Glaucoma Surgery
Glaucoma Disease » Glaucoma Surgery » help with recently blind 5 year old cocker

help with recently blind 5 year old cocker

Question:

I recently found out that my 5 year old cocker mix (I think part retriever) has what is called PRA (progressive retinal atrophy). This essentially means that my dog has irreversibly gone blind due to a homozygous recessive gene he inherited from his carrier parents. I have all the info I need regarding the disease. I am looking for information/help as to how to deal with a young dog who is blind. I do not want to put him to sleep and am interested in  hearing from other people who have experience dealing with blind dogs. A companion dog is out of the question (he had a problem with other dogs even before he was blind). I know I shouldn’t move furniture around or move-what I want to know is what kind of other things are there that I can do to make my dog more comfortable, confident and what if any sort of activities he might be able to do that would be beneficial.  He does still enjoy walks.

Response:

I recently found out that my 5 year old cocker mix (I think part retriever) has what is called PRA (progressive retinal atrophy). This essentially means that my dog has irreversibly gone blind due to a homozygous recessive gene he inherited from his carrier parents. I have all the info I need regarding the disease. I am looking for information/help as to how to deal with a young dog who is blind. I do not want to put him to sleep and am interested in  hearing from other people who have experience dealing with blind dogs. A companion dog is out of the question (he had a problem with other dogs even before he was blind). I know I shouldn’t move furniture around or move-what I want to know is what kind of other things are there that I can do to make my dog more comfortable, confident and what if any sort of activities he might be able to do that would be beneficial.  He does still enjoy walks.

Rebecca, It is my understanding that dogs handle blindness much better than humans do.  As long as you have him in familiar surroundings and don’t move things around or leave unexpected objects where he will bump them, he will likely adjust very well.  Of course, a leash is a must when away from home, but that is true for sighted dogs, as well.   There are instances of blind-from-birth bloodhounds who are fully competent trackers, so I’m sure your dog will do fine.  I have a six year old female cocker who has cataracts and glaucoma.  She is blind in her left eye, and when the right cataract fully develops, we will have to consider surgery.  Blindness is a real possibility with the glaucoma, but I know if her health is otherwise good, I would not put her down for blindness.   I’d say be sure to give him lots of physical attention, and keep up his exercise.  Fetch in a small area with a ball with a jingle bell in it would work, because he will be able to smell it.  He’ll hear where it went, get in the right area, and smell the ball.  Wonder about those little beepy balls they use for blind kids to play softball?   Good luck.  Your friend will need some extra attention, but he might well have plenty of good years left.   ( did you also post to rec.pets.dogs.health?) Lori — Ripley’s Den Page:  http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/1442 "In doG We Trust"

Response:

Related Posts

Write a comment