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         Blindness in the Canine          

 talalogoa
 
Helping Your Dog Cope With Blindness
Hints for living with a blind dog
PupLight

  Helping Your Dog Cope with Blindness

Note:  The article below chronicles the onset, progress and eventual loss of vision due to glaucoma in one Italian Greyhound.  Glaucoma is not a common problem in IGs.  However, in any breed there are a number of disorders that can crop up...usually with age...that do result in a dog going blind.  This article is intended to help any owner of any dog of any breed cope a little better with a visually impaired dog.  The particular dog discussed in this article is Pony Haven George Longhouse, an 11 year old Italian Greyhound.  His glaucoma is NOT the result of a poor breeding program.  Sometimes we have a tendency to blame breeders for everything.  There is no such thing as a genetically perfect dog that will live forever.  Aside from his blindness George is a 100% healthy little dog. He is a playful, normal, happy IG and he does not regard blindness as a handicap.  This story has a happy ending!!!     6/10/07  

My most sincere thanks to Judy for allowing me to share Georgie's story with you.  I sincerely hope you never need to follow the advice below, but should you need it, the information and advice that Judy has compiled here will be invaluable to you.

 George's story
A few short weeks ago my Italian Greyhound, George, experienced a sudden, complete and permanent loss of vision due to glaucoma.  There is a difference between canine chronic glaucoma and acute glaucoma.  With chronic glaucoma the vision loss is gradual.  Eventually the eye may or may not need to be removed.     Acute glaucoma with high enough pressure can result in sudden and permanent blindness and also the complete loss of the eye in emergency surgery.    With acute glaucoma the loss of vision can be SUDDEN and DEVASTATING!!  George's veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Kent Burgesser,  refers to any kind of glaucoma...but most especially acute glaucoma, as “a terrible, terrible disease”.  There still has not been enough research into the origins of  glaucoma and no one really understands the exact cause.  Diagnosing glaucoma in the earliest stages is also tough.  In early glaucoma there is often no increase in eye pressure.  A dog can't give the type of feedback necessary for a field vision test.  Eye pressure also fluctuates from hour to hour.  Although your own veterinarian may initially detect glaucoma…accurately diagnosing and managing this disease is best handled by a Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist.
 
With most eye diseases the loss of vision is gradual.  Knowing that your dog has PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), cataracts, retinal inflammation, corneal disease or chronic glaucoma is more devastating for you than for your dog.  Time is a great healer....and gradual vision loss is easier for your dog to cope with than sudden.  People who already had blind dogs kept telling me that George's blindness would be more emotionally upsetting for me than for him.  That's because most eye diseases that terminate in blindness are gradual.  Most owners of blind dogs have gone through a gradual process of vision loss with their dogs.  I can tell you for sure that sudden, permanent blindness was every bit as traumatic for Georgie as it was for me.  He was devastated.
 
That's the bad news.  Here's the good news.  With top notch veterinary care, medication, meticulous attention, sensitivity to emotional needs, lots of snuggling and love....it is possible for a dog to eventually regard blindness as a relatively minor problem.  Even a dog with sudden onset blindness can adjust.  Every day can be a happy one for a blind dog....and ABILITY triumphs over disability.  In hindsight.... had I known then what I know now....much of my own misery could have been spared.

In cases of instant blindness the physical healing is the easy part for your dog.  Canine emotional healing after sudden and devastating loss of vision can take much longer than physical healing. For a sighthound the sudden vision loss is especially traumatic.  However, Georgie has managed to emotionally recoup himself in only 6 weeks.  This morning was the final triumph.  He was able to take the lead walking on leash.  My other Italian Greyhound,  Gracie, is back to following George!  WAHOO!!!  

Over the past few weeks, though, life was not always so rosy.  George was depressed.  His little tail barely wagged.  His appetite was poor.  He would not drink from his water dish.  There were lots of unusual housetraining “accidents”.   He would not walk on leash.  There were many times when he didn’t even want to be held.  I decided that George would recover from this depression sooner rather than later and that he could indeed be helped.  With the help, skill, knowledge, love and support of our wonderful veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Kent Burgesser , and  by doing some reading plus using a generous dose of common sense….George has made the transition from sight to blindness relatively easily.   Here are a few suggestions to help your dog better cope with vision loss:
 
1.  Don't move anything.  Even while your dog is healing...don't try moving the feeding dish closer to his bed in order to make things "easier".   From day one… try to keep physical objects in your home exactly where the dog would expect them to be.
 
2.  After eating your own meal, make sure to push the chairs back in under the table.
 
3.  Don't leave your cast off sneakers or other debris on the floor.   Keep all floor areas as clear and as stable as possible.  Try to keep every object exactly where the dog has come to expect it to be.
 
