A 4-Week-Old Mastiff Puppy Who Doesn't Seem to See
by A reader
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He had to be bottle fed after his mother's milk became infected, and he was a poor doer, fading at 4 days old. He was slow to grow and is still a week behind a normal Mastiff puppy. He was constipated and bloated, was put on another antibiotic at 5 days and seemed to get better, then we stopped because he was very restless and seemed to have a bellyache. He started on a good large breed puppy food at 3 1/2 weeks.
His eyes opened at 17 days. He doesn't seem to see but follows sound and otherwise sleeps. His eyes look outward and you can see white in the corners (I'm told wall-eyed, but not protruding). There is a blue ring around the outer eye, the inner eye is dark, not glassy, and they don't water or have discharge. No reaction to a flashlight, does not follow a towel or hand from side to side, and walks into things. The nearest board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists are several hours away.
Should I give him time or be more concerned? My vet said he can't help in this field.
Puppies' eyes open at around 2 weeks, but their vision is still developing for several more weeks, so at 4 to 5 weeks some fuzziness is normal. A puppy who walks into things, doesn't follow movement and has no reaction at all to a bright light is more concerning, though, especially with eyes that point outward.
A puppy who was very small and sick early on can be slower to develop, and some will improve. But there are also inherited and developmental eye problems that can cause blindness from birth, and some brain conditions (such as fluid on the brain) can cause outward-turned eyes and poor vision in young puppies. The blue ring and dark center you describe could be normal puppy eye color, but it is hard to tell without an exam.
It's reasonable to give him a little time, but please don't wait too long. Ask your vet to do a basic eye exam and a check for brain or development problems, and ask about a referral or a phone consult with a veterinary ophthalmologist. Some specialists do video consults or can review photos and your vet's findings. Keep a note of what he responds to each week.
Many blind dogs live happy, normal lives, using their hearing and nose. Keep his space consistent, block stairs and pools, and use sounds and scents to guide him. If cost is a worry, ask your vet about a payment plan, or look for a low-cost clinic, humane society clinic or veterinary school near you.
See how dogs see.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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