what would you do if your dog was going blind?

Question

my 14year old beagle is just going blind and she is pushed around what should I do

by the other dogs outside

Answer 1

My parents have a dog who has gone completely blind. He gets along just fine. He's slower and more cautious and occassionaly bumps into things, they use their voices and touch to guide him when he seems lost. But he's pretty happy to spend his senior years lounging on the sofa, being cuddled and loved.

If your dog is otherwise healthy, I would work with his disability. It will take time, but he'll learn to function without his sight.

Maybe join an online group for people with blind dogs, something like this http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/blinddogs/

I'm sure they can give you a ton of ideas for coping with his vision loss and making his life more enjoyable, and helping you cope too.

Good luck!

Answer 2

If she's going blind she 's not blind yet !! and just because she's going blind doesn't mean it's the end of her life yet !! You can still love her and her you ! You can take good care of her and make sure she doesn't get pushed around or hurt by anyone or animal !! you have to take care of her real well now !! If you had her for along time in the same home then she should be use to her surroundings and find her way around the house pretty good ! just make sure she knows were everything is and Don't move anything cause she would bump into it and get hurt !! don't change anything cause she remembers were things are !!

Answer 3

Being blind isn't a disease, it's just getting old. By now she should know the house top to bottom and know all the areas of the yard. She's going to bump into some things for a while, but she's going to be ok as long as everything else is (eating and drinking, no vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, etc.). Just try not to make any sudden changes to the house or she'll get confused. If you are going to change the living room setting, it would be better to do it in steps so she'll adjust around it rather than completely confusing her. Good luck.

Answer 4

Find ways to protect her.
Don't move furniture.
Keep her food and water bowls and bed(s) in the same locations.
Don't leave items where she could stumble over them.
Baby gate stairwells.
Keep lower cabinet doors closed.
Talk to her a LOT, especially as you move around the room so she can locate you.
Work with her before she totally loses her sight, for example when on a walk and you come to a curb, say "Step up" or "Step down". Then once the vision is gone she will still remember what to do.
Spray febreeze on corners of upholstered furniture and dab lemon ammonia on corners of walls and things like table legs that she might bump into (do this at her nose height)
Love her and pet her and enjoy the time you have left together.

Answer 5

My one and half yr old dog is partial blind. She had an eye disease but can still see enough in day light. She has trouble at night. If she becomes worse, I will just help her get around. She knows the layout of the house and I will just not be able to rearrange furniture. Dogs have excellent hearing and a sense of smell. Your dog will be just fine without vision. If you are worried, talk to your vet and see if eye surgery is possible.

Answer 6

I wouldn't rearrange the furniture and keep an eye on her in case she doesn't see trouble coming her way. Dogs interact with the world more with smell so blind dogs can adjust and live happy lives. Just make the process as easy for her as possible.

Answer 7

I agree with all the previous answers - blind dogs can and do live happy lives, provided their owner is sensitive to their needs.

One concern - who or what is "pushing her around"? If it is another dog, you will probably have to separate them, especially when they are not being supervised. This situation must be dealt with, otherwise she will become nervous and snappy, and will be unhappy.

Enjoy the time you have left with her - old dogs can be immensely rewarding.

Answer 8

I need more information. Pushed around by who?