Doggy Not Seeing Clearly? 3 Steps to Take If Your Dog Is Having Vision Problems

Has your dog been bumping into things? Does it have a difficult time finding its way around the house? Is it getting up there in years? If you answered yes to these questions, your dog may be suffering from age-related vision problems. Here are three steps you should take if your dog is having trouble seeing.

Avoid Sudden Changes

If your furniture has been in the same place for as long as you can remember, avoid making sudden changes. This is particularly true if your dog is used to the way things are. Rearranging the furniture can cause your dog to bump into things as it tries to learn its way around again. If you do need to make changes to your furniture arrangement, be sure to give your dog a guided tour. Put your dog on a leash and walk it through the house several times to help it adjust to the changes. It's important to note that you should use the leash technique whenever you take your dog to a new location. Taking your dog on a guided tour of all new surroundings will help your dog feel comfortable.

Keep It Close

The outside world can be a dangerous place for a dog with vision problems. If your dog is having trouble seeing, you should make sure it stays on a leash whenever you go outside. This includes your own backyard. You never know when hidden dangers are going to pop up that can pose a serious threat for your dog. For instance, if your dog has vision problems, it might not see a gopher hole that's been recently dug. Protect your dog by keeping it close by whenever it goes outside.

See the Vet

If your dog has been diagnosed with age-related vision problems, you need to pay close attention to the changes that might take place. Rapid vision changes may be a sign of a more serious vision problem. Like humans, dogs can develop cataracts. If a cataract is left untreated, the lens material can leak out around the cataract. When that happens, your dog may begin squinting or may develop painful eye inflammation. If your dog experiences eye inflammation or is in pain, you need to see a veterinarian, such as one at Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital, as soon as possible.

As your dog ages, vision problems can interfere with its ability to get around properly. If your dog has trouble seeing, use the tips provided here to help make life easier for it. 

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