I think my chihuahua is losing her sight. Can she still live a good life?

Question

I have a chihuahua that's about 18 months old. She's awesome.

Lately, I think she's losing her eyesight. She barks at people that she knows until they get very close. At night, if she's not in bed when I turn out the lights, she'll cry! It's pitiful, :-(

I read that lots of dog breeds have problems with retinal degeneration, and that it's hereditary, and that nothing can be done.

My question is, has anyone's dog gone blind? And is it still OK? Can it still go for walks at all? That may sound like a stupid question, but my dog follows my voice. Or will all of her walks be riding in my purse?

What happened when your dog went blind?

Answer 1

I had a 15 yr old shitzshu that you would have never known that she was blind. We just didn't change the furniture around and our dogs with eye sight would run into things before she would because, I guess, they took their sight for granted. She would take it slower going up and down steps, and that could be more from her arthritis than her sight. I doubt the barking of your dog has anything to do with eyesight since they go more by smell than sight anyway. If you think something is wrong with your dog's sight at 18 months of age, you really should go into the vet because that is way too early for any dog.

Answer 2

If you haven't already, I would first take her to the vet to see what the exact problem is. I work at a pet hotel and know a dog that comes in that has poor vision and is deaf. He even goes in play group with other dogs. He does just fine, but of course requires patience and a little TLC, but he's happy. But before you jump to any conclusions I would recommend taking her to the vet to see what kind of care she needs. I think she can have a fairly happy life, it's not like she is in pain, that would be a different story. You never know she might not even be losing her sight, and it could be treatable! :-)

Answer 3

I have two 14 year old Chi's and they have been losing there eye sight and there hearing. They still live a GREAT life and provide the same amount of love. Its fine!  

Answer 4

Take her to the vet if you think she's losing her sight. Maybe it's something that can be fixed. Of course she can live a good life without sight, with your help. Dogs use their noses for a lot of things anyway. You will have to make sure you don't leave stuff in odd places where she can run into it around the house, you should make sure she doesn't go off leash in an unfenced area, that she doesn't get startled by people or dogs approaching her suddenly, etc. If it turns out that she really is losing her sight, there's a lot you can do while she still has some to prepare her for when she doesn't

Answer 5

Animals adjust to disabilities a lot better than people. Our dog was born with cataracts. He went completely blind later in life, and deaf at the end of his life. He used the deafness to ignore us when he misbehaved. Your dog may need to adjust a bit, but should be fine. Take them out for walks to familiarize her with the areas scents, that way she will be able to find her way around alright.

Most animals, dogs and cats (we had one cat who also went blind, but he still got around the house without much trouble. It helped that he knew the house before he was completely blind) don't even notice that they are losing one sense or another.

Answer 6

When my West Highland Terrier lost her site to old age she knew where everything was in the house, I didn't take her for walks outside so you might not be able to do that. Carry her or put her in a baby carriage type thing to drive her around for new smells.