What Can You Do For Your Dog with Cataracts?
While some dogs are born blind, a dog with cataracts can lose their sight over time.
There is much that you can do for your dog with cataracts. The most notable health condition related to your dog’s vision is cataracts. Cataracts can potentially lead to blindness in dogs if left untreated. This condition can be pretty overwhelming for both you and your dog, especially if you are a novice dog owner.
Understanding this health issue is an important first step in determining the best course of action.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is any opacification (the process of becoming cloudy or opaque)of the lenses of a dog’s eye, which may impair its vision. Most cataracts are bilateral, that is, affect both eyes. Female dogs are most prone to the development of cataracts.
Different types of cataracts in dogs have been described by scholars, which include;
• Incipient cataracts-these are minute cataracts that cover less than 15% of a dog’s lens. Usually hard to see, and your dog’s veterinarian must use a magnification lens to spot them.
• Immature cataracts-this is a form of a mild cataract. Characterized by opacification of more than 15% of the dog’s lens with cataracts occurring in different parts of the eye
• Mature cataracts-this a much more severe type of cataract which may cause partial or total blindness since the entire lens is occluded
• Hypermature cataract-this is the most severe form of cataracts in dogs. The lens of a dog’s eye appears to atrophy(shrink), and the lens capsule appears wrinkled
Most common causes of cataracts in dogs
There are a number of causes that predispose dogs to develop cataracts during their life span; this includes;
Genetic predisposition
Some dogs breed have genes that cause cataract formation during their lifespan. This means that the probability of transferring this genetic mutation to their young ones is also high. Examples of dogs breed genetically predisposed to cataract formation include; Labrador Retrievers, French Poodle, Boston Terrier, Welsh Springer Spaniel, and the Havanese dog breed.
Diabetes Mellitus
This is a condition in which blood sugar levels are high and uncontrolled in a dog’s body. Diabetes contributes to the development of cataracts; through occlusion of the aqueous humor, which supplies the eye with nutrients and oxygen. When blood sugar levels rise, they cause inflammation of the aqueous humor, thus leading to cataract formation.
Age
Studies have shown that the risk of developing cataracts increases with age, although some dog breeds can get cataracts at a young age of even 1–5 years.
Eye trauma
Eye injuries such as blunt or penetrating trauma and chemical burns may also cause cataract formation in the lenses of your pet. Keep objects that may cause eye injuries away from your dog.
Symptoms that suggest that your dog may be having cataracts
As a pet owner, it’s vital that you identify signs that may indicate cataract formation in your dog’s eyes so as to prevent or at least slow down the progression of this debilitating condition. If you notice the symptoms below, please take your canine companion to a certified vet ophthalmologist for an immediate eye check-up;
• Change in color of your dog’s eyes. The most common change with be a graying or cloudiness of the eye.
• Change in the size and shape of your dog’s pupil
• Increased clumsiness-that is, your dog keeps on bumping into objects, having trouble gauging distance when jumping up, or being startled by things more easily. Your dog’s visual acuity may be deteriorating.
• Difficulty in seeing in dim places-dogs have more light rods; they can see at night much better than humans. So, if your dog finds it difficult to traverse through dimly light places, then this should be a telltale sign that something is wrong with its eyes
• Constant rubbing and scratching of eyes.
• Teary or watery eyes -this is usually a discharge and can be a sign of inflammation that may be brought about by cataract formation
How do vets diagnose this condition?
Veterinarian ophthalmologist will diagnose your dog through:
• Examining your dog’s eye lenses under a magnifying lens to see the percentage covered by cataracts
• They may draw a blood sample to determine what it is that caused the cataract formation-may be due to diabetes Mellitus or genetic predisposition
Treatment of dogs cataracts
Surgery
The mainstay mode of treatment is surgery through a procedure known as Phacoemulsification. This involves emulsifying the internal eyes lens by using an ultrasonic handpiece to remove the lens with cataracts from the affected eye. The removed lens is replaced with an acrylic or a plastic lens.
This procedure is usually a minor surgery and is typically done under general anesthesia to prevent your dog from feeling pain during the surgery. After cataract surgery, eye drops are administered to your dog, which aids in speeding up the healing rate and reducing pain.
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However, please take extreme caution if your dog is diabetic or has a heart condition. Surgery may not be safe for your dog. Anesthesia can be deadly to a dog with a weak heart. I had a client whose dog was diabetic that underwent cataract surgery. The dog was very lethargic and lost his appetite the day after surgery. This was a fatal complication from the surgery. The dog was rushed to the animal hospital but sadly did not survive. His parents were understandably grief-stricken They would have preferred to forego the surgery and risked blindness if they could have kept their little dog around for a few more years.
