My puppy is going blind what shall i do?

Question

I have just recently bought a cockier spaniel puppy she is 9 weeks old and i have just found out she has cataracts I'm not sure what to do as i do not want her to have a bad life but i can not pay for the surgery. Is it fair to keep a blind puppy and what can i do to help her and make it easier for her?

i would appreciate if you could give me a few ideas.

Thanks.

Answer 1

please give her a new home where new owners can pay for the vet care its just not fair to her. :(  

Answer 2

If you are in the UK, the PDSA (Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals) may be able to help out.  

It would be very unfortunate to allow her to go blind - she would be likely to be run over for one thing.  

Answer 3

GET THE GOD d**n OPERATION DONE...RAISE MONEY

Answer 4

Dog's can do fine being blind. They can still live along and happy life. YOU do NOT have to give her UP.

You will have to make sure she with you at all times until she develop her confidence. You could also consider adopting a older adult dog with full sight to be a companion and help the pup to navigate.

1. NEVER BUY A PUPPY just LOOKS, colour along, fur type-COLOUR, fur type and looks HAS NO INDICATION OF DOGS TEMPERMENT!

2. Consider your lifestyle-

4. Are you out more then 8hours a day

5. Consider your energy requirements, Size, Grooming.

6. Don't just buy because someone says this is the

dog for you, people particular on yahoo answer will give you there particular favourite breed& what suits them, not what actually suit you.

7. Read all you can-THERE are alot of false information on the web and in books about different dog breed.

8 DON'T TRUST THOSE DOG BREED SELECTORS-MOST OF THE RESULTS ARE INCORRECT. Ex i search large breed dogs, and the Pomeranian came up, which of cause is a toy dog breed!!

9. NEVER BUY FROM A PETSTORE, BACKYARD BREEDER, PUPPY MILL OR NEWSPAPER, DON'T BUY FROM NEXT DAY PETS OR DOG BREED INFO, RESCUE AN ADULT DOG OR SHELTER PUPPY!

Well for the most part a blind puppy is not that much different from a "sighted" puppy.  Most blind puppies are born blind so this is the way the world is to them.  They come into the world depending on their other senses from the very start, and those senses very often become even keener.  So emphasize their other senses of smell, hearing, taste and touch in your training of your puppy.

Housetraining

Most that have housetrained  blind puppies say they are not that much different to  housetrain than a sighted pup.  Alot of people go with crate training  and the wee-wee pads. But if you want to train them to use a doggie door that still can be possible.  You can scent the door or  put a special throw rug at the opening.  If you don't have a doggie door and need to  train your puppy to signal you they need out, you can use your scents and rugs to fix a special area for them to go to.

Toys

Ones  that make noises or have a scent are the best for them to "find". There are alot of toys made now that make all kind of noises from.  There are also toys that wiggle and vibrate for the blind/deaf guys.  For some suggestions please go to our Toys page

Sadly I've heard of puppies are taken away too soon from their mothers and littermates when its found out they're blind. This in turn may cause various problems dealing with socialization, "puppy" biting and not knowing how to play either with another animal or with toys....since puppies learn alot from both their mother and littermates. So for these little guys you may have to act as their littermate/mom and teach them the do's and don'ts and how to's.

Socializing

Socialization is extremely important and shouldn't be avoided but encouraged even more with your blind pup with both other dogs and people. However, special considerations and precautions should be used, since even though you may have a little guy now, what you teach them now will be with them their whole life.  

Don't let dogs or people approach your dog too fast.  Let your dog ease into the situation by letting them smell the persons hand or dog before being touched by them. Some blind dogs can develop "startle" aggression when approached to fast or grabbed/touched by surprise.  

Start from day one talking to your pup. With a blind baby its very important that you vocalize to them.  This will not only help them to find you, but you can  also help them  avoid obstacles.  Examples would be:

STEP-To let them know where the steps are

WATCH -When they are going to Bump something

OK-you got a clear path

Having others talk to your blind pup will also give them security and trust in other people.

Blind dogs do seem to develop separation anxiety more easily than a sighted dog....this maybe more "our" fault than the dogs though.  We tend to want to coddle and pamper a blind pup/dog thinking they can't or shouldn't be left alone.  With a pup you can restrict the area they are in to an exercise pen or to one room when gone and gradually increase the area as the dog becomes more secure and confident.

Touching and massage can be an important tool. Even with dogs that loss their sight later in life, touching and massaging makes them more confident and content. With a puppy it can do the same and also help create a more social pup.  

Alot of people wonder if getting a sighted dog will help their blind dog.  It's really not an easy question to answer, since every dog is different.  It really has more to do with the personalities of each dog as opposed to the ones blindness.  If you think another dog would be good for your situation if possible try to put the dogs together to see how they react together.

If you do have multiple dogs already they can help your blind one.  Its not uncommon to hear of sighted dogs leading, looking out for and guiding the blind ones as if they knew they couldn't see. Many people with multiple dogs find putting bells or noisy tags on the sighted dogs collar helps guide the blind one.

Teaching the "Slow" Command

Step1

Use this command to alert your dog that she's about to bump into something.

Step2

Put your dog on a leash.

Step3

Apply gentle pressure to the leash (avoid jerking) when your dog begins to walk.

Step4

Give the command "Slo-o-w" or "E-e-easy" at the same time.

Step5

Say "Yes" to your dog the instant she slows down.

Step6

Give your dog a food treat and lots of praise.

Teaching the "Wait" Command

Step1

Use this command if your dog is in a dangerous situation, such as when you encounter terrain changes during a walk, or when you open the front door to go out, cross a street, or get out of your car.

Step2

Put your dog on a leash.

Step3

Give the command "Wait" ("Wa-a-ait") while applying steady and gentle pressure on the leash until the dog stops.

