Helping a blind dog

[deannalw]

So Chloe started going blind a few years ago and now her sight is almost gone. I've done a few things to help her, like arranging furniture- getting rid of the coffee table and a few things she ran into a lot. She's hesitant outside except in this huge empty field we found to bring her to. She's happy and free there and it makes my heart whompy for her.

Has anyone else dealt with this or have any ideas on how to make her life easier and happier?

 

[The Duke]

So Chloe started going blind a few years ago and now her sight is almost gone. I've done a few things to help her, like arranging furniture- getting rid of the coffee table and a few things she ran into a lot. She's hesitant outside except in this huge empty field we found to bring her to. She's happy and free there and it makes my heart whompy for her.

Has anyone else dealt with this or have any ideas on how to make her life easier and happier?

Well if she can hear, guide her around.
Err...I remember a blind and deaf dog. They could sense body heat or proximity or something.
So uh, part of the takin' outin' was walking a narrow track next to the pool, Oh! And there was a helper dog, too.
But yeah, you put yourself on the inside and keep an eye out. There were pool incidents, but none when I was doing things. Teh dawgie kept pretty much the same distance from me outside, all the time.
She knew the pool and all that, just needed some orientation.
Like the cat food dish, from there, she knew where to go!

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

So Chloe started going blind a few years ago and now her sight is almost gone. I've done a few things to help her, like arranging furniture- getting rid of the coffee table and a few things she ran into a lot. She's hesitant outside except in this huge empty field we found to bring her to. She's happy and free there and it makes my heart whompy for her.

Has anyone else dealt with this or have any ideas on how to make her life easier and happier?

.

My Zoey started losing her hearing, at first, and I finally had to make the decision to say goodbye to her when she started running in panic whenever she bumped into things. She was blind in one eye and the vet said probably almost blind in the other.

She was very old, by this time, and we both deeply missed my husband, and I decided we'd had a good life together. I just couldn't handle seeing her in panic.

Thank you for being a loving dog mom and wanting to make her life as long and as comfortable as you've been doing.


.

 

[Thunk]

Do you have an old fan that makes a little noise? (rattles or hummms)?

You can put it somewhere in the house so she can always hear that spot. Maybe in the kitchen so she can always find the kitchen (if she ever goes in there).

Go outside with her and talk to her when you're out there so she knows you're there. So she knows you'll protect her if needed.

She's going to feel useless/worthless...so keep reassuring her that she's loved and wanted. Pet her alot & tell her she's a good girl, a brave girl, a pretty girl (all girls of any species like to hear they are pretty). .

Maybe some special treats to give her life some enjoyment.

Prepare yourself...without sight she wont run or get proper exercise so it's only downhill from here

 

[The Duke]

So Chloe started going blind a few years ago and now her sight is almost gone. I've done a few things to help her, like arranging furniture- getting rid of the coffee table and a few things she ran into a lot. She's hesitant outside except in this huge empty field we found to bring her to. She's happy and free there and it makes my heart whompy for her.

Has anyone else dealt with this or have any ideas on how to make her life easier and happier?

Just love your dog as much as you can while you can. Blind and deaf isn't cause to put a dog down to me, though.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

So Chloe started going blind a few years ago and now her sight is almost gone. I've done a few things to help her, like arranging furniture- getting rid of the coffee table and a few things she ran into a lot. She's hesitant outside except in this huge empty field we found to bring her to. She's happy and free there and it makes my heart whompy for her.

Has anyone else dealt with this or have any ideas on how to make her life easier and happier?

Absolutely. My dog went suddenly blind. Small rugs of different material can help her navigate what room she's going into. She will feel it in her paws. They make scent spots to attach to furniture but you can also use dryer sheets with different scents to tape to furniture so she knows where the coffee table is. I also got toys that made a noise, there are even toys for blind children that are good. My dog's favorite toy was a stuffed toy that made noise. She enjoyed playing fetch. There is a babble ball that's good.

Dog's adapt to blindness. They use nose and ears more.

 

[Thunk]

They make scent spots to attach to furniture but you can also use dryer sheets with different scents to tape to furniture so she knows where the coffee table is.

I never thought of using smells...that's brilliant!

 

[jwoodie]

From the thread title, I thought this was about FJB.

 

[BULLDOG]

I temporarily worked in a welding shop that had a stray dog that hung around. He went mostly blind from watching the arc before anyone realized what was happening. After that, he always found his way to the entrance in the morning and at quitting time to get his rubs and pats on the head from the workers, or perhaps a bit of uneaten sandwich from someone's lunch. He didn't wag his tail, he wagged his whole body.

 

[Thunk]

From the thread title, I thought this was about FJB.

Oh shit...put it down...NOW!

 

[luiza]

How old is Granny ?
Being an athlete when younger , chat to her about her past on the track .
How did the two of you fall out ?
It must have been serious if you still call her a dog .

