I have a rescue dog, pit mix, who lost vision in her left eye soon after we got her (I think it was a congenital issue, maybe because she's a double-dapple??). She easily adapted to this and runs around our property just as easily as the other dogs.

Yesterday she injured her good eye somehow. Probably running into something in the brush, I guess. The eye itself seems intact, but it is clouded over and appears to hurt quite a bit. We have been putting antibiotic gel in it and giving her some pain med (mostly to make her sleepy and keep her still).

Our hope of course is that this is a temporary issue. But if it isn't....

She's an outside dog. We have 10 wooded acres at the end of a dead end road, surrounded by a couple of hundred wooded acres owned by neighbors. We've always let her run loose with our lab mix. The property itself is safe for outside dogs -- except for eye-level sticks I guess....

If she's blind, though, what should I do? I know dogs can adapt, but most of what I've read is about inside dogs. Do you think she can adapt to living outside if she's blind? We're quite willing to make her an inside dog. It's just that she's used to running around free.

I guess mostly I'm worried and need to vent. TIA

What did the vet say? If you have not gone, waste no time. Eye injuries are extremely time-sensitive.

Whoa...why wasn't this dog taken to an eye specialist ASAP? How do you know antibiotic gel is the way to go? What if it's something that can be fixed if done in a timely manner?!

Typing simulaneously w/Connie! Even more serious! This dog only has ONE EYE!!!

 Quote: Genie Hilton

The property itself is safe for outside dogs -- except for eye-level sticks I guess....

If she's blind, though, what should I do?

You've answered your question. If she can injure herself with one good eye, how is she going to manage blind? A house and an enclosed back yard is one thing...and easily managed by a blind dog.

Acerage is an entirely different matter.

Agree with Connie and Jenni...She needs a vet ASAP.

Genie, I hope everyone is really clear here. I understand that you are used to an outside dog who may rarely need or want your attention, but this dog needs a vet, and treating an eye injury on your own is not a good idea at all.

This eye might be saved. Having a couple of bracheocephalic dogs in my "pack" means that I have dealt with injuries to their protruding eyes. The worst one I saw was still saved by early vet treatment. By early, I mean now.

Not only is the eye in danger, but you may be seeing infection in very close proximity to the sinus cavities (and brain).

 Quote: Sarah Morris

You've answered your question. If she can injure herself with one good eye, how is she going to manage blind?

You're right, of course.

Also, I left out the part where I immediately called a good friend of mine who is an experienced vet tech. Her evaluation was that the eye was intact and there was nothing to do but wait. She helped me treat the eye with antibiotic drops and gel.

Just checked her, and the pain med seems to have kicked in. She's holding the eye open now and seems to be tracking objects with her eyes. It's still clouded, but better than it was.

An experienced vet tech would know this is not something that can be diagnosed or treated by anyone other than a doctor. The eye needs to be looked at. "Clouded" is not normal.

Genie, please, the dog needs to be examined by a doctor...now.

A vet tech who would agree to "treat" an eye injury (at home, yet) is waaaaaay out of line.

But that's not my worry. My concern is for the dog.

And Genie, we are not piling on you. You got bad advice from your tech friend if that was who told you that you did not need a vet to treat an eye injury -- on a one-eyed dog, no less.

Now you know better. I'm glad you posted.