Miniature Schnauzers have several eye diseases (most hereditary) that can cause
eventual blindness in the dog: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) causes slow, progressive blindness, while Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration (SARD) results in sudden blindness.
Posterior Polar Subcapsular Cataracts (PPSC) involves the formation of a generally small cataract which does not typically produce
total blindness in the dog.
Penn Vet researchers have had success in treating various forms of
blindness in dogs with gene therapy, setting the stage to treat human blindness.
This is advantageous, since dogs provide new models to investigate the disease mechanisms and to plan new therapies such as gene therapy, successfully applied to
blindness in dogs and human previously,» explains Lohi.
Blindness in dogs is difficult to detect early as dogs tend to be remarkably adaptive, having memorized their surroundings and the placement of objects around the house.
They are also one of the most frequent ophthalmic diseases, as well as a major cause of
blindness in dogs, affecting both mixed and pure breeds.
Advanced cataracts are a leading cause of
blindness in dogs and are generally recognizable by pet owners as a decrease in the dog's vision or by a cloudy, whitish - blue appearance to the eye.
Epidemiological questionnaires have suggested that stress (for example, boarding, hospitalization, and home construction) may be a factor in the development of
blindness in some dogs.
There are other diseases that can cause
blindness in dogs.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a known genetic disease that causes
blindness in dogs.
«Dog glaucoma is one of the most common causes of
blindness in dogs.
Progressive retinal atrophy - PRA or progressive retinal atrophy is a degenerative disease of the retinal cells that can cause
blindness in the dog.
Blindness in dogs is commonly caused by: cataracts, glaucoma, SARDS, trauma, retinal diseases and diabetes.
There are, however, many degenerative diseases that cause
blindness in dogs and some of these will be treatable.
This is the most widespread hereditary retinal disease leading to
blindness in dogs.
With glaucoma being the leading cause of
blindness in dogs, be sure to know some of the warning signs.