Dog eyes work like human eyes. Their eyes have lenses, corneas, pupils, cones, and rods that work like human eyes. However, dogs see things a little differently than humans. Because dog eyes work like human eyes, dogs can develop eye conditions similar to human eyes. Cataracts in dogs are one of the most common health problems that dog owners worry about for their dogs.
It is essential to know
- What is a cataract in Dogs?
- How is it?
- what does the vet treat?
Knowing this can reduce your dog’s chances of developing cataracts and improve your dog’s health by providing the necessary treatment.
What are Cataracts in Dogs?
A cataract in Dogs is a small cloudy or white coating on the lens of the eye.
The function of the lens is that when light falls on an object, its reflection reaches the retina of the eye through the lens. Through which an animal can see. So it is important to keep the eye lens clean. But in the case of cataracts, the lens becomes cloudy. As a result, the light image cannot reach the retina. Because of this, the eyes cannot see anything.
What Happens When Cataracts in Dogs Goes Untreated?
Don’t take it lightly if your dog has cataracts. Because cataracts can make your dog blind overnight.
A cataract is a small white coating on the eye’s lens, causing your dog to have blurred or blurred vision due to the inability of light to reach the cornea.
It may be small initially, but it gradually becomes larger, and once it matures, your dog can become blind overnight. So prioritize it early on and get your dog treated by a vet.
What Causes Cataracts in Dogs?
Cataracts in dogs causes are mostly hereditary. According to experts, more than 100 breeds of dogs have a history of hereditary cataracts. If your dog has a hereditary history of cataracts, your dog may also have cataracts.
However, hereditary cataracts do not necessarily mean that your dog will develop cataracts and that your dog will not develop cataracts without congenital cataracts is also incorrect.
Another cause of cataracts in dogs is trauma. Cataracts can often be caused by trauma to your dog’s eye.
Aging is also a cause of cataracts in dogs.
Just like human eyes, dog eyes change with age. If your dog is older, he may have whites in his eyes. After this, any eye disease can cause cataracts.
Diabetes is another cause of cataracts in dogs. Cataracts in diabetic dogs usually develop about 1 year after diabetes. Diabetics have high blood sugar levels, and when blood sugar levels rise, the water balance in the lens of the eye is imbalanced, causing cataracts. And when a diabetic dog develops a cataract, it spreads so quickly that the eye can become blind within two days.
Since there is no home remedy for cataracts, your dog may become blind due to cataracts. So get your dog treated by a vet as soon as cataracts appear.
Diagnosing cataracts
If your dog’s eyes appear white or cloudy, has diabetes or if you find any suspect that your dog has cataracts, you should consult a veterinarian who will thoroughly examine your dog. Even though the cataract is very small and early, just forming, the vet is able to diagnose it using a bright light and magnifying lens. Moreover, even if your dog does not have cataracts, it is possible to get rid of cataracts by diagnosing and treating any disease that may cause cataracts.
The doctor can check your dog’s blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, etc., and put all the reports together to give the symptoms of cataracts and their solution.
Cataracts can cause eye damage over time if you don’t notice them in the early stages, and once cataracts develop, they can blind your dog. So blind that your dog runs into a wall or pole. The dog will not find its own food bowl.
So, if you know how to diagnose cataracts in dogs, you can treat them quickly.
Manage your Dog’s Cataracts Naturally
You can naturally control your dog’s cataracts with certain foods. You can prevent cataracts by feeding your dog a healthy diet. Include natural foods in your dog’s feeding routine. Avoid processed foods such as kibble and Toxic foods as well.
Healthy Dog Foods to prevent Cataracts in Dogs
Add eye-friendly foods to your dog’s diet.
🥚 Eggs
Eggs are rich in vitamin A, which is great for the eyes, and contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which are great for preventing cataracts in your dog’s eyes.
🥩 Lean meat
Lean meat works best to prevent cataracts in your dog’s eyes. It contains eye-helping zinc which is good for the eyes.
🍒 Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants that play an effective role in preventing eye diseases.
🍜 Foods rich in Vitamin E
Vitamin E is very beneficial for the eyes. Olive oil, almonds, and spinach are rich sources of vitamin E.
🍊 Orange foods
Orange foods contain carotene, which is good for dogs’ eyes. Carrots and pumpkins contain carotene.
By feeding those types of foods, you can prevent cataracts and other eye diseases in your dog. Moreover, these foods are beneficial for the overall development of the dog’s health.
But if your dog’s eyes start to develop cataracts or develop symptoms, you must contact a veterinarian to treat your dog.
Cataract treatment in dogs
Surgery is the only way to treat cataracts in dogs because cataract treatment therapy has not been discovered yet. However, many specialist doctors are currently researching several drugs, including ARI eye drops, that will be effective in the treatment of diabetic cataracts.
There are several things to keep in mind in cataract treatment. For example, if there is any other disease such as skin disease, dental disease, diabetes, etc. during or before the operation, its effect will also affect the cataract operation. As a result, the dog will not be able to see even after the operation. Therefore, before cataract surgery, veterinarians diagnose and treat other diseases in the dog’s body, and then perform cataract surgery.
If your dog is going to have cataract surgery, vets may prescribe some medication before the surgery, which the dog may need for a few weeks to a few days after the surgery. This will keep any eye diseases under control so that your dog will not have any eye problems during or after cataract surgery.
The operation involves changing the lens of a dog’s eye with cataracts. The dog’s lens is cut out and replaced with an artificial lens.
This artificial lens stays permanently attached to the eye.
About 85-90 percent of dogs recover their vision after cataract surgery.
⁉ Frequently asked questions about Cataracts in Dogs
What can I do for my dog that has cataracts?
There is no cure for cataracts. Once a cataract has developed, the only solution is surgery. The vet performs this operation by cutting the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens.
Can dogs live comfortably with cataracts?
Of course not. Because cataracts in the eyes if not treated, eventually lead to inflammation of the eyes and may lead to glaucoma. That causes a lot of pain. So canine distemper should be operated on quickly.
What do early-stage cataracts look like in dogs?
Cataracts can be understood by looking at the dog’s eyes in the early stages. This is the early stage of cataracts in dogs stages. Usually, the lens inside the eye is transparent and straightforward, but when a cataract occurs, the eye’s lens is no longer clear and transparent. It becomes white or cloudy.
Can dogs with cataracts see at night?
Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to become white and cloudy. As a result, light cannot pass through the lens to the cornea, causing the eye to be unable to see. If the lens is not completely white and light can pass through the lens to the cornea, the eye can see both during the day and at night.
Which dog breeds are prone to cataracts?
Hereditary cataracts are one of the main causes of cataracts in dogs. Some of the dogs that have hereditary cataracts include Labrador Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel, French poodle, Boston Terrier, etc.
How much does it cost to fix dog cataracts?
Dog cataract surgery usually costs between $2,700 to $4,000. Depending on the condition of the dog’s cataracts and the quality of treatment, you should expect to spend between $2,700 and $4,000 for your dog. However, the average cost is about $3,500.
