Hi, I don't know where to put this because it's a weird topic. I found out my dog has gone completely blind and there's nothing we can do about it. I've been really upset ever since I realized something was wrong with her. I just moved back home so this is the first time I've seen her in a while. I understand that a blind dog's life can still be happy. Like I know that visually impaired people can be just as happy as those who can see. Still, it upsets me greatly that my dog can no longer see. I've been crying a lot. I don't know how to process it. She's always been a young-acting dog. She jumps, runs, and plays. She's over 10 years old but acted so young. Now her world is dark. She gets scared easily so I can't imagine how terrifying it must be to see nothing all day. Noises scare her. I wonder if she envisions journeys of chasing squirrels or jumping into streams. I wonder if she remembers what I look like or if she is sad about how dark everything is. Anyway I just wanted to write about this because I'm pretty messed up about it. She seems to be adjusting somewhat but I haven't yet. She's my dog and I expected her to be the same but now she will never see daylight again. :tears: :tears: I guess I'm just grieving. I wish she could talk to me to let me know what she is thinking or feeling. She still wags her tail when we play together but it isn't the same because she is scared. I have a good sense of animals and I know she is scared. I don't want her to feel that way. I want to became a miracle worker and make everything okay for her again. If she were a person it'd be different because we could talk and she could learn Braille or listen to music. I don't know what to do for a dog who has been able to see her whole life and then randomly loses her sight.
(*hug*) Some people say it's just a pet...but they're not....they're family members and best friends. I wish I had the words to make you feel better. I've known several dogs that have gone blind as they get older. It does take time for them to adjust and I'm sure it's scary for them. And it hurts to watch them go through that. I wish I had some advice but all I can offer is hugs. (*hug*)(*hug*)
(*hug*) I know how it is with dog they become a dogs become a member of the family. I really feel sorry for the both of you. Just let her know that she's love and that it's okay. (&&&) Just be with her, do you let her sleep in the bed with you? I don't think she has forgotten what you look like at all. (&&&)(*hug*)
I'm sorry (*hug*) It might take some getting use to but it can be perfectly okay, dogs tend to be happy no matter what they go through. I would advice using extra talking and physical contact to let them know you are there. I know some people who had a dog go blind and she was fine for a long time until she developed other health problems. They laid out a 20ft long carpet roll in there back yard so she would have a reference point to get back into the house and it worked, it took her a little while to learn the layout of the house and where her food was but all in all she was okay.
Oh my word, you are so much like me. Animals, especially dogs, have always had a soft place in my heart. I know your pain. My dog Lizzie is blind and deaf. She still wags her tail when I pet her, but deep down I know that she must feel very scared and unsure of what is around her. The part where you said, "I wish she could talk to me to let me know what she is thinking or feeling", is something I've said numerous times about my dog. You just want to be there for them in a way that you could be there for a human, by comforting them with words and letting them know everything is going to be ok, and by knowing exactly what they are feeling in hopes that maybe they are ok. That makes you a good person, to care about something so simple and benevolent. It's very hard to deal with something like this because it's happening to something that is so innocent and loyal; something that can't express it's fears and pain with words. The best way to cope with this is to do exactly what you are doing now. Let her know that you are here for her by petting and talking to her. That gives her comfort and happiness. It's hard to believe that a dog's happiest moment of the day is its owner's presence. May I ask how your dog went blind?
(&&&) (*hug*)(*hug*) Thank you for your kind words. What you all said about animals becoming family members is very true. It's really hard to see her go through this. It causes me pain to see her in pain. It makes it worse that I've been gone for the last few months.... I haven't been with her since September and now I'm finally back home... She's blind and scared. If only I had been with her during this time... maybe she would be doing better. She's really scared of everything right now so I can't get her to trust me. She won't follow me into the living room to sit on the couch. Eventually, I hope she will start to trust my judgment. Right now she stays in one room and won't move much. I do go into her room often to sing to, pet, and hug her. She doesn't sleep in bed with me. I wish she could but it would be dangerous for her. My bed is very high and small. Even when she was able to see, my bed was too high. She is a Labrador Retriever so she takes up a lot of room on the bed. I noticed something was wrong with her last year because her eyes were becoming cloudy. I insisted that we take her to our family vet which we did, and the vet said she did not have cataracts and was fine. However that was incorrect because now we found out she has complete retinal atrophy. We are calling a dog eye specialist tomorrow to be sure. I'm angry at our local vet for not diagnosing this earlier. I'm not sure at this point how exactly she became blind but I think it was heredity. Anthemic, how did your dog Lizzie become deaf and blind? I'm sure that when you pet her it brings her a lot of happiness. (*hug*) It helps to know there are others out there that understand what it's like to have a loved blind dog.
