Blind dog

[bloodybutunbowed]

My spaniel is 7 and has been blind for the last year due to cataracts. Our vet says it's probably congenital and with hindsight I think we bought our dog from a puppy farm, but we were very naive had no idea what we were doing. We know better now. Anyway, we've done everything we can to make life easier for our spaniel, kept everything in the same place for her, marked obstacles with scent, a radio playing near the back door etc etc but she still crashes into things the whole time. She hasn't adjusted at all. For the last month or so she has started to whine almost constantly, whether she's in the house or outside, with our other dog or with us. Our other dog has also changed the way he acts towards her and for the past couple of weeks he has tried to stop her from eating and twice has picked her up and shaken her. When our spaniel originally went blind, our vet said that if she hadn't adjusted within another she ought to be put to sleep. I'm reluctant to go back to the vet because of this, but have no idea what to do next. Please advise.

Why can't they do a cataract removal? It does cost a lot, prob £1500-£2000 but it would be worth it for a young healthy dog. Our spaniel is blind due to cataracts caused by diabetes, we decided not to operate because he is 8, which is quite old for a pedigree spaniel and he manages ok at home.

My spaniel is only a year younger than yours Barley. Our vet didn't offer cataract removal and to be honest I don't know where I would get that kind of money.

Is she insured? If so would it cover cataract removal?

Even if you only went for one eye rather than both it would hopefully give her enough sight to manage with.

Our rescue bitch had cataract surgery (both eyes) two years ago when she was 3 years old. She was completely blind prior to that and although she coped fine without sight the difference after the surgery was amazing.

Have you had her back to the vet since she started whining? It could be that there's something other than her lack of sight which is causing her discomfort or distress. Can you go to a different vet if you don't want to go back to the same one?

It's very sad isn't it? I must confess we were close to having him pts several times, more so for the diabetes as well though, but we keep managing on. It did take almost a year for him to get used to being blind if I'm honest, he even went through a very snappy snarly phase which was scary, we think he was scared poor thing. Maybe she will adapt, and do remember dogs don't use their sight like we do, it's all in the nose!

There are lots of resources on the internet for blind dog owners - have you tried talking with other blind dog owners on a specialist forum? Blind Dog Rescue could be worth talking to as well - lots of expertise.

Agree that she needs to visit the vet - whining could indicate pain or distress that is unrelated.

I'd certainly think about changing your vet - they don't sound particularly positive or constructive.

Pink she's not insured, no. I've spent £600 in the past on her vet bill for pancreatitis so it's not as though I resent paying for medical treatment, but I don't have £2,000 for an operation sadly.
Barley and Scuttle thank you, I've chatted online with other owners of blind dogs and tried everything they've recommended, but she's just not adapted at all. Perhaps a different vet would be the way forward. It's a worry.

Our dog had pancreatitis, to be honest it's what started off his diabetes, so be careful. Keep an eye on how much she drinks and pees.