 

[Dekster]

So Chloe started going blind a few years ago and now her sight is almost gone. I've done a few things to help her, like arranging furniture- getting rid of the coffee table and a few things she ran into a lot. She's hesitant outside except in this huge empty field we found to bring her to. She's happy and free there and it makes my heart whompy for her.

Has anyone else dealt with this or have any ideas on how to make her life easier and happier?

well first don't rearrange anything. Second, accept that the dog bumping into things is their way to remap their world. Accept it is going to happen. Smells are key and their primary sense. If necessary, and only if necessary, you can scent their water bowl area to help them find it, but you have to let them sort it out on their own and keep them safe. I had a completely blind dog. It was harder on us than her to adjust. Also, look for a vet who does eyes. We had ours under the care of a animal eye specialist just to make sure she was getting the best possible treatment. Our dog would like to run between my legs after she went blind. People were like how, It was because she could smell where my feet were, or more specifically my shoes.

 

[jwoodie]

Oh shit...put it down...NOW!

And make Kamala President?

 

[Thunk]

And make Kamala President?

I stand corrected.

 

[deannalw]

Well if she can hear, guide her around.
Err...I remember a blind and deaf dog. They could sense body heat or proximity or something.
So uh, part of the takin' outin' was walking a narrow track next to the pool, Oh! And there was a helper dog, too.
But yeah, you put yourself on the inside and keep an eye out. There were pool incidents, but none when I was doing things. Teh dawgie kept pretty much the same distance from me outside, all the time.
She knew the pool and all that, just needed some orientation.
Like the cat food dish, from there, she knew where to go!

Thanks- When I bring her outside, she mostly stays on the gravel driveway. Maybe so she knows where she's at, from the feel of it compared to the hillbilly lawn. That is to say a lil grass with weeds in it.

I feel bad for her.

 

[deannalw]

.

My Zoey started losing her hearing, at first, and I finally had to make the decision to say goodbye to her when she started running in panic whenever she bumped into things. She was blind in one eye and the vet said probably almost blind in the other.

She was very old, by this time, and we both deeply missed my husband, and I decided we'd had a good life together. I just couldn't handle seeing her in panic.

Thank you for being a loving dog mom and wanting to make her life as long and as comfortable as you've been doing.


.

Awwww- it's so sad. Chloe doesn't panic or anything- she just kinda backs up and starts again. She's taken to nipping Buddy now and then, but everyone in the house wants to bite him now and then. He's our 6 month old cocker spaniel/poodle addition to the household.

 

[deannalw]

Do you have an old fan that makes a little noise? (rattles or hummms)?

You can put it somewhere in the house so she can always hear that spot. Maybe in the kitchen so she can always find the kitchen (if she ever goes in there).

Go outside with her and talk to her when you're out there so she knows you're there. So she knows you'll protect her if needed.

She's going to feel useless/worthless...so keep reassuring her that she's loved and wanted. Pet her alot & tell her she's a good girl, a brave girl, a pretty girl (all girls of any species like to hear they are pretty). .

Maybe some special treats to give her life some enjoyment.

Prepare yourself...without sight she wont run or get proper exercise so it's only downhill from here

Thank you so much-

 

[deannalw]

Absolutely. My dog went suddenly blind. Small rugs of different material can help her navigate what room she's going into. She will feel it in her paws. They make scent spots to attach to furniture but you can also use dryer sheets with different scents to tape to furniture so she knows where the coffee table is. I also got toys that made a noise, there are even toys for blind children that are good. My dog's favorite toy was a stuffed toy that made noise. She enjoyed playing fetch. There is a babble ball that's good.

Dog's adapt to blindness. They use nose and ears more.

Thank you, evilcat- this is harder than I thought it was going to be. But Chloe is still Chloe- ugly and adorable as ever. She's more hesitant than she was, but seems to be adjusting better than I am.

 

[BULLDOG]

Thank you so much-

Sounds sad. I guess it's a quality-of-life thing. If she still seems to enjoy things, and she understands enough to respond when you scratch her ears or her belly, it's worthwhile to take a little extra effort to be sure she knows she belongs and she is cared about. Sadly, there might come a time when you have to consider what is best for her. Hope that is a long time away, but it's something you have a responsibility to consider if that time comes.

 

[deannalw]

Sounds sad. I guess it's a quality-of-life thing. If she still seems to enjoy things, and she understands enough to respond when you scratch her ears or her belly, it's worthwhile to take a little extra effort to be sure she knows she belongs and she is cared about. Sadly, there might come a time when you have to consider what is best for her. Hope that is a long time away, but it's something you have a responsibility to consider if that time comes.

oh she's still loving life for sure. She's a pampered lil princess, this one is. She doesn't do as much, but she still goes on walks with us and she's started playing around the house with Buddy. Very nice to see.

I know what you mean about considering what's best for her. I've had to put two dogs down. It's the very worst, trying to be sure when it's time, but I think I made the right decision at least near the right time-both times