What can I give my dog for cataracts?
You vet may prescribe a medicated eye drop (typically a topical anti-inflammatory or a steroid) to reduce inflammation of the eye, though surgery to remove the cataracts is usually considered the most effective treatment for cataracts in dogs.
How can I tell if my dog has cataracts?
Watch out for any of these symptoms of cataracts in your pet:
- Changes in eye color or changes in pupil size or shape.
- Cloudy pupils in one or both eyes.
- Clumsiness.
- Difficulty seeing in dimly lit areas.
- Reluctance to climb or jump.
- Rubbing or scratching of the eyes.
Why does my dog have a cataract in his eye?
A dog develops a cataract when the lens of the eye clouds, which is caused by changes in the water balance in the lens or changes to the proteins within the lens. When the lens becomes cloudy, light can’t reach the retina, causing blindness.
Can a puppy with cataracts grow into an adult?
Puppies born with congenital cataracts can improve as they mature. That’s because the lens inside the puppy’s eye grows along with the dog. When the area of cloudiness on the lens remains the same size, by the time the puppy becomes an adult, the affected portion of the lens is relatively small.
How are juvenile cataracts treated in a dog?
Causes and Treatment of Juvenile Cataracts in Dogs 1 How Cataracts Are Classified. A cataract interferes with normal vision. 2 Why Cataracts Develop. Several things can result in lens changes. 3 How Are Cataracts Treated. A cataract may affect only a portion of the lens… 4 Puppies and Congenital Cataracts. 5 Cataract Surgery for Dogs. In dogs…
What are the different stages of cataracts in dogs?
Although the different stages of cataracts in dogs are pretty clear, not all cataracts lead to blindness. This is because not all cataracts develop at the same rate. Cataracts in dogs due to aging tend to develop at a slower rate whereas cataracts caused by diabetes lead to blindness in approximately 75 percent of dogs within one year of diagnosis.
What is the best alternative treatment for cataracts in dogs?
A nutritious meal rich in vitamins A, C and E will contribute to treating a dog’s cataracts. Supplements such as zinc, found in healthy eye tissue, as well as methylsulfonylmethane are also considered to be effective deterrents to the progression of cataracts.
What is treatment for cataract?
There are two main types of surgical treatment for cataracts: traditional cataract surgery and laser-assisted cataract surgery. When performing traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon uses a scalpel blade to make a small incision on the side of the cornea. The surgeon then inserts an instrument through the incision to create a hole in the lens.
What is canine cataract?
Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. The condition can be so minor it doesn’t even interfere with vision, and it can be serious enough to cause permanent blindness in your dog, or less often, your cat. Canine cataracts are much more common and clinically significant than feline cataracts.