Several years ago, I treated a cat named Sparkle who went blind after head trauma. Her owner was patient and provided a fenced area outdoors for exercise. She kept furniture, food and litter boxes in the same locations, blocked off the stairs and taught her cat to follow the perimeter of a fence, so she could still go outdoors. Her beloved cat lived a comfortable and happy life until the age of 21.
I frequently treat many pets with visual loss and blindness. Owners are often unaware that their pets are losing vision, until we point out a loss of pupillary light response or the pet walks into something.
Sometimes, owners believe a blind pet “sees” a delivery person, and he might even chase squirrels in the yard. Often these pets sense sound, smell, air movement and vibrations around them. No one wants his loved ones to lose vision, but denial will not help the pet.
When we focus on ways to help, rather than stay in denial or fear, vets can sometimes save remaining vision for pets and help owners cope better. Pets deal much better with physical challenges, because they don’t have a self-image and ego to maintain. They simply get on with the business of adapting.
If you notice your pet’s behavior change, or his eyes or pupils look different, call your veterinarian immediately. There are many instances when it is possible to preserve vision if your pet is examined and treated promptly. If your pet is suffering from irreversible blindness, you can take steps to make his life more comfortable.
It is usually possible to save or preserve vision with prompt treatment in these cases:
* Corneal clouding or ulcers with infections.
* Recently dilated pupils.
* Eyelid problems such as entropion (rolling in or hanging over the eye).
* Most penetrating eye injuries.
* Cataracts.
* Inflammation inside the eye (uveitis).
* Early lens luxation (movement of the lens inside the eye).
* Early-stage glaucoma.
* Early retinal detachment.
Blindness is often permanent with the following conditions:
* Most congenital blindness.
* Late-stage glaucoma.
* Late-stage uveitis.
* Late-stage lens luxation.
* Most forms of retinal degeneration.
* Late-stage retinal detachment.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as you see any eye redness, trauma, excessive blinking or discharge. If your vet sees a need to see an eye specialist, she will make a referral. If your vet cannot make a diagnosis or perform eye testing and pressures, you can request a referral or second opinion. Eye trauma should be treated within hours, while redness and squinting should be treated within 24 hours.
Common questions that owners ask about blind pets:
Q. Is a blind pet in pain?
This depends on the cause. Conditions such as retinal detachment or degeneration are not painful. A blind but nonpainful eye can be treated medically.
Uveitis and glaucoma are often painful; it is important that your pet have eye pressures taken by your vet. Many vets can evaluate pressures through tonometry and help treat the source of pain.
If an eye is permanently blind and painful, then it must be treated with drops or surgery. Bilateral enucleation (surgery to remove painful eyes that are permanently blind) can be hard for an owner to accept, but sometimes the procedure can be done cosmetically. If a pet is in pain, this procedure is life-saving and creates a happier pet.
Q. Should a blind pet be euthanized?
Usually, not. Blind pets adapt well. They use other senses -- hearing, touch and smell. Pets initially cope better than their owners, with a few exceptions. Dominant or anxious dogs may become more aggressive. Working with a behaviorist can help ease the transition.
Owners can help their pets in a variety of ways: use of training aids or harness; encouraging use of other senses, such as following touch and verbal commands; providing safe spots in the house; creation of safe paths and smell trails to help pets learn where to walk; blocking stairs; training with new commands; increasing 'quality time' at daily set time.
Within a few months, most owners are usually pleased with how well they and their pet have managed to adapt.
Extra precautions should be taken in the following situations: negotiating stairs; unfamiliar or busy environment; meeting other dogs; meeting children; unknown visitors; moving to a new home.
See your vet for regular exams that include eye pressure testing. Learn which breeds are at risk for blindness and how you can monitor and reduce his risk.