Blindness can be a debilitating pet health concern for your dog or cat. However, if your pet is blind in only one eye, it should be able to get around without help. On the other hand, if it loses sight in both of its eyes, it can be a serious and upsetting problem for both you and your beloved friend. Please keep in mind that blind pets are more vulnerable and they rely on other senses.
How Blindness Affects Your Pet
While blindness is not necessarily a fatal condition for your pet, it can place your pet at risk of becoming harmed. This is because your dog or cat may not always be able to see danger, especially if both eyes are blind. Dogs and cats that are blind often have difficulty getting around and recognizing people as well. Completely blind animals can easily wander out of your yard and become lost. They can also wander into busy streets where they could get hit by cars. With that said, it is essential that you do everything you can to help your pet maintain its eyesight and/or get around safely.
Common Symptoms of Blindness
Blindness in dogs and cats can affect just one or both eyes. If only one eye is blind, it is known as unilateral blindness. If both eyes are blind, it is called bilateral. Blindness can occur suddenly or happen over time; however, pets that have a vision loss, will typically display some of the following symptoms. Symptoms: Confusion, Bumping into Furniture, Walls and Other Objects, Aimless Wandering, Difficulty Recognizing People, Difficulty Finding Food Dishes, Toys and Other Possessions, Depression, Cloudy Eyes or Redness of the Eyes, Dilated Pupils, Lack of Interest in Activities That They Once Enjoyed, Clumsiness, Strange, High-Stepping Gait, Cautious Walking and/or Walking With Nose in the Wind.
Treatments for Blindness
Treatments for blindness are totally dependent on what caused the blindness in the first place. If blindness was caused by some type of disease or illness, then the culprit will need to be treated first. Only then, can the eyes be treated. However, it is essential to note that most cases of blindness are irreversible. If the condition has been determined to be irreversible and the eye is painful, your vet may suggest removal of the affected eye. In a few cases, surgery may help to restore your pet’s sight. Additionally, if an infection or illness caused one eye to become blind, antibiotics or other medications can help save the other eye.
Breeds Affected
Blindness can occur in most any breed of dog or cat and at any age. However, there are some conditions that can make dogs and cats more vulnerable to blindness. These conditions are listed below: Glaucoma, Cataracts, Detached Retinas (Common in breeds with large, protruding eyes such as Pekingese, Pugs and Persians), and Retinal Inflammation, Infections of the Optic Nerve, Diabetes, Liver Disease, Seizures, Cancer, Poisons and Bleeding Disorders.
Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
