Eye diseases in dogs may affect animals as young as a few months old, but as they mature, the risk of permanent vision loss increases. Treatment options range from the manageable to the incurable when it comes to health conditions. Many canines and felines suffer from visual loss due to old age or illness. Your pet’s sight loss may go unnoticed if the layout of your house stays the same, as long as your pet has a good memory for it.
What to Know about Sight Loss
Preventive geriatric care for pets is needed to keep senior pets happy and healthy as they age. Even if your pet has a disease or sickness that hinders their eyesight, you may not notice that your pet has lost a substantial portion of their vision until they start acting strangely or bumping into things and walls. Below are only a few of the most common causes of pet blindness.
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Conjunctivitis
- Uveitis
- Foreign object
- Nuclear sclerosis
- Atrophy of the retina
Looking for Citrus Heights veterinary clinic? Family Friends Veterinary provides a wide range of preventative and therapeutic treatments to cats and dogs.
What to Do When Surgery Is Needed
For older dogs, anesthesia and recovery periods may be more complicated and take longer than younger animals. Even so, surgery is still an option for them. The good news is that many older dogs may perform well during and after surgery and can enhance their quality of life substantially. A comprehensive preoperative examination is essential for older dogs as with any surgical procedure.
If we ignore our elderly dogs, we may miss signs of illness. Prior to the treatment, a physical examination, diagnostic tests such as blood work (including blood cell count and chemistry), x-rays, and occasionally even ultrasounds of the abdomen or heart may be performed. Identifying (and treating) pre existing health issues may dramatically minimize anesthetic risks before surgery.
Additionally, your veterinarian may recommend thoroughly observing your pet throughout the operation. Blood pressure, temperature, and other vital indicators will be measured and recorded and heart rate and oxygen saturation. An experienced veterinary surgeon may be recommended if your physician doesn’t have the proper monitoring equipment to care for your dog.
How to Make It Easier for Pets With Vision Problems
If you notice your dog is losing their vision, do not modify your daily routines. Once they’ve explored the fenced-in area, pets may utilize nearby landmarks to find their way back inside the house. The short plastic fences may also be used to keep them confined. Audio cues are used to communicate orders instead of images.
If your dog is aging, you may notice that they are losing some eyesight. As long as we have enough lights, we can help these animals. As an example, you may provide them with illumination by placing a patio light at the summit of the stairwell. After that, they would be content to go. This is why having a hallway night light is beneficial.
Use a baby gate to block off the stairs to protect your pet. Avoid rearranging the furniture, as well! Finally, remember that your dog may get worried as he adapts to losing his senses, so chat to your veterinarian about methods to lessen his stress, both medically and non-medically.
Related: What to expect from veterinary surgery? Visit this website to learn more.
