Causes of Day Blindness in Dogs
Diagnosis of Day Blindness in Dogs
If you notice your young puppy is quite hesitant to go outside and is unsteady and bumping into things a normal dog would not, then it is time to take your young pup to your veterinarian, who may suggest a veterinary ophthalmologist check the condition of your dogs eyes. Your specialist will give your dog a full evaluation of health, and consider the past medical and travel history of your pet. Once a dog has this condition, there is no cure, but it can be managed. If your dog is a pet and not a working dog, he can live a comfortable life with just a few adjustments.
Breeding dogs that have produced a day blind puppy should be removed from the breeding pool to prevent more pups with this sad condition. Both mother and father need to be removed as they are proven to be carriers of this condition. Day blindness is not life threatening if your dog is kept within a secure yard, and is walked on a lead to protect them from wandering into things and getting injured. At night, they are just as normal as any other young dog.
Your veterinarian may choose to refer you to an ophthalmologist who will examine the eye structure and perform an electroretinograph to confirm the condition.
Dogs with glaucoma will exhibit extra tearing or discharge from the eyes. This is one way the dogs body deals with the extra pressure in the eye. The excess tearing serves to lubricate the eye socket in an attempt to lessen the pain associated with glaucoma, as stated by the “Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians.”
Glaucoma is an increase in eye pressure. Canine glaucoma develops due to a build up of fluids within the eye. This extra fluid puts pressure on the optic nerve and results in partial or full blindness. If you observe signs of glaucoma in your dog, treat it as an emergency and seek veterinary care immediately. Glaucoma progresses rapidly, sometimes over the course of just a few days, according to the “Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians.”
Light sensitivity, or photophobia, is readily apparent in dogs with glaucoma. The pressure caused by the disease makes exposure to light incredibly painful. Even the light given off by a regular lightbulb may cause too much pain for a dog to handle, according to “Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians and Staff.” Dogs exhibiting light sensitivity try to avoid brightly lit rooms and sunlight. They may vocalize in pain when exposed to ambient lighting or when a light is shone directly in their eyes. Dogs with pain and photophobia also might try to rub their face or eyes on the floor or their own body in an attempt to alleviate the pain.
Dogs with developing glaucoma symptoms have red-rimmed eyes. This redness appears similar to conjunctivitis, an infection and inflammation of the lining of the eyes. The initial onset of glaucoma can easily be mistaken for conjunctivitis, according to the “Clinical Veterinary Advisor.” In addition to red-rimmed eyes, the blood vessels in the sclera, or white portion of the eye, increase and swell, causing the affected eye or eyes to look blood-shot. After redness sets in, the lenses of the eyes start to look cloudy. Advanced glaucoma causes the dogs eyes to bulge in their sockets due to a build-up of fluids and pressure in the eye. This may be readily apparent or incredibly slight. The dogs pupil may remain permanently dilated. Glaucoma usually affects one eye before the other, according to the “Merck Veterinary Manual,” making it necessary to check both eyes for symptoms.
14 Critical Signs Your Dog Is Begging For Help
There are many causes of eye infections in dogs. If your canine pal is exhibiting discomfort, redness, or even sensitivity to light, its a good idea to consult your veterinarian. Left untreated, eye infections can spread or lead to vision loss. These are some of the basic types of infection, including: