He is Blind!!!

[iluvmyboys]

My world has taken a rapid down hill my dog the one that I post most of my questions about was great on Sunday afternoon we went for a ride and to a huge park he had lots of fun. Mondayy he was great still happy from the trip then Tuesday horrible afternoon at 2:00 pm he started to bump into things I knew something was terrible wrong so I rush him to the doctors (a very unsupported vet) and they said he is indeed Blind!!! WHAT WENT WRONG? they took some blood work and the result were in that it might be inflammation? or not? its like what do I do? they "think" this doctors doesnt know anything!!!!! that Snoopy might be blind due to old age he is 11 years old... i am heartbroken cant hardly see myself my eyes are swollen I havent slept I just need to know what do I do? Med help family please help me... help him help me help my true love Snoopy!!! thank you

[dominosarah]

The beagle is going blind and very hard of hearing........she gets along quite well as her nose is still in good working order.  She does lots of sniffing and can still sniff out anything.  I do carry her up the stairs at night when it is time to go to bed as she does struggle on the steps and i dont want her to fall.  I also come up to her and place my hand on her tummy if she is sleeping so i dont startle her.  They adapt to whatever is going on with them it seems.  She will be 12 in a couple months and still continues to amaze me everyday......give Snoopy a big hug from the beagle and i........sara

[Ghilly]

I know that you're very worried about Snoopy, you wouldn't be a good dog mom if you weren't, but keep in mind that blindness is not the end of the world for a dog.  If this is something that is going to be permanent, he will quickly adjust to the layout in your home and in a short time I guarantee you, you will forget that he has lost his sight.  Dogs rely heavily on their noses, much more so than humans, and do AMAZINGLY well even after they lose their sight.  As long as you don't change around the furniture frequently in your home, as I said, he will quickly adjust and before long he'll be navigating around with no problem at all.  In fact, you'll find yourself questioning whether or not he actually IS blind, he'll do so well.

Dogs and cats adjust extremely well to situations like blindness or losing a limb.  Unlike humans, they don't concern themselves with what they have lost, they simply look at it like "this is life now, so let's live it".  They don't deal with vanity things like appearances, it matters not to them if they are not physically perfect.  Unlike humans, they don't think "I will never see my master's face again", they think "ah, yes, that's my mom's smell.  She's home!"  So PLEASE don't torture yourself by worrying about what Snoopy has lost, instead allow yourself to be continually amazed by how well he just goes about his life, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he can no longer see.  And I promise you, you WILL be amazed.  

Ghilly

[ginger899]

Please don't be too sad. This is a horrible thing to happen to him, and so suddenly. But he is alive and still with you, loves you, and you love him. Those are the big things that count.

I am not sure what might have caused his sudden blindness. Could he have had a mini-stroke, perhaps? These things can strike without warning.

He's not terribly old at 11. I doubt it would have been caused by 'old age'.

I don't mean to sound hard about this upsetting thing, but believe it or not, he will get used to not being able to see. At first he will be somewhat confused, and will need a little extra support. But I presume his hearing is still ok? And for dogs, their sense of smell is so powerful, they use it similar to the way we use our eyesight. So do not give up hope. And don't feel distressed too deeply. He will sense that, and it might make him worried.

It might be a good idea to get tests done with a vet you feel good confidence in. To find out if any health problem could lie behind what has just happened, and hopefully, get it treated.

You'll be alright. Get some good sleep. Get Snoopy on the bed with you. Give him a big hug!