If a dog becomes blind, will they be in pain?

Hi :)

First of all I'm sorry that your pain has to go through all this emotional stress. To answers your question simply, is a blind person in pain? No, a blind dog is also not in pain, a part of it's brain is just not functioning correctly. But then again this depends on how the dog became blind.

Is it due to abuse? Sickness? Was it born this way? If it has been born this way, then tell your friends dad that that dog deserves to live! Being blind is a imperfection, but nobody is perfect! Making a healthy dog be put down for no good reason is simply inhumane. Of course if the dog is some how suffering, I think you should try to gently explain this to your friend. I know that your friend loves this dog, but if he in fact he/she is in pain (due to being blinded by sickness/abuse/etc) then it may be better to have him put down. But don't give up, the dog still might be saved! :) He can be rehabilitated or the vet may find a way to cure him.

Just try to make your friend understand that it will be better for the dog, and that he will be happier. Also try to find out why your friend's dad wants to get rid of the dog. Maybe it's not because the dog is blind, it may be simply because your friend doesn't take care of the dog well enough, or due to financial reasons.

Good luck with your dog!

God bless

If the blindness is caused by a genetic condition, then there should be no pain for the animal. I had a coyote as a child, legally adopted from a shelter, which was another story entirely. Anyway, when she was 8 she started to go blind, the vet recommended medicinal eye drops that would delay total blindness, but the drops did hurt her. Ultimately, we felt it wasn't worth hurting her just to delay total blindness and stopped the eye drops. She went blind, but didn't seem to care and lived to be 13 1/2. She was a happy dog before and after and she acclimated well. Blindness is no reason to put a dog down, though if other health complications are present it might become necessary. You need to do what is best for the animal, as painful as that is some times. Your friend's vet will be able to give the best advice, no credible vet would recommend putting down an otherwise healthy animal, so your friend's father should listen carefully to what the professionals have to say.

Let me think a minute,.... Nope,.. Humans don't get put down for going blind. Most animals can adept and function fine while Blind. Is the dog biteing or nipping and what are the circumstances? Alot of dogs nip without being blind,.. some dogs bite without being blind. If you were blind and with strangers that do not speak your language-- how would you communicate when you are hungry, tired, have to "go potty", "Please don't hurt me! DOn"T HURT ME! I'm scared you are going to crush me"... etc. I can say the Dog can't get up and start pulling at hair and smacking people,.. so I guess it's stuck with nipping and biteing. I would try to make things stationairy and quit changeing the location of the Dog. Every animal that is blind has to learn the distance between things and were obstecles are and valuate new things placed infront of them. Is it really alive or does it just belong to the humans? Is this something that can be moved like a curtain or is it stuck here and I can't pass? Where are the dips, bumps, and steps on this floor? Is this different surface I am stepping onto stable, slippery or painful? You need to give them time and stablity. Every blind animal needs to learn their enviornment. P.S. I didn't clarify. Make things that are for the Dog Stationary. Keep it's food, water, and toys in one place. It would still like some toys, try to have a Toy Basket and put it's toys away there. This will help the dog locate a few essentials. Try to move these to place you will only move them to clean. You may also want to invest in Child or Pet Gates, these you put in the doorways of rooms and steps you do not want a child or dog to enter. These would be helpful when you CLEAN FLOORS. Added: Oh, if you or someone you know decides to keep the dog, you may want to get some Bubble wrap for new or moved Furniture. Whenever you move something put bubble wrap around the base or the legs,.. or alternatively towels.. this will cause the Dog less injuries while giving it some sense something new is located there. You will eventurally remove the bubble wrap or towels when you notice the Dog has caught on to something being there and adjusted it's paths while walking to fit.

Blindness won't cause pain, or at least no blind pet I've ever met was in pain because it was blind. If the dog is in pain, and there's no way of curing it, then putting it down might really be the best choice for the dog. I know it's extremely hard, and not something anyone wants to do. I recently had to have my cat put down (while I was out of town, at that! Couldn't even be there for her!) because she had stopped eating for unknown reasons (yes we took her to the vet, but the tests showed nothing). She had liver failure, was in pain, could barely function, and the treatments weren't working, if anything they were only making her more miserable. I wanted to at least be there for her when she was put down, but her condition was so bad that it couldn't wait. It would have been horrible for her to have to wait until I got back to my parent's house and suffer just so I could see her again. If your friend really cares for this dog, and the dog can't be helped, she'll have to realize that the most humane thing could be to put the dog down. Have her check with a vet and see if there's anything else that can be done for the dog. But in reality, pets don't live very long, and them dying is a part of owning one. It might not fit in with her life right now, but her life is not her dog's life, and the dog's life is what needs to be taken into consideration.

