Should you put your dog down if it’s blind? Expert Advice

First, what causes a dog to go blind?

DogTime states that dogs can go blind because of an illness, genetics, cataracts or serious injury. Cataracts are typically seen in dogs that are older, but genetics can make them appear in younger dogs, too. DogTime found that the breeds most likely to develop cataracts are Boston Terriers, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.

Luckily, both the dog and the owner will adjust to a dog going blind. If the blindness occurs suddenly, such as from an injury, the adjustment will be longer than if it occurs slowly over time, as seen with cataracts.

Everything You Need to Know About Euthanasia

The most common feelings affecting dog owners considering euthanasia are fear, insecurity, and guilt.

Fear comes into play because it is normal to fear the loss of loved ones. Indeed, the death of a dog is one of the most distressing situations an owner may face.

Insecurity takes place because dogs, having been spared the capacity of talking, must rely on their owners to interpret their signs of distress, and sometimes these signs are not easy to read. There is always the fear of misinterpreting the signs or making a bad decision.

Guilt plays a part. Perhaps because in the corner of the mind of every dog owner, there is always space for hope that the dog will miraculously get better.

Can you legally euthanize your own pet?

The answer is generally no, you cannot legally euthanize your own pet. Euthanasia, also known as “putting a pet to sleep,” is considered a medical procedure and should be performed by a licensed veterinarian. In most states, it is illegal for anyone other than a licensed veterinarian to administer euthanasia drugs to a pet.

There are some exceptions to this rule. In certain circumstances, such as when a pet is suffering from a terminal illness and there is no access to a veterinarian, a pet owner may be able to administer euthanasia drugs under the guidance of a veterinarian. However, this is rare and should only be done as a last resort.

Euthanasia is not a decision to be taken lightly. It’s important to consult with a veterinarian and consider all options before making the decision to euthanize a pet.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to euthanize your own pet in an effort to be there for them during their final moments, it is not legally permitted in most cases. Euthanasia should be performed by a licensed veterinarian in order to ensure that the process is done humanely and with proper care.

How Do You Know When It’s Time to Say Goodbye to a Pet? | Vet Advice

When we graduated from veterinary school, my classmates and I rose to take the veterinarian’s oath. As I recall, it contained some phrases about protecting food safety and public health. But the meat of the oath, as I apply it to my daily life, boiled down to this: It is my duty to try to heal animals, prevent animal suffering, and to always act in my patients’ best interest. I have tried to live by these principles throughout my career, because I otherwise would not be able to sleep at night. (Although as I reread the oath now, I see that healing animals is barely mentioned, and that acting in animals’ best interests isn’t covered at all. No matter — I will continue to live by my interpretation.)

Euthanasia is, in some sad instances, the only way to alleviate animal suffering and act in the patient’s best interest. However, there are some situations in which owners believe euthanasia is needed, and I strongly disagree. Blindness is one of those conditions.

Start with this: Most “blind” pets actually have some visual function. Older cats and dogs may have significant vision loss, but often have sufficient residual visual capacity to function in normally, although they may have difficulty walking without guidance in the dark.

However, even fully blind animals can lead high-quality lives. And why wouldn’t they? Humans with no vision are able to lead rich and fulfilling existences, and vision is our number one sense. Pets rely first and foremost on their noses; eyesight comes second.

Full blindness occurs in dogs most frequently as a result of glaucoma that irreversibly damages the retina, the portion of the eye that actually senses light. It can be painful, and many dogs require removal of both eyes to relieve the pain. Full blindness in cats most often occurs due to high blood pressure that causes the retinas to detach from the surface of the eye. This can be reversed if it is caught and treated early; if not, it may lead to permanent blindness.

Owners of animals that suddenly go blind often initially have trouble imagining their pet leading a good life. But they soon discover that blindness does not pose an insurmountable challenge. Blind animals generally memorize the layout of their dwellings, and rarely run into walls or furniture unless the house is rearranged.

Blind dogs should be escorted by an owner on walks. Blind cats should not be allowed outside (although in my opinion, neither should sighted cats). No blind animal should be allowed near cliffs or open windows or other obviously dangerous circumstances. Blind animals should be approached cautiously because they may be easier to startle than their sighted brethren. And, as far as special care goes, that’s about it.

Blind animals are on my mind because of Nikko, a dog I treated a few weeks ago. When I first met Nikko (he had been admitted to the hospital by another doctor; I took over his care when I came on duty), I was advised by a sign on his run that he was blind, so I assumed he had weak vision due to aging. I approached him carefully, called his name to let him know I was in his run, and then evaluated him. He was fully blind — both eyes had been surgically removed. And he was definitely suffering, but not because he was blind. He was suffering because he was afflicted with a raging case of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (severe gastrointestinal upset leading to profusely bloody diarrhea).

Over the next 24 hours, with IV fluids, painkillers, antibiotics, and gastrointestinal-protecting medications, Nikko’s condition improved dramatically. A spring came into his step when he was taken out for walks (and yes, he was walked normally, like every other dog in the hospital). His appetite returned. The vomiting and diarrhea stopped. He was a friendly, lively, sweet, adorable dog. He went home to his normal, high-quality life.

If your pet goes blind, do not despair. A good quality of life is not only possible, but is almost certain.

Dr. Eric Barchas is a professional traveler who spends his spare time working as a full-time veterinarian; contributing to Dogster and Catster; walking, cooking, camping, and exploring the outdoors; skiing (when conditions permit); and reading Booker-shortlisted novels. In between trips Dr. Barchas lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Denise, and his canine pal, Buster. His main veterinary interests are emergency and critical care, wellness, pain management and promotion of the human-animal bond. Dr. Barchas has to Dogster and Catster since May 2005.