I need some advice on Smoky, our blind husky we rescued last summer. He was heartworm positive (high positive) and we've been treating him holistically and he's in much better shape. He's put on weight (a little too much actually) but is so happy. Anyway, the reason for this post...how to bathe him. We tried to bathe him after we got him but because he's blind, he doesn't like unfamiliar confined spaces. He thrashes all over the place and it sounds like he's being murdered. There's a place in town that's a Car Wash/Dog Wash...yeah kind of weird but they have a big tub you can put him in and a lot of water volume. We've thought about taking him there but I'm just not sure what to do. He still stinks and doesn't really do anything to get dirty except dig or chase the occasional rabbit (very impressive for a blind dog). Does anybody have any advice? Maybe an experienced groomer?

I think I would personally take him to an experienced groomer, especially if you can find one that has had experience with blind dogs.

histi wrote:

I think I would personally take him to an experienced groomer, especially if you can find one that has had experience with blind dogs.

If I did this, I have to think that being there with him may be calming...what do you think?

It is a good idea if you are there, but YOU need to remain calm, I would imagine being blind makes him pick up on your energy even more

histi wrote:

It is a good idea if you are there, but YOU need to remain calm, I would imagine being blind makes him pick up on your energy even more

Well, I'm fairly calm and he gravitates towards me anyway. I'll never forget when I picked him up from getting neutered. He was in a cage laying down and when he heard my voice he came to life...brought me to tears. I'll start with my groomer then.

Even better sounds like your a good person for your husky to be with Do you know if he was blind all his life? would love to see a pic of him if you can too

I'm not sure but I suspect that he used to see at one time.  We didn't know at the time that he was blind and neither did the shelter (they had about 100 dogs at the time). We got him home and he kept bumping into things and wouldn't fetch a ball.  I mean, what husky doesn't like to play fetch?  Can you imagine throwing a ball and see a blank expression?  It's funny now but at the time it's like "honey, there's something off with this dog".  Once we discovered that he was blind we wanted to keep him even more.  So, we took him to a veterinary ophthalmologist about a month after rescuing him.  He was diagnosed with Progressive Retinal Atrohpy (PRA) and cannot see anything...not even light or dark.  He gets around amazingly well and even runs with me.  Such an amazing dog.

Here are some pics.  Hope it's ok to hijack my own thread:


Smoky had toilet paper that Miska brought to him.  She has destroyed so many rolls that I've lost count.  This was a good picture though...as though he's saying "what?"


Here's Miska with the destroyed toilet paper.  She's a husky/pyrenees mix.  She was a rescue as well.


This is Kodiak saying Merry Christmas!  We rescued him a few days ago.  He was wondering around with no identification.  Nobody claimed him.

wow they are all so beautiful!! I like especially that they are all rescued

I called my groomer and they said that sometimes they do better without their owner's presence.  They did agree to let me stay in the lobby just in case.  Now I need to get to work on removing the rest of his blown coat!