Cataract is one of the most common eye conditions in dogs. It affects the lens inside the eyes and forms an opaque layer which blurs the vision. Canine cataracts are a progressive disease that starts as a mild condition called incipient cataract which develops into immature and then mature cataract. Without timely detection and treatment this condition might result in total loss of vision.
All dogs, irrespective of age, gender or breed are susceptible to cataracts which affect their abilities from the moment they acquire this condition. Unfortunately, there is no preventive medicine for cataracts in dogs and can be treated only after it develops.
Causes
Canine cataracts can be either congenital or not. Congenital cataracts are in-born and often affect both eyes. Some breeds like Boston Terriers can acquire this condition even at birth and in some dogs cataracts can develop in the first few weeks of their life, particularly when the cause is genetics.
However, old age can also be a cause and is called senile cataracts. Usually, senile cataracts develops when dogs are six years or older.
Some of the other causes include trauma, previous injury, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, defects in the metabolism of eye lens and other natural development of abnormalities. Most often cataracts caused by trauma affect only one eye, but other types of this disease can affect both eyes.
Symptoms
Some of the known symptoms of cataracts in dogs include change in eye color, decrease in activities like jumping, reluctance to climb up or down stairs, frequent bumping into things and reluctance to explore new places. Other symptoms include redness, swelling and pain around the eyes and squinting.
Treatment
Treatment for cataracts in dogs often involves surgery, especially when the condition has escalated to the immature or mature type. However, surgery does not always guarantee a 100% restoration of vision. The procedure involves anesthesia and incisions and has to be performed by a licensed pet surgeon.
Cataracts surgery in dogs is called phacoemulsification and is similar to the procedure done in humans. The procedure involves removing the blurry part of the lens and replacing it with artificial lens. Sutures might also be needed in some cases to support the artificial lens. While some dogs enjoy the results in just a few days, others might take about six weeks or more to recuperate and experience their improved vision.
In some cases insertion of artificial lens is not possible due to various complications. However, the surgery is still done in some cases as there are no other known cures for this condition and though the procedure will not restore the vision, it will at least help to improve it.
Most often, the success rate of cataracts surgery is about 90 to 95%. The remaining 5 to 10% do not benefit much from this procedure mostly because their cataracts have reached such an advanced stage that veterinarians are not able to do anything to restore their vision.
Just remember that cataracts are a gradually progressing disease and can be treated successfully only during the early stages to restore your dog’s vision. If diagnosed early make sure that you work closely with your veterinarian so that the condition of your dog can be reversed.
