Signs a Dog Is Going Blind
There are more noticeable signs you can look out for. Some common signs of a dog going blind may include:
“You might see your dog running into furniture, but especially new things in the house,” Lisa Radosta DVM, DACVM at Florida Veterinary Behavior Service and co-founder of Dog Nerds tells us. “Dogs that go blind slowly have the lay of the land committed to memory. When something new is added to the environment, they may stumble over it or into it.”
You might also notice that they dont see well at night or when theres an abundance of shadows, Radosta explains. “This might manifest as fear of going outside or snapping at lights or shadows,” she adds. “Some dogs may also start to hesitate at transitions where there is a step such as a threshold.”
From a more physical standpoint, Memphis Veterinary Specialists (MVS) notes that you might notice that your dogs eyes appear to be cloudy or that their pupils have stopped dilating when exposed to light. Puffy, red, or swollen eyes are also another obvious sign.
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If youre worried about your pets eyesight, be sure to consult with your vet. That said, you can also administer a Menace Reflex Test at home to check your dogs vision. To do the test, simply place your hand 18 inches from your dogs face. Then, quickly move your hand towards your dog until its about three inches away from his face. If your dog can see, he should blink his eyes or turn his head in response. Otherwise, its likely that something is wrong with his sight.
The Cotton Ball Test is another way to assess your dogs vision. For this, grab a cotton ball and hold it up to your dogs visual field. Then, toss it in any direction and see if your dog reacts. If your dog remains still, it may mean that his vision is impaired, in which case you should definitely pay your vet a visit.
Some of the most common causes of vision loss in dogs include:
Because blindness typically happens gradually, it can sometimes be difficult to notice vision changes. In some cases, these signs can even be mistaken for other conditions.
Glaucoma results from abnormally high pressure within the eye so medications to reduce this pressure and frequent checkups at the veterinarian can prevent or postpone vision loss from this condition. Sometimes surgical eye removal is necessary if medical management alone is not effective. Likewise, while cataracts will continue to progress once they develop, surgical correction can actually restore vision in some dogs. If blindness occurs secondary to other medical conditions, those health issues need to be addressed first, which in turn will help protect the eyes.
Similar to humans, dogs experience a range of health issues as they grow into their golden years. A particularly common issue that affects senior dogs is vision impairment. This is typically caused by cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, but can also be secondary to other medical disorders such as hypertension, chronic dry eye, and diabetes.
Dogs with impaired vision can still live happy, full lives with a little extra patience and TLC from their owners as they navigate the world around them. The following suggestions are ways to ensure your dog is comfortable if he or she has vision loss.
Treatment is highly dependent on the cause of your dog’s blindness as well as how early intervention occurs. Roughly 40% of dogs that develop glaucoma will eventually go blind, and cataracts can result in permanently impaired vision if not treated promptly. Minor trauma to the eye from accidents or infection, however, is less likely to lead to permanent blindness when treated appropriately.