Dog Going Blind

[meagan4348]

I have an 11 and a half year old Alaskan Malamute, he has some slight arthritis and is going blind.

I have noticed lately that his vision has deteriated more.

He isn't walking into things and when i move my hand up and down he follows it but then looks for what i may have thrown in the air for him.

I know it's apart of old age.

He is on pentasan, flaxseed oil and chia seeds.

He is in good condition and happy, I just hate seeing him getting "old"

Is there anything I can do for him??

[Sandra777]

Get him accustomed to certain verbal signals, such as stop, wait, left, right, up, step - can be as many or few as you want. If/when he eventually goes completely blind he will then know these commands mean something is in his path. I had a blind one, she was quite happy so long as we didn't move things around, but if you do just make sure to introduce him to the new things on a lead so you can stop him crashing in to things (this is if/when he's competely blind). Have a look around the place and see if there's any blind corners (pardon the pun) that he could walk in to but would have to back out of - sometimes old dogs have problems backing up with their stiff hips.

Never easy seeing them getting older but there's a lot we can do to help using our smart forward thinking brain

[persephone]

Sad for you has his vet said why he is losing his sight now?

Don't worry too much about how he will cope- as it's gradual, he will adjust quite well- using his nose/ears! Just make sure that garden/indoor furniture doesn't get moved around much..and that steps etc are safe ... you can perhaps start him on using different cues- like small bells or a windchime hung near significant spots outside .. a drop or two of scents like lavender to help guide him to places.... or even things like textured paths..gravel that crunches.. or soft woodchips , to act as tactile clues he will be fine

[meagan4348]

Thanx for the quick replies

Persephone he started losing his sight a couple of years ago now, but it has started to really deteriate.

The vet just said it's old age.

Mind you he has the best set of teeth in his mouth the vet has seen in a dog of his age.

His ears work fine, abit of selective hearing but he has always had that...lol

Thanx again, it is good to see how others have helped their furkids adapt

[becks]

He sounds like my Giant Schnauzer who is 12 in a few days time. It is hard to see them starting to act old, but great to still see the puppy playfulness show sometimes!

[4Kelpies]

Try this website http://www.blinddogs.com/

[4Kelpies]

Try this website http://www.blinddogs.com/

Oops double post - you don't have to try it twice.

Edited September 6, 2010 by 4Kelpies

[Marion 01]

Meagan4348, Blind dogs have a fantastic way of compensating for the loss of sight, they become much more alert in their hearing, and also go on vibrations on the floor etc. One of my dogs is deaf and blind dog and she finds her way around extremely well and very rarely bumps into things, but you also have to remember that they get to know where everything is and if you shift things around it confuses them no end. Most of my old blindies went blind gradually. I have one who is starting to go blind now, she is just over 14 yrs old. I know I couldn't cope like they do.

Marion01

[Sonic]

Google the book Living With Blind Dogs. It's a great resource for owners of blind dogs.

[Jacklands]

It might be worth a visit to a Canine Ophthalmologist who may be able to offer some preventative treatment to stop the condition from worsening (you would probably need a referral from your vet).

The suggestions above are wonderful and like some of the posters above I also have a blind girl who does cope quite well without her sight.

[4leggdfriend]

My 9.5YO Boxer Sasha has just lost her sight. It has happened very fast, two weeks ago she was still fetching sticks, tomight she couldn't find her water bowl, and keeps walking into the cat that gets freaked and lashes at her.

The eye doctor didn't think her eyes were the main problem, but more likely a brain tumor putting pressure on her optic nerves. It is heartbreaking watching her go downhill. Sasha is booked in for an MRI next week to see if it is a brain tumor.

She is not coping great in the meantime, she is not doing very well at finding her way around, she is bumping into things frequently, and each time after she bumps into the cat she gets very paranoid and is very reluctant to go anywhere. I find I have to lead her often and she follows the sound of my footsteps although even then sometimes she is reluctant.

She spends most of her time sleeping now, maybe 22-23hrs a day.