I wish your friend the best, I'm very sorry to hear that your friend is in this situation, and really hope that you'll be there for her no matter what happens. She will cry, she will be sad, no one likes losing their pet, and it will be depressing. So as her best friend, it's up to you to choose whether or not you want to help her through this by being her comfort and support. Best of luck to you both.

Most elderly dogs develop cataracts in their eyes. If you look into the dog's eyes, especially from the side of her face, it will look like there is a cloudy white fog, or film over the eye. While cataracts can lead to blindness, they do not cause pain. Dogs can live for years after developing cataracts. If the dog has no other illnesses, disorders, or symptoms, there is no need to put down the dog. When a dog is in pain, it usually displays symptoms like treating the affected part of the body tenderly and even whimpering. Almost all older dogs slow down and grow stiff with age, so a dog taking longer to get up, unable to jump on the couch or bed anymore, and even limping might not be in pain at all. Smaller dogs can live as long as 15-17 years, but larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans. Your friend should ask her father to take her and the dog to the vet, but promise to leave any decision about the dog up to the impartial vet. It's a good idea to get your older dog examined by the vet every six months to catch any developing issues quickly. Every six months sounds often, but dogs age much faster than adults and that would be similar to an adult human going to a doctor every 2-3 years. Your friend's vet can check out her dog and then talk about any symptoms of serious illness, if there are any. Stiffness can be treated with vitamins and/or medication. Medicated dog food can help stomach and bladder issues. The vet can tell a lot about the dog's health by touching it, listening to the dog's lungs and heart, and doing some simple blood tests. Then the vet can give your friend and her dad an idea of the dog's general health. Your friend can ask the vet what signs to look for in order to tell if her dog is seriously ill or in pain. I know your friend is probably afraid to get near a vet with her dad saying to put down the dog. If she really thinks her dad is the kind of guy who would agree to take her, then tell the vet to put the dog to sleep, she could ask a relative, friend's mom, or other trusted adult to take her and she can take home a report from the vet saying her dog is not in pain. Depending on what area of the country you live in, the exam and bloodwork could cost $65 or more. Any vitamins or medications would increase that cost. Putting the dog down would cost at least that much, though, so maybe your friend can convince her dad to pay for an exam and the vet's opinion, if they both agree to go by the vet's recommendations in the best interests of the dog.

13 in human years, that 2 in dog years are your sure you have that right. Blind does not mean pain it just means they can't see. I know several blind dogs that do just fine in life. Not a reason to put the dog down, it can still live a long happy life. Dogs adjust very well to things, and can rely on their scene of smell.

It just needs a little extra attention. Why is the dog going blind (can it be corrected)?

Blindness itself isn't painful ... and many dogs who become blind can get around just fine (don't move the furniture!).

When (or whether) to euthanize a pet should be a decision made based on quality-of-life issues. If the dog has no other major health problems and still enjoys life, blindness alone is not reason enough to euthanize. If there ARE other health concerns, it may be time to think about making the hard decision.

Being blind will not in and of itself cause pain - but if the blindness is a symptom of a more serious condition, such as cancer or diabetis, then yes, the dog could be in pain.

If a dog is in pain you will observe changes in its behaviour. It will tend to isolate itself, removing itself from other members of the household and seeking quiet dark places to hide. It may show an increased neediness, and want to cuddle up more than normal. It may vocalise pain with yelps or whines, or it may be reluctant to move. It might snap or growl when touched. The eyes may appear glassy, the dog may pant more than the conditions require, it may show nervousness or signs of anxiety. It may have trouble getting comfortable to sleep, and pace around in agitation. If the dog is doing these sorts of things, then a visit to a vet for a check up will put everyone's mind at ease.

Pain can be managed, even in very old dogs, so your friend and her father should take their dog to a vet and ask for advice.

It really depends on why the dog went blind. Was it an injury, illness, cataracts, just old age? An injury or illness could cause pain, but cataracts wouldn't. Dogs seem to get around just find inside where they know where things are. Find out why the dog went blind before making any decisions on putting it down. Only a vet can tell your friend that. Please have it checked before making any decision.

I have read in several sources that untreated cataracts can lead to glaucoma which is pressure on the eyeball. This can be an extremely painful condition in humans and I dont see any reason why it wouldn t be painful to dogs.