topic How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind in Pet Lovers

How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

NickNack — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 21:57:00 GMT

Frankie had a seizure last night and became suddenly blind. Her eyesight might come back, but the ER doctor is afraid it won't since it hasn't already.

I rushed her to the ER last night, and they are treating her and sending her home tonight after observation.

I have fostered a blind dog in the past who got along well. He lost his eyesight slowly, though, and Frankie's was sudden. I don't remember how I acclimated him to the house. It was so long ago.

I don't know what to do when we get home. I'm picking her up at 8:00 Eastern time. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

I go to bed early, usually by 9:30 every night. I plan to spend some time with her and then put her to bed.

She has an appt. at the Vet School Monday morning for an MRI to try to get a definitive diagnosis. If you remember we thought she had progressive disc disease since she was wobbly and falling. She wailed loudly in the middle of the night for quite a while and the next day she was falling down. They think now that the wail was a seizure, and the seizure caused her to stumble and fall.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

threecees — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 22:04:03 GMT

I am sorry about Frankie @NickNack,.

Not much advice other than to say keep everything the same way

its been especially her food and water bowls.

Hoping that Frankie will regain her sight. At least she will be at home

soon and comforted by you. Thinking of you both.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

Leggett28 — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 22:30:06 GMT

@NickNack So sorry to hear this about Frankie, I wish I could tell you something that would help. Hope things get better and Frankie gets her sight back 😘

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

on the bay — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 22:44:30 GMT

Aw@NickNack -,

I feel so bad for both of you.

I know you will give her all the love and comfort she needs.

The only thing I can think of is if you can pick her up, I would carry her to her bowl, to show her where it is, though she will probably be able to smell it. and to keep her near you when she sleeps.

It isn't a side effect of the medication is it, these seizures?

That is always thoughts I have, when they are taking something new and something new happens.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

goldensrbest — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 22:44:32 GMT

Oh no, this sounds so hard for her, i am so sorry.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

drizzellla — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 22:48:12 GMT

Let me just say, I am not an expert by any means.

But I belong to a Collie Rescue Group. Seven years ago the group received 10 collies from a "backyard" breeder. The breeder wanted a pure white collie - and he got it. Unfortunately the collie was blind and deaf.

They were unable to place the blind and deaf collie. So the President of the group took him.

The collie has been doing great. He follows the President around wherever he goes around the house. And I must admit that our collie does the same thing. As soon as my husband stands up our collie follows my husband.

I must say collies have an excellent sense of smell and we have talked numerous times with the President about his white collie. And we think his good sense of smell has helped the collie get around so well. The President has even taken his white collie to Pet Fairs etc. And people have a hard time believing that he is blind and deaf.

I hope it is a temporary set back. But I really think that your dog will be able to learn to navigate around your house. Your dog won't be running so if the dog feels something it will just move a different way. Thanks for taking such good care of Frankie.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

candys mine — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 22:55:39 GMT

OH, poor Frankie! You being with her will reasure her a great deal. If you have stairs, block them off. try to keep her environmemt the same as usual. Talk to her while you're moving around the place so she knows everything is okay. The thing about animals is they don't fret about things like we do. I sincerely am sending her well wishes but if her sight doesn't come back she will get used to that. The way things are is the way things are. Mum's still here, my bowl is still in the same place, even Henry is still about the place. Hugs to Frankie and you. Hope you all have a quiet evening.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

NickNack — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 23:41:23 GMT

@on the bay wrote:
Aw@NickNack -,
I feel so bad for both of you.
I know you will give her all the love and comfort she needs.
The only thing I can think of is if you can pick her up, I would carry her to her bowl, to show her where it is, though she will probably be able to smell it. and to keep her near you when she sleeps.
It isn't a side effect of the medication is it, these seizures?
That is always thoughts I have, when they are taking something new and something new happens.

Thank you @on the bay When all this started, she just wailed one night very loudly. I thought she was in pain and took her to the Vet the next day. The Vet did a neurological exam and thought she had a disc problem in her neck. She wouldn't turn her head to the left to follow a marshmallow. She did this several times.

They now think that her wail was a seizure. It was dark, and I didn't turn the light on. I just got out of bed and comforted her and might have missed the seizure part. I don't think it could be a side effect of her medicine.

This could be inflammation in her brain, a brain tumor or many other things. The ER is running several tests, and she'll have the MRI on Monday morning. I wish it was tomorrow instead of Monday.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

NickNack — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 23:43:41 GMT

Thank you @drizzellla . That's encouraging. The blind dog that I fostered got around well, too. I hope it won't be long before Frankie is able to acclimate. It would be even better if her sight returned.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

eddyandme — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 23:54:28 GMT

I am so sorry for you and Frankiel Prayers to St. Francis for your precious girl!

I don't know anything about dealing with this. But, I would walk around the house/property a few times a day with her next to you, calling out each room as you enter, walking around each room slowly, say chair and, let her feel it, etc. As for outside steps, I'd sit down at the threshold next to her and when calm slowly go down each step with your hands at each side, but not touching her, counting down one, down 2, etc. Then going back inside when she is ready counting up 1, up 2, etc. then stating happily - we're inside! (I help Eddy going up the stairs He can see, just problems supporting himself when his rear legs 'fold' on him. I keep my hands near his bum and boost them back up when needed,) I think your being there with her and her knowing you're there to assist , giving her confidence, may help her through these trials. And praise, lots of praise - telling her how special she is as she accomplishes each new adventure - imho, it works!

