My first Lounge post! Any DUers have/had a dog whose gone blind? I would

[WiseButAngrySara]

appreciate any advise! I've read some, and tried to pry the Vet's brain (not too helpful), but I understand that dogs adjust fairly well as long as their sense of smell is still intact, and you don't move furniture, unless they keep bumping into it. Penney is a beautiful 15 year old spaniel mix, and she's also slightly deaf. Both the sight and the hearing loss were progressive, but now she's almost totally blind. She has cataracts, but the Vet told me that she also probably has progressive retinal atrophy, so even if her cataracts were removed, she'd likely still be blind. She had a panic attack last night when I put her on the bed, as is her usual habit for years. When I placed her on the floor, she ran to the kitchen, checked out her bowl, and stomped her foot for food! I had thought that she was having a heart attack, she was breathing so rapidly. Now, I think she was just frightened about not being able to jump off the bed!

I hope it's appropriate to post this here. Any pointers would be great; or just consolation. I love this little beast more that I can imagine!

[mdmc]

1. how awful

:cry:
I don't know what else to say. I once got soap in my eyes as a kid. I was in the tub. I filled up a bucket with water to wash the soap away. I couldn't see, but I felt the level of the water with my hand. When I felt there was enough water, I dumped it on my head and cleaned my eyes. I could see better.

Sounds like keeping her in familiar areas and restricting her movements into all areas of the house will help. Perhaps keeping her confined in a bathroom when no one is home would be helpful.

I wish you the best.
peace and low stress

[philosophie_en_rose]

2. keep her low to the ground.

even if you're also on the bed, she could fall off.

[riderinthestorm]

3. I have had a blind dog

But I live on a farm. What is your situation?

During the day while we were working, our dog managed quite well in a penned area that we created out of a circle of box wire. We would set it up wherever we were working and put in her blanket and toys. We would lift her out numerous times/day to run and play with us but otherwise she was fairly well confined. She could hear our voices and would run to us without problem.

In the house, she had no problem navigating any part of the house. Stairs, the bed (yes, we lifted her on and off but other than that, she slept there all night as usual), her food and water dishes... she knew where they were and since they have never changed, it was no problem for her.

After living with a blind dog, my fears would emanate when she/he loses her/his hearing. That would make it extremely difficult. They rely upon us for comfort so much, I can't imagine what it would be like for a dog to be so deprived.

Good luck.

[WiseButAngrySara]

6. Oh, thanks for your post and sympathy. It is tough, her being both deaf

and now blind! But even though the eyes are the windows of the soul, her soul is still quite apparent, and her eyes don't need sight for that!

[Awsi Dooger]

4. The vet told us to apply specific smells to sections of the house

Like one type of scent at the entrance to the kitchen and another one in a hallway or specific area the dog frequents. The dog will be able to associate the smells with those areas despite the loss of vision.

My poodle Awsi went blind with cataracts, and also deaf, in his final year or two before being put to sleep last July just short of 16 years.

[WiseButAngrySara]

7. What a good idea! She actually hasn't had a lot of trouble with maneuver-

ing! She has gotten confused, and bumped into furniture and walls, but nothing really serious, and now she's more cautious; she's very intelligent. The scent idea is a good one. I wonder, different fragrances of perfume?

Your poodle lived for a few years before he/she died? That one of the things I'm so worried about...does the stress cause premature death? Her health has been excellent her entire life except for mild osteoarthritis, and now this...

[Awsi Dooger]

10. Perfume is perfect

In fact, that's what the vet recommended.

Awsi was a well bred miniature poodle, supposedly the most vulnerable breed of any type in terms of cataracts. They couldn't remove the cataracts because his eyes were too soft. The vets tried eye drops to make the eyes harder and more able for cataract removal, but it failed. He began losing his hearing at maybe 11 and a half, slightly after the cataracts were impacting his vision, so the last years were slow decline but he remained positive throughout.

[henslee]

5. My dog is 100 % blind in one eye and can see some shadows in

the other. She also deaf and has cushings. Not too big a deal but her watchdog days are over. Shes 14 and a half.

Not moving furnture around ... and keeping the floor clear of objects, grocery bags, etc. is key. I try to keep my dog peppy and involved. I put special food in her bowl... little piece of chicken. It makes her happy. I also taker her out for long walks when no one is around. She knows how to navigate straightaway sidewalks. She also likes meeting other dogs. I preen her often. She likes the attention. love my old dog. Hope she makes 15. Good luck.

[WiseButAngrySara]

8. What a sweet, encouraging story! I honestly didn't think I could pay more

attention to Penney prior to her blindness (tres spoiled), but now she's getting even extra. I love my old dog too!

[henslee]

9. Glad you liked the story.... Let me just add that if your dog can't see,

ther may be a tendnency to not pay attention to her eyes. Make sure they stay clean and lubricated. Because my dog can't see out of one eye and sometimes, she will fall asleep with that eye open. I apply lubricating eye drops daily. I think old dogs really dig all the extra car... and it gives them that much more reason to... stick around.

