When a dog displays the symptoms of cataracts, they will often appear in both eyes, though normally they will become prominent in one eye before the other. The cataract can be very clear, like a clouded glass or ice or can be milky white or almost opaque.
Dog cataracts will usually lead to continual loss of sight resulting in myopia or near sightedness. Eventually they can result in complete blindness in the effected eye. A few treatment options are available if your dog is displaying the early signs of cataract development.
By educating yourself on the types and causes of this ailment, you will be better able to treat you canine companion.
The Types of Dog Cataracts
If a dog is born with the eye already affected then these are referred to as congenital cataracts. The breeds of dogs where the congenital type is most likely to appear include the Miniature Schnauzer, Welsh Springer Spaniel and the Boston Terrier.
They are also found in Old English Sheep dogs and West Highland White Terriers. Developmental cataracts are those that appear after birth but before old age. These can be found in Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and occasionally in the Siberian Husky.
When the cataract appears after six years of age, they are called senile. When related to another disease of the eye they are called inherited and finally they can be caused by a trauma to the eye or the area around it.
Treatment Options for Dog Cataracts
The stages of development for the cataract are considered immature, mature and hyper-mature. All three of these types can be treated by complete or partial removal of the lens of the eye. As of now, there is no known way to clear up the eye and remove the cloudy film.
Luckily, most dogs will not need surgery to be treated. While reversal of the condition cannot be attained without surgery, the procedure of removing the lens of the eye is usually not suggested when dealing with your dog.
The exceptions to this rule are cataracts that are caused by nutrition, which can sometimes be reversed by changes in diet and nutritional intake of your dog. The second type is the hyper-mature kind that will sometimes develop clear spots over time where the cloudy film will go away.
The reasoning behind leaving surgery as a last option is because unlike the disease in humans, when it occurs in dogs it usually does not impair the vision to the point of making it necessary. The best judge of the severity of your dog’s condition is a veterinary ophthalmologist.
Since the cataract is not a life threatening condition this type of surgery is about the quality of life you want for your pet. Only in the severest of cases, is the surgical removal of the lens recommended for canines.