Have you ever wondered why dogs go blind? It is common to talk about blindness in old or elderly dogs, however, it is not always easy to accept sudden vision loss in puppies or young dogs. However, it is important to note that unlike us humans, the sense of sight in dogs is not as important as smell or touch might be. Did you know?
In this article on our site we will talk about how to tell if a dog is blind, the causes of sudden blindness in dogs, the most common symptoms of blindness in dogs and much more. Don't forget to visit a veterinary ophthalmology specialist to receive quality, personalized advice.
Uveitis - Inflammation of the eye
There are many reasons that can cause blindness in dogs. Sometimes we talk about a relatively normal sign in dogs that reach old age, however, it can also be a symptom of a more serious secondary disease, which is more beyond blindness, such as kidney failure, in the case of the appearance of chronic kidney disease, which causes a deficiency in metabolism. In this case blindness would be an inevitable consequence.
Because the causes of blindness in dogs can be highly variable, it is best to perform an appropriate veterinary evaluationRemember that some systemic diseases such as Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Toxoplasmosis, Leptospirosis, Leishmaniasis and many others can cause blindness.
Why does my dog get a blue eye?
The eyes are responsible, in addition to capturing the image and transmitting it to the brain, for controlling the passage of light, as well as for other functions. It is important to note that a slight change can damage the eyes, sometimes permanently, leaving the animal blind.
When the dog shows a blue eye, we are not necessarily talking about blindness, however, if nothing is done to treat it, blindness may appear in the end, irreversibly. The bluish color, as well as any other color change, indicates an inflammation of the eye layer (anatomically we speak of the vascular tunic) and that is when we speak of uveitis in dogs.
Uveitis can be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, trauma, or lack of tear production, causing dryness in the cornea and subsequent inflammation of the eye. It usually affects only one eye and if it is treated early it does not have to cause blindness or leave the animal with consequences. The veterinary visit is mandatory to start a successful treatment.
Cataracts - The partial or total opacity of the lens
There are certain breeds, such as the Golden Retriever, Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier or English Cocker Spaniel, that are more likely to develop cataracts. However, it should be noted that this pathology can also affect all dogs, even mestizos, and other animals, such as cats.
Why does my dog have white eyes?
When we observe that the cat's eyes are turning white, it means that we may be facing the presence of cataracts in the dog. Cataracts do not appear suddenly, but develop progressively, so we will observe that the eyes of the dog gradually turn white
It is not always easy to detect, since at first we will only observe the opacity layer when it comes into contact with light, however, as it progresses, we will be able to detect that it is getting thicker and thicker. As the disease progresses, the eye turns completely white and that is when the dog goes blind.
As with uveitis, this disease can affect only one eye, or show up in both. Contrary to popular belief, cataracts do not cause pain in the animal, but they can be a nuisance. In addition, there are different types of cataracts, so a good veterinary evaluation should be carried out to allow us to know if they are cataracts irreversible or not
The development of cataracts may be related to certain pathologies, such as Cushing's disease, diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Avoid using drugs or eye drops for human use, as this can aggravate the problem.
What happens when a puppy is born blind?
Sometimes puppies can be born blind due to a malformation, but it can also be due to the cells that capture images in the eyes. In this case, the puppy does not present any obvious symptoms, which means that the owners do not notice, since a puppy adapts better to the environment, thanks to the senses of smell and hearing, which are much more developed.
There are many causes, such as negative prenatal conditions, difficult childbirth, malnutrition or pathologies suffered by the mother. Inherited diseases such as diabetes can also be a cause.
Symptoms of blindness in dogs
But how can we tell if a puppy is blind? And an adult dog? How can we know if a dog is going blind? Below we will show you some symptoms of blindness in dogs that can guide you when it comes to knowing if a dog is losing vision in one or both eyes
The Symptoms of a blind dog are:
- He rubs his eyes constantly and blinks.
- We observed blurry, inflamed eyes or eyes with color changes.
- May also show constant tearing and purulent discharge.
- Bumps into furniture and objects, occasionally or constantly.
- Avoid making jumps that you used to do easily before.
- Avoid going out and exploring environments you are not used to.
If we notice any of these changes in the dog's eyes, we should consult a veterinarian, preferably a veterinarian specialized in ophthalmology, to perform an adequate diagnosis.
Treatment of blindness in dogs
After receiving the diagnosis, we will know if our dog's blindness is treatable or not, since it will depend on the degree of blindness and the cause that causes this condition a possible treatment As with humans, cataracts, for example, can be treated depending on their stage of development.
It may also happen that the disease is irreversible, in which case we must know that the dog can continue to enjoy a good quality of life if we work on it. Although it may be difficult at first to help you adjust to your new situation, eventually we will be able to continue living a totally normal routine.
Discover on our site what are the care of a blind dog.
