Canine Diabetes and Cataracts in Dogs - Can You Stop Your Dog From Going Blind?

It just doesn't seems fair. Your doggie companion has been diagnosed with canine diabetes, and now he's having trouble with his sight. Unfortunately, cataracts in dogs are extremely common in dogs with diabetes. In fact, most canine diabetics will develop cataracts within a year of being diagnosed with this disease.



Basics Of Cataracts



A cataract forms when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and opaque. Since it's no longer transparent, the person or animal affected can no longer see through it. The result is blindness.



Cataracts are common is dogs. They can occur at any age, and in any breed, although most often they're seen in older dogs and in dogs with diabetes.



Why do Diabetic Dogs get Cataracts?



All cataracts develop in the same way, whether the pet has diabetes or not. The lens in your pet's eye is normally in a dehydrated state, compared to the rest of the body. There is a delicate balance between water and protein, which ensures that the lens remains clear.



If this balance is upset, more water is absorbed into the lens, which causes it to become cloudy and opaque. When diabetes strikes, the blood sugar levels rise all over the body. Glucose in the eyeball is absorbed into the lens. In turn, this causes the lens to absorb more water, which causes the cloudiness and vision loss in cataracts.



This can happen very quickly, even in as short a time as a few weeks. Sometimes this is the first symptom of canine diabetes that a pet owner will notice.



How Are Cataracts In Dogs Treated?



Cataracts are treated with surgery. Most canines who have cataract surgery regain their vision. If you decide not to have the surgery, your pet will become blind.



Believe it or not, blind dogs do very well. It's usually more of a problem for the owner than it is for the pet. Blind dogs adjust quickly, and can live long, happy lives. You will need to have your vet monitor your pet's eyes to prevent any other complications.



Can Natural Remedies For Dogs Protect Your Pet's Eyes?



Bilberry has a long history in folk medicine an an herb that can stop, or even reverse, the formation of cataracts. Scientific studies show that bilberries, a close relative of blueberries, contain anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing them from damaging the eyes.



Would a remedy that contains bilberries help prevent blindness from cataracts in dogs? It just might. In any case, it wouldn't hurt to try it, especially if bilberry is combined with goat's rue, astragalus, fenugreek, and chromium, which have been proven to lower blood glucose levels in pets.



It's essential to purchase a remedy made by a company that formulates only the safest and most effective natural pet remedies. You'll want to know your companion is receiving the right combination of herbs that will naturally regulate his blood glucose while protecting his eyes at the same time.



Don't wait any longer. While it's still fresh on your mind, learn more about how natural remedies for dogs can protect your diabetic pet's eyes.

Canine Diabetes - Will Your Dog Go Blind From Cataracts in Dogs?

If your canine companion has developed diabetes in dogs, he faces the threat of going blind. Cataracts in dogs are an unfortunate side effect for dogs with diabetes. Is there anything you can do to help him?



Why Are Cataracts In Dogs A Problem for Canine Diabetics?



This is only one of many problems that happen when glucose levels in your pet's blood become too high. In a nutshell, this is what happens. The lens of your pet's eye is a hard, clear structure that's normally in a dehydrated state, compared to the rest of his body. Your pet's body is 98 percent water, but the lens of his eye has a moisture level of only 66 percent.



When blood glucose levels get too high, there's also excess sugar in the fluid inside your pet's eyeball. Since the lens receives all its nutrients from this fluid, this means the sugar levels in the lens go up, as well. The lens absorbs more moisture to try to balance these levels.



Unfortunately, as the lens absorbs extra moisture, it becomes cloudy and opaque, so your pet is no longer able to see through it. When this happens, your pet will go blind.



This can happen very quickly, often in a matter of weeks. Sometimes this is the first symptom of canine diabetes that a pet owner will notice.



Is There Any Hope?



After your pet's blood sugar levels are stabilized, surgery can be performed on your pet's eyes. Usually it takes about three months before the operation can be done. Cataract surgery in canines usually has a good outcome, as over three-quarters of dogs operated on regain their sight.



This operation is quite expensive, though, and not everyone is able to afford it. It's awful to realize that your beloved pet is blind, but don't despair, as blind dogs adjust quickly. Usually the owner is more upset over it than the pet is. A blind dog can live happily for many years, although your vet will have to monitor his eyes to be sure no more complications develop.



Can Natural Remedies For Dogs Protect Your Pet's Vision?



Pet owners often want to know if bilberry can protect their pet's eyes. Bilberry has a reputation in folk medicine as an herb that can prevent the formation of cataracts. Some herbalists go so far as to say that bilberry not only slows down the progression of cataracts, but can reverse them as well.



Studies have shown than bilberries contain anthocyanins, which are antioxidants which neutralize free radicals that damage the eyes. Bilberries are a close relative of blueberries, and they're perfectly safe for your pet.



A natural pet remedy is now available that contains bilberry, combined with the herbs goat's rue, fenugreek, and astragalus, along with the mineral chromium. This remedy can help to regulate glucose levels in dogs with diabetes while protecting their eyes at the same time.



Now that you know how natural remedies for dogs can be used to treat canine diabetes, you'll want to learn more right away, so you can keep your pet healthy and maybe even preserve his vision as well.