Can Your Dog See Beyond His Nose?

Cataracts are the most common vision problem among dogs. However, contrary to popular belief, it does not only affect elderly dogs; in fact, genetics plays a much larger role than geriatrics. The word “cataract” is a Latin term that means “to break down,” and this is exactly what happens. The fibers in the lens of your dog’s eye – mostly made up of protein and water – break down and cause the lens to become more opaque, eventually causing blindness. It is relatively painless, and can usually be treated and even cured with surgery.

Three Kinds of Canine Cataract

1.     Developmental (early onset): This type is mostly inherited. As its name implies, it develops early in life, usually during the dog’s first year.

2.     Congenital (juvenile): the dog is born with cataracts. Usually, all cataracts develop in both eyes, but grows at different rates. Congenital cataracts can be inherited, but can also be caused by an infection or exposure to a toxin in utero.

3.     Senile (late onset): Cataracts develop among dogs over six years of age, but it is not as common as in older humans. Most of the time, senile cataracts do not develop at a uniform rate and one eye might be more affected than the other. They almost always start at the center of the eye, developing outward and eventually creating an opacity that covers the entire eye.

Cataracts can also develop following an injury or puncture by something like a thorn or claw. These kinds of cataracts can cause the same type of vision impairment and are treated the same way, a simple surgical proceedure.

When to See Your Vet

If you observe a milkiness or “crushed ice” look in your dog’s pupil – even in one pupil – or it appears that your dog does not see as well as he used to, immediately contact your vet. In fact, it would be a good idea to see your vet if the vision of your dog seems to be going, even when you can’t detect obvious damage in the eye. Vision problems are not very common in dogs, and can indicate more serious issues.

What to Do Next

Currently, there are very limited choices: let your dog live with reduced vision or invest in cataract surgery for dogs. During the surgery, a canine ophthalmologist will remove the damaged lens and insert a fresh replacement. It is expensive, and it carries only a few minor risks. There are dogs that suffer from post-surgical scarring that can limit vision. This can develop into glaucoma, which may mean additional surgery. Still, up to 95% of surgery results in vision that’s close to normal, so many owners believe the surgery is worth the investment in your pet’s quality of life.

What to Expect Post-Surgery

The vet surgery in Central Bucks takes about an hour an eye, and requires general anesthesia, but an overnight stay is not usually needed. Recovery takes about 6 weeks, and your dog may have to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent scratching and rubbing as the surgery site heals. Also, you will probably have to administer eye drops during the recovery period to prevent irritation.