My dog is almost blind, about 80% of his eyes are covered in a greyish blue tint. Are these cataracts?
February 4, 2010 by Bowhunter
Filed under Hunting Blinds
Steelhead asked:
He's a 15 yo Lab...i think he will be about 100% blind in about one more year...what should I expect then? Can he still get around like that? He is also about 99% deaf too...the ole boy is about worn out...no more duck hunting for him.
He hasn't been nimble enough to hunt in about 5 yrs...he was a natural hunting dog...never winced at the sound of fire from teh first day he heard it...and he loved to swim...he doesn't even jump in our pool anymore...but when the gates left open he'll still be found on the other side of the neighborhood an hour later..lol
Archery Equipment
He's a 15 yo Lab...i think he will be about 100% blind in about one more year...what should I expect then? Can he still get around like that? He is also about 99% deaf too...the ole boy is about worn out...no more duck hunting for him.
He hasn't been nimble enough to hunt in about 5 yrs...he was a natural hunting dog...never winced at the sound of fire from teh first day he heard it...and he loved to swim...he doesn't even jump in our pool anymore...but when the gates left open he'll still be found on the other side of the neighborhood an hour later..lol
Archery Equipment
Garden Ponds
Yes those are cataracts.
Vintage Cars
Yes
Bowhunting Equipment
Cataracts don’t cover the cornea of the eye, they are in the lens. He could have another eye condition, possibly treatable! Get him checked out by a vet. Uveitis, pannus, glaucoma, keratitis sicca, are only a few of the other possibilities.
Camping Gear
sounds like cataracts, just be his friend and help him in and out of your house to go potty. He is barely getting around now, so stop trying to have him go duck hunting….ha ha
Camping Gear
They are probably cataracts. He is 15, so he won’t live many more years. Just take care of him and keep him happy.
Garden Ponds
Yes, those sound like cataracts. You can go to the vet and they can remove them most of the time. It would help him see again.
If he goes blind, don’t worry. He’ll still be able to get around. I know lots of people with blind/deaf dogs who are still fine with everything. You’d barely know they couldn’t hear/see.
Vintage Cars
Probably cataracts.
You’re so lucky to have 15 years.
Cherish the memories.
Mens Gold Rings
Yes those are cataracts.
although they can be removed, as humans have done, usually animals are left to suffer with them because the expense. sounds like your dog has had them a long time. At 15, his days are numbered – most labs live 10-14yrs
Sporting Goods
yes, that is probably catarac- i defintely wouldnt take him hunting anymore, though he should be fine around the house. just dont rearrange the furniture, so he knows where everthing is. when his quality of life starts to get too bad for him, you might consider euthansia, and you can have his creamated and put in a box or urn to keep. i know i wouldnt want to even think about that either. but like i said that is only when he is in constant pain or something like that.
Sporting Goods
Those are cataracts. They can be removed, but it’s expensive. I’ve never had a blind dog, but I had a blind cat and she got around ok as long as we kept things consistent, her food always in the same place, no moving of furniture, etc. What you have to ask yourself is what kind of life will a blind, deaf dog have, living in a silent, dark world? Will it be a good quality life? Will he still be able to do the things he enjoys? I suggest choosing 3 things he’s always enjoyed doing and ask, can he still do that? When my cat went deaf as well, we asked ourselves those questions, and as each thing fell away as something she could still do, it became clear that she was really only existing, not actively enjoying life. We then made that tough,tough decision to let her go, she was 19.
So my suggestion is to keep an eye on your boy, give him plenty of treats and pets and love, and really be aware of his quality of life. You’ll know when it’s time that way. You sound like a good owner, 15 is a grand old age for a lab!
Archery Equipment
At 15 he’s doing well it sounds like cataracts but to make sure take hiom to the vets. He will still be able to get around but at a slower and steady pace.
Vintage Cars
Yes, they are probably cataracts. I don’t know if a
vet can operate for this condition. I had it done for
myself. They replaced the lenses.
I had a dog that went blind with cataracts, she got
around pretty well. Can’t do any drastic furniture
rearranging though. My Ginger loved to go for a
ride, and always knew when I turned onto my
street.
Keep your pup happy and enjoy his company.
Mens Gold Rings
probably yes ,but he or she will be fine
Camping Gear
The best thing a dog owner can do is buy 3 books one
1) on vet med
2) on training
3) on the breed you have
This is your best help.
You will get a lot of wrong answers here-but some are good
Mens Gold Rings
I’m 98% sure those are cataracts. He should see a vet, because if he does in fact have cataracts, he will qualify as a special needs pet, and he’ll need special attention and care from now on.