Our sweeet little almost 12 year-old Shih Tzu went blind about 5 weeks ago. The eye specialist diagnosed it as Progressive Retinal Disease with some SARDS mixed in?? He has not had any major symptoms i.e. excessive water consumption or drooling. He has gained weight, but mainly because he no longer likes to go out for his 2x daily walks.
About 2 months ago, we did notice him slowing down on his daily walks. A few days later, we noticed he missed a step walking down onto our driveway. One night after that, he walked to the end of our driveway, then just sat down and looked confused. He has become much more tired and times, disoriented. He is just not the same little goofball he was. He is still a lover and likes to be around our family but he is just not the little goofball he was…. He is not wild about going outside — at all (not sure what we’re going to do in the winter with snow on the ground).
Prior to his going blind, we bought him 2 activity boards from Amazon (Trixie) and he LOVES them. He had them mastered prior to going blind, but I continue to put some of his food in them and he really his “puzzles”. He also has a food dispensing ball he likes to roll around on the floor. We play “monkey in the middle” with him and walk him in a stroller;-). I measure his entire days food into one container and that’s what I use for his 2 meals and for the kibble in his puzzles.
I read somewhere that, depending up on the age of the dog, the breed, how long the dog was “sighted”, it can take 3-6 months for dogs to adjust to being blind. I hopeful he will improve. He is doing ok right now, but he is just not the same dog he was two months ago.
I am looking forward to gaining better insight into my life with Truman. He is a neat little guy and we will love on him and take the very best care of him we can, but it has been a challenge — both mentally and physically.
Best,
Michele
My 10 year old longhaired dachshund became blind due to Sards 2 months ago. She also has gained weight, become very lethargic and refuses to go on walks, which she always loved prior to her blindness. We bought her muffin’s halo and that has not helped. She navigates well in our house and fenced in back yard. Any suggestions to encourage her to go on walks?
Have you got yourself a copy of the Living with Blind Dogs book by Caroline Levin? Well worth it if you have a dog with SARDs.
Thanks I will definitely look into the book