Rhew, our friendly Siberian Husky, was recently rubbing her eye and showing signs of discomfort. Closer examination revealed an inflamed and slightly discoloured left eye. During the next few weeks Rhew made several trips to the veterinarian. Unfortunately, Rhew was diagnosed with glaucoma in her left eye and she has lost most of the sight in this eye.

Rhew’s loss of sight in her left eye is upsetting for my wife Lynn and myself, but it is not something we are totally unfamiliar with. Several years ago Winston, our old Terrier cross, lost his sight due to mature cataracts. The fact is that there are many reasons why dogs lose their sight or experience partial vision loss. Sometimes visually impaired canines can be helped medically, sometimes they cannot. However, all canines who experience eye problems associated with vision loss will benefit from caring, informed human guardians.

CAUSES OF BLINDNESS & VISION LOSS
There are numerous causes of ocular problems and blindness in dogs. Some of the causes are congenital while others are non hereditary in nature. Some of the more common and serious canine eye disorders are:

Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a disease which results in an increase in the fluid pressure within the eye. It is painful and can result in permanent blindness. This disease can be genetically inherited (primary glaucoma) or it can be the result of injury, of functional diseases, of cancer or of infections of a bacterial, viral or even fungal nature (secondary glaucoma.)

Cataracts: As with glaucoma, cataracts can be genetically inherited or caused by disease, infections or injury. A normally transparent lens becomes opaque preventing light from reaching the retina.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy & Progressive Retinal Degeneration: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and progressive retinal degeneration (PRD) are inherited diseases which cause the cells of the retina to deteriorate. Although this disease is not painful, both eyes are affected.

Suddenly Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome: As with PRA and PRD, suddenly acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) involves the deterioration of cells in the retina, affects both eyes and is not painful. However, dogs with SARDS go blind very quickly, virtually overnight. Caroline Levin, author of the book Living With Blind Dogs, says that dogs who go blind from SARDS may require more understanding, assistance and time to adjust. "For dogs, the sudden onset can cause depression, aggression and dependency to a greater degree than is seen in cases of gradual blindness. Even more apparent to the dog owner is the fact that the dog has had no time to adjust or build a mental map of his environment. Dogs that lose vision slowly start building a mental map of their home environment. A dog that becomes blind suddenly will eventually do this too, but the process typically takes several months.”

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
Dogs may exhibit any one or more of a number of signs which indicate that they could be suffering from an eye disorder. Be observant and have your dog checked immediately by a veterinarian if you think that your canine family member has an eye problem. Some of the signs which may indicate the presence of an eye problem are: excessive tearing and/or discharge from the eye; a reddened, swollen or inflamed eye; a discoloured eye; a large pupil; a cloudy or white eye; squinting; a dog who rubs her eye or whimpers in discomfort.

TESTING FOR BLINDNESS
Your veterinarian will examine your dog’s eyes during routine examinations. However, if you suspect that your dog is experiencing some problems with her eyes you should have her examined immediately. Your veterinarian can examine your dog’s eyes and conduct some preliminary tests. If further tests are required or if you would like a second opinion concerning your dog’s eyes you can be referred to a qualified veterinary ophthalmologist for a consultation.

KEEPING VISUALLY IMPAIRED DOGS SAFE
There are many things that you can do to help ensure your visually impaired dog’s safety. Dog-proofing your house and yard to remove or make off limits potentially harmful objects and areas is important. In general, it is a good idea to keep things as normal and routine as possible. By not moving furniture and other items with which your blind canine is familiar with, you will be assisting your dog to navigate her surroundings and to adjust to a sightless world. Make sure that toys and other items that your dog could fall over are picked up and that objects are not placed in locations where they could fall on her should she bump into them. Out-of-doors you should try not to make any significant landscaping or other changes that affects the yard where your dog frequents.

Blind and low vision dogs should be prevented access to stairs and other potentially dangerous areas unless you are present to assist and/or control them. Safe “baby gates” can often be used to effectively keep dogs out of specific areas in the house. Hot tubs and pools are two outdoor areas from which your blind or low vision canine should be prevented access. When out-of-doors, visually impaired dogs should be in a fenced yard or walked on a leash (this is good advice for the human guardians of dogs with excellent sight as well.)

Minimizing the chances of your blind dog being injured in the house or yard can also involve having a safe place for her to relax when things become a little too hectic or confusing. A comfortable bed or crate placed in a location where your dog likes to spend time is one way that you can help ensure your visually impaired dog’s safety and happiness.

Dog-proofing your house and yard, exercising your visually impaired canine in a fenced yard or taking her for a walk on a leash and providing her with a safe, comfortable place to spend some quiet time are a few things that you can do to enhance your blind friend’s life and help ensure her safety. However, do not overlook the importance of training your blind or low vision dog. Training or assisting your canine to navigate those areas of the house and yard where she will be spending time and teaching her new skills will also do much for her safety and quality of life.

RHEW & WINSTON
In our extended family we have two dogs who have experienced vision loss. Rhew, our 10-year-old Siberian Husky, was recently diagnosed with glaucoma in her left eye. Unfortunately, Rhew has already lost most of the sight in this eye due to the disease. Winston, our old Terrier cross, has mature cataracts and has been blind for approximately five years. Winston is also deaf.

Both Rhew and Winston have adapted well to their loss of vision. Rhew’s glaucoma causes her some pain and discomfort, but it is treated with medication and she is effectively handling her unfortunate situation. Winston adapted efficiently to his loss of sight and hearing. He quickly learned to navigate the family (dogs’) room and the kitchen where he spends most of his time (Winston is the quickest of our dogs to snatch food carelessly left on the kitchen counters!)

To help Winston adjust to his sightless world we have been careful not to change the layout of the rooms in the house where he stays or to change the yard. Winston efficiently navigates these areas. If he strays off course a little he bumps into a familiar object and he quickly realizes where he is. He even navigates the large holes which are regularly excavated in the fenced yard by our Siberian Huskies. On those occasions when he gets lost or disoriented he gratefully accepts our guidance. To warn him of our presence we gently touch his side or shoulder.

Like our other dogs, Rhew and Winston are equipped with effective identification in case they stray or become lost (each has microchip identification as well as a personalized identification tag.) And, like our other dogs, Rhew and Winston are not allowed to run at large. They play and exercise in the fenced yard and we take them for walks on a leash. When some quiet time is needed Rhew settles on her soft mat in her crate while Winston lies on his orthopedic bed.

A FINAL WORD
Dogs who are blind or who have only partial vision may require a little more care and attention. Patience, understanding and compassion combined with information on caring for visually impaired canines will help you and your dog adapt to your canine’s vision loss. Rhew and Winston have handled their loss of vision with dignity and grace and they continue leading full and happy lives. They are an inspiration to their human family members!

Recommended Reading:
Living With Blind Dogs: A Resource Book and Training Guide for the Owners of Blind & Low Vision Dogs