Dogs
Sad but true, blindness in dogs is one of the common problems afflicting many dogs. This permanent vision loss in dogs is associated with a range of dog health problems. While in certain cases the dogs may be blind from birth, in most cases, vision loss may happen over a period of time, so much so that even the dog owner may not be aware of it. This is because dogs have a remarkable sense of adaptability and can thus compensate for the vision loss with astounding ease. In case of acute or sudden onset of blindness, this adaptability may be slowed down. Here is a look at the causes, the symptoms, and the treatment for this blindness.
What Causes Blindness in Dogs
The causes of blindness may range from dog illnesses and diseases, to inherited causes or even to eye injuries. There are a number of diseases that can cause blindness in your dog. Here is a list of some of the common dog health problems that might result in blindness.
In addition to these diseases it is observed that certain dog breeds are prone to suffering from eye disorders and blindness. For example retinal atrophy, a disease that causes the retina to deteriorate affects Collies, Poodles, Schnauzers and Cocker Spaniels more than the other breeds. Similarly, retinal dysplasia affects Labrador retrievers and beagles, thus resulting in the displacement of the retina and blindness in specific dog breeds.
Symptoms
The onset of blindness in dogs is difficult to point out as the other senses of the dog are acute enough to compensate for the blindness. However, you may need to watch out for symptoms or changes in dog behavior such as clumsiness and bumping into things, inability to locate the food bowl, startled easily, loss of interactive behavior and confusion in strange surroundings. Most of the time, the dog would be quite inattentive and just stay rooted to a spot. If the onset of the vision loss was a gradual one then most probably the dog would have no problems in adjusting to the familiar surroundings. However, in case of a sudden vision loss, dogs have less time to adapt and may therefore appear disoriented and confused. In such a case it is best to take your dog to a veterinarian for immediate treatment.
Treatment
For diagnosing the vision loss, veterinarians may recommend diagnostic procedures consisting of complete physical, neurological and ophthalmic examination. Other diagnostic tests include complete blood count, serum tests corneal and conjunctival cell samples and CAT or MRI scans. Based on the diagnosis the vet may address the cause of the disease and recommend effective treatment.
As a pet owner, it can be painful for you to know that your dog has been diagnosed with blindness. However, instead of panicking, you need to understand that you need to create an environment for your dog that is safe and congenial for it. Keep your home free from obstacles that might harm your dog and do not rearrange furniture or other objects in the house. Keep the verbal communication loud and clear and always speak to the dog when entering the room or petting it. Take extra care of the dog when there are stairs in the house. With all this love and extra care, blindness in dogs can soon be overcome and your pet dog will start leading a happy, normal life.
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Dogs
Blindness in Dogs
Sad but true, blindness in dogs is one of the common problems afflicting many dogs. This permanent vision loss in dogs is associated with a range of dog health problems. While in certain cases the dogs may be blind from birth, in most cases, vision loss may happen over a period of time, so much so that even the dog owner may not be aware of it. This is because dogs have a remarkable sense of adaptability and can thus compensate for the vision loss with astounding ease. In case of acute or sudden onset of blindness, this adaptability may be slowed down. Here is a look at the causes, the symptoms, and the treatment for this blindness.
What Causes Blindness in Dogs
The causes of blindness may range from dog illnesses and diseases, to inherited causes or even to eye injuries. There are a number of diseases that can cause blindness in your dog. Here is a list of some of the common dog health problems that might result in blindness.
- Glaucoma
- Retinal inflammation and infection
- Retinal detachment
- Corneal disease
- Cataracts
- Anterior and posterior uveitis
- Optic nerve diseases
- Diseases affecting occipital cortex
- Injuries and eye tumors
In addition to these diseases it is observed that certain dog breeds are prone to suffering from eye disorders and blindness. For example retinal atrophy, a disease that causes the retina to deteriorate affects Collies, Poodles, Schnauzers and Cocker Spaniels more than the other breeds. Similarly, retinal dysplasia affects Labrador retrievers and beagles, thus resulting in the displacement of the retina and blindness in specific dog breeds.
Symptoms
The onset of blindness in dogs is difficult to point out as the other senses of the dog are acute enough to compensate for the blindness. However, you may need to watch out for symptoms or changes in dog behavior such as clumsiness and bumping into things, inability to locate the food bowl, startled easily, loss of interactive behavior and confusion in strange surroundings. Most of the time, the dog would be quite inattentive and just stay rooted to a spot. If the onset of the vision loss was a gradual one then most probably the dog would have no problems in adjusting to the familiar surroundings. However, in case of a sudden vision loss, dogs have less time to adapt and may therefore appear disoriented and confused. In such a case it is best to take your dog to a veterinarian for immediate treatment.
Treatment
For diagnosing the vision loss, veterinarians may recommend diagnostic procedures consisting of complete physical, neurological and ophthalmic examination. Other diagnostic tests include complete blood count, serum tests corneal and conjunctival cell samples and CAT or MRI scans. Based on the diagnosis the vet may address the cause of the disease and recommend effective treatment.
As a pet owner, it can be painful for you to know that your dog has been diagnosed with blindness. However, instead of panicking, you need to understand that you need to create an environment for your dog that is safe and congenial for it. Keep your home free from obstacles that might harm your dog and do not rearrange furniture or other objects in the house. Keep the verbal communication loud and clear and always speak to the dog when entering the room or petting it. Take extra care of the dog when there are stairs in the house. With all this love and extra care, blindness in dogs can soon be overcome and your pet dog will start leading a happy, normal life.
- Dog Eye Problems
Do you notice that your dog's eyes are red or swollen? Do you find him frequently rubbing his eyes against something? Do you feel that the eyes of your pet dog are unhealthy and making his life miserable? Well, alike humans, dog eye problems...
- Dog Eyesight
There are a number of myths associated with dog eyesight. Most of the dog owners believe that their canine friend are totally color blind. While it is true that dogs rely more on their olfactory and auditory senses more than the eyesight, a dog's...
- Cataract Surgery For Dogs
Just like we, human beings can have cataracts, dogs especially who grow old or have been diagnosed with diabetes are also prone to this vision problem. Cataract refers to the lens of the eye turning opaque. If the opacity of lens is small, it is...
- Canine Glaucoma
Similar to glaucoma in humans, glaucoma is an eye disease which is characterized by an increasing pressure in the eyes. This increased pressure sets due to the build up of aqueous humor (the limpid fluid within the eyeball between the cornea and...
- Symptoms Of Dog Stroke
Stroke is a medical condition associated with the brain, that causes temporary or permanent damage. Although stroke is not much common condition in dogs, it is one of the most serious dog health problems. Canine stroke is also known as Cerebrovascular...