Blindness is a condition that is characterized by vision loss in both of the eyes. It is common for dogs to lose their vision as they age. However, the onset of blindness can be hard to define as dogs are capable of making up for what they lack in vision with their senses of smell and hearing. There are various common symptoms of blindness in dogs that their owners can watch out for.
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Clumsiness
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One sign of blindness in dogs to watch out for is clumsiness. If a dog wasn't clumsy before, but starts to exhibit signs of occasional clumsiness, it is a warning flag that he might have lost his vision. For example, if it is difficult for a dog to jump on or off a couch than it was previously, the dog might be experiencing vision loss.
Bumping
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Bumping into things is a very telling symptom of blindness in dogs. When dogs are used to their surroundings they can, in a very carefree manner, make their way around a place effortlessly. However, if a dog starts to bump into familiar objects, such as sofas and tables, it might be a strong indication that the dog is starting to lose his vision.
Behavior
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Dogs that are losing their vision often lose interest in things that they once enjoyed. Some telltale signs of dog blindness include excessive sleeping and behavior that is inattentive and distant compared with how they behaved in the past. Dogs often will stop playing around and being as interactive as they once were. Also, they are often easily scared or startled when their vision deteriorates.
Getting Lost
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Dogs that are becoming blind or are already blind become easily lost inside of a house. If a dog can't find his way around inside of a residence or in a yard, he most likely has lost some or all of his vision.
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