Just found out one of our dogs is basically blind

[Anonymous]

He is 100% blind in one eye and probable 80% in the other. He's a little dog, 12 pound Italian Greyhound. Iv'e never had a blind dog before so looking for some advice/helpful tips. Having the lights on helps, if the lights are too low he can't see anything at all.

[Anonymous]

Is it cataracts? My parents dog was blind from cataracts but wasn't really bothered by it. If they moved any furniture though, it could be a problem.

Our dog lost one eye and had no depth perception, would bump into things, on purpose, I think, to confirm where they were.

[Anonymous]

I had a blind cat. If they have a small amount of vision and can distinguish light from dark, different color based boards from flood helps. Don't move furniture so they don't run into it as they will memorize where things are so they are not bumping into things. Have seen people have 2 dogs linked together so on walks the sighted dog helps the blind dog maneuver.

[Anonymous]

Floors not flood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it cataracts? My parents dog was blind from cataracts but wasn't really bothered by it. If they moved any furniture though, it could be a problem.

Our dog lost one eye and had no depth perception, would bump into things, on purpose, I think, to confirm where they were.

Seems to be some weird genetic IG can get, the jelly like substance that protects the retina can be weak. Which can cause bleeding that causes blindness. They think 1 eye has been gone for awhile and the other one is going which caused the symptoms he is having. He is definitely freaked out about the change and is struggling getting around

[Anonymous]

We have a blind iggy. It is very common for the breed.
If it is cataracts - there is surgery for that. We had a different dog that was fully blind when we got him and had surgery, now fully recovered.
The IGs tend to get blindness that is light sensitive. I don't remember the term but they can see better in the dark, even with the blindness. As a PP said, don't make a lot of changes in the house. There is also a drug that can help reduce the blindness in the other eye.
Consider going to see Dr. Weigt in Annapolis at Animal Eye Care. She is brilliant.
http://www.eyecareforanimals.com/location/annapolis-defense-hwy-practice/

[Anonymous]

It's not that unusual. Dogs live to be much older with us than in nature. Dog will adapt. There are bumpers for blind dogs: https://www.chewy.com/muffins-halo-blind-dogs-angel-wing/dp/165233?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Muffin%27s%20Halo%20For%20Blind%20Dogs&utm_term=&show-search=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsv7BRCmARIsANu-CQeQ1gO09nZWnpSCA8SON2wlWG8HEqhbjFUH7vUgQP3q3Fh9BXvBWxQaAuInEALw_wcB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a blind cat. If they have a small amount of vision and can distinguish light from dark, different color based boards from flood helps. Don't move furniture so they don't run into it as they will memorize where things are so they are not bumping into things. Have seen people have 2 dogs linked together so on walks the sighted dog helps the blind dog maneuver.

A seeing-eye dog for the blind dog?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a blind cat. If they have a small amount of vision and can distinguish light from dark, different color based boards from flood helps. Don't move furniture so they don't run into it as they will memorize where things are so they are not bumping into things. Have seen people have 2 dogs linked together so on walks the sighted dog helps the blind dog maneuver.

A seeing-eye dog for the blind dog?

Aww. Sweet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a blind iggy. It is very common for the breed.
If it is cataracts - there is surgery for that. We had a different dog that was fully blind when we got him and had surgery, now fully recovered.
The IGs tend to get blindness that is light sensitive. I don't remember the term but they can see better in the dark, even with the blindness. As a PP said, don't make a lot of changes in the house. There is also a drug that can help reduce the blindness in the other eye.
Consider going to see Dr. Weigt in Annapolis at Animal Eye Care. She is brilliant.
http://www.eyecareforanimals.com/location/annapolis-defense-hwy-practice/

That is who we are seeing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a blind cat. If they have a small amount of vision and can distinguish light from dark, different color based boards from flood helps. Don't move furniture so they don't run into it as they will memorize where things are so they are not bumping into things. Have seen people have 2 dogs linked together so on walks the sighted dog helps the blind dog maneuver.

A seeing-eye dog for the blind dog?

My cat would walk directly in front of my elderly blind dog, leading her around. It was really sweet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a blind cat. If they have a small amount of vision and can distinguish light from dark, different color based boards from flood helps. Don't move furniture so they don't run into it as they will memorize where things are so they are not bumping into things. Have seen people have 2 dogs linked together so on walks the sighted dog helps the blind dog maneuver.

A seeing-eye dog for the blind dog?

My cat would walk directly in front of my elderly blind dog, leading her around. It was really sweet.

OP here, our older dog is 14, and shows no sympathy or interest in helping the blind one around. I’m thinking about getting another dog, one with more of a care taker personality. How to find a dog like this I don’t really know, but thought I’d reach out to some rescues

[Anonymous]

Our last 3 dogs all went blind in old age. Since it was slow progression, they just adapted over the years and they completely knew their way around the house and the walks in our neighborhood. I chalk up it to the dogs keen sense of smell.