Cataracts in dogs

Overview

The lens is the portion of the eye that is responsible for letting light through to the back of the eye and for focusing light on the retina for proper vision.  A normal lens in a dog's eye is clear so it can do its jobs.  A cataract is a clouding of the lens that ultimately prevents the lens from performing its normal duties.  This clouding can be very small initially and not interfere with vision, or the clouding can grow, involving more of the lens and causing blurred vision. Eventually, the entire lens can become completely opaque, and your dog can lose all functional vision.  In the majority of cases, cataracts are not a serious medical condition and the changes in a dog's sight are usually minor.  However, if your dog's eyes appear bloodshot or if he starts squinting, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible because these are symptoms of an extremely painful condition known as glaucoma.  These signs could also indicate that liquid from the cataract has started to leak, causing a painful inflammation of the eye.

Cataracts may be inherited or related to some other disease process. Though cataracts generally are associated with old age and diabetes, dogs can begin to develop them when they are young, even one to three years old. This condition is often inherited, and breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Poodles are especially prone.

If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from cataracts, have him examined by your veterinarian. Cataracts must be distinguished from nuclear sclerosis, which is a normal change seen in the lens of dogs over six years of age that does not obstruct vision as a cataract does.

Symptoms

How can you tell if your dog is developing cataracts?

• Bluish, gray, or white color change inside of the eye
• Tendency to bump into things
• Reluctance to use stairs or jump up onto objects
• Hesitancy in unfamiliar environments
• Squinting, redness, or inflammation

Treatment

Once a lens has developed a cataract, there is no known method to make the lens clear again. Surgery, to remove the cataract clouded lens from the eye, will not restore completely normal vision, but the majority of dogs do regain some functional vision.

The future

If your dog is diagnosed with cataracts, he must learn to adapt his behavior by using his other senses to compensate for the loss of vision. Dogs can adapt surprisingly well to loss of vision, but there are several things you can do to help ease the process. Keep your dog's environment as stable as possible. Try not to rearrange furniture. Keep his food dish, water bowl and bed in the same place. 

If you do have to move something around in your home, lead your dog around the room, showing him the new layout. Knowing where everything is will help your dog feel secure. If your dog has cataracts, keep him on a leash whenever he's outside. This includes in your backyard, too, if it's not fenced in and escape proof.

References:

Animal Eye Care, LLC. Cataracts in Dogs. (7 March 2008).