How to Care for a Blind and Deaf Dog
Dogs are like people. They, too, can suffer from impaired hearing or vision. Whether that happens at birth or because of old age, owners must rise to the challenge and learn how to care for and communicate with their blind and/or deaf canine. A few small changes can go a long way to ensuring your dog leads a long and happy life.
Instructions
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Blind
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1
Determine vision loss. Indications that your dog may be experiencing vision loss include extreme tearing and discharge or if the eye is red, irritated, puffy, milky or discolored. Notice also if the pupil is enlarged, if your dog is squinting or rubbing the irritated eye. Contact your vet if your dog exhibits any of these characteristics.
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2
Eliminate dangers by removing anything from your home that could be potentially harmful or dangerous to your canine. If your dog has lost his sight as a result of aging keep furniture and other familiar objects in place to make navigating easier.
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3
Gate the stairs. Baby gates are a safe way to deny your dog access to stairs and other restricted areas, such as swimming pools, when you are not close by. Your dog should be on lead or in a fenced area when he is outside.
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4
Create a safe haven. Put your pet's bed or crate in a quiet spot so he can feel safe and secure when company comes, or there is lots of activity that makes him nervous.
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5
Get your dog's attention. Be sure your dog is looking at you before giving a command. Put a few pennies in an empty aluminum can and shake it to attract your blind dog's attention. Stomping your foot is an effective attention-getter also.
Deaf
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6
Determine any hearing loss. Indications that your dog may be experiencing hearing loss include disobedience, inability to process familiar sounds, personality changes, and irritated, tender ears. Contact your vet if you think your dog is exhibiting these symptoms.
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7
Learn to communicate. Choose a uniform set of hand signals that require only one hand to execute and are clearly visible from a distance.
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8
Make your presence known. You can avoid startling your pet by stroking or rubbing its back or shoulders when you enter a room. A flickering light also will get his attention.
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9
Keep your dog safe. As with a visually impaired dog, your deaf canine should be on lead or in a fenced area when he is outside.
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Tips & Warnings
Vision problems, such as glaucoma, respond to medication.
Many canines suffering from vision or hearing loss lead full and contented lives.
Instruct children on caring for a blind and/or deaf pet.
Your dog should be marked with some form of identification, such as tags or a microchip.
Some forms of hearing loss can be treated.
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Comments
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My Joey is a 16 yr old toy poodle, he is 90% deaf and blind. He's so cute. Virgnia, I am going to name my next dog Poppy!
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Mine is almost 19 and I am dealing with the same issues. Just keep him comfortable, scratch and rub his belly and let him know that you love him. His tail will tell you how he feels about that.
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My little friend is now 18, going on 19, almost blind, deaf and is losing teeth. He sleeps most of the time. His nose doesn't work too well either, I almost have to rub his nose on the treat, but his tail still works well when he realizes that he has found me. We are almost 'joined at the hip'. As long as he is in no pain I will take care of him until he just doesn't wake up one morning.
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My Tazz is a high energy german shepherd who is sight and hearing impaired. I went on petfidners looking for a service dog for Taz that would fit in with our life style. I found a border collie on petfinder in one of the shlelters that was do to be euthanized. I took taz to meet shadow and they became fast friends. Shadow has tought Taz how to socialize with people and hellps us by letting taz knwo when to come in and alieviates seperation anxiety when we leave for work. jo
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my dog is now 15 and completely deaf and blind. what do I do?
