A cataract is a clouding of a dog’s eye that can significantly impair its vision, depending on the severity. Any dog can develop cataracts, which may cause pain, blindness or related inflammatory eye conditions, all of which can impact the dog’s quality of life. Luckily, early detection can prevent cataracts from progressing and keep your dog happy and healthy as it ages. Here’s what you should know about cataracts in dogs.
What Are Dog Cataracts?
Cataracts are an increase in the opacity of an eye’s lens. Healthy lenses are completely transparent, letting light filter through to the retina and resulting in clear vision. When cataracts form, the lens becomes cloudy, and light can no longer pass through. This decreases a dog’s range of vision and, over time, can cause blindness.
Untreated cataracts can cause secondary issues to develop within the eye, such as chronic inflammation, glaucoma, retinal detachment, lens-induced uveitis or lens detachment. Because these secondary issues can be painful and irreversible, early detection is crucial in preserving a dog’s quality of life after cataracts.
Dog cataracts often appear as a visible whiteness or cloudiness of the eye. At certain angles, they may even appear sparkly or crystal-like. However, you might not notice cataracts when they’re small or just-formed, meaning it’s important not to rely solely on what you see to diagnose cataracts.
Causes of Cataracts in Dogs
Any dog can develop cataracts, regardless of its age, sex or breed. However, there are a few known causes to be aware of that might make some dogs more susceptible to the condition.
Genetic Factors
Hereditary cataracts are thought to be the most common cause of the condition in dogs. Certain dog breeds tend to be genetically predisposed to cataracts, including poodles, Labrador retrievers, American cocker spaniels, French bulldogs and Boston terriers.
Health Conditions Linked to Cataracts
It’s possible for cataracts to form as a complication of other diseases, most commonly diabetes mellitus. Nutritional deficiencies and low blood calcium levels (known as hypocalcemia) are also thought to produce cataracts in dogs.
Age and Environmental Factors
While young dogs can develop cataracts, they grow more common with old age, particularly in dogs over 8 years old. Environmental triggers, such as excessive exposure to UV light or toxic substances, are also possible.
Signs and Symptoms of Canine Cataracts
Detecting cataracts early can help you preserve your dog’s vision and prevent secondary conditions from forming. Be on the lookout for the following signs of cataracts in dogs.
Early Warning Signs
- Clumsiness
- Bumping into objects or hugging walls when walking
- Noticeable bulging or inflammation in or around the dog’s eye
- Difficulty locating food or water dishes
- Squinting or pawing at the eyes
- Walking with the nose close to the ground
- Hesitancy to descend stairs
- Unexplained increase in thirst or urination (often associated with diabetic cataracts)
When to Consult a Veterinary Ophthalmologist
If you notice your dog exhibiting any of the symptoms above or notice their eye changing in color or clarity, it’s best to consult a veterinary ophthalmologist. Obtaining a professional diagnosis is an important first step that will help identify effective treatment. A vet may diagnose cataracts in several ways. They’ll typically start with a physical examination to assess your dog’s eye before moving on to more complex tests that let them examine the lens directly. They might also call for blood work to identify any co-occurring diseases.
Treatment Options for Dog Cataracts
Canine cataracts can be treated with or without surgery, depending on their severity. Here’s what you should know about each method to make the best decision for your dog’s health.
Nonsurgical Management
Currently, no topical medications such as eye drops exist to effectively slow or reverse the progression of cataracts in dogs. A combination of supplements and healthy eating might prevent the condition from maturing too quickly and can lower the risk of complications like glaucoma.
To help a dog adapt to diminished vision, you can make changes to your home to promote its safety and comfort. This can mean putting up gates around staircases and keeping furniture and objects in consistent locations so your pup can get familiar with where things are. With small dogs, avoid picking them up when possible, as this can be disorienting.
Dog Cataract Surgery: What to Expect
Canine cataract surgery is the only option available to restore a dog’s vision after developing cataracts. If the operation is done before the cataracts have reached their mature stage, it’s likely the dog’s sight will revert back to normal levels. Surgery can also prevent secondary conditions from developing. However, a dog’s eligibility for the surgery will depend on its overall health and temperament.
The procedure involves surgical removal of the entire lens, which is then replaced with an artificial lens to restore retinal function. Following cataract surgery, your dog may spend several days in the hospital. Once discharged, it will typically require close monitoring. You might also be given eye drops to administer several times per day. Though complications are rare, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your pet to ensure it doesn’t develop inflammation or infections post-surgery. Most dogs that undergo surgery are up and playing as normal within a few weeks.
The cost of cataract surgery can be anywhere from $2,700 to $4,000, though this figure may fluctuate depending on the severity of the condition, co-occurring conditions and whether the cataracts are present in both eyes. For dogs that are otherwise healthy and expected to have a long life ahead of them, this cost may be worth it to restore their eyesight.
Preventing Cataracts in Dogs
While you may not be able to completely prevent cataracts in dogs due to the hereditary nature, you might be able to lower your dog’s risk of developing them with the following tips:
- Properly managing other health conditions, particularly diabetes
- Feeding your dog a healthy diet along with supplements that support eye function
- Keeping your dog physically active
- Scheduling regular eye exams
- Using protective gear as necessary, such as goggles to limit UV light exposure
Don’t Let Cataracts Dim Your Dog’s Life
Being mindful of the early signs of cataracts makes early intervention possible, and proper care ensures the condition doesn’t diminish your dog’s quality of life. Even with vision loss, great joy can still be found in keeping your dog happy so it can do the same for you in return.
Keeping a vision-impaired dog safe is likely your top priority as a pet owner, and Halo Collar can help. With GPS tracking and wireless dog fences, you can let your pup roam knowing it won’t go too far. Get started today by learning more about Halo Collar’s innovative features.