Drugs
Although the research on drugs used to prevent or cure cataracts in dogs is in its infancy, topical aldose reductase inhibitor drug is at times used to treat cataracts in diabetic dogs. You should apply this topical cream to your dog’s eye routinely without skipping any dose for a maximum therapeutic effect. Never self-prescribe medication for your dog without consulting your dog’s vet first.
Complications that may arise due to cataracts
It’s vital that you take your dog to a vet Ophthalmologist immediately if you suspect your dog is developing cataracts to prevent complications such as;
• Partial or total blindness
• Glaucoma-this is excessive pressure build up in your dog’s eye
• Pain which may cause discomfort and reduce your dog’s quality of life
Note that different dog breeds have varying predispositions of cataract formation. Ensure that you schedule a routine eye check-up with a certified veterinary ophthalmologist to slow down, if not prevent, the progression of cataract formation in your dog’s eye. Remember that cataracts can lead to irreversible blindness in your dog, so please treat this condition with the seriousness it deserves.
Some other common things that cause blindness are
Birth defects — Some dogs are born blind. These dogs will learn to navigate their world without sight. With some minor help from you, they can live happy and relatives normal lives.
Eye infections can lead to blindness. If your dog’s eyes are more watery than usual, the whites of their eyes are red, or there is a discharge coming out of their eyes, they need to be seen by a veterinarian to prevent permanent vision loss.
Eye trauma is one of the most common causes of vision loss. Dogs with naturally bulging eyes are at greater risk of eye injuries but it can happen to any dog. All eye injuries should be treated by a veterinarian immediately to preserve the dog’s eyes and vision. Eye trauma is not an injury that you should treat at home or “wait and see”.
While healthy dogs with cataracts can be improved with surgery, some causes of blindness cannot be cured or prevented. If you find that your senior dog has lost their sight, taking the following precautions will help them navigate more easily.
Inside the Home
Declutter. The fewer obstacles there are the better.
Baby gates can help contain your blind dog within an area that is safe for them. They are helpful by stairs to avoid falls or other high traffic areas that you may want to limit your dogs access.
Feed your dog in the same place so they can learn where it is. Don’t rearrange furniture if possible. The dog will quickly learn to navigate the home if things stay in the same spots.
Use your voice. Talk to the dog to avoid startling them when you are going to pet them or pick them up.
Outside in the world
Teaching them cues for stairs and curbs. Teaching your blind dog a cue like “stairs” or “curb” is very helpful to avoid them from bumping into stairs or falling off of curbs. If your dog has recently lost sight, a simple plastic cone can help prevent bumping their head until they learn to slow down and assess their environment better.
Shorter leashes will give you more control to help guide your blind dog when out on walks. A retractable leash is the worst choice for any dog — but especially for a blind dog. You need to be able to guide them and help them avoid obstacles. A retractable leash will not provide the level of control that you need. Blind dogs can bump their heads on short garden walls and fall off curbs or bump into stairs. A shorter leash combined with a slower pace and vigilance on your part will keep your dog safer. When you walk a blind dog, you must watch out for them. When I walk blind dogs, I have to focus all of my attention on them and helping them to avoid bumping into garden walls and polls.
Some blind dogs get frightened by new dogs. Always introduce new dogs to your blind dog cautiously. If your dog seems scared or fearful, it may become reactive.
Resources
1.Dziezyc J, Millichamp NJ, Smith WB. Fluorescein concentrations in the aqueous of dogs with cataracts. Prog Vet Comp Ophthalmol 1997;
7:267–270.
2.17. Leasure J, Gelatt KN, MacKay EO. The relationship of cataract maturityDziezyc J, Millichamp NJ, Smith WB. Fluorescein concentrations in
the aqueous of dogs with cataracts. Prog Vet Comp Ophthalmol 1997; 7:267–270.
3.Moore DL, McLellan GJ, Dubielzig RR. A study of the morphology of canine eyes enucleated or eviscerated due to complications following Phacoemulsification.
4.Vet Ophthalmol 2003;6:219–226. 8. Biros DJ, Gelatt KN, Brooks DE, et al. development of glaucoma after cataract surgery in dogs: 200 cases (1987–1998). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;216:1780–1786.
5. Van der Linden D, Bentley E, Miller P. Abstract no. 4: Assessment of quality of life in blind dogs. Vet Ophthalmol 2002;5:283–301.
6. Rambabu, K., Ramani, C., Nagarajan, L., Usha Kumary. S., Ramesh, S. and Ganesh, T. N. (2017) Incidence of Cataract in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Dogs: A Research Study. IJSR. 6(3): 2322–2324.
