Inside the Life of A Blind / Visually Impaired Dog
How Can You Help Your Blind Dog Live His/Her Best Life
We’ve all heard of seeing eye dogs… But, have you ever met a dog who could use their own? The blind dog community includes so many amazing dogs and dog moms, who are working together to live full, loving and active lives! I was lucky enough to interview one of these pairs!
Meet Rex
@TheGreatBlindRexillian_
Rex is a 5 year old pitbull, and is dearly loved by his momma, Randi. Rex has already lived quite a life, and has an amazing story to tell…
One day, Randi’s (Rex’s mom) best friend was out for a walk with her dogs, when a truck rushed past her and threw poor Rex out onto the road. She quickly rushed Rex to the emergency vet, and miraculously, he only had some road rash from the incident. Randi had been looking to adopt a dog for a while, and Rex was quite literally thrown into her life. They’ve been the center of each other’s worlds since that day. Along with the trauma of being thrown from a speeding truck, Rex also had to undergo heart worm treatment. Luckily, he crushed it, and has recently become heart worm free!
Recently, Randi began to notice a green glow in Rex’s beautiful brown eyes. Rex was having difficulty catching treats and tracking objects. The vet assured her that everything looked fine… But, soon, Rex was bumping into furniture around the house, and Randi knew something just wasn’t right. She went for a second opinion, and received some shocking news. Rex was completely blind. He could make out some vague colors and shadows, but otherwise, his eyes were deemed “useless.”
Feeling like she had an answer, Randi sought some comfort in a diagnosis. Her and Rex began to settle into a routine, and adjust to a new life style with some modifications to help Rex adjust. Then, suddenly, Rex couldn’t navigate his surroundings at all. Even when Randi called his name, Rex was unable to locate her. Terrified of this sudden progression, she rushed him to the emergency vet. After a long bout of tests and hours of stress, Rex was finally diagnosed with SARDS.
What Is Dog SARDS?
SARDS - Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration - is an extremely quick disease that can render a dog blind virtually overnight. While the cause is not completely understood, research suggests it is some form of autoimmune disease. The body mistakenly attacks the visual cells in both eyes, resulting in blindness. Sadly, there is no current treatment, prevention or cure for SARDS, and the blindness is irreversible. However, the disease is painless, and it also has no effect on your dog’s lifespan.
SARDS is more common in middle aged or older dogs, and seems to affect all breeds. Females seem to be more heavily affected than males. There are about 4,000 cases of SARDS in dogs in the US annually.
Warning Signs of Blindness/SARDS
Bumping into furniture or wandering aimlessly
Standing in place for a prolonged period of time
Disorientation
Difficulty catching toys or treats
Separation anxiety (fear of being apart from mom or dad)
Reluctance to go up/down stairs
Decreased activity level (or weight gain)
Pupils do not respond to light
History of Cushing’s disease
If you notice any of these signs, or are concerned that you dog is experiencing visual changes, consult a vet immediately. This post is not meant to diagnose or provide medical advice.
Adapting to Life As A Visually Impaired Doggo
1. Predictable Environments and Safety Concerns
Randi recommends giving your dog some space to figure out his or her own surroundings. This includes not re-arranging furniture, and providing a predictable environment for your dog to navigate. Rex uses a Halo (pictured above), which allows him to explore without risking injury from bumping into something unexpected.
2. Communication
Rex and Randi have also begun to develop their own communication. For example, if Randi is going to give Rex a treat, she will gently tap it on his nose so he is able to locate it. She also gives him consistent praise and positive feedback for successfully navigating his environment.
3. Join A Community
Randi has found a supportive and loving community of pawrents of blind or visually impaired doggos through Facebook and Instagram. It can be stressful for both your dog and you when adapting to a huge lifestyle change like this. Having a group for moral support and advice can make all the difference in easing through this period. Make sure you follow her and Rex at @thegreatblindrexillian_!
4. Keep Learning!
Randi wishes she would’ve known ahead of time so that she could prepare Rex (and herself) for this transition. From training tips to toys, there are so many ways you can maximize your visually impaired doggo’s life. In many ways, they’re no different from other dogs, they just need a little extra patience and help!