[henslee]

15. Regarding marking areas with scent as described upthread, I dont like the

idea unless you go VERY lightly with the scent. The reason being, dogs noses are super sensitive.

[WiseButAngrySara]

18. Thanks for all of your great advise! I did go lightly with the perfume,

but I'm the only one who seems to have noticed! And I will definitely be careful about keeping her eyes well lubricated. Do you use special drops?

[henslee]

19. I forgot what its called but there is a one pump spray mist that

that is just hospital grade and germ free. It comes in a blueish spray can. And its not as big a production as giving eye drops. You just mist in the vicinity of his eyes. Sometimes I use liquid tears. I would doublecheck with your vet instead of trusting me. I find my dog really likes when her eyes are lubricated.

[WiseButAngrySara]

21. Thanks again henslee! And my sweet Penney thanks you too! ....n/t

[pitohui]

11. i had a bird who

which is a lot worse since birds rely on sight and can't really get by on scent, if they are blind, they have to feel around which is not natural to them since birds need their space

my friend's dog went blind, and he went so much on scent anyway
, that it didn't make any difference except for the jokes, he went on to die of a very ripe old age

yes he went deaf too, it's sad but i didn't even remember that part until i read the other posters

i really think dogs must get much more out of touch and smell than we do

[Arkansas Granny]

12. I had a dog who went blind as she aged. As long as her bed

and her food weren't moved, she did quite well in the house. She was old enough and slow enough that if she ran into anything, it was without enough force to hurt her. Outdoors was a challenge for her until I started putting her on a 15 foot lead when she was in the yard. This kept her in a small area, but it kept her from running into things. Otherwise, the poor dear would find herself in a spot that she couldn't navigate and would bark until I came to rescue her. If I was going to be outside also, I would put her leash on her, clip one end to my clothing and let her roam around the yard with me. Since she lost her sight gradually, the adjustment seemed easier and she learned to rely on her other senses more. I never noticed that it made her anxious except for the times that she got "lost" in the yard.

[AngryAmish]

13. 15 years is a long life

You are lucky to have her this long. I know you will do the right thing.

[flvegan]

14. I did.

They adjust relatively easily. Yes, bumping into things at first, but they accomodate and learn, right down to jumping on the couch, going to the door, etc. Just don't go changing the furniture around on her and she'll be fine.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

16. I had a German Shepherd that went blind

She got around just fine. She knew where all the furniture was. And she was big enough that she would just push stuff out of her way. If anything, it made her a nicer dog. She stopped trying to eat people that didn't live in the house. It was like, "I'm blind. It's too much effort."

[Boojatta]

17. Your dog is now qualified to be the official White House seeing eye dog.

[WiseButAngrySara]

20. LOL! A blind 'seeing' eye dog! Purrfect for this WH. ....n/t

[WiseButAngrySara]

22. Thanks EVERYONE for your advise, sympathy, and stories! ....n/t

[henslee]

23. How about a pic of your pooch.. heres mine...

she's been groomed since this awful shot!

[WiseButAngrySara]

26. Oh, HOW Precious!!!!!!! Penney would be jealous if she knew I was

ooohing and aahhhing over another cute dog! I wish I knew how to post pictures on the internet, but I just haven't taken the time to do so. Penney is mainly white, with reddish, penney-colored patches and 'freckles'. She has huge brown eyes, an adorable nose, and floppy ears...LOTS of hair!

[hatredisnotavalue]

24. I am so sorry to hear about the news of your pup

If it was me, I would probably sleep on the floor for a while. I would start to contain her area so she knows where to find her bed, you on the floor and the food and water and gradually increase that floor space to the point where she knew where she was. Thankfully, senility may be kicking in too, so she might find this somewhat of a game with you sleeping on the floor. I am so very sorry, but just remember that these guys make our lives so much richer, even in their old age. Best to you and your little girl.

[WiseButAngrySara]

27. She sleeps in her LLBean bag bed that she's had for years, and seems

to be adjusting very well! Believe me, I would sleep on the ceiling if possible, or stay up all night if necessary, to help this sweet soul. She has truly been a blessing to me! Thanks so much for your kind words!

[DawgHouse]

25. My neighbors little dog is blind

Her condition sounds similar to your dogs situation. When my neighbor walks the dog, we are careful not to abruptly approach her because we don't want to scare her. She used to be pretty good buds with my dog but I don't let them get nose to nose anymore because I think it would make the little blind dog nervous.

Anyway, the dog seems happy and she's definitely well-loved!

[WiseButAngrySara]

28. Penney is definitely well-loved and seems to be as happy as usual

now that she's adjusting. I think I'm more worried and depressed than she is!

BTW, I love your quote (sig line) by Plato. You think we'd have learned something about the human condition in 2,500 years!