Cataract in dogs

What is cataract?

Cataract is the opacity of the lens of the dog's eye, which leads to blurring of the dog's vision. If the cataract is small, it will not greatly affect vision, but cataracts need to be observed, because the thicker and denser it becomes, the more likely that cataracts lead to blindness.

What leads to the development of cataracts?

Cataract can develop due to disease, eye trauma, with age, but the most common causes are hereditary conditions. Cataract can be present from birth or develop at an early age - between the first and third years of the dog's life. Also often cataracts occur in diabetes mellitus.

How do I know if my dog develops cataracts?

If your dog's eyes look cloudy or bluish-gray, you must take her to a veterinarian for a survey. You should be on your guard, although it's normal, if with age the lens of the dog becomes less transparent or gray. This condition is called nuclear sclerosis and does not threaten the sight of the dog as much as the cataract threatens. In addition, nuclear sclerosis usually does not require treatment. However, any opacification of your dog's eye is a sign to you that the dog needs to be taken to the veterinarian.

What happens if I leave cataract untreated?

An untreated cataract can "dislocate" or slip out of the tissues that hold it, releasing and floating inside the eye, where it can settle and block the natural outflow of fluid. This can lead to the development of glaucoma, which can lead to permanent blindness. In addition, cataracts may begin to dissolve, causing deep painful inflammation of the eyes.

Which dogs are more likely to develop cataracts?

Although cataracts can develop in dogs of any breed and any age, most often it occurs in cocker spaniels, poodles, mini-shnautzerov, terriers and golden retrievers.

How is cataract diagnosed?

A preliminary eye examination by a veterinarian will already help you decide if you are dealing with cataracts or with another condition that causes blurred vision. Then you should consult with an ophthalmologist to determine the size of the cataract and what steps you should take to treat this problem.

How can I help my dog save his sight?

In most cases, the development of cataract can not be prevented, but you can take certain measures to make sure that your dog's vision is preserved, especially if it suffers from such diseases as diabetes, for example.

• Regularly inspect your dog's eyes.
• Take your dog to the veterinarian if her eyes appear cloudy or bluish-gray.
• Take your dog to the veterinarian if you suspect that she has vision problems.
• If there is such an opportunity, find out the medical history of your dog's parents, because cataracts are often inherited.
• Be aware of any conditions that your dog has and can lead to the development of cataracts, such as diabetes or eye trauma.

What are the approaches to cataract treatment?

Vision, lost due to cataract, can often be restored with the help of surgical intervention. The veterinarian-ophthalmologist surgically removes the lens, replacing it with a plastic or acrylic lens. Surgical cataract treatment generally has a good level of success, but your veterinarian will need to determine if your dog is a good candidate for surgery. This procedure also requires prolonged postoperative care.

Note: if your dog suffers from a disease such as diabetes mellitus, then his treatment will reduce the likelihood of developing cataracts.

How should I care for my pet after surgical cataract treatment?

After the operation, before the healing of the eyes, your dog will need to wear a protective collar. You will have to provide her with a quiet environment, in addition, the dog will need to dig in eye drops several times a day for several weeks.

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