my dog (8 yr old Jack Russle Terrier) went blind from a disease called SARDS and shes really miserable and keeps running into things ...she must have the worst headaches. what should i do?
2006-12-13 05:49:30 · 8 answers · asked by Sarah Ann 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If it is an inside dog (which I assume it is), you can also rub vanilla on the bottom of door frames and stuff so that your dog can learn where it is. eventually she will adjust. Good luck
2006-12-13 10:48:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Blind doggies usually do fine after they've become accustomed to losing their sight. Try to confine her to smaller areas at first until she gets used to the area and doesn't bump into stuff. Then you can gradually increase the space she hangs out in. Reassure her with lots of love and treats. Try also to encourage her to go slow. This is probably going to be particularly difficult with a jack russell cause they're so full of beans. Dogs can be trained to go slow. Put her on a leash and repeat slow or something else you want her to associate with not going full steam ahead and walk really slowly. Jack russels are smart, she will catch on. Try not to move "landmarks" around as this will confuse and disorientate her. In the meantime (although it might not look the hottest) try to wrap towels or something soft around hard furniture and duct tape it there so that when she does bump into stuff it doesn't hurt her as much. She will be fine, just a little time and encouragement and she will adjust. You'll be able to start removing the padding in no time. I've seen plenty of blind dogs do pretty much the same thing as all the other dogs in a kennel. Good luck!
2006-12-13 13:58:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have a blind Weimaraner and he still hunts.
We taught him that Whoa meant that he needs to stop going forward so he does not run into things.
I never move the furniture and we are very careful with him. He still runs into things but dogs really do have pretty hard heads and they do fine. It will take some time to adjust. You may want to keep a leash on him so you can step on it if he is about to crash. Padding the edges of things is good. When I looked at furniture I made sure the sides of it were padded so if he crashed it would be ok.
It takes time, Every time mine was going to hit something we say whoa and he now slows down. He also trots with his front feet out in front of him and brings them up sort of high to hit things first reather than his head.
2006-12-13 15:21:37 · answer #3 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stop moving furnature!!!
we have a blind spaniel. she's been blind about 3 years now, she had gone blind in one eye as a pup (it got popped out of her head) and then lost the other to retenal deteration after about 12 years. she bumps into just about everything, but basicly knows where she is in the house because we dont move anything. she has learned to walk with her head down so she doesnt hit her face and she has never once cried out. we have taught her "step" so she knows there are stairs in front of her, but other than that, the only thing that has changed is that she doesnt take off out the door if its left open!! she is FIANLLY able to be an off-leash dog and we never thought that would happen. she still runs into the kitchen when she hears food, and she still gets into the cabnits the minute you walk out of the house.
just be its seeing eye person, it will get along just fine.
2006-12-13 14:04:42 · answer #4 · answered by mickey g 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe ask the vet for information on good painkillers? Keep a first aid kit around too. You could try padding all the sharp corners she might run into so she won't hurt herself too badly, and consider keeping her confined to one or two rooms until she learns how to get around without knocking into everything. Some people will probably suggest putting her down, but you should definitely give her plenty of time to adjust first. Dogs are adaptable, and some blind animals can get around perfectly alright.
2006-12-13 13:59:22 · answer #5 · answered by Emily 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is normal for dogs to run into things when they go blind, it will pass when the dog figures out what is what and where things are. In the mean time what i did for my dog, it may look a little tacky but i taped styrofoam along the things that would hurt him and now he does fine and i took the styrofoam off. He had a rough time adjusting to blindness but he did and so will yours.
2006-12-13 14:00:45 · answer #6 · answered by badgirl41 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor thing...The truth is, she can still live a good life. Don't move her bed or water/food dishes. Try to be patient and keep things the same. She will learn to adjust. It is pitiful to watch. Love her.
2006-12-13 13:59:13 · answer #7 · answered by lolasmommy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
poor baby doggy, god bless you for keeping her alive! well try and put pillows or soft stuff arounf the things she runs into until she can get accustom to losing her sight! best f luck to you
2006-12-13 14:07:29 · answer #8 · answered by Tiffany.P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