cataract refers to the loss of lens transparency (turbidity), which may cause partial or complete blindness in dogs.
eye diseases are quite serious, although people may think that cataract is not limited to elderly dogs. Healthy looking puppies and young people may also suffer from the disease, resulting in partial or even complete blindness. What is the cause of cataract? How does it show? How does it affect the daily life and behavior of sick dogs? Is there a cure? This is what we will see together.
what is cataract?
cataract corresponds to lens opacity. This structure is one of the main components of the eye. Its function is to guide light to the retina. If it is a cataract, the lens will lose transparency. More precisely, the outer capsule and inner matrix of the crystal become opaque. Therefore, light cannot reach the retina, resulting in decreased vision. In some cases, this may lead to complete blindness.
dogs affected by this situation may be completely disoriented, especially if it suddenly appears and develops rapidly. There are many causes of disease, which may be related to the old age of dogs or other diseases. “A study by
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Toulouse veterinary school shows that some breeds are susceptible to cataract: poodles and cockerels, as well as Yorkshire, Bichon or labrit.
senile cataract when this disease is related to the old age of dogs, it is called senile cataract. With age, the lens becomes turbid, just like humans.
This problem occurs around 8 / 10 years old. Dogs are considered to be the elderly.
generally speaking, senile cataract will affect both eyes.
is cataract caused by
disease Diabetes is common among diseases that may cause cataracts. In diabetic dogs, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism affect the ability of the dog’s eyes. Like age-related cataracts, diabetes related diseases usually affect both eyes.
other eye diseases may also lead to cataract, including uveitis (ultraviolet inflammation) and glaucoma, which is related to the increase of intraocular pressure.
congenital and hereditary cataract
Puppies may have a natural tendency to cataract. However, it is very difficult to diagnose before 2 months old. When cataract is congenital, it may show other eye diseases caused by malformations.
other forms of cataract may occur after two years. Both eyes may be affected, but not always at the same time or at the same speed.
therefore, Cataracts take many forms. Any cataract in a relatively young dog of unknown origin should be considered hereditary. Therefore, without diagnosis, the occurrence of such cataract must lead to the inability of animals to reproduce.
traumatic or poisoned cataract
beatings, shock and other trauma may lead to lens opacity in dogs.
also applies to toxic substances such as naphthalene (usually used to control mites) and molecules such as chloropreneOmazine is a component of some drugs. What are the symptoms of
cataract?
in late cataract can be easily observed by partial or complete whitening of the dog’s pupil. This is the most obvious sign of lens opacity, with blue reflection in the eyes.
and
were found by observing the dog’s attitude before this. Animals that lose sight may encounter various obstacles: objects, furniture, others, etc. Even aggressive, because they are surprised by other animals or humans who find themselves around them without the opportunity to see them close to them. Can
cataract be treated?
crystal turbidity is usually irreversible. The current treatment is to slow down the loss of lens transparency.
in elderly dogs, it is a drug used to inhibit progressive vision loss. Cataracts can be corrected surgically: damaged lenses are removed, usually replaced by implants. This procedure is especially suitable for young animals, such as diabetes or congenital cataract. In other cases, the owner and veterinarian should jointly assess the benefit / risk ratio of such intervention. This operation is quite expensive (average 1200 euros) and is accompanied by strict care, including regular eye drops in the eyes for several weeks. However, in recent years, due to the adoption of new technologies, the success rate has been greatly improved, which has reached 90% to 95% at present.
