Blind dog spinning.....follow up?

Question

This is additional info regarding Lego. He has never spinned before. He went blind last monday and now he spins and spins until he falls down or stumbles and he will only stop when we pick him up or pet him. I rescued him from a puppy mill but he has not been in a cage since February so I dont think this is cage crazy behavior. This just started since he went blind. How can I stop him? Is he suffering? and for the people who post saying that I should put my feelings aside and just have him put to sleep, well--this is the last option. I dont think he is hurting..just confused?

Answer 1

Take him to the vet. He may have had a stroke. My dog walked around with his head ****** to one side and fell over a lot.

One word of advice. Be very wary of vets telling you to have your dog put down. Try treating him first. You wouldn't have your granny put down beacuse she is ill, would you?

The vets wanted to put my dog down 4 times:

1) when he was a puppy. He was born with red mange. He was cured and went on to lead a healthy life.

2) When he developed arthritis in his front paw at around 12. My dad gave him aspirin and he was fine (swelling and pain went away)

3) when he had a stroke at age 14. We put him on heart medication and he went on to live for another 4 happy years.

My dog lived until the age of 18. If we had listened to the vets we would have put him down when he was a puppy!

Good luck with Lego. I am sure that you will find a solution and Lego will go on to live a wonderful, healthy life. Also, thanks for rescuing him. I wish there were more people like you around!

Answer 2

Ask your vet for a recommendation of a good animal behaviorist. This behavior could be a result of the puppy mill life, and hasn't manifested until he went blind. Normally dogs who have gone blind have very few problems adjusting to life without sight. He may just be scared. He might has been abused by his evil puppy mill owners.
Euthanasia should be a last choice, but your vet should be able to give you a better idea of what to do.

Answer 3

Speaking as soemone who was temporarily blind, he's scared. Reassure him, and stay close to him until he get a feel for his surroundings.
The problem is the suddenness of his blindness--like mine was--which really screws with your head. Can his blindness be cured, or is it permanent.

I have a dog who has been blind since 1999, and she does just fine. She moves through the backyard, suns herself, and eats. In other words, she enjoys life. I'm glad someone didn't euthanize me.

Answer 4

There is a syndrome called "ODVS" Old dog vestibular disease. One of the symptoms is spinning in one direction. I sent you a link. Check it out. Then have him examined by your vet. I hope all goes well.