Blindness in a Border Collie

TheBlaaMan

Our 3 y.o. Border Collie has been diagnosed with progressive retinal atrophy, and we have been told that he has only 6-12 months before he looses vision completely. He was a rescue, and has always had poor eyesight, so I guess its something that started when he was very young. Although very expensive, there is the option of putting him on Ocu-Glo which can apparently delay the loss of his sight. I know that blindness is common enough in dogs and that he will cope - but what extent will it change his life? I put a lot of time into training him and he is excellent walking off a lead, with good road sense etc.

We are devastated that such a lively dog will loose his sight, and I'd welcome advice from anyone who has a blind dog: what kind of a quality of life he can enjoy, so anything that you can offer by way of help would be gratefully appreciated.

Also, if anyone has experience of Ocu-Glo ,it would be great to hear from you.

Thanks !

Nody

Well I don't have a blind dog but I got an 90% blind, 80% deaf, epileptic foster cat of 6 months (due to a Q$&"R)&( dog owner who thought it would be "fun" to set his dog on a defenceless kitten of 3 months which has caused nerve damage from the bite and shaking). I was in a similar position of asking what quality of life could such a cat have and I can now say a very good one. She's playing with our other cats, run around our apartment and climb like any other of our cats. Yes she sometimes misjudge a jump and is more cautious when going up/down etc. but she don't her issues stop her.

The main things you'd need to be careful about would be to set a routine for the dog to follow so that it feels comfortable being outside and "know" the area. You don't want it to feel uncomfortable and if you got two dogs the second help may step in to help the first. Most important though is to be there for the dog and don't make a big fuss about the change but keep on going with it to not scare it.

Valetta

We had a dog that went completely blind.

Our vet said that after a short while the dog "forgets" that it could ever see, so there is no distress involved. It thinks it's perpectly normal.

They adapt very quickly. I think the most important thing is to talk, talk,talk all the time. This gives them security in knowing you are around.

If you stick to roughly the same route when walking the dog, they will become very familiar and feel perfectly at ease.

Our dog quickly learned words like "road", "step" "cars" etc. and knew to be careful.

In general they just learn to be cautious when walking around so as not to bump into things.

SillyMangoX

I would get him used to walking on lead again because walking off lead just isn't good for blind dogs, they could walk into a tree, stumble out on the road etc. another thing would be to put a different scented candle in each room while he can still see so he associates different rooms with different smells so he has a good idea where he is, putting down mats outside doors or before steps within the house is also a good idea so he can gauge where abouts he is or if he needs to step up/down or is entering a new room!

TheBlaaMan

Good advice, thanks all. We understand that life will change and adjust for him - probably quicker than for us. He walks on the lead too and I dont think that will be any difficulty in adjusting for either him or us.

Do blind dogs have any new/additional issues socialisng with other dogs that they meet on walks?

Millem

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

Good advice, thanks all. We understand that life will change and adjust for him - probably quicker than for us. He walks on the lead too and I dont think that will be any difficulty in adjusting for either him or us.

Do blind dogs have any new/additional issues socialisng with other dogs that they meet on walks?

My dog is now completely blind. She had cataracts removed but suffered nerve damage. We tried ocu glo for 1 month as that is all insurance would cover and honestly it didn't make any difference. I think they were €80 for a 1 month supply. She then was on a blood pressure tablet called istin which is meant to help the eyes. She then got glaucoma and can't see a thing! She is now on special
Drops to try and relive eye pressure and hopefully wont have to remove eyes. She is coping very well in the house but not good outside! If there is a change/bump in the path or curbs she tries to lie/crouch down. I think I need to adjust as I forget she can't see. If I let her walk into drive off the lead to get into the car she will walk straight into it. In relation to stranger dogs she doesn't really like them coming up to her. Overall I would say she has gotten crankier! Like if she drops her ball (she always wants to hold a ball in her mouth on a walk) she will stand and stare into space and howl until you put it in her mouth!!