Blindness in dogs is a condition that can arise for different reasons. Usually it is a condition derived from some disease that causes progressive loss of vision. In others, sudden blindness in dogs can happen. That is, it is a problem that happens unexpectedly, and not gradually. This usually shakes the guardians and the animal itself, which becomes very upset.disoriented and not knowing what is happening.

But what can cause "momentary" dog blindness? To understand what happened and how to deal with this situation in the best possible way, we have prepared a special article with tips on what to do in case of sudden dog blindness.

Sudden blindness in a dog: what can it be?

If you're wondering what causes sudden blindness in dogs, there are several possibilities. Sometimes an accident or trauma is the reason for the problem - and in these cases, you can't predict what will happen. However, some eye and endocrine diseases (such as diabetes) can also cause this type of blindness in dogs. These are:

Cataract - If it is a case of sudden blindness in a dog and white retina, there is a high chance that it is a cataract. Generally, the evolution of the disease is slow and progressive, but when it comes to cataracts in dogs derived from canine diabetes, the condition evolves rapidly and can cause sudden blindness.

Glaucoma - Glaucoma in dogs is characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure. This alteration can be caused by different factors, but usually leaves the dog blind quickly and sometimes irreversibly.

Retinal detachment - It is one of the most common situations when sudden blindness occurs in dogs. In these cases, the retina becomes detached from the anatomical region and impairs the animal's vision. It may be related to high blood pressure, infectious diseases and hemoparasitosis (such as tick disease).

Drug poisoning - The wrong administration of some drugs can cause sudden blindness in dogs. This is most common with the use of ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug widely used to care for dogs and which can cause total or partial blindness.

Optic neuritis - This is a condition caused by inflammation of the optic nerve. Symptoms include total or partial loss of vision, and the problem usually resolves spontaneously. Still, it is good to seek to understand the causes of inflammation.

For those wondering if anemia in dogs causes blindness, the answer is no. Although it is a problem that should be treated to prevent other diseases, an anemic dog will not go totally blind out of nowhere.

What to do when faced with blindness in a dog?

Sudden blindness in dogs is a situation that worries owners and needs attention, but it should not be a cause for despair. At such times, the most important thing is to give all the necessary support to your pet, who is probably disoriented and shaken. Even knowing all the possibilities of what causes blindness in dogs, you should seek help from a veterinary ophthalmologist andnever self-medicate or attempt to treat the pet yourself.

The professional will be responsible for carrying out a series of ophthalmic examinations on your dog to try to find out exactly what caused the sudden blindness in the animal and understand the severity of the situation. In addition, he will indicate the best treatment, in cases where the problem is reversible.

Is blindness in dogs curable?

In most cases, yes: sudden blindness in dogs is curable. With the exception of glaucoma - which is often irreversible - and accidents that directly affect the eyeball, but the other conditions are usually reversible. To have the correct diagnosis, as well as the most appropriate treatment, just seek the advice of a veterinarian specialized in the area.