Why can't my old dog see downward and keeps falling on stairs?

Question

Suddenly he seems to not be able to see downward. He used to be able to walk down steps now he seems to leap off the top step until he hits the ground. And I'm afraid he's going to hurt himself. Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | neutered | 13 years and 5 months old | 10 lbs

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Hi there. Based on your description, I would be concerned that Charlie may be having some trouble with his vision. There are many things that can cause this in older dogs, including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal degeneration. Some of these problems may be treatable once a diagnosis is made, so I would recommend taking Charlie to the vet for an exam when you are able to. He/she can advise you on what treatment options are available, if any, depending on what is found. In the meantime, if Charlie doesn't do very well with stairs anymore, you may need to use a baby gate or other barrier to block his access to the stairway, and carry him up and down when needed.

Why can't my old dog see downward and keeps falling on stairs?

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