4.  Watch out for stairs and erect barriers.  It is easy for a blind dog to fall down the stairs...at least at first.   If you have a pool....make sure your dog has no access to that either.  A blind dog could fall in and drown.
 
5.  Realize that it's going to take YOU time to cope with your dog's sudden blindness and that the emotional suffering is shared.  However, KEEP YOUR SUFFERING TO YOURSELF.  If you're going to burst into tears....do it privately out of your dog's range of hearing.  Dogs are very sensitive to human emotion.  Make sure that you keep your emotional energy POSITIVE especially during the time when the dog is trying to cope with the onset of blindness.
 
6.  BE POSITIVE!!!!  BE ENCOURAGING!!! BE LOVING!!!!!   Your dog's emotional needs at this point are at least as important as his physical needs.  He needs lots of lap time,  petting and soothing remarks from you.
 
7.  Talk to your dog A LOT!!!  He needs to hear your voice.  Discuss everything with him. The more you talk...the more comforted he will feel.
 
8.  Put a bell on your other pets.  This will help your dog to know where other family members are.
 
9.  ROUTINE ROUTINE ROUTINE!!!  Dogs are creatures of habit.  They're happiest when living within a structure of expected events.  Blind dogs are incredibly appreciative of routine and stability.
 
10.  Be SENSITIVE.  Your dog doesn't communicate in words....but make no mistake about it...he DOES communicate!   Be sensitive to how he's feeling.  Be sensitive to his needs.  Be sensitive to his emotions.  Sometimes he'll want to be left alone.  Other times he'll crave lap time.  Do your best to fulfill those needs.
 
Your reward for all this special care will be overwhelming joy.  This morning my heart is singing!!!!  Georgie is back to:  1.  talking walks and being thrilled to go "bye bye"  2.  drinking water out of his own dish (for weeks after his surgery I had to give him water by syringe.  He quit drinking)  3.  begging for treats  4. regularly using both the litterbox and the back yard 5.  wagging his tail almost constantly  and 6.  being the NORMAL, happy, affectionate little dog that I love to distraction.
 
There are worse things that can happen to your dog than blindness...even sudden blindness.  If something like this ever happens to you and your best friend remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Remember that happy days will come again.   And remember that true vision is in the heart and soul....not in the eyes.
 
reprinted with kind permission from Judy Longhouse LonghouseJ@aol.com mother of George THE GREAT!
MANY MANY THANKS to three wonderful board certified veterinary opthalmologists:  Dr. Kent Burgesser, PhD DVM Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists;  Dr. Daniel Priehs DVM Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists; and Dr. Heidi Denis DVM Diplomate American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists!!!!  Many thanks also to three skilled and caring veterinarians:   Dr. Beth Jamison, DVM, DVSc;  Dr. David Gunderson DVM,  Dr. William J. Falcheck, DVM…George’s primary care veterinarian.   This group represents THE BEST in veterinary medicine!
 
WEB SITES:
http://www.blinddogs.com - Gives ideas on living with blind dogs
http://www.petcarebooks.com - This site offers a few books about blind dogs.  with blind dogs and then
http://www.i-love-dogs.com/dog/rivers - This site is about Rivers, a racing blind sled dog. 
http://www.pepedog.com - These owners have designed and are marketing a hoop on a harness that can be used to help blind dogs move around more confidently in familiar and even unfamiliar environments.
http://www.doggles.com/ - Doggles are basically sunglasses made to be worn by dogs. They can protect the eyes from trauma, reduce glare, or relieve light sensitivity.

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HINTS FOR LIVING WITH A BLIND DOG

Sharilyn Burghart
http://angelvest.homestead.com

New to the family

First, get down on the floor and crawl around at the dog's eye level to find anything that might be dangerous.

Have children crawl around blindfolded to see what it will be like for their new playmate.

Try to have something familiar to the dog -- toy, blanket, bed, etc. -- for comfort in a strange new place.

If you have time, provide the dog with something with your scent on it at least a few days before getting the dog.

Decide on a specific area that will the dog's home base; an area where it can be contained. Consider having a crate there for it to sleep and eat in.

Get Living with Blind Dogs by Caroline Levin  (http://www.petcarebooks.com)

Join the Blinddogs list at Yahoo!Groups   (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blinddogs)


Padding furniture and corners

Bubble wrap taped around table legs, wall or cabinet corners, etc.

Batting from the fabric store

Foam pipe insulation from the home center plumbing dept.


Provide a base

Keep a bed in rooms the dog is most comfortable -- maybe one in the bedroom and one in the family room.

A crate with an open door provides a safe haven.

Put a mat under food and water dishes.