These lets are our family members. They are our loved ones. My dog is actually right here wit me. She's sleeping in my left arm (I'm on the couch) and she's snoring, haha. Also, she's blind. And she gets bye! I took her a bit, but she found her way. She bumps into stuff but she uses it as a way to find out where she is. Just love your dog - that's all she will want!
I feel really guilty for being away from her for so long. I moved for a job and now I'm back home but I could have been there for her.
Well, I'm not sure exactly how or when it all happened. A lot happened in my life and I stopped seeing my grandparents the year before my dad died. I was 13 when I last saw Lizzie, and I was 20 when I saw her again for the first time. Lizzie was my dad's dog, but also mine and my sister's dog. I think a lot of it has to do with her getting old (she's 14). I did a little bit of research earlier and one website says, Breeds with white, spotted, dappled or merle hair coats are predisposed to congenital deafness. That explains a lot because Lizzie is a Dapple Dachshund. The blindness is from cataracts. Her eyes are completely clouded. What really got me was when my grandmother said Lizzie would not remember me and would probably act weird around me like she does other strangers. But when I walked into the house, she walked over to sniff out of curiosity and just rolled over on her side and wagged her tail. She looked up at me with her clouded little eyes and made the most content looking face I've ever seen. My grandmother said, "She never does that with strangers. I think she does remember you, even after 7 years." I had no idea dogs could remember someone after so long. But the reason I asked how your dog went blind is because I was wondering if you were going to have your dog go into surgery. I was actually hoping you would say cataracts because there is a cure for that. But since you said she has complete retinal atrophy, I don't think there is a known cure for it. It sickens me to know that the vet you saw said she didn't have cataracts because this could have been prevented.
Lizzie sounds very sweet. (*hug*) Are you planning on doing surgery for her eyes? My dad had a dachshund once that had cataracts. That's so cute that she still remembers you. You must make her very happy. Dogs remember a lot and they really do appreciate love. I'm very upset about the diagnosis of my dog so far..... I read about retinal atrophy and it makes me so sick that I could have prevented some of it. I am taking her to an eye doctor soon but I feel like a terrible human being. I've been crying off and on for 2 days and I ended up with a migraine from too much crying. I keep thinking that I could have done something better, I could have noticed something more. I should have been there for her. I should have made sure she was ok.
Don't you dare blame yourself. There is nothing you could have done. I blame myself for things all the time. I even blame myself for what's happened to Lizzie, and I have to tell myself that what I was going through had to be left behind me. You had to move to get another job. You tried to find a diagnosis when you went to the vet, but they gave you a bullcrap answer. You're doing what you can now, and that's what matters. I do not plan on doing surgery for Lizzie because I don't have the money. She is slowly dying and it breaks my heart. I don't think my grandparents want to give me a straight answer about what's wrong with her, and I don't know why. My grandmother said she has a tumor on her abdomen and that the vet suggested they put her to sleep. But my grandfather refuses to let them because he can't let her go. While it's sweet of him to feel that way, it's also unfair to Lizzie because she's in pain. But in all honesty, I don't know if I could make that decision either. I really hope that a miracle happens and the specialist tells you that your dog has a good chance of recovery from surgery or medicine. It broke my heart when you said you have a Labrador Retriever. That's my favorite dog breed. I have a black lab, named Posh, who is my partner in crime. I don't know what I would do without her. I know this sounds stupid but, if I had to choose between having Posh and having a roof over my head, I wouldn't hesitate to pick Posh. Because wherever Posh is, that's where my home is.
Hi you have to be confident and strong for her, let her know that she doesnt have to be scared and if you've been in the same house for a long while she will know the layout just try not to change things around dont be sad she is still here and alive my dog died in july n he caused the biggest longest deprssion I've ever had many dogs go blind with age try reading some internet pages about it see if you can find some tips on how to help her http://www.blinddogs.net/blind_dog_tips.html this page has 65 suggestions dogs are very good at coping with things smell and hearing will take over
I'm sorry to hear that. As a fellow animal lover I can understand :icon_sad: I hope you're okay. Please be strong. I'm sure she will feel more confident if you are. She can sense your sadness too... so if you can be strong it will help her.
