Poor Paris

[beachdog]

Poor Paris. Everyday I notice that his blindness is rapidly progressing. He is walking into doorways and table legs more often and doesn't seem to enjoy going for walks. He looses his bearings and doesn't know where I am or he is.
I am going to try to wear bells on my shoes so he can hear where I am. I have put in night lights and motion sensor lights but I don't think he can even see them anymore.
It's so sad to see him come in from outside, wanting back in but not sure where the door is.
He doesn't play football anymore because he can't find his toys.
He does enjoy the new squeaky hide a squirrels though.
If anyone else has this happening, or knows of any good support sites, I would greatly appreciate some help dealing with this.
Thanks for listening.

[kjc]

So sad, I'll keep you both in my prayers and hope you can find some solutions to help him...

[Maximo]

Poor Paris. I can imagine it is difficult to watch your little man deal with this. The bells on your shoes sound like a great idea. Does he follow your voice too? That is the only suggestion I can think of -- talking to him a lot.

I'm sure someone with firsthand experience will post some info for you.

[Sammy Mommy]

How heartbreaking for you and Paris. The bells on the shoes sounds like a great idea. Keeping you and Paris in my prayers.

[south]

Very sorry. And don't move any furniture around. I had friends with a Shih Tzu who lived for years after he lost both eyes, and did well as long as nothing was moved.

[yorkieusa]

I know it's hard to see him lose his sight and having problems dealing with it. If you haven't already, please check these out:

blinddogs : Owners of Blind dogs

www.blinddog.info • Index page

Living With Blind Dogs: A Resource Book and Training Guide for the Owners of Blind and Low-Vision Dogs, Second Edition - Dog Book Reviews - Dog Forums - I-Love-Dogs.com

[ArmaniMan]

I thought he was already completely blind? If he isn't he really should be put on a supplement to try and slow it down- every extra week of sight can help with the adjustment.

[beachdog]

When he was first diagnosed in Dec the vet said he could probably see shadows. I don't think he can see anything now. Supplements would not have helped. It progressed too quickly.

[beachdog]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I know it's hard to see him lose his sight and having problems dealing with it. If you haven't already, please check these out:

blinddogs : Owners of Blind dogs

www.blinddog.info • Index page

Living With Blind Dogs: A Resource Book and Training Guide for the Owners of Blind and Low-Vision Dogs, Second Edition - Dog Book Reviews - Dog Forums - I-Love-Dogs.com

Yes I have seen these sites. Thanks.

[Sweet Girls]

I'm sorry to hear about Paris' challenges, but try to remember that dogs don't use their sight like humans do. We depend a great deal on sight, while dogs use sense of smell first and then hearing. I think the bells are a great idea...and I have seen shows where you can train your dog to find his way around by scent. So for example you might pick one or two scents that you will use on a regular basis, one for "safe" and one for "unsafe". For example a little lemon oil mixed with water and sprayed along the path from outside to inside (by the door) can be used to help him find his way. You won't need a lot, but it will have to be reapplied on a regular basis. Then another scent can be used to mark "unsafe/dangerous" areas such as the top of the stairs...you have to then train him that that specific scent means be careful...spray it on a piece of rug and then as he walks over to it, pull him back with the leash saying "No or Stop"...eventually he'll learn that that specific scent means don't go there...Well you get the idea...there are lots of creative ways to change the way you live and he lives to help you both adapt to the changing circumstances, and interact in a new way with the world. We can learn so much from our dogs about adapting to new ways of doing things...dogs never just lay in bed and give up...they get up and get going....So although I'm sorry he is facing this challenge, enjoy the journey that he'll take you on as he re-learns the way the world works and you'll see the world in shades of "smell" instead of colour

Marg

[FlDebra]

I went through this with my dachshund. She was 17 1/2 years old when she passed. Still miss that girl! She was a part of the family for a very long time. At the end she went blind and deaf. It was difficult for her to get around, but she could make it fine from her bed to the food/water and to the door to go outside until right at the end when I had to physically carry her out for potty. I guess she just made it by memory and I made sure not to change the location of her bed or food/water bowls. Bells would not have helped as Katie went deaf before her eyesight went.

I don't know of any advice except to be more vigilant and patient. Their sense of smell is their most acute and I always wondered if that was what Katie was using to find her way around. I am not sure how you could use that to help, but maybe having specific scents near things she needs would help? But then she should be able to smell you -- that doesn't sound right! But you know what I mean -- they can usually sniff out their owners, not that we "smell" but we do have personal scents that their super-noses can usually detect. So, I wonder if she is losing the sense of smell too if she is having trouble finding you?

[Roccosmommy]

I'm so sorry for what your little guy is going through and hope you both find solutions for an eventual transition. I did see a Caesar Milan episode with a blind yorkie (who was fairly young, not frail) who turned very insecure and would just stay in his crate and bark. I don't remember all of the specifics, but the general lesson was that the owner was cottling the dog too much (because she felt so bad for him), not being the pack leader or offering any discipline, which led the dog to his over the top insecurity. Caesar's advice was to treat the dog (and any dog with a handicap) like you always would and give them the leadership and attention they need to stay secure, while not giving up your alpha-dog role. They also sense your worry and fear, which feeds into theirs.

Of course all is easier said than done and I can't imagine going through it, but I just wanted to wish you well and give you a head's up to what I saw on the show.