What would you do if your dog went blind

[channys_mum]

I am sitting here looking at my dog laying on her cushion where she spends most of her time now.

Honey is 16 going on 17 and has been with me since she was 6 weeks old.

On Tuesday I took her for her booster parvo and her regular eye check. The vet said that her eyesight is now gone. She may see bright light but that is all. She is almost deaf also. Her general health is that of a healthy 10 year old even her teeth.

She still takes herself out to the toilet, comes for a pat, wags her tail and seems to be happy.

Last night I was talking to my son on the phone and he said "Mum what are you doing she lives in a silent dark world".

So now I wonder what am I doing. Is it for her, or is it for me that I have not contemplated her last journey to the vet.

What would you do.

[the*scarlet*pimpernel]

p.s. He doesn't usually look that serious. I have no idea how the girls managed to get him to sit still for his portrait.

[i-need-a-martini]

If she is in otherwise in ok health, I'm not sure why you would consider putting her to sleep?

I had a dog go blind in her old age and it wasn't an issue. She was also a bassett and they don't hear too well either. Yes she walked into a things a lot but she was so old and slow it didn't really matter too much.

Dogs have such a good sense of smell that they know where they are in the house, where you are and they definaitely know where their food is!!

[channys_mum]

What an amazing difference you made to your pound puppy

Poor Jack. Poor you he was your be all end all in the pooch world.

[channys_mum]

Martini, I hadn't considered it. When my son commented last night it made me think that I was not doing the right thing perhaps.

[simone4010]

channy, I think judging on all the replies, your son has been outvoted lol.

Gawd, if our son had his way, he'd have OH and I in an old folks home and we're only in our 40's.

[sineaterdoodah]

{{{{pimpy}}}} what a great furparent you are!  i know how hard it is to get the "new baby"...i haven't gotten there yet,after losing miles.

[ten*teeny*tiny*toes]

I think they also respond to touch, cuddles and pats. Sadly we had to put our lab down when she was only 10.

She had mast cell tumor. 

The most wonderful vet nurse told me that we will know when its time. And we did. 

The three things she told me, pain, food and toileting. That's when you need to look at their quality of life.

[j*oono]

I can't tell you what our vet told me to tell people when they said I was only thinking of myself by not having my last beautiful dog put down.  Board policy.

I even had one person telling me all the time that the vet was lining his pockets.  Something I knew to be totally untrue at that stage because all of our visits were free of charge and he even did a biopsy free of charge which did find the problem.  

My old fuzz bucket Buzz was then able to be treated correctly and he went on to have another couple of happy and mostly healthy years.  You will know when Honey has had enough.

[kabarine]

re doggie nappies

Maincoon I have been thinknig about loooking into getting some for night time, so hard to get bed blankets dry here in the winter time

[azureline**]

I haven't read all comments but looks like son is outvoted!

My last dog was blind and she eventually had to be pts, she was very unwell though the last few weeks. Prior to that she managed really well and was happy as long as we didn't put anything out of place.

My present dog, Max, is going blind but he is healthy and not quite old yet. I am considering a move to a smaller place before he is totally blind, so he knows his way about.