Blind puppy?

Question

I have a six month old mini dachshund puppy who was born blind. He has no blood vessels in his eyes, and because of that, he never watched another dog chew, or walk, so he can't do either. When he was born, his mother refused to take him out of the sac, then refused to feed him. We tube fed him for a while, then he got an eye infection. His eye swelled up insanely. He's horribly expensive to keep, but he's such an angel. What I want to know if there is anything we can do for him. We brought him to a specialist who said there is nothing that can be done, and if there is, it'll be expensive. We don't have that kind of money. He's a long hair, so he can't get grip with his feet. Is there any kind of gripping boot or something we can use for him? The poor thing is losing all experience in life. We keep him in a baby playpen so he can't get hurt;;not that he can walk, anyway, but I really wish there was something I could use for him to be able to walk! Any ideas/suggestions?

Answer 1

Unless there is something wrong with him other than blindness, there is no reason why he can't chew, walk, or otherwise live like a normal dog. A friend of mine has a blind dog, that dog rules the household and bosses the other dogs around. Watching her get around you'd never know she is blind, because she has learned where everything is in the house.

If the hair on his feet is preventing him from getting a grip, trim it.
There is a Yahoo! Group especially for owners of blind dogs, I suggest you join it and learn how to give your puppy a normal life. If you are going to treat him like a hothouse flower, it would be kinder to put him to sleep.

Here is the Group
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/blinddogs/

If he truly can't walk, there is something else wrong with him. In that case I suggest euthanasia, sitting there like a bump on a log is no life at all.

Answer 2

you can trim the hair around his feet and in between his toes. Being such a small dog and being so young I would take it to a groomer because they are experianced. Get a second opinion about the inabilty to function. Alot of vets, sadly, are only in it for the money. If there is a university or college with a vet tech program they might be able to help you for alot cheaper. Dont give up on the little guy. I think what you have done is amazing. try another vet. Maybe one that has alot of experiance with birth defects

Answer 3

i'm so sorry for the puppy and you. maybe you could teach him by moving his legs in a walking motion and then when he kind of gets the hang of it, stand him up on all fours and help do the walking motion with the legs. make sure you use the same commands for walking all the time so he doesn't get confused. this is going to take some time, have patience and faith. best of wishes to you and your puppy. if you need to email me for better explanation, feel free. i hope somebody here can help you. the idea of another puppy to teach by smell ,sound and touch could be good. a lot of good ideas from people here. don't euthanize the puppy, there are many animals that are blind and still have full and great lives.

Answer 4

I think that this puppy has a fighting chance! People are told all the time that they will never walk again and people over come that everyday and I truly believe that an animal can over come that as well. It would take a lot of hard work and time but If you care about the little one and you are willing to take on that kind of responsibility then you have to set up a physical therapy program that you can do with him everyday to get him to walk and chew. I think that with TLC this guy can have a fighting chance and if you love him and It seems like you do try to make it work.

Answer 5

Well since he is long-haired try to cut the hair around his feet so he can walk. I think that would be something to start with.Then try to help him with the walking, and as far as the chewing part goes put a little food in his mouth and practice with chewing try moving his jaw a little bit. He should get the hang of it after a while,and I hope he gets better but please do not get rid of him. He sounds like he was meant for you.

Answer 6

Have you tried making him walk? Like, putting him on a leash and gently tugging along until he gets the idea to get up and move? Laying around, especially when he's just a puppy, isn't going to be very good for his muscle mass. Many blind animals are capable of moving around. I'm sure he'll be just fine once you figure out what will be best for him. =)

Answer 7

You may not want to hear this, but this dog should not have lived. If his mother refused to take him out of the sac, it's because the mother knew that some malformity would make it hard for him to survive. You have kept this puppy alive far longer than nature would normally have allowed, but it would be easier for him and cheaper for you to just put him to sleep.

We don't do this with humans, and I would never suggest such a thing with our own species, but our knowledge of dog genetics fails to provide sufficient to correctly diagnose and treat their problems with pharmaceuticals and the health industry is ill equipped to deal with them.

Answer 8

I would do what that other girl said. I would take donations for whatever the vet can do to help. Poor puppy : ( ! I wish there was something I can do to help. You can also talk to a local shelter and ask them if they can post this and take donations for your puppy's surgery or whatever the doc has to do. I am so sorry. As soon as you put that up, email me, I promise you, I will be the first to donate!

God speed, Puppy....God speed.....

Answer 9

just put him to sleep, and end his misery. There was a reason his own mother wanted to let him die. I know it sounds cruel, but how much fun do you think he is having just laying in his own filth getting tube fed and not doing anything ever? It is the most humane thing you could do for him

Answer 10

This dog's mother knew what to do. Take the hint and do the tough thing. Sad but the only way to go.