My Older Dog Is Going Blind! What Do I Do?

Have you noticed your older dog has become just a bit more clumsy? Is she bumping into that coffee table or even the wall? Does she have a little more difficulty finding her favorite toy? Or did you notice a haze in her eyes? These are all signs of one of the common ailments in elder dogs - going blind.

We will briefly discuss some of the reasons your dog might go blind. More importantly, we will discuss what you can do to make your blind companion more comfortable with her condition; what you can do both in the house and while outside. Blindness is not a death sentence. Many dogs have thrived and enjoyed a very fulfilling life, even with the loss of one of their senses.

Causes of Blindness in Elderly Dogs

There are several conditions that can lead to vision loss and eventual blindness in your dog. Here are the more common ailments:

· Cataracts - Just as in humans, this condition causes a clouding in the lens of the eye. Depending on the extent of the clouding, either partial or full loss of vision can occur. While surgery is possible to correct this condition, many vets do not recommend it, since it can result in scar tissue that is worse for the dog's vision than the original cataracts.

· Diabetes - About 10% of elderly dogs suffer from diabetes. This is generally more common when the dog is obese, or if the nutrition in her meals was less than adequate. Diabetes will result in cataracts, discussed above, and partial or full loss of vision.

· Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - Progressive Retinal Atrophy is actually a collection of several similar diseases that are inherited by various breeds of dog. These diseases cause the degeneration of the rods and/or cones in the dog's retina. Since rods are responsible for the dog's excellent night vision, night blindness is usually the first symptom, but full blindness will eventually occur.

· Suddenly Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS) - This disease is similar to PRA, in that it results in the degeneration of the rods and cones of the retina. However, unlike the gradual progression of PRA, SARDS causes blindness in a very short period of time, from a couple days to a couple of weeks. This disease is most common in overweight elderly dogs, particularly females.

Blindness can also be caused by many other conditions, such as tumors, epilepsy, and Cushing's disease. This is why it is so important to take your elderly dog to a veterinarian when you first notice symptoms of blindness. Many times, if the condition causing the blindness can be treated, the blindness may also be treatable.

So What Can You Do?

In most cases, dogs who go blind experience a slow progression of vision loss, allowing them to adapt to their new environment before they have completely lost their sight. This is why many people who think their dog went blind overnight find out that, in fact, their dog has been blind for some time. One day they move the couch, and the blind dog, unaware of the change to her environment, promptly dashes right into the new obstacle!

Remember that vision is not relied upon in a dog's life as much as it impacts us humans. Dogs can readily adapt to their loss of vision, with their other senses becoming more acute. Their blindness will prove to be much more of an issue to you than to your canine companion! If you want to make the transition from sight to blindness easier on your dog, though, there are some simple methods you can use.

Establish a routine, and stick with it. Feeding time should always be at the same time, and in the exact same location. Call your girl to her meal in the same tone and manner each time. And, while on the subject of mealtime, make sure your dog does eat. Blindness, especially sudden blindness, can lead to depression in your dog. If you see she is not eating, seek a veterinarian's advice immediately.

Talk to your dog regularly. It is not important what you talk about. Your voice will relieve her feeling of isolation and comfort her, since she knows you are there.

Minimize changes within the home. Your dog will become used to her surroundings, and if you change them, it will only confuse her. Consider adding some sort of padding to sharp objects your dog might encounter, such as the corners of your coffee table.

Most of all, you need to maintain a calm, positive attitude at all times. Your dog can sense your feelings, and if you emote stress, the dog will pick up on that stress, becoming stressed herself.

We have discussed several of the more common causes of blindness in an elderly dog, and what you can do to make your blind dog more comfortable with her condition. Remember, your dog will adapt much more easily than you can imagine... just give her time and love!

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