Causes of Retinal Detachment in a Chow Chow

Retinal detachment can be inherited in some breeds, usually as part of a developmental eye condition present from puppyhood. Chows aren't one of the classic breeds for this, but they are prone to other eye problems such as glaucoma, which can lead to detachment.

Besides trauma, common causes include high blood pressure (often from kidney disease or hormone problems), inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) from infection or immune disease, glaucoma, cataracts, and less often cancer. Sometimes no cause is found.

If your dog has a detachment, ask your vet about a blood pressure check and blood and urine tests, since treating the cause can sometimes save vision in the other eye. A veterinary ophthalmologist can tell you whether surgery or medicine might help.

See dog eye problems.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.