Also saw something on facebook where a dog was wearing something on its head that stuck out in front so it would make the pet realize there was an object in its path. Also suggest large soft objects in yard - like an exercise ball - like the kind you could sit on - might help when playing in the yard.

Frankie knows you love her and that you're in it together, thus will adapt and get through this together. A very special bond and closeness evolves when you're helping your furbaby: they just know and love infinitely.

Sending loving thoughts...

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

doxie1 — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 00:25:04 GMT

@NickNack

It will be good to have an answer.

shout out to @MoJoV

She has experience with a blind dog.

Blind dogs can do very well. You want her to have a safe zone like her crate. You do not want to move furniture around. Talk to her often to let her determine whare you are. She will learn the pathway in your house.

She is vunerable to falls so watch for steps she could fall from. Do not let her go outside unattended.

I will be upping my prayers for news on Monday.

doxie

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

Kachina624 — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 00:31:07 GMT

I'm so sad that you're having to go through this with Frankie, especially now when we have so many other worries. I know she means the world to you so you must be overwhelmed with concern.

I've know of several blind dogs, also collies, born blind due to bad breeding. They did fine. I'd keep Frankie somewhat confined until she adjusts, perhaps in a crate, then slowly extend her range. She'll probably do better than you expect. I had a dog that lost a leg and she never missed a beat. They adjust faster than people. She'll bump into things but won't hurt herself. That's how she learns the lay of the room.

It's going to be a long week-end for you. We'll be thinking of you and Frankie. Come back here if you need encouragement.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

K9buddy — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 00:53:41 GMT

This may sound crazy, but you might want to wear a bell so that Frankie can know where you are when you move about the house. Wishing you both the best.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

MoonieBaby — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 02:11:23 GMT

@NickNack

My Keeshond had seizures, however, no blindness. We managed them.

I did have a bunny that at the age of 8 began his slide into the abyss.

He went blind in one eye - then by the time he was 11 he was completely blind. He lived his best life blind - it's when he finally let me love him CLOSE UP!

I have to say blindness is not an end game for your pet, you will be their eyes and the other sense they have will become keener as necessary to manage.

My heart sinks for you both, and I'm praying to St. Francis for you and beloved Frankie.

Don't despair, and do as much research as you can about whatever the final diagnosis turns out to be... for both your sakes.

Sending much love and well wishes for a positive outcome, and kisses to Frankie -

Aunt Ko

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

NickNack — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 02:37:10 GMT

I want to thank all of you for your responses, prayers and concern for Frankie. @threecees @Leggett28 @on the bay @goldensrbest @drizzellla @candys mine @eddyandme @doxie1 @Kachina624 @K9buddy @MoonieBaby I appreciate all of you.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

noodleann — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 02:40:57 GMT

It's after 10:30, so after your bedtime. I hope you've settled in well with Frankie. I think just talking soothingly to her will help her a great deal. The darkness will be like night to her. And who knows? She may not be completely blind. I would trust in your caring instincts and just remember that communicating calm reassurance will help allay her anxieties.

She's such a darling little dog and you're such a loving animal friend, I cannot help think that this will work out and you will get the help you both need. Will be thinking of you, dear Frankie, and Sir Henry all this weekend. I'm in the shadows but pulling for all of you, @NickNack .

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

Icegoddess — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 02:51:47 GMT

I have a blind cat, but he had to have his eyes removed as a kitten. They adopted him out to me with his brother so he would have "help". I guess I would say not to overwhelm the dog by trying to teach her the whole house at once. Start small with limited ability to wander. Start with how to get from her safe place to her food/water and how to go potty. With the kittens, I crated them at night and kept them mostly to one room until they became comfortable expanding their horizons. For Houdini, the biggest challenge seemed to be in knowing where the bottom was. As long as he knows how far he is from the floor he's fine. One of his favorite places to hang out is on the back of the Lazy Boy beside my head. The one thing they told me was not to change the furniture around. However, Houdini is pretty good at finding and avoiding new things that happen to get in his way, ike a box from Amazon that wasn't sitting there before.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

Shanus — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 12:00:13 GMT

@NickNack So very sorry for your Frankie. They're so helpless and we feel the same way. I have no experience w/ blind pets except my daughter's blind dog. His issue was that he got freaked out at times...seemed disoriented. The vet had her crate him for those times until he settled and when he came out of his safe place, he seemed more calm. It's amazing to watch pets adapt when they have these issues. Sometimes it's more difficult for us.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 12:43:36 GMT

@NickNack I just saw this post. I am so sorry to hear this and feel terrible for both of you.

I'm sorry I can't offer any information as I have no experience with a blind pet.

These sad posts always leave me feeling at such a loss for words. Please know I am thinking of Frankie, and you.

Re: How Do You Help Your Dog When She Becomes Suddenly Blind

MalteseMomma — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 13:31:54 GMT

OH,I'm so,so sorry. Poor Frankie and what a heartbreak for you too. {{{{hugs}}}}}}

You are doing everything you can to help him.

I'm glad they now think they know what is wrong.

I have Frankie's name on my St Francis Statue and we are praying for Frankie.

Many,many yrs ago, someone here on these Q boards sent me this wonderful St Francis Statue and ever since then I have put the names of pets needing healing on it. We had (still have) a great group of pet lovers that stayed up half the night talking.I was CorgiMom,way back then. here.<3