Canine cataracts are one of the most commonly occurring eye conditions in dogs. Cataract is a condition that refers to the opacity or blurriness of the lens in the eye. Cataracts can affect a part or the whole lens. It is a progressive condition that starts as incipient cataract which is a mild condition, and if untreated it gradually advances to immature and mature cataract which is a severe case of this condition. Cataracts in dogs can result in total loss of vision if it is not treated properly and in time.
All dogs are susceptible to cataracts regardless of their age, gender and breed. Cataracts in dogs advances gradually, affecting their abilities right from the instant they develop this condition. There are no known vaccinations yet for canine cataracts and can only be treated once it develops.
Causes
Causes for cataracts in dogs can be congenital or acquired. Congenital cataracts are genetic in nature and usually affect both eyes. While this condition can be present at birth in some breeds like Cocker Spaniels and Poodles, in others it can develop anytime during the first few weeks of their lives. Old age can also cause cataracts and is referred as senile cataracts. It usually develops in dogs that are six years or older.
Causes for acquired cataracts include diabetes, previous injury, trauma, imbalance in the metabolism of the lens in the eye and nutritional deficiencies. Cataracts caused by trauma often affect only one eye, while other forms of the condition can affect both eyes.
Symptoms
The most prominent symptom of canine cataracts is white or cloudy eyes. Other symptoms include swelling, redness and pain around the eyes, squinting, reluctance to explore new territories, marked hesitance to climbing stairs, constant bumping into things and decrease in activities like jumping.
Treatment
The most effective treatment for cataracts in dogs is surgery, especially if the condition is severe. The procedure has to be done only by a licensed pet surgeon as it requires anesthesia and incisions. However, even surgery cannot always guarantee complete restoration of vision.
Cataracts surgery is called phacoemulsification and involves removal of the opaque or affected lens and substituting it with an artificial lens. In some cases, sutures might be needed to support the inserted lens. Depending on various factors the recuperation time can be anywhere from a few days to more than six weeks.
However, to undergo this surgery, dogs have to be fit and healthy. Dogs with other conditions like unregulated diabetes are not considered as suitable candidates for surgery. Unfortunately, there are no other known treatments that are as effective for cataracts. While surgery cannot restore vision in all cases, it can definitely help to improve it.
Fortunately, cataract surgery is most often 90 to 95% successful. In some cases the procedures do not give the desired results because the cataracts are so severe that pet surgeons are not able to do much to reverse the condition.
It is important for you to understand that cataracts in dogs are a gradually advancing disease that can be reversed if diagnosed in early stages. Regular eyes exams can help in early detection and if diagnosed make sure that appropriate treatment is given to reverse the condition.
All dogs are susceptible to cataracts regardless of their age, gender and breed. Cataracts in dogs advances gradually, affecting their abilities right from the instant they develop this condition. There are no known vaccinations yet for canine cataracts and can only be treated once it develops.
Causes
Causes for cataracts in dogs can be congenital or acquired. Congenital cataracts are genetic in nature and usually affect both eyes. While this condition can be present at birth in some breeds like Cocker Spaniels and Poodles, in others it can develop anytime during the first few weeks of their lives. Old age can also cause cataracts and is referred as senile cataracts. It usually develops in dogs that are six years or older.
Causes for acquired cataracts include diabetes, previous injury, trauma, imbalance in the metabolism of the lens in the eye and nutritional deficiencies. Cataracts caused by trauma often affect only one eye, while other forms of the condition can affect both eyes.
Symptoms
The most prominent symptom of canine cataracts is white or cloudy eyes. Other symptoms include swelling, redness and pain around the eyes, squinting, reluctance to explore new territories, marked hesitance to climbing stairs, constant bumping into things and decrease in activities like jumping.
Treatment
The most effective treatment for cataracts in dogs is surgery, especially if the condition is severe. The procedure has to be done only by a licensed pet surgeon as it requires anesthesia and incisions. However, even surgery cannot always guarantee complete restoration of vision.
Cataracts surgery is called phacoemulsification and involves removal of the opaque or affected lens and substituting it with an artificial lens. In some cases, sutures might be needed to support the inserted lens. Depending on various factors the recuperation time can be anywhere from a few days to more than six weeks.
However, to undergo this surgery, dogs have to be fit and healthy. Dogs with other conditions like unregulated diabetes are not considered as suitable candidates for surgery. Unfortunately, there are no other known treatments that are as effective for cataracts. While surgery cannot restore vision in all cases, it can definitely help to improve it.
Fortunately, cataract surgery is most often 90 to 95% successful. In some cases the procedures do not give the desired results because the cataracts are so severe that pet surgeons are not able to do much to reverse the condition.
It is important for you to understand that cataracts in dogs are a gradually advancing disease that can be reversed if diagnosed in early stages. Regular eyes exams can help in early detection and if diagnosed make sure that appropriate treatment is given to reverse the condition.
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