Stairs - stepping off into the unknown

Use baby gates, decorative fireplace screens, etc. to block off stairs.

Don't push. A traumatic fall can cause a permanent fear. Give it time.

A treat (piece of kibble) on each step or two going down.

Stand in front of the dog and hook your finger lightly in the collar or harness. Encourage, but try not to pull the dog down the steps.

Practice going up and down until it's done smoothly.

Put mats at the top and bottom of stairs.

If you use a ramp, make sure there is a raised edge so the dog doesn't step off the side.


Outside, Landmarks inside and out

Small wind chime at the back door

Path" of carpet runners or heavy rubber shelf liner

Mat under bowls; door mats at doors, steps, and stairs

Scents on danger areas (vanilla, citrus, furniture polish, etc.) It doesn't need to be strong, a dog's sense of smell is much better than yours.

If your dog runs into things in unfamiliar areas, use a Littlest Angel Vest to protect the head/nose

Use Doggles* or an Eye Shield* to protect the eyes or prevent a blinding glare in bright light for dogs with cataracts and some vision (http://www.doggles.com/ )


Guiding

Harnesses seem to work best, and should always be used instead of a collar for dogs with glaucoma.

Pass a leash through a length of PVC pipe for a rigid guide

Doggie door: hold the door open and lure the dog through with a treat

Work on vocabulary: "careful", Watch!", "step up", "step down", "find it", etc.


Getting along

Bell -- on your pant leg so the dog knows where you are

Bells -- on other animals in the house

Crate to retreat to, that is safe and familiar

Try to speak to or lightly blow on the dog (not in its ear) before touching

Aggression may be due to a feeling of vulnerability, but it my also be caused by pain, a thyroid condition, or other physical problems. Time for a vet check.

Confusion and reversing day/night may be signs of senility. Look into OTC phosphatidylserine (PS) or Rx Anipryl.


Emotions (Google these for info on them)

Flower Essences (Anaflora for your dog, Bach for you and/or your dog) can help.

Anxiety Wrap can take the edge off

D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) mimics a natural comforting pheromone produced by mother dogs


Toys and play and exercise

Emphasize sound and smell

Roll-A-Treat Ball (dispenses treats as it rolls),  balls and toys, such as Play-N-Speak Interactive Dog Toys,  with recordings in them (NOT unattended), scented balls & toys

Have a special long leash to use in a wide open area for running in a safe circle around you

Slow down on walks -- smelling around means more now

A long hall makes a good "runway" for a game of fetch

A large rigid plastic pool with a large ball in it to chase round and round

Go find it"  -- hide smelly treats
unable to contact author
http://angelvest.homestead.com
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WELCOME TO THE HOME OF PUPLIGHT

PupLight is a unique new product that represents one of the most important advances in canine safety. PupLight is a light that provides more illumination than any other product in its category. PupLight:
1.  Makes your dog visible 1/4 mile so traffic will see him and you can find him at night

2.  Alows you to see 10 - 20 feet ahead when you walk your dog at night

3.  Helps older dogs (10+) and dogs with poor vision see better

PupLight's patented design features include:
Three ultra-bright LED's - light up to 200 feet and make dogs visible at night
Rugged, water resistant construction - gives years of service to even the most active dogs. Warranted unconditionally 1 year
Easy-on adjustable elastic band - assures a proper fit for any size dog.
Let PupLight Keep Your Dog Safe

Benefits
Keeps Both You and Your Dog Safe Since It Allows Drivers to See You at Night
Convenient, Provides Illumination So You Don't Need To Carry a Flashlight
Allows You To See Where Your Stepping and What Your Dog's Getting Into
Makes You Feel Safer At Night Since You Are More Visible
Allows You to See Your Dog When He's Outside Your House at Night
Helps You Locate Your Dog If It Runs Off and Keeps It Safe From Cars If It Does
Extends the Amount of Time You and Your Dog Can Safely Walk
Helps dogs with poor vision see better
New, Unique, Makes a Great Gift !!!
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Specifications
Small:
1 ½” High x 2 “ Wide 
Lightweight:
Weights 2.5 Ounces
Very Bright Long Lasting Light
 Has 3 Ultra-Bright White LED's
Illuminates Up To 200 Feet In Front of Dog and 70 Feet to the Side
Dog Can Be Seen Coming 3 Blocks Away and 1 1/2 Blocks From Behind
Light Shines Brightly for Over 150 Hrs
Rim Keeps Light From Shining in Dog's Eyes
Durable
Made of Polycarbonate Plastic and Nylon 
Water Resistant
 If It Starts To Rain or if Light Gets Splashed On It
Easy To Use
Comes With Adjustable Elastic Band Worn Below Existing Collar:
Easily Slips Over the Dog's Head or Use Side Release Buckles
Keeps Light From Moving When Leash Is Pulled To One Side 
Adjustable
 Adjustable Light Should Be Set So Brightest Light Shines 5 - 15 Feet in Front of the Dog
Collar Attachment
Keeps Hair Away From Light
Keeps Light Low Beneath Dog's Head 
Replaceable Batteries
 Uses 3 AAA Batteries – Inexpensive, Readily Available
Batteries Last Over 24 Hours. 


