High Blood Pressure & Blindness in Dogs

• High blood pressure in dogs can lead to blindness"Inu 3" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: randihausken (Randi Hausken) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  

The Connection

• High blood pressure occurs when the blood vessels are too small for the amount of blood flowing through. As a result, the blood vessels explode causing bleeding. The retinas in the eyes are especially vulnerable to this, and blindness can result.
  
  

Risk Factors

• Older dogs are most at risk to suffer from high blood pressure and blindness. Other risk factors include preexisting conditions, like diabetes mellitus and Cushing's disease, and untreated injuries.
  
  

Symptoms

• Early signs of high blood pressure and blindness in dogs may include walking into walls and refusal to leave one spot. If you notice these symptoms, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
  
  

Treatment

• For permanent vision lost, the best treatment for dogs is to provide a safe living environment. Block off stairs and do not leave toys or other items lying around. When you enter your dog's presence, greet her vocally.
  
  

Recovery

• If caught early enough, your dog's condition can be cured. Veterinarian prescribed eye drops is one way to prevent blindness. Eye drops expand blood vessels, reducing high blood pressure.