Cataracts ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

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Any health care links located here are NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your dog to a vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or injury. Call your vet and describe your dog's symptoms with any of your concerns about the dog's well-being. Your veterinarian may discover changes in your dog's health that you have overlooked. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

Cataracts

What is a cataract?

Inside the eye there is a lens which focuses light entering the eye on to the retina which is the light sensitive surface at the back of the eye. This is very similar to a camera which has a lens to focus light on to the film. If the whole or part of the lens within the dog's eye becomes opaque this is called a cataract.

What causes cataracts?

Some cataracts are the result of injury or diseases such as sugar diabetes. Some appear to occur spontaneously and are age related. In dog the greatest number of cataracts are inherited.

Are some breeds more prone than others?

Many breeds of dogs are affected with hereditary cataracts, among these are the Cocker Spaniel, Labrador, the Poodle, the Boston Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel to mention but a few.

Will my dog go blind?

If cataracts occupy less than 30% of the lens or only one lens is affected they will often go unnoticed by the dog. When the opacity is affecting about 60% of the total lens area, vision impairment is usually apparent. If the opacity progresses to 100% of the lens the dog is then unable to see. Whether the cataract remains static or does progress depends on the type of cataract, the breed and other factors.

Can anything be done to prevent my dog from going blind?

If the lens is sufficiently opaque to impair vision it can be removed by specialist surgical techniques. Following this operation of lendectomy, the dog has a good chance of seeing again but the outcome cannot be guaranteed.

How old will my dog be if he does go blind?

Since the major cause of cataract is hereditary, cataract progression varies from breed to breed. In some breeds cataracts will develop relatively early in life whereas in others the first signs are detected when the dog is several years old and progression is so slow that dogs still have reasonable sight when into old age.

Page URL: http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/cataracts.html

Resource References:
Much, much appreciation to Dr. Raymond Van Lienden, DVM of Clifton, VA USA for his extensive research in locating the material found on this page. Thank you, dear Doctor!