PupLights Come In Red, Silver, Blue and Black
Red
 Silver
 Blue
 Black
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PupLight Awards
PupLight was introduced March 2004 at the American Pet Product Manufacturer's Trade show where it was named one of 12 "Top Dogs" of the show - out of 600 new products. APPMA Press Release 2004

The new improved PupLight (twice as bright and with new packaging was again named one of Hottest New Products at the 2005 Global Pet Expo.  (APPMA Press Release 2005 )

PupLight was voted in the top 5% of new products at the Petco Trade Show 2004.

PupLight was named Editor's Choice by Pet Product News for 2004/2005

Endorsed by the American Canine Association, AKC and Pet Weekly

Chosen by HGTV and ABC News Gadget Guru as best new product 2006

U.S. Secret Service started using PupLights on their dogs in 2006

Blue Ribbon, Best Product 2006 Iowa Pet Expo

Named Dog Safety Product of 2007 by the National Dog Day Foundation

ORCA Communications “Best Pet Products 2007” PR Campaign

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Adjusting PupLight

Dogs Hold Their Head at Different Angles When They Walk Therefore We Made The Angle of The Light Adjustable.

Put Puplight Around Your Dogs Neck.
Adjust the Light So The Light Shines Straight Out.
Normally position PupLight beneath the dog's existing collar.
Always keep Puplight beneath a choke chain

PupLight can be worn two ways: Below the band or on the band. See below.
puplightextension1
puplightextension2
To make wearing PupLight easy for small dogs simply unscrew the hinge using a small Phillips head screwdriver (not included) and rotate and band 180-degrees. Reattach PupLight using the screw (now from opposite side). Screw in round end, nut in hex end. See illustrations.

Long-haired dogs, dogs that hold their heads down when they walk or use a choke chain should probably attach the PupLight below the band.

Adjusting the Elastic Band:
Dog's Necks Range From 6 to 26 inches in diameter. Therefore we have included with PupLight a long band which can be cut to fit your dog.

For bigger dogs utilize both sides attached. Easily shorten or lengthen fit using band adjustments. To shorten band for smaller dogs unclip the back extension and attach one side of the band to itself. Adjust as needed. Band should be snug around dog's neck.

Hints:
Its is easier to adjust the band while off the dog. puplightadjustable
The band should fit snuggle, if the PupLight wobbles, it may be too loose.
The PupLight is most secure if attached were the band is doubled.

Replacing Batteries
Flip PupLight upside down and press down between "ON/OFF" switch and back panel until gap appears. Once gap appears,DO NOT PULL FRONT & BACK SIDES OF PUPLIGHT APART. Slide front cover toward you until battery component is revealed. Place three AAA batteries in compartment. Then line the front and back sides of PupLight together, making sure the groove along the rear edge of the cover fits into the corresponding groove on the back panel. Press on the front cover bottom by switch until the two sides click together.



UK Stockists
ENGLAND
IRELAND
Beechwood Farm
Hodgetts Lane
Berkswell
Coventry
West Midlands CV7 7DG
Contact: Miss Emma Clare Fisher
ecfischer@hotmail.com
Animal Barn Website
The Canny Company
Highfields House
Worleston Cheshire
CW5 6DV
0870-444-0543
sean@cannyco.com
The Canny Company Website
Mollycoddles Pet Care LTD
87 Moulsham Street
Chelmsford, Essex
U.K. CM2 0JF
44 1245 255595
Pet Products & Services
Irish online petshop
We specialise in innovative products
Irish Website
E-mail: info@petproductsandservices.ie
Phone 086 3624021
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Copyright ©2003 PupLight
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Angel Vest~
The White Cane for Blind Dogs
Drinkwell Pet Fountain
Sound helps the dog find the water
Eye Shield
eye protection for dogs
Blind dog Dealing with New Skills
Books and DVD's
 Blind Dogs.net
 Twix
Blind Puppy Mill Rescue Dog
 Movies of the Hoop in action
Tufts Articles
Featuring many Hoops
 Making a Harness and Hoop for a Blind Dog
 Blind Dog Info
 Toy for Blind Dogs


Join
Yahoo Groups Blinddogs List
 A Yahoo list group for owners of dogs with Blindness, a great source for information and support

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chloebutton  talabutton  

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.