Devastated but determined - blind dog

Syrah

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Hi all

My OH took our dog to the vets today for his boosters. He also asked advice on his behaviour recently. He's been really stressed, getting a little aggressive, not with us or our children, but anyone walking past the house, vehicles going past he freaks. If the window cleaner comes, or a stranger comes into the house he liquid poos all over.

Anyway, the vet has said he is virtually blind and what he can see is blurred. He is also partially deaf.

The vet has recommended we have him pts :( especially as we plan to have some work done to our house and he won't cope with that.

I don't want him pts, I'll find the money to put him in the kennels that his breeders have and he's happy going there, it doesn't stress him out, he enjoys it when he's been before, whilst the work is going on. Surely we can manage his condition now we know.

I want to give it a few weeks, see if we can make life easier for him. Am I being cruel? If, in a few weeks, he hasn't got any quality of life being that he's still extremely stressed and can't cope then we will do the right thing for him.

Does anyone have any advice on how we can make life easier? We've got a plug in thingy that emits destressing smells for dogs, lol.

Thanks in advance.
 

MurphysMinder

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So sorry to hear about your dog. My 10 year old has very poor sight, it has come on gradually, and most of the time she copes okay, but she gets very stressed by strange things, she is also very dependent on me, is always glued to my side. I have actually made the decision not to go on holiday whilst she is still around as I know she wouldn't be happy without me here.
Is your lad quite old, if he has other health problems maybe pts would be kindest. However if he is otherwise fit and is used to going to his breeders kennels and happy there he would probably cope okay, perhaps it woudl be worth doing a trial day there to see how he is.
My other concern would be his aggression, I know you say he is fine with the children but if his lack of sight is causing the aggression it might be hard to predict his behaviour, and it would be awful if he did bite one of your children.
I hope you are able to sort something out that is the best solution for you and him.
 

Syrah

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Thanks to you both.

He is happy when he's at the breeders kennels. He goes there every 6 weeks to be clipped (he's an English Cocker Spaniel) and we kennel him there if we go away.

He's only 7. When I say aggressive, it's not biting, snapping, he'll launch himself very angrily at the front door if the postman comes (we have an external post box to save the post and the postmans nerves). It's as if he wants to protect us but doesn't know how and, apparently, can't see what from.

We have never left him alone with the children, not because we don't trust him but because we believe young children should never be left alone with any dog. We've taught the girls how to treat a dog so I'm not concerned at all about him being around them.

The vet gave us the plug in smelly thingy to try and I'm going to speak to her about us putting him in kennels whilst we have the work done. If she still thinks we need to pts then we'll have to do the right thing for him :(
 

Dort

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So sorry to hear about your dog. If you feel he is other wise still having a quality of life, then yes let him go to the kennels while the work is done on the house. Will this work effect the layout? As when he comes back he will have to be "shown" the new layout. It does of course mean you will now not be able to re-arrange the furniture or leave things lying on the floor!! :) I have read about a blind boarder collie who continued to work sheep as he knew the layout of his farm.
 

Syrah

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So sorry to hear about your dog. If you feel he is other wise still having a quality of life, then yes let him go to the kennels while the work is done on the house. Will this work effect the layout? As when he comes back he will have to be "shown" the new layout. It does of course mean you will now not be able to re-arrange the furniture or leave things lying on the floor!! :) I have read about a blind boarder collie who continued to work sheep as he knew the layout of his farm.

I feel that his stress could be lessened now that we know and can make allowances.

It maybe that I'm kidding myself, but I really feel that he deserves a chance.

I think he'll love the changes to the house, there will be an extra staircase for him to run up and down (one of his favourite tricks).
 

Honey08

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You've just got to be totally honest about whether you think that he is stressed or not. The liquid poo when strangers come doesn't sound good to me. He's not going to know everyone that comes - even when the builders have gone... I know its horrible, and you want to do all that you can to save him, but are you trying to keep him going for yourselves really? Horrible decision, I feel for you, but think carefully about what the vet said. Like you said, give it a few weeks, see how he goes on with the plug in thing, but be fair to him if he isn't coping..xx
 

Syrah

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I know what you're saying and agree totally. We will do the right thing for him but really need to give him a chance and I suppose us a chance to come to terms with it.
 

Syrah

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I actually agree on face value.

If his only issue is the stress from his sight loss i think that is something that will take time and that you can work on.

Thanks Katielou.

OH has just told me that the builder came round earlier and OH put J on the lead and walked him around with them both. He was quite happy and seemed secure. I think the key is to make him feel secure.

He's wagging his tail at the moment - bit of a random comment lol
 

amage

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I think given that you haven't known about the issues up to now then it would be worth a period of time to allow you to learn to work with him and be his eyes. Is he crate trained? It may be worth developing a crate or area that is his and that he can go to where he is undisturbed by strangers so that he has a "safe haven". It may help his stress levels. When our old springer started going blind and deaf she went through a period like this but once we could help her adapt she was fine. When she lost her sight and hearing we really thought this was the end...dad brought her out for a walk one eve to try and guage how bad she was away from us (me and my brother kept "helping" her to make her seem not as bad as she was as we were dreading losing her). Halfway up the street a cat passed infront of her....she took off after it like a greyhound out of the traps and scented it no problem! She was 14 at that stage and was pts at age 17 when she stopped eating and told us it was time. We adapted a few things for her eg after washing the kitchen floor Mam would drag her bed across it so she had a "path" to her corner through scent.
 

