need advice - puppy going blind (long)

[WDWFAN9]

Hello All.

I am a long time lurker and have enjoyed these boards for years. Never posted much, but enjoyed reading here just about every day.

Now something has happened that has really thrown me for a loop, and since I know how many pet lovers there are here I am looking for some advice/guidance, helpful hints, just about anything.

Last night my DH and I learned that our precious 11 month old Golden Retriever is completely blind in one eye, and losing sight in her other due to a congenital birth defect. There is nothing that can be done. The specialist said that younger dogs have a harder time adjusting to blindness, and I am hoping that one of you can give me some advice on how to help our sweet Keeper have the best life possible. She has that typical golden disposition - loves everyone, and is just a joy to have as part of our family. The vet mentioned a book by Caroline Levin that is about living with a blind pet, and I intend to look into that soon.

Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated.

 

[KristiKelly]

Gee, so sorry to hear about your puppy. We had a poodle that went blind around 7 or 8. She lived a fairly normal life. We could not rearrange the furniture, had to keep food, water & bed in the same spot. The biggest problem for her became getting down the steps to go outside. If you have steps, I would suggest baby gates to keep her from falling down them. Our dog didn't have a problem getting up them, just down. Good luck.

 

[damo]

Here is a site for you from our dog's eye doctor. Hope it is helpful and reassuring.

http://www.eyevet.ca/

If you go to the bottom of the site it has some stories about personal experiences, there are even some books you can order.

We have a blind and deaf dog, and another one who had cataract surgery in both eyes and has limited vision. We are absolutely amazed at how well they cope. Our blind and deaf dog doesn't act any differently than any other dog. He is confident and seems happy even though he sometimes bumps into things!!!

 

[jipsy]

We had a schnauzer that not only went blind around age 8 but also got diabetes. She had to have an insulin shot every morning. When she went blind, like someone else said, you can't move the furniture or leave any obstructions in the pathways the dog is used to. Peppy even learned to maneuver the steps to the back yard. She could jump up in your lap without missing. Most people didn't know she was blind until they saw the cloudy eyes.

I miss her.

Your puppy will be fine; it just will take some adjustment for everyone.

 

[WDWFAN9]

thanks damo for the link, and thanks all for the encouraging words. Keeper is such a sweet girl, we want to be sure we do all we can to help her adjust.

It is amazing how quickly this little bundle of fur worked her way into our lives and into our hearts. We waited a long time to get a dog, I have four kids DS27, DD25, DD19 and DS17, and thankfully we are now at a point where we are home in the evenings (no more running kids to dance lessons, scouts, sports, etc) and our lives are more settled. I am sure we will all do fine!

 

[Lanshark]

We have a 3 year old golden now and had a 12 year old golden who died a few years ago. The are wonderful dogs and it is very heartwarming to know you'll love your baby whether he can see or not.

One thing I do know is that they have an absolutely wonderful sence of smell. We can hid something in our backyard and Jake can always find it within a few minutes by tracking it. It's a game we've played with him since he was very young. My guess is that your baby will really use his nose to help him around. Maybe you could start working with him while he still has his sight. Good luck. My guess is he'll adjust just fine with the support your giving him.

Jake spends about 90% of his live sleeping under one of the families feet. He can definitely use his nose to find those

 

[gr8tpanther]

The senses of a dog are much like those of people, when one fails, the others get stronger. Your dog will rely much on the sense of smell and hearing to get by in the world.

I had a dog that was blind due to abuse, I rescued him and kept him. Don't worry, instinct will help along with lots of love, patience and understanding. One thing I did, is I leashed and guided my dog for awhile through the house and places he was going to have to get to know to survive. I even took him to work with me (but I worked in a pet shop at the time).

I think that your dog will be just fine.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

How sad... But it sounds like she found the right family and because of your love she will flourish despite her limitations. You may even think later on about perhaps taking her to visit a school for the blind or a hospital to inspire others who are blind or otherwise challenged also??

My 13yo German Shepherd is blind from a disease called Pannus. It began when he was 8 and has been a gradual decline over the past 5 years but he is fine (also deaf from antibiotics and can't walk too well, also so sad since he was an agility dog when he was younger). I also have a 5 month old GS puppy so I can imagine your worry over coping with blindness in such an exuberent bundle of energy!

What came to mind when I read your post was the story I'd seen on Amazing Animal Videos or a similar show where there was a blind Standard Poodle but was in a home with her doggie sibling also. The sighted dog would hold the leash of the blind dog in her mouth when they were outside and lead her around. It really was amazing. Any chance you might want to rescue an older Golden who is patient and wouldn't mind helping out the little one?? (Perhaps from Golden Retriever Rescue in your area - if you let them know what you're looking for they can keep an eye out for the right dog...just a thought)...

Best of luck, keep us updated, please.

 

[ilovepcot]

You'll be amazed how well your dog will adjust. I had a poodle that lived her last 4 years blind and deaf. No one would have ever suspected had we not told them. Kristy stated her dog had difficulty going down steps but could come up them.....same with my dog. I just always made a point of carrying her down the steps, but always stood close by to make certain she was always safe outside. You'll quickly learn what little things are necessary to pitch in and help with or change. for your sweet dog. Believe me, I understand. Have had a monstrous bad time concerning one of my new puppies this week!

 

[Kallison]

Thank you for loving and taking care of your baby. Best of luck.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I have a dog that is blind. She is almost 13 and went blind a little over 2 years ago. Even tho we had lived in the same house for 7 years when she went blind, she always bumped into things. We have moved 2 times since then, she adjusted to each new house, but she gets "lost" at times in corners, bumps into the walls, and we don't let her near steps unless we are taking her outside. She does seem to use her sense of smell a little more now, but only to find my husband when he gets home form work. Her brother does not do anything to "help" her, he doesn't seem to be aware that she is blind.

I hope that it all works out for you and your dog.

 

[LindaG4458]

We had an almost-13-year-old cocker that went blind two or three years before we lost her. She was very confident and didn't let bouncing off things bother her. Every once in a while she would "get lost" and not be able to figure out where she was. If I picked her up and set her back down on the sofa in the living room she would be re-oriented and settle right down. She could still find the front door if I suggested going for a ride, and she never got lost on the way to the supper dish! She was a little love bug and we were broken hearted when we lost her.

 

[kellib36]

I had an 11yo chow that went blind in about a week. It was something called SARS (Sudden Acute Retinal Syndrome...duh, means "we don't know why she went blind in a week) It was so hard for us to see her bump into things, but she learned so quick we were shocked.

A couple things she learned on her own may help if you can teach your dog. When she would go down the stairs, she'd feel for the lip on the top stair. We have laminate floors and the top step is raised a little. I never knew why it was like that, but now I do...it was for HER!

She also, all by herself, figured out that she could go over to the wall on the staircase and use that as a guide to go straight down. We'd noticed that at first, she'd start going down "crooked" and then stumble. Luckily, she figured that out real quick and we didn't have to worry too much.

The book we got, may be the same one mentioned, suggested a lot of hearing and feeling help....like putting a windchime near the back door, in case she got turned around when outside alone. Also, making path of some sort that goes to the back door, like a gravel path or something so that when she gets to that area, she'll know where to go also. We donated the book to our vet when she passed on, or I'd send it to you.

Good luck! Kelli