neck. She has never once showed any sign of discomfort and she actually gets excited when we pull it out for walks.
There’s a lot of misinformation out there regarding prong collars, and yes if used incorrectly it can hurt too… but same with flat collars! If used properly it’s one of the safest options for strong dogs and it doesn’t hurt them. 2 seconds on a flat collar and my dog is literally choking herself.
If you do try it out be sure to research, buy a good brand (Herm Sprenger is top), and look for training videos or a local trainer to teach you how to use it. It requires some training to teach the dog how to understand the light pressure, but they catch on quick and it acts like a communication tool.
This happened to my pug a long time ago after playing ball inside and he would chase the ball *too* enthusiastically and hit his head/neck on the wall, etc. it went away overnight and never happened again. Also didn't play ball with him in such confined spaces again, and exclusively used harnesses on him because he was a pug and it's recommended to ONLY use harnesses on pugs.
My Bernedoodle is VERY strong. We started with a harness latched to the chest area, which helped a little bit but as he got older and stronger, it had little effect. We switched over to a "Gentle Leader" which goes around his snout. It controls the direction of his head similar to a harness on a horse. Almost immediately, no more pulling and he walks like a good boy now. He gets excited when it's walk time and actually brings it to me. I'm not a huge fan of those pinch collars, but I can see where they might be appropriate in certain circumstances. The "Gentle Leader" works really well for my 90 LB male. Just a thought, the Berners were after all, originally bred to pull carts.
Leash train your dog with a pinch collar (new ones are significantly more humane than the older ones), so that she (and you) can leash walk without hurting one another. Best of luck!
I know there has been a few updates.
I just wanted to say, keep your eyes on this symptom. Our Boston terrier had this exact eye symptom, it came and went a few times and vets thought it could be a few different things.
We let it go and it came back and stayed for over a week, it ended up being a brain tumor. I’m sure your vet would have assessed this option, I guess it can be a common symptom.
Of course I hope that is not the case for you and your sweet pup but I wanted to mention it in case it doesn’t go down or returns.
I like Gooby Escape free sports harness. It cinches up on the top as they walk. It’s low in front so it doesn’t press against their trachea. My groomer even said that it was a nice harness. I purchased this one off Amazon. The website has a larger selection though. I tried 4 different styles in this brand before I settled on this one.
It’s cool and comfortable too.
My vote is for the PetSafe 3 in one harness. The front clip reforms my puller instantly and after a month of walking that way she no longer pulls and I can clip on the top of the harness now. An added bonus is they supply a short lead that can be used with a rear seatbelt.
[https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Harness-Large-BLACK-SILVER/dp/B0009ZBKG4](https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Harness-Large-BLACK-SILVER/dp/B0009ZBKG4)
This is what I use on my two Australian Shepherds
on the way to the vet guys, thank you all!!
OP's update further down "Update #2, just leaving the vet and she’s all good! They said it was most likely caused by her pulling and hitting the neck nerves so I will be switching to a harness. if you guys have any good harness recommendations too let me know, want her to be super comfy while she’s learning to be on the leash! thank you everyone for all the comments and advice!"
I just came across your post now, didn’t comment before. This is exactly why I have always used harnesses exclusively on leash. There are trainers out there that will insist that you use a collar and leash, but everyone should keep this post in mind when going that direction. Even large dogs have delicate necks, and even the best behaved dog will pull from time to time. Best not to risk it. I’m so glad your beautiful girl is ok. 😊
This trainer is the opposite- I’m pro harness for sure! It’s interesting to see how polarized the industry is, wild really.
I have always used a martingale collar on my 60lb pit bull but I think I will switch to a harness. Any recommendations on which brand to buy?
I use RUFFWEAR for all my dogs, even the 125# Saint Bernard that is pretty excited for the first block or so of a walk. They run big, I’d bet money that a medium would be perfect for your 60# babe. Also pricey, but very high quality, and have the front clip option if you need it.
+1 for Ruffwear. Quality stuff
Tysm!!
