How to Know If a Dog Is Going Blind

Unfortunately, some canine eye diseases can be serious enough to cause blindness in our dog. If it's limited to one eye, it can live a normal life, and we may not even notice.

But when blindness is total, some signs usually show up that let us catch, fairly quickly, that something's wrong with our dog's vision. Let's take a detailed look at how to know if a dog is going blind.

Blindness in Dogs

Many diseases can trigger blindness in dogs. Any disorder preventing light from properly reaching the retina has the potential to partially or completely hinder our dog's vision. Examples are glaucoma, uveitis, or diseases affecting the retina.

This type of condition can cause changes in the eye that will be easily visible to us. So, if we notice any eye discomfort, we need to take our dog to the vet. Other times, the dog can't see, but the eye seems normal. In those cases, there are some behavioral signs in the dog that are very telling.

The Importance of Eye Check-Ups

Regardless of whether our dog shows any eye discomfort or we suspect its vision isn't as good as it used to be, it's a good idea to see the vet clinic for a general check-up at least once a year. There, the vet will examine the eyes with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope.

They'll check the shape, size, and color. They'll also pay attention to the pupils' characteristics, whether there's any type of discharge, whether the third eyelid is visible, or whether the dog feels pain during handling. But some causes of blindness can't be detected in a general exam. Hence the importance of watching the dog's behavior at home.

How Can We Test a Dog's Vision?

As a quick check of the dog's vision, we can perform a simple maneuver. It involves covering one eye and bringing a finger close to the other, as if trying to touch the eye with it. If the dog can see, it will blink and close the eye. If not, we need to see the vet to assess the damage.

Vision is also assessed by shining a flashlight into the eye to observe whether the pupil contracts or not. But it's not a very precise test, since contraction can occur as a simple reflex. What can work is moving some furniture in a room and leaving it dark to observe the dog's movements in it.

We need to check whether it bumps into things or moves around with complete ease. Afterward, we turn on the light. A completely blind dog will move exactly the same in both cases. A dog that can see, on the other hand, even if only a little, will move better with the help of lighting. But only the vet can determine the degree of visual impairment.

How to Live With a Blind Dog

But if the previous tests leave us with doubts, there are some behaviors a dog may start showing that point to vision difficulties. The problem is these are also compatible with other conditions, so our suspicions will need to be confirmed by the vet. We'd highlight the most important signs of blindness:

1. Unusual way of walking, as if measuring its steps, lifting its feet higher, etc.
2. Stepping on objects on the floor.
3. Bumping into objects like furniture, especially if we've just moved it, or parked cars on the street.
4. Moving with its snout close to the ground, or acting strangely if taken out for a walk without a leash. For example, running back home, not obeying, or even putting itself in danger by getting close to heights it could fall from.
5. Inactivity — the dog spends practically the whole day lying down.
6. Fear — the animal is more easily startled if it senses something it can't see, or if we approach it from behind abruptly and without warning.
7. Distrust — even if the dog has always been sociable and affectionate, it becomes more withdrawn around other dogs or people, and may even bark at a stimulus it interprets as a potential danger with no real reason.
8. Reduced interaction — the more time it spends lying in its bed, the less it will interact with the family, the less affectionate it will seem, etc.

Blindness in Older Dogs

Many owners think it's normal for age to worsen their dog's vision. It's true that changes, such as lens degeneration, occur with age, but first, this problem doesn't cause blindness, and second, an eye condition needs to be treated regardless of age. It's the vet who determines whether it can be cured.

On the other hand, it's also assumed that older dogs gradually decline and it's normal for them to be less active or lose agility. Because of this, some signs of blindness can be overlooked, being blamed on the changes of old age. That's why it's essential to see the vet at least once a year for a general check-up.