August 23rd is Blind Dog Day. This is a very important topic. Blindness isn’t the most common medical issue we see in our canine buddies, but it isn’t out of the ordinary, either. Roughly 300,000 American pups have impaired vision, according to data from 2010. Fido can still be as loyal, loving, and adorable as any other pooch, even if he can’t see well, though he will need some extra TLC. A local Roanoke, VA vet offers some advice on caring for a blind dog in this article.
Many pups that can’t see are just as happy and playful as those with perfect peepers. Dogs rely more on their ears and noses than they do their vision to begin with. Fido’s basic needs will be the same as those of any other dog: he’ll want food, walks, toys, belly rubs, bacon, and most of all, love. You may just need to do some things differently. For instance, you may want to get your furry pal a wearable bumper harness, which can keep him from running into things. Ask your vet for care tips.
Start with basic petproofing. Remove anything Fido shouldn’t eat or chew on, such as plastic bags, small or sharp objects, and toxic plants. Next, block off potential hazards, like pools, stairs, and fireplaces. Aside from that, it’s going to be about taking small steps to help your canine companion form a mental map of the house. Setting out carpet runners can help quite a bit. You may also want to get a running fountain your furry bff can hear, so he can find his bowls more easily.
Many people hesitate to adopt blind dogs, as they assume that Fido will need lots of extra care. However, once any wounds or infections are healed, your pet may not need any more appointments than any other pooch. In many cases, there are just small differences and accommodations to get used to. For instance, if you have children, make sure they understand not to leave bookbags or toys in the middle of the floor. (Ideally, you’d want to get your cat to stop sprawling out in the middle of the room, but that probably isn’t going to happen.) You may even find that caring for your perfectly-imperfect pet makes the bond between you even more special!
Do you suspect your canine friend has vision issues? Contact us, your Roanoke, VA animal clinic, today!
