Most people are familiar with cataracts, as most of us know a few people who is afflicted with them. Cataracts are an exceedingly common degenerative eye disease in humans, and they're an ordinary dog eye issue as well. It is vital for dog owners to be acquainted with the outward appearance of cataracts in dogs in addition to the common risk factors for their development and treatment in the event that they do appear.
The dog's eye is a highly complex organ composed of a number of smaller structures within the eye. One such structure is the lens, the see-through apparatus in the center of the eye that serves to focus and direct light onto the retina. For the lens to function as intended it must remain transparent. A cataract forms when the lens becomes clouded, causing a lack of light coming into contact with the retina and a subsequent gradual loss of vision.
Cataracts can form for several reasons. Some are congenital, which means that the dog is born with them. Primary congenital cataracts occur in the miniature schnauzer rarely, but any breed can have congenital cataracts secondary to certain diseases in utero. Nonetheless, the majority of cataracts form later on in life, either because of genetics (hereditary) or as a consequence of diabetes mellitus