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It is important to recognize that many of the conditions that result in loss of vision are painful. When vision is lost, there may still remain the need to continue treatment and monitoring of the eyes to control or restore the patient’s comfort. For example, most glaucoma patients, once their vision has been irreversibly damaged, still have elevated intraocular pressure without therapy. This pressure is described by human sufferers as equivalent to a migraine headache. Dogs with retinal degeneration, especially those diagnosed with an inherited retinal disorder such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), may over time develop cataract, which can result in lens-induced uveitis (intraocular inflammation). Inflammation, too, can be painful and can lead to secondary glaucoma. Many, if not most, of the ophthalmic conditions that can lead to blindness can have an impact on a patient’s comfort and quality of life. A proper diagnosis can inform decisions about maintenance, treatment and monitoring.
When a dog looses their sight or was not born with sight, they come to rely on their other senses and often times these senses become even keener over time. So always emphasize their other senses of smell, hearing, taste and touch in your training of your blind dog or puppy.
Regardless if you’re new or have been at this for awhile, there are many websites and message boards out there with support and information you need to help both you and your dog. If you’re new to this situation, rest assured it does get much better. Most dogs adjust well and lead happy near-normal lives. Before long you will be amazed at what a blind dog can do!
Always remember, dogs that are blind generally cope with it better than their humans. They already have a much better nose and hearing than humans, so they are off to a good start. These senses will get even better with time. Time is important, for dog and human, it might take just days, and rarely it could be years.
For owners of newly blind dogs, it’s a horrible thing to go through. However, Lea Slaton, whose dog Peanut lost her sight due to a tick-borne disease, ehrlichiosis, said that Peanut’s dependence on her only makes the connection between them tighter. “I love both of my dogs so much, but the bond you form with one with an impairment is amazing,” she said.
You’re not alone in your situation, although it may feel like you are right now. Finding websites like BlindDogs.com or BlindDogs.net is the first step to helping both you and your dog. If you are considering adopting a blind/visually-impaired dog and not sure what to expect, well for the most part a visually-impaired dog is not that much different than a sighted one, even if it’s a puppy. Most blind puppies are born blind so this is the way the world is to them.
Woman’s dog went blind. Her response was perfect.
Our dog Benny has recently gone totally blind. Always the more subservient to the dominant Indah (female dog), she often showed aggression towards him by showing her teeth and very occasionally there was the odd fight. Although they have lived together for ten years and she’s a very intelligent dog, I somehow thought she would pick up on his weakness and try to protect him. In fact the opposite has happened and almost daily she growls at him in an intimidating manner.
As the blindness is new and being aware she is more dominant, we’ve tried not to alter our behaviors towards them too much by favoring one, but Benny simply needs more reassurance and attention at the moment. Does anyone have any tips how to get her to behave better towards him?
He is becoming wary and has lost his confidence around her, he is perpetually apprehensive and on edge. Should she be punished and if so how? Appreciate any advice anyone can give. Thank you.