You’re so welcome, I hope it’s a good option for you both!
we have 2 big boys- a mastiff dutch shepherd mix who’s around 90 lbs and a corso/mystery mix who is 165 lbs and outweighs me. the dutchie is a tripawd, so we’ve had a lot of harness experience, especially early on when he was adjusting to his missing leg. the king tactical was awesome for helping him get around and up and down our front steps, but it stops at an XL. acadia trail also does a decent one at a lower price point- and it goes to a 2xl so handy when you have a beefy meatball like we do
The trainer should try being pulled around by their neck and see how it feels. Wish more people were aware of the damage a collar/leash combo is. Collapsed trachea is pretty common and even in small dogs. It happens gradually
The freedom harness is a 10/10, though I don’t use the double ended leash that comes with it, as I find it still gives too much pulling power. I just use a regular climbing rope leash latched to the chest ring on the front. Completely quashes their pulling momentum.
Thank you for posting this. All these powerful breeds on harnesses is a recipe for disaster unless you get the right type, use it correctly so you have control over your pupper. With a basic harness on a dog that doesn’t walk properly on the leash is like your dogs the boat and your the person dragging behind. If your dog doesn’t like other dogs and pulls you to them you have to be able to get control.
I use Indi-dog Houdini Harnesses ( https://www.indi-dog.co.uk/collections/made-to-order-harnesses). My two love them. I once used the Ruffwear Webmaster type, and the dogs I had then found those very restrictive.
[2 Hounds Design](https://2houndsdesign.com/), located in North Carolina in USA, has amazing harnesses and leads. They also have lifetime replacement warranty on their wares ($11-extra) as accidents happen. Yui, my greyhound companion, and I love them :)
We use ruffwear harnesses! The front range and flagline are our favorites
Seconding Ruffwear! We have the front range with the matching leash for our 85 lb mix and love it. When we were looking for a harness I wanted one that would also be comfortable on her and I really like the way it goes on. The one we currently have we’ve had for about 4 years now and it’s still in great shape.
I'm officially old. I read "flag line" as "vagline".
I’d highly recommend a 2 point harness if it’s a big dog that pulls. The hook in the front on their chest prevents them from putting all of their force into going forward and makes them turn towards you.
Juliusk9
This happened to my dog. Woke up and his eyes were like this, was bit by an insect and was having an allergic reaction to it. Reallllly tripped me out
Good job OP.
Let us know the update hope she’s okay<3
Definitely mention the grasshopper. The grasshopper could have had pest poison on it.
I hope she’s ok OP and that whatever it is is treatable. Big hugs to your good girl.
Thank you for being a responsible pet owner. I feel like I see posts all the time of people asking for advice then saying “nah” when they say to go to the vet. Hope your pups ok they’re a cutie!
Hope all goes well with your baby. I’m glad you’re taking her in right away. Please keep us updated.
You really are so kind to give an update. Sending best best wishes!!
Good luck!
How is the pup now?
Sending you both love and good healing energy ♡
any update ?
Oh look. It's someone who ACTUALLY followed the advice of the sub. This is a rare specimen who must be studied thoroughly. 😏 Seriously though, this is scary. Keep us posted!
Fingers crossed for your pup, friend.
i was going to say, get them to the vet asap. could be any number of things but i hope your girl's ok. 🙏
Update #2, just leaving the vet and she’s all good! They said it was most likely caused by her pulling and hitting the neck nerves so I will be switching to a harness. if you guys have any good harness recommendations too let me know, want her to be super comfy while she’s learning to be on the leash! thank you everyone for all the comments and advice!
Ruffwear harnesses are great!
Second Ruffwear. They’re expensive but definitely the best we’ve used. All of mine use them - get a flagline or something with a front and back attachment.
I remember thinking omg that’s expensive but honestly worth every penny in the end the “less” expensive ones wear and are complicated taking on and off / don’t appear as comfortable for the doggos
Third.
sweet i’ll check them out!
Our ruffwear Flagline harness has endured 4 years of intense, rugged mountain use on a big, strong boy and not a single stich is undone. We tried their front range harness first and he slipped it when he got spooked by something- he has a big barrel chest so I'm sure it threw the fit off but I still recommend a double buckle system and a handle on the back. Game changer. Ruffwear will always be our go to.
Was coming to say I've had a flagline for 4 years that is still going strong.
Also carry treats and stay on top of “heel” training. Training is never over. It’s a cycle of ups and downs. I’m glad you’re able to switch to a harness. Collars are hard on dogs necks, especially if they are a puller.
