As dogs age, much like humans, dogs can start to lose their sight and hearing capabilities. In fact, almost all dogs in their elder years will have these symptoms, whether minimal or extreme. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms that come along with these common illnesses and the best way to manage them.
Blindness in Dogs
Symptoms
Bumping into objects: Your dog may start to bump into furniture, walls, or other objects they used to navigate around easily.
Difficulty finding toys or food: They may struggle to find toys or their food bowl.
Change in eye appearance: Cloudiness or changes in the appearance of their eyes may be noticeable.
Reluctance to move: Some dogs may become hesitant to move around or explore new areas.
These are common issues dog owners notice for their dog as they lose their vision. Causes can include many things such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Progressive rentinal atrophy (PRA). Nonetheless it’s important to react accordingly and do what’s best for your dog.
Solutions include:
Veterinary evaluation: If you suspect your dog is experiencing vision loss, consult your vet for a thorough examination and diagnosis.
Adapt the environment: Keep pathways open and clear of obstacles like loose shoes, and add tactile cues like area rugs to assist their spatial awareness near large objects in the home.
Use of scent markers: Place scented markers (like essential oils on furniture corners) to help your dog orient itself.
Avoid sudden changes: Minimize rearranging furniture or introducing new obstacles to avoid confusion.
Just because your dog has started to receive these symptoms doesn’t mean you and your dog’s life is changed forever. In addition to these solutions, it’s important to give your dog verbal cues, such as commands and praise, to guide your dog. Secondly, make sure you are being patient with your dog as it is adjusting to its new experience.
Deafness in Dogs
Symptoms
Not responding to sounds: Your dog may no longer react to their name, doorbells, or other noises.
Increased startle response: They may be easily startled when approached unexpectedly.
Sleeping deeply: Deaf dogs may sleep more deeply because they are not disturbed by noises.
Change in behavior: Some dogs may become more anxious or clingy.
These symptoms can help indicate whether your dog is starting to become deaf in one or both ears. Deafness can be caused by a multitude of things but the most common for dogs include Age-related degeneration of the nerve cells in the inner ear, Chronic ear infections, and certian medications that may cause hearing loss as a side effect. To help manage the deafness of your dog its important to do:
Veterinary evaluation: Have your vet determine the cause and extent of your dog’s hearing loss.
Visual cues: Use hand signals and visual cues for commands instead of relying on verbal cues.
Safety precautions: Ensure your dog is safely contained, especially outdoors, since they may not hear approaching dangers like cars.
Avoid startling: Approach your dog gently and avoid startling them from behind.
Coping
If your dog is experiencing symptoms of deafness, it’s great to adapt to what will be most suitable for your pet. Some things to try might be the use of touch and scent to communicate affection and commands. Many owners also continue training and enrichment for their pet through continued use of hand signals and activities that rely on visual and scent-based stimuli. Lastly, it’s important to remain vigilant and search for potential dangers your pet might not hear.
Overall
Both blindness and deafness can be challenging adjustments for dogs and their owners. The key to helping your dog cope is to provide a supportive environment, adapt their surroundings as needed, and maintain regular veterinary care to manage their specific needs as they age. Patience, understanding, and love are essential in helping your dog navigate these changes and continue to enjoy a good quality of life.