Greta had her first vet visit of the year the other day and we learned some important information about our little rebound hound. The good news: she doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort from her 2007 back injury, and her heart is in nice shape (no murmur). The bad news: she has grown completely blind due to cataracts.Although we have known for a while that Greta's vision was limited, we didn't realize that she lost her sight entirely. I feel awful for not figuring it out sooner, but it's tough with a largely immobile dog. Because most of her walking takes place in the living room, she navigates pretty well. And she's super good at following scent trails and responding to sounds.
No one ever wants to hear that their dog has become blind, especially when they are already disabled. Still, we are trying our best to stay positive for Greta's sake. I know that sightless animals can still have happy, fulfilling lives, and we are making adjustments to help Greta feel as secure and comfortable as possible.
I found a great list of tips for living with a blind dog that include using a small fountain as a water bowl (the sound of the water will allow the pooch to find it easily) and outfitting other family pets with a bell or tags so that the blind dog can follow them around the house and hear their approach. I also found this handout from Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty Center to be helpful. If you have more advice/insight to share with us, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
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1 comment:
So sorry to hear about little Greta's sight, but it's hard to imagine a more caring environment for her than yours. I'm sure you will find ways to continue to make her life as full and enriched as it can be. It looks like you have already discovered blinddogs.com Friends who have had blind dogs recommend that site highly. Best to little Greta, and to you.
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