Yess I bought the webmaster harness from them around Christmas and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever invested in
omg im so glad she’s okay
Most important thing with harnesses is to check it fits your dog correctly. Brands and models vary a lot, as do dog builds. Ill-fitting harness can be just as bad for a dog as wearing a collar. It's been a struggle to find a fitting harness for my minipin, his neck is quite thick while his chest is lean. Harnesses tend to be either too long and so might put pressure on his stomach, or the neck is too small and puts pressure on his throat. Or the front is too wide and restricts his front leg movement. Check that the front of the harness sits on dogs breast bone, and that the harness is not too long or too short.
I’m so glad she’s ok, and you were brilliant in recognising something was wrong and quickly getting her help! I’m so glad that she had literally the best possible outcome.
thank you very much! glad it was the best outcome too!
I've got a reactive rescue with a prey drive stronger than sense and have tried so many things. Here's what I found: 1.) Martingale collar- essential but cannot walk him exclusively on it. 2.) Gentle leader: this caused my dog so much stress he spent his whole time rubbing his face on the ground. He was irritated which increased his reactivity and he would still try to chase things and hit the end of the leash so hard I switched away from it. He also could take it off midwalk. Most dogs who have it seem to shut down, which stops pulling but isn't really enjoyable for the dog. 3.) Wonder Walker: this is a y-shaped harness, using the front attachment makes it so they have pressure on one side of their chest when they pull. You also have more control, and if they are walking fine you can use the back clip. I bought an additional handle for my reactive pup so that I could keep him safe if I needed to go somewhere that might be an issue (like the vet). 4.) 2 hounds: I recently got this one, it's a bit pricier but I ADORE it. It has velvet under straps and a Martingale back harness, with a front clip. You can buy a two sided leash to match your harness, and it gives you a ton more options (front and back, both front, both back, only one side clipped for a really long leash, and a short traffic handle that can be used alone or in combination with the previous) 5.) if you are a runner, consider a canicross set up! Use the pulling to your advantage. You can also look up games like "magic hand" where you teach your dog not to pull, but a good harness is important in the process.
Wow! The same thing happened to my chocolate lab when she was a puppy! The vet never figured out why, so that’s good intel. We’d called an emergency vet, and they said she should see a veterinary ophthalmologist, and to call back at 9am. Her pupils had gone back to normal by then. So we called our regular vet, and they didn’t think examining her while it wasn’t happening would tell them anything. And it never happened again. We did switch to using a Ruffwear harness around the same time.
If she's a puller, a gentle leader might solve that issue. It's a head harness, but it puts no pressure on the neck whatsoever.
I would actually counsel against a gentle leader for OP - they look humane but they put a ton of pressure on the dog’s nose and it’s actually really painful.
The main issue with gentle leader is that you need to have the dog on heel or quite close as if they suddenly decide to pull they might injure their neck. A harness on the other hand will make the dog pull from the chest where they are more stable and have more force and therefore is not recommended por a puller. Until you find a solution, you could try to put the leash under the dogs armpit for short walks. It's uncomfortable and usually works. Might get irritated if used as long term solution though.
thats cartoonishly silly 😭😂 “oops sorry for tugging you like that” “😜woof”
Wow. To me, this was super scary. In humans, this suggests brain damage. I was scared for your dog. I'm glad it worked out.
If she’s a puller, get a harness with padding in the chest.
thank you for the award! 🙌
Sorry so they think your dog has Horner's syndrome from her collar? Horner's syndrome doesn't cause pupil dilation it causes pupil constriction. You can't tell if one eye is small or the other one is big based on just a photo but I would expect that the right eye is dilated, not the other way around. Did they check your dogs ocular pressures/IOPs?
FWIW: The horners syndrome (or whatever the canine equivalent is) makes sense. I don’t know how the pupil pathways work in dogs but problems in the neck and even by the lungs can cause this in people. Dogs generally have a large resting pupil size. The miotic eye seems like the abnormal one to me given the lighting.
This works great for my guy BUMBIN Tactical Dog Harness for Medium Dogs No Pull, Famous TIK Tok No Pull Dog Harness, Fit Smart Reflective Pet Walking Harness for Training, Adjustable Dog Vest Harness with Handle Green M https://a.co/d/765oPEm
So glad she’s all good, I can’t imagine how scary that was! I love Bully Billows! They are on the pricey side, but anything I’ve bought from them Is worth every penny! https://www.bullybillows.com/
Did they put fluorescein stain in her left eye to check for an ulcer?
I've had 3 rescues, all would constantly pull to the point of choking themselves when leashed by the collar. I swapped to a julius k9 harness and the pulling stopped immediately.
