The term “cataract” refers to any opacity of the lens of the eye. Dogs of either gender can develop cataracts, and some breeds are especially at risk. Cataracts are more common in older animals but can be present at birth or develop very early in life. Cataracts affect a dog’s vision and can be progressive, leading to blindness.In dogs, cataracts typically have a strong hereditary component. Other contributing causes include nutritional deficiencies, low blood calcium
The term “cataract” refers to any opacity, regardless of size, of the lens of the eye. Dogs of either gender can develop cataracts for a number of different reasons, although in dogs most cataracts have a genetic component. Cataracts become more common with increasing age, although some can be present at birth (congenital cataracts) or develop early in life (juvenile cataracts). Other causes include nutritional deficiency, elevated blood glucose levels due to diabetes mellitus, exposure
Cataracts in our companion dogs are not difficult to diagnose. If an owner suspects that her dog may have developed cataracts or any vision problem, she should have her dog’s eyes examined by a veterinarian. Owners may be referred to a specialized veterinary ophthalmologist for advanced testing. The veterinarian will perform a series of tests to confirm the presence of cataracts or to determine what is causing the changes to the dog’s eyes and vision.As
Dog owners should seek veterinary advice if they suspect that their dog has cataracts or other vision problems. Dogs with uveitis (inflammation of certain interior structures of the eye) should be treated with topical anti-inflammatory medication, but the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. A thorough eye examination is important, because cataracts can progress rapidly. Short of blindness, cataracts can progress to glaucoma and to retinal detachment, at which point surgery may no longer