She's just nine, but had glaucoma and now is totally blind (July 08). I know they mean well but everybody keeps telling me (including my vets) that blind dogs do so well. I guess it depends on what your definition of "well " is. Her life was FULL, played with our other dog and we indulged her whenever possible. I'm convinced she's depressed. The thing is, now she's peeing in the house (even when we're home!) and the last three nights, she's barked all night long. And I'm not exaggerating....all night. All her needs had been met (stomach full, bladdder empty etc). She's always loved her kennel and no one sleeps well when she's in bed with us anyway. The blindness? It sucks but it is what it is. We do what we can but I'm at my wits end with the peeing. Is it temporary? Will it get worse? Is she just pissed off? (No pun intended). If anyone has any thoughts, I'd appreciate it. I sound kind of cold but believe me, it's been an emotional rollercoaster around here.

[lulusmom]

If your baby went blind in July and she is just now starting to have accidents in the house, it is very likely that she has a medical disorder. Could be a urinary tract infection, diabetes, cushing's, bladder stones, etc. Any one of these conditions can cause lethargy which would make it seem like she is depressed and some conditions can also cause behavioral changes. I think your vet would be the best person to determine what is going on with your little girl. A urinalysis and a chem blood panel would be in order.

I agree that a trip to the vet is in order. A urinalysis, chem panel, and thyroid profile would all be good, for starters. The barking could indicate the beginning of geriatric cognitive dysfunction, or could have just been her hearing something you couldn't, like a mouse.

Most dogs do amazingly well after going blind. I had a Dachshund who gradually went blind, and no one was the wiser until I rearranged the furniture. Then he started walking into things.

[Yogi]

I agree with the posters previously. I have had several dogs through rescue that came to me blind. Once they acquainted themselves with the lay out of the house and yard did extremely well. I have had others go blind that I have had for years and again, they adjusted fine. Patience is a key issue as the dog will not be totally the same but you owe it to them to allow the natural progression of instincts to take over. Dogs are extremely adaptable with these changes and given time will learn to continue a healthy lifestyle. I have a 8 year old female that came to me blind, she is able to navigate outside by herself and back in the house by herself. She literally just follows the scent and watching her in the yard she literally back tracks herself to the back door. In all I have had 5 blind dogs and would not have traded them for anything. They have been totally remarkable in their ability to adapt. You just need to encourage the dog and stay loyal to it. Seed to any medical issues and then start working on getting the dog to navigate around listening to your voice. As vetgroomer pointed out, do not move the furniture. Dogs have a very good memory for where things are. Going blind does not change the memory so the dog will still remember where furniture is. I had one that we nicknamed "Rumba" after the robotic vacuum as he would walk til he bumped something than would change direction and continue doing this unless you called to him. Once you called to him he would focus in on my voice and follow it. Their other senses will be come extremely keen in time and compensate for the blindness.

Awww.. poor dog.. you should spend more time with your dog..

[wishbone]

She really needs great care and attention. Always make sure her health is fine, and make some other kind of play for her where she will develop her other senses...

take care about him and look after properly.

[mrandrei]

Poor dog... your furry friend needs all the extra care and attention she deserves. She'll be fine eventually.

I agree with the first 3 posts, you should get her checked, it could be more then blindness bothering her. Keep us posted please!

[lil mutt]

Be strong and patient because a dog like that needs a lot of care and attention.