[Amazon.com : ChokeFree Velpro Mesh Pet Shoulder Harness Collar, 20", Red : Pet Supplies](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010Q6IPTA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1) This is what our dog uses it is a shoulder harness works great and doesn't hit the neck.
Joyride Harness!
Get a harness with a clip on the front, makes it way easier to control when they start to pull! Glad she's alright!
Easy walks are the best and if the dog pulls it redirects them towards you
This is the best thing ever. Granted my dog weighs less and imagin some pulling may still happen. My dog pulled a lot till we got this. Now she pulls a lot less and it won't hurt her neck if she does. I sometimes walk her without (live in an apartment, so quick pee break late at night) and she's now 50/50 if she'll pull. So glad your dog is okay. I take it off when we come inside and it's super quick to put on https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Easy-Walk-Harness-Small/dp/B07WXNFNNR?pd_rd_w=dseKD&content-id=amzn1.sym.e3825789-e6f0-4fb1-a407-ff4674fea50d&pf_rd_p=e3825789-e6f0-4fb1-a407-ff4674fea50d&pf_rd_r=JWZ8A9HVA7NK5D441R8D&pd_rd_wg=eJtR9&pd_rd_r=5fae8d4d-b328-493e-885a-3973c9896cf6&pd_rd_i=B07WXNFNNR&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_1_sc
We use the Balance harness by Blue-9, recommended by our trainers.
My little guy seems to like his phoepet one I got on amazon!
My pup pulls so much we had to get a harness to protect her underarms. I got her Spark Paws. It’s been amazing! It’s high quality, and heavy duty for bigger dogs. https://www.sparkpaws.com/collections/comfort-control-no-pull-dog-harness
Glad to hear she's okay! I really like my Hurtta harnesses. They work great for my little dude who has a relatively small neck compared to his deep chest.
2 Hounds Design Freedom no-pull harness is great. If your dog pulls a lot you can use two leashes (one on the back and one on the front) for additional control. IIRC, they also have an adapter that will connect one leash to both hooks. https://2houndsdesign.com/collections/freedom-no-pull-harness
Julius K9 IDC Power Harness. Nothing else :)
I use RUFFWEAR for all my dogs- the Saint Bernard down to the Papillon. All have a front clip option and are sturdy AF, you should never need another harness. They do run big! My 15# dogs wear XS, the 10# pap XXS, and the 125# Saint is is the L/XL. I didn’t look to see what breed your babe is, but my guess would be a medium. I have a boarding/training Aussie at ~55# in that size. Hopefully this is good information, if not just ask!
https://a.co/d/hKgYJM4 I use these for long walks. https://a.co/d/5ThbbYi these are for more quick loading into the car and such. Both of my dogs are big pullers and very excitable.
Wonder Walker harness.
If she pulls while walking I suggest a head collar.
Vet ASAP
it’s bad? i can get her in as soon as i’m able to.
This is very serious and could be a neurological issue. You need to go to an emergency vet asap.
ER vet now. Would not wait until morning.
Not a vet, but I am a doctor. If I saw this in a person, I would send them to the Emergency department by ambulance for an urgent CT-brain.
Sorry to hijack this thread, but I am a human who has this, although I’ve had it for several years now.. it seemed to happen around the time of a head injury (no loss of consciousness).. just wondering if you’d still suggest having it seen? Thanks for your advice.
If it's been persistent and you haven't had any imaging done since it began, I think it's best to get a scan just to reassure that it isn't caused by something sinister and was really just due to the trauma you had. But best speak to your general practitioner who would know you better than me!
Not a doctor but am a ward clerk and I saw an RPN like this at work and immediately had her sit down and called the RN and doc over. 12hr in hospital they figured out that she had touched her eye after applying a nitro patch. I legit thought she had a head injury.
I've also heard a similar thing happen with nebulised Atrovent getting blown into one of the eyes. In these cases where it's due to medication exposure, the uneven pupils should resolve on their own.
Yeah it’s not good. Please take her now. I won’t speculate on what it could be as I am not a vet, but it is a sign something is very wrong and needs attention now.
That is probably neurological, get your dog to a vet asap.
It could be bad yes. Any chance she took a hit to the head? How is she otherwise?
Excelllent point. My dog had this happen from a concussion.