Step4

Say "Yes" when your pet stops, and give a food treat and praise.

Step5

Release your dog from this command before allowing her to move on. To do this, use the command "OK" in a bright, reassuring tone.

Teaching the "Sit" and "Down" Commands

Step1

Give the command "Sit."

Step2

Place a tasty-smelling food treat right next to your dog's nose and mouth at the same time.

Step3

Keep the food treat close to your dog's nose and slowly take the treat up and over its head. Doing this will lead your dog into a sit.

Step4

Say "Yes" the instant your dog sits, and give her a food treat and praise.

Step5

Start your "Down" command by first giving your dog the "Sit" command.

Step6

Hold a food treat close to your pet's nose, then give the command "Down."

Step7

Take the treat slowly down to the ground between your dog's legs. This should lead your dog into the down position.

Step8

Say "Yes" when the trick is accomplished, and give your dog treats and praise.

Answer 5

Ask somebody for money or give her to the SPCA. Don't let her go blind just because you can't affort the operation. Think of your dog.  

Answer 6

So sorry to hear about your puppy. Were her parents not eye tested before being bred? The first thing to do (if you haven't already) is contact her breeder to let them know as the parents should not be bred from again.

Dogs cope far better than humans with a lack of sight - many live normal lives & you would never know they were blind. Operations aren't always successful (or even possible, depending on the cause of the cataract). They are definitely not the answer in all cases. Has your puppy been examined by an ophthalmic specialist?

It's perfectly fair to keep a blind puppy - she will adapt if you take precautions like not moving the furniture around and training her to come back when you call her.

She'll have a lovely life, even without sight - dogs rely far more on scent & hearing.

Good Luck to you & your pup

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Answer 7

First if you just got her I would contact her breeder and try and either to get your money back so you could put towards the surgery or get them to pay for it. Talk to your vet some times it is a hereditary problem .  Second although adult dogs seem to manage ok if they go blind later in life puppies have a harder time and the quality of life is not very good for them. If you can not afford the surgery and can not get a animal welfare league or the breeder to help you pay for it I would strongly recommend placing her in a home where she can get the proper medical care. You need to be unselfish here and think of the puppy and what she needs. You also need to look at the big picture and that is this dog is going to have chronic eye problems and this surgery may be the beginning of a long life of constant medical expense's the expense does not end with the surgery, it begins with it.  

Answer 8

What sort of health warranty did you get from the breeder?A good breeder covers their pups for things like this.These would be juvenile cataracts which are hereditary.The breeder should take the pup back or at least pay for part of the surgery based on what you paid for the pup.

Answer 9

Well with training you are going to have to use commands, sounds and smells (like treats) to train her.  She is little, so you need to get as much training done where she will know where your furniture is and where her food and water dishes are.  I would tie a bell to the handle of the door to go potty.  (not a jingle bell because she could get a toe caught)  That way she can ring the bell when she has to go potty.  I used to let my dogs walk into my legs so they could get around.  I am not really sure how to describe that on the internet.  I imagine leash training is going to be important.  I would get toys that make sounds, but sometimes puppies have to get used to squeaky toys.  They have balls that make noise too, so something that can roll around on the floor or yard so she can hear it.  I don't think being blind will be a challenge for her, you will figure out how to get along just fine.

Answer 10

Well if my Pomeranian gets old he'll get blind and be kind of useless but its okay whether if your dog is blind he'll still be that curious little puppy you used to love, He'll stay the same and he'll be even cuter and curious of his surroundings all you have to do is train him to use his ears and nose to identify things so he wont keep on banging on the wall. But to cure this you'll need surgery for your dog but some dogs can have a very unsuccessful surgery because their blindness is passed from their parents. But some toy breeds have blindness due to being old.    

Answer 11

Go outside and set up a lemonade stand! Dont sit on the computer. This is why people should evaluate their financial situation before taking on the responsibility of owning a new pet. My dog personally cost $2000 not including $300 vet bills whenever she needs it and about $100 a week for food/toys. It's not fair for your dog not to get the surgery. If you have to give her away to someone who can afford to take good care of her...

Answer 12

Someone i know has a blind dog, an old blind dog, they tried to correct one of her eyes but that did not work. But the dog is fine now, although she is blind she knows her surroundings so well that she does not need her eyes anyway.

Answer 13

Aww. Dogs go blind all the time.They still have a good life. Is it in one eye or both? If you can not pay for the surgery, then I guess this she will go blind. But she will be fine! I have a blind cat, and he knows where everything is. When he was able to see, he momorized everything in the house. And hes good. Just dont change stuff around when she cant see. She might bump into things. Anyway, good luck with your puppy. I am sorry to hear whats happening, but I asure you that she will be fine!

Answer 14

If the operation will save her sight then the best thing you can do is give her up to someone that can pay - or take out a loan to pay the cost.

This puppy has just started her life, of course she can be taught the layout of your house before going blind but this is easier done with adults, as she's a puppy she's likely to not learn very well.

I'd go for the op no matter what.

Answer 15

I think, if your dog was to go fully blind the best thing is to keep her away from roads and if so on a leash with your keeping her on lookout.

another way to help is to take all sharp things away from her, so she doesn't get hurt.Also keep a good eye on your dog so you can keep her out of danger.

I is a great thing to keep a blind dog if you look after it probably. dogs are great animals i have 2.

To put it in a kennel is quite mean so if you do those things that i said it will help you take of your dog.

Answer 16

many blind dogs and puppies cope perfectly well. yes they may bump into things at first, but that's when they learn where the furniture is and so they wont bump into it, which is why you shouldnt move anything around. if your puppy is insured, then you could try claming off them for the surgery.