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BLINDNESS IN DOGS
How can I tell if my dog is blind? Causes
Signs to look out for include: Possible causes of blindness include:
• Changes in the appearance of the eye • Cataracts: changes to the lens inside
(pupils not responding to light, milky or the eye(s); this is common in older
cloudy appearance, bulging eyes); dogs and diabetics. The eyes look
• Walking slowly and cautiously; cloudy if they have cataracts but if your
• Clumsiness; dog has cloudy eyes it doesn’t always
• Not wanting to go out at night; mean they have cataracts, there are
• Being easily startled and nervous; other causes.
• Bumping into people, walls or • Glaucoma: increased pressure inside
furniture; the eye.
• Confusion and disorientation; • Uveitis: An inflammatory condition
• Being unable to find toys, balls, food affecting the uvea, the middle layer of
dishes etc; the eye. It can be caused by infections,
• Being more vocal (barking or whining). injury, allergies, or underlying systemic
diseases. Signs of uveitis include
squinting, rubbing at the eyes, redness,
cloudiness, and decreased vision. If left
untreated, it can lead to vision loss,
Gradual loss of vision cataracts, and glaucoma.
It can be surprisingly difficult to notice a • Retinal disease: disease at the back of
gradual loss of vision because dogs are the eye such as retinal detachment,
good at adapting. You may notice sudden acquired retinal degeneration
behaviour changes, for example they syndrome (SARDS) and progressive
might find it harder to see in dim light, retinal atrophy (PRA).
bump into items lying around the house, • Optic nerve disease: a problem with
find using steps difficult and struggle in the nerve that connects the brain to
unfamiliar places. Dogs that lose their the eye.
vision gradually often adapt well and lead • Brain disease: such as a stroke, tumour
a very happy life. or infection.
• General disease: diseases in another
Sudden loss of vision part of the body can sometimes cause
If your dog has suddenly gone blind, the blindness, for example diabetes.
symptoms will be much more obvious • Serious eye injuries: serious injuries to
and they often struggle to adapt quickly. the front, back or whole eye can cause
There are certain things that can help at blindness.
home when caring for a blind dog. If • Tumours in and around the eye can
your dog has suddenly lost their vision, cause blindness.
it’s important to consider their quality of
life when deciding on a treatment plan
with your vet.
info@bedlingtonrescue.co.uk www.bedlingtonrescue.co.uk