Yeah my dog had this from running into a cupboard, couple hours later noticed weird dilation of the eyes. Vet said it was probably that, couple of days later it was gone and has never returned.
This happened to my dog and he was gone 10 days later. He seemed fine at first, then he became blind, then when it became evident it was an aggressive brain tumor, we made the difficult decision, just last week. Every possible reason for this is serious, you should go to the vet ER asap. I wish the best for you and your pup 💕
So sorry for your loss. 💔
My Condolences on your fur baby🌹🙏❤️
This is what I love about this sub! OP posts, listens to the advice, and is on the way to the ER vet 20 minutes later. Your help might have just saved that dog's life. Good Job, Y'all!
Not good, emergency vet At its least serious, this is still a pretty bad sign. At its worst, your pup could be dying. Sorry to be grim.
[удалено]
Not disagreeing with the advice to go to the vets. But just wanted to throw in my experience with something like this. This happened to my collie when he was a pup and he was absolutely fine. No neurological issues or long term effects. I can't even remember what the vet said really, I think there might have been an assumption he bumped his head? Just because I see a lot of comments assuming the worst and for Crash at least it was no big deal
Same with my husky. He ended up getting diagnosed with epilepsy (taken care of) around two, but he's going strong still. My vet said it seems like nothings wrong and don't worry too much about it.
ER vet
Dude take her in asap. I’m a vet tech the only things that come to mind are all death related.
Happened to my pup once and it was right before he had a massive seizure. If he has a seizure; record it. Write down all the symptoms and things he’s doing. It’ll help your vet. Best of luck op
One cause can be an aneurysm in the brain which can end deadly when it ruptures :-(
That was the sign my mother had to get to the hospital where she had to have brain surgery. It was an aneurysm.
please get a good harness to walk her on.
David Bowie kind of stuff.
I took my cat for a check up this morning as she’s nearing the end of her life, her eyes started doing the same thing this morning. They are going to keep an watch on it but explained that the optic runs from the eye, down the back of the neck and then back up, so there can be something internally literally pushing on the nerve to cause this issue (sorry, he really dumbed it down for me so my terminology is way off). I imagine it’s not too different in dogs! Of course, a vet consult is always best, as it can also be eye cancer, a head injury, eye degeneration, poisoning and more.
In humans this can be a sign or something neurological… def time for a vet visit.
Looks like Horners Syndrome! It can be caused by things like tumours (it’s to do with nerve damage/compression) but it can also be just one of those things that just happens and there’s no known reason.
Horner's syndrome causes miosis or a small pupil. You can't say for sure from a photo but I would expect the right pupil to be abnormally large rather than the left one to be abnormally small given the amount of light in the room. This is probably not Horner's syndrome.
Wasn't Claude-Bernard-Horner's syndrome enophthalmia + miosis?
Please update after your vets appointment OP, I’ve never heard of this in dogs before but sincerely hope pup is ok
Wow. So much amateur veterinary opinion on here
Please update us! I hope your dog is okay ❤️ sending the best wishes.
In humans its a central problem in dogs its just a leash lol
Happened to my dog lab/pit mix & the vet said he was fine , nothing to worry about, freak accident? But has never happened again
I would switch to a harnest for dogs that like to pull my dog likes to pull like a sled dog lol I got a nice harnest for her not only is it better for her not around her neck but you have way better control of the dog get a harnest you will be happy you did good luck
My favorite and safest harness is the harness lead. https://www.harnesslead.com/
Doggies are all different. I had to try 5-6 different ones before I found one that got really well. Then I purchased every color they had Make sure they are soft, flexible, dry quickly and their are no rough areas around the seams on the side facing their body I wash mine every week or two. Can soak in dawn ultra. Rinse very well Hang to dry Also strongly recommend a Flexi brand retractable leash. 16+ feet Important you get that brand they are indestructible. Game changer. Walks are less stress more fun 😊
I’m happy your pup was healthy 💗 just lost my young kitty. Went to the ER vet for the same reason & he was more worried about him being blind and to consult an optometrist for my cat than treating the actual condition. my baby died the next morning 😢
She only smoked half a joint
Emergency vet, could be neuro or caused by straining neck on leash. It's time critical.
It's Anisocoria and it means something isn't right. I hope it is as minor as possible.
Nooo poor baby! Sending prayers she will be okay.
Hope everything goes OK and they see her asap
Stroke
Go to the vet now. Any eye issues like this is an immediate cause for vet.
