How do you raise a blind puppy?

[kansas_twister]

i usually just take a cup to half cup of water, if it's to weak i'll add more teatree oil

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Quote:
Hey Kansas, you have what is known as a "lethal white". Letal because it's the result of the breeding that causes the puppies to be born blind, deaf or both. Many of these puppies are put to death at an early age. Breeders who don't know what they are doing or who don't care, breed blue merle to blue merle(coat color-lots of white with lots of spots) or red merle to reb merle to get the desired coat colors. The merle is actually a genetic defect in itself.

While it's not as common in Aussie Cattle Dogs, it's more common in Aussie Shepherds. They are 2 totally different breeds but have some common ancestors down the line of their breeding. Dalmation for one. Many Dalmations are born deaf. Many Dalmation puppies were put to death after everyone wanted one when the movie 101 Dalmations came out.

Not everyone can handle a special needs pet. Ya'll are a special group!!!

 

[AccidentalFarm]

Quote:
Well, thanks for that. I'm not sure I'm really part of that special group, though. I honestly thought the pup would have to be put down. I've got a one eyed cat, a one eyed rat, and had a one eyed horse, but never a blind animal. I didn't think the pup would be able to adapt.
He is really something else, though. What a courageous little guy he has turned out to be. I feel awful for him, but at the same time, he amazes me with his will to continue being a rambunctious, normal little puppy. I suppose he is 'special needs', but he is teaching me way more than I am teaching him.

 

[ozark hen]

you are my hero!!

How to raise a blind animal? With a sighted animal that they bond with. No problem! Don't move furniture, etc. and they will do fine. Let them live the best life they can have, they don't know they are blind! I have a three legged dog who has no clue he is different and he is our favorite Shih-Tzu out of four of them|!!!

I used to have a blind dog that just followed Oliver around and I never moved anything.

 

[mamagoose]

I had a blind Doberman puppy.
Mother died at childbirth. Thought blindness was due to supplemental milk.
Other puppies were fine though. A local breeder was given three of them to be nursed by her Jack Russell terrier. Our Vet contacted me about possibly taking this puppy. We had lost a Lab of 13 yrs that winter to cancer and my mother had just died a month earlier.
I too was concerned about a blind puppy. The vet asked us knowing we had a big yard and very little possibility of ever moving, so the pup wpuld not have many adjustments.

Turns out dogs don't rely very much on sight anyway.

I thought he won't get into as much. wrong!!! He could sniff a slipper or my daughters hair scrunchies a mile away! However he was often when really excited, prone to running into walls. Often just a little off and missing the doorways!

More often than not no one ever noticed his blindness. He was a dear swwet wonderful pet. Unfortunately, he had Von wildebrans desease and was bleeding internally and didn't live to his second year. We still miss him.

I would not think twice about adopting a blind dog again!

mama goose

 

[lostinthewoods]

My mom just had to put her 15 yr old dog down. She was blind and for the most part deaf. Since she was used to the house she knew where things were at. We just had a routine that she got used to and lived for about 5-6 years that way. Her nose took over most of her activities like finding the food and water. She did not like to climb stairs and did run into things quite a bit at the end, but that was due to her body giving up basically. She was always happy and did enjoy playing with our other dogs yet although they learned to bring her the toys so she could play too.

I wish you all the luck in the world and really hope the little one gets his sight back.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

I'm happy to report that Blaze has regained some of his sight. He's not 100%, and may never be, but we are just thrilled that he's recovered any of it.

 

[cheapcheap_jeepjeep]

That is great news. I hope he keeps getting better over time.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

That is excellent!

 

[Wolfpacker]

I got a deaf dalmation at the pound back in 1992. He lived to be 13 years old. Knew hand signals and "listened" better than most dogs. I have his picture on my desk right now and miss him.

Don't know which is worse for a dog: blindness or deafness, but I'm sure yours can adapt.