MurphysMinder

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There is no doubt there other senses take over. Buffy's sense of smell has really developed, unfortunately it means she has turned into a total thief. :p Nothing is safe on the worktops, and the other day I came in to find she had emptied the kitchen bin, I had hoped at her age she would be past that.
OP I would just see how he goes over the next few days, as you say now you know what you are dealing with it should make it easier. Don't move furniture around or leave things lying about as he won't expect them to be there.
 

prosefullstop

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I don't have a blind dog, but I do have a one-eyed dog. Some objects give her pause for thought if she can't figure them out from a distance, but she has adapted well to her condition. Having another dog in the home has definitely helped with any loss of confidence. We also give her this supplement, which is nothing short of brilliant.

http://www.ocuglo.com/

As for completely blind dogs, I've met many as we're required to see an eye specialist annually to make sure all is well with my dog's other eye. Most blind dogs at the hospital are really laid-back and think nothing of saying hi to strange people and strange dogs, but you do meet the odd skittish one that clearly has not adapted well. It sounds like your fella is in the adjustment period. I would give it time.

Does he like toys? This might give you some ideas and help give him a new lease on life. http://www.blinddogs.com/toys.htm

(What is his condition, by the way? PRA? Primary glaucoma?)
 

Devonshire dumpling

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Firstly I am a veterinary nurse with 19 years experience
Secondly I have a 13 yr old dog who had a luxating lens and lost his sight suddenly and needed an eye removal
Thirdly I have a 16 yr old deaf dog.

My advice to you would be you will know far better than your vet!

My one eyed dog was very clingy and upset for 2 weeks, sitting on hubbies lap etc when he lost his sight, but hes not back to normal and fine, bumps into some things and is bit grumpy with the kids if they go from his blind side, grumpy = growling.

The deaf dog is quite unsettled sometimes he barks at nothing, (not in a dementia way, but am sure he hears imaginary sounds).. but is fine as soon as we call him over with hand signals lol.

IF your dog lost his eyes suddenly it may we be a bit panicky, I don't think it will hurt for you to give the dog a few mths to see how he adjusts, and also now you know its blind you can make sure you don't move the furniture around, and people aprroach carefully, I find my old deaf boy sleeps so soundly as hes deaf if you wake him you startle him, in some dogs this would cause agression.

I know its not a great thing, but if you were definately going to put him to sleep surely its better you give something like valium a try? Whats wrong with a happy dog whose on happy bills, better than death surely?

I truly thing some vets are far too happy to suggest putting animals to sleep without giving them a good chance, your doggie is only half way through its life!


hope I have made some sense, contrary to what alot of people think Vets aren't god, loads make terrible decisions.
XXXXXX
 

Syrah

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Thank you everyone for your replies:)

Devonshire Dumpling, thank you, it's exactly how I feel. We've already seen a small difference in him even though it's only been less than 24hrs. We've explained to the girls about leaving their toys on the floor and how they need to take extra care of J. So he's now getting extra cuddles which he's loving.

I've also spoken to the vet and she is in full support of us trying to manage him. There are some calming tablets we can give him, not sure what they are, but we're going to see how we go with this plug in thingy and managing it before we do that.

He really does seem more chilled today, time will tell but he deserves a chance.

The one memory of him that will always stay with me - when my eldest was about 6 months old, OH and I went out for a meal. We took baby and J round to OH's mums and we were staying the night there too. When we got back, J was no where to be seen. He was usually flat out in front of MiL's roaring fire but this was the first time we'd stayed with baby in tow. He was flat out, fast asleep across the doorway of the bedroom where bubs was sleeping, looking after her :)
 

SusieT

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I have a blind dog and I would not PTs just because of blindness. BUT she is not stressed remotely, or any more than the occasional bumping into things etc. means. No aggression/fear due to it.
Your dog sounds like he isn't coping with being blind and tbh if he doesn't settle in a few weeks I would very seriously consider PTS. What condition has he got that is causing him to be blind?
 

Devonshire dumpling

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Feliway?? probably what u are plugging in?

Ask the 7 yr old doggie if they would prefer you gave lots of cuddles and attention and tried some de stressing drugs etc, or would prefer to be destroyed!!

We have this power to end life, but we must never rush into it until we are absolutely sure, I always know when the time is right, and is usually earlier than most would!

My thoroughbred had a heart condition and i had to retire him and had him as a very expensive pet for 5 years, he then started to urinate more than usual so I had him put down way before all the horrible other conditions happened, renal failure etc, but I just knew he was starting to slide.

emotional behaviour in dogs is very treatable, don't give up just yet, you sound a lovely caring owner and I know you wouldn't let your dog suffer as your love for your doggie seems so strong, if your dog becomes clingy to you and relies on you then thats your duty :) See how things pan out and listen to yourself and ur family, because you know best! xxxxxx
 

noodle_

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It might be heartbreaking but I'd go with the vets advice, he's obviously stressed and very unhappy

i agree with this ^

our dog was going deaf and blind - i told the vet outright the day he went both he would be pts (or likely before if he gets distressed)

i would never keep a deaf and blind dog as to me its unnecessary stress for the dog

One or the other can be dealt with easier - but put yourself in his shoes - would you like to be in a dark box and never hear out of it?
 

Clodagh

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I had to have my otherwise perfectly healthy kelpie put down at 13 as she went blind. She always was a nervous dog but she just started going into complete panics - running into things and screaming. She wouldn't come out from under the desk at all unless you led her.
I put it off for a few weeks as she was so well, and on the lead would walk all day, but she was so stressed in the end OH insisted - and looking back he was right.
I loved her dearly though, and miss her still.
 
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