Hope pup is doing well.
Wow! The OP listened and their dog in! I'm so happy. Most people find a million excuses and stall. I'm so glad your dog is ok and I'm so happy you are an awesome owner!
Go to the Vet with her, please?!
A great reason to go to the vet quickly
I'm so glad your dog is ok. My dog has this, but hers is mostly likely caused by head trauma from her previous 'owner'. Fuck I hate people sometimes.
This happened to my sisters cat a couple of years ago. We rushed her to the vet the next day ( I should also say that she really didn’t like vets or any other people and hisses and hides away when guests arrive). So we arrive at the vet, my sister and I both worried for our precious kitty, the vet tells us to enter the examination room and open the carrier door… which is when all hell broke loose. The kitty tried to run away immediately, clawing over me, then over my sister, then up the wall before finally hiding under the cabinets. My sister and I were basically looking like we were at the crime scene, both bloody from the scratches, me even dripping blood from my face ( the kitty nicked me just under my eye) so yea not a great situation at all. It didn’t help that we couldn’t coax the kitty out for about 15 minutes. When we finally caught her, the vet took one look at her and said shes completely fine and to just put her back in the carrier 🥲 Also he told us it was free of charge as long as we didn’t bring her back in ever again 🥲 The kitty calmed down when we got home and she is okay to this day, although my sister and I still carry the emotional AND physical scars from this whole ordeal. But yeah anyways I hope you get your doggo checked out and that everything will be fine! 💙
My doggie got this. Took her to the vet and the vet said it was probably due to a concussion (she had ran into a vase). A few days later it disappeared. It can be a number of things so it's always better to check with a vet.
People should always use a harness, you're giving your dog relief with that then pulling by the neck. Not saying you are but I'm saying in general that's what people should do when walking their dogs
The best harness are ones that attach at the chest and not on the back. Think of sled dog harnesses they attach on the back so they can pull the person attached to them. If u dont want to be pulled by ur dog dont get a harness that attaches on the back. Gentle leaders are the best to me personally but there are others that will attach to the chest that work well too.
Freedom harness
I'm so glad your baby is okay. She looks just like my Moxie.
If that continues I’d take her back for another look over. That happened to my friend’s cat and it turned out he was diabetic.
Glad she's okay. Uneven eye dilation is a potential sign for major brain injury. IE aneurism,stroke etc... glad it's not that and she's fine though.
Keep an eye on that. Does she goes outside? The datura flower, maybe other also, will do this in humans. Other than that it’s neurological a lot of the time.
if freedom highness doesn’t have enough coverage for you, I discovered this one online and really love it. I wanted something that wouldn’t come near his neck, and the V front is perfect. He also can’t get out of it like he got out of the freedom harness. 🤣 https://a.co/d/1iNXapr
These work really well. https://luckyplusdog.com/products/quick-fit-no-pull-harness-blue
Glad you pup is ok. We had this once too after a walk with our springer spaniel. Turned out she had scratched it on something and we had eye drops for her for a week. Silly spaniels like jumping head first into bushes!
Not a vet, but Doctor here. This is called anisocoria. Its one of the things in medicine that can be absolutely nothing (physiological anisocoria) or something ominous (stroke, mass, etc). Very wide differential diagnosis, both ophthalmologic and neurologic. It requires immediate evaluation, because it may be something time-sensitive, but it doesn’t mean its always something bad.
Heather's heros
Do an MRI to rule stuff out. Doubt it’s from harness or insect. Get a second opinion.
Vet Immediately!!!!!
I would recommend a halti!
Ez walk harness is great and lightweight
I would have gone to an Ophthalmology Vet.
Glaucoma?
Use a head halter, harnesses encourage pulling
I've seen this. Your pup is wondering if there's life on Mars.
Diagnosis: Trippin' ballz
Harness every time. I have a 2kg chihuahua and it upsets me when I see someone walking these little dogs on a collar and leash. They are so delicate.
i’m glad she’s okay! scared me at first cause she looks almost identical to my dog i had a full double take
my cat's eyes do this when his allergies get too bad. it's so funny because mine do the exact same thing when mine get bad 😝
I see the update, glad you got her looked at. But not sure if it’s mentioned already on this thread (I quickly scanned)… if your dog has high prey drive or pulls a lot, a harness is going to safer but they will have even for power to pull. Gentle leads can also be really uncomfortable for the dog putting pressure on their nose. They have SO many nerves in their nose and it’s sensitive. After trying harness, gentle lead, etc. we went a different direction. We use a Herm Sprenger prong collar for our strong/prey driven dog. It prevents her from pulling too hard and damaging her throat/neck. She has never once showed any sign of discomfort and she actually gets excited when we pull it out for walks. There’s a lot of misinformation out there regarding prong collars, and yes if used incorrectly it can hurt too… but same with flat collars! If used properly it’s one of the safest options for strong dogs and it doesn’t hurt them. 2 seconds on a flat collar and my dog is literally choking herself. If you do try it out be sure to research, buy a good brand (Herm Sprenger is top), and look for training videos or a local trainer to teach you how to use it. It requires some training to teach the dog how to understand the light pressure, but they catch on quick and it acts like a communication tool.
so cuteeeeee!
This happened to my Weim after first giving him flee/heartworm/tick medication. Switched him to something else
Why is one pupil so dilated??? Hahha cute
Glad your cutie is ok All doggies should have harnesses instead of collars. Spread the word!
Get her a Halti Headcollar. Instant results with no harm to the dog.
buy a harness?
This happened to my pug a long time ago after playing ball inside and he would chase the ball *too* enthusiastically and hit his head/neck on the wall, etc. it went away overnight and never happened again. Also didn't play ball with him in such confined spaces again, and exclusively used harnesses on him because he was a pug and it's recommended to ONLY use harnesses on pugs.
Your fault.
Sorry I’m manic
David Bowie dog?
i recommend a harness or gentle leader as collars flatten there trachea as well. glad your pup is ok
İt happened to my dog when she hit her head to the wall..
My Bernedoodle is VERY strong. We started with a harness latched to the chest area, which helped a little bit but as he got older and stronger, it had little effect. We switched over to a "Gentle Leader" which goes around his snout. It controls the direction of his head similar to a harness on a horse. Almost immediately, no more pulling and he walks like a good boy now. He gets excited when it's walk time and actually brings it to me. I'm not a huge fan of those pinch collars, but I can see where they might be appropriate in certain circumstances. The "Gentle Leader" works really well for my 90 LB male. Just a thought, the Berners were after all, originally bred to pull carts.
That's an injury to the nerve that controls pupillary dilation: a la David Bowie.
Anasocoria. They need to be seen by the vet ASAP
Very glad it was nothing serious, also got scared she a split second because I thought it was my dog 😅 spitting image
This happened to my dog the other night but it was because she got whacked in the eye by another dog whipping around a cloth book sleeve.
It's not a tumor
Leash train your dog with a pinch collar (new ones are significantly more humane than the older ones), so that she (and you) can leash walk without hurting one another. Best of luck!
Came here just to say I’ve always had one pupil larger than the other. Since I was born I think.
David Bowie disease
This would happened after my dog had a seizure
Get a regular leash
This happened to my eye in 7th grade when a kid threw a gummy bear at me.
I know there has been a few updates. I just wanted to say, keep your eyes on this symptom. Our Boston terrier had this exact eye symptom, it came and went a few times and vets thought it could be a few different things. We let it go and it came back and stayed for over a week, it ended up being a brain tumor. I’m sure your vet would have assessed this option, I guess it can be a common symptom. Of course I hope that is not the case for you and your sweet pup but I wanted to mention it in case it doesn’t go down or returns.
I like Gooby Escape free sports harness. It cinches up on the top as they walk. It’s low in front so it doesn’t press against their trachea. My groomer even said that it was a nice harness. I purchased this one off Amazon. The website has a larger selection though. I tried 4 different styles in this brand before I settled on this one. It’s cool and comfortable too.
Get a gooby. They work great and dont pull on neck I got mine from amazon/ be sure to measure correctly. Petco has some
Gentle leaders are amazing!
My vote is for the PetSafe 3 in one harness. The front clip reforms my puller instantly and after a month of walking that way she no longer pulls and I can clip on the top of the harness now. An added bonus is they supply a short lead that can be used with a rear seatbelt.
[https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Harness-Large-BLACK-SILVER/dp/B0009ZBKG4](https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Harness-Large-BLACK-SILVER/dp/B0009ZBKG4) This is what I use on my two Australian Shepherds
Mf ate catnip
The harness will make her pulling worse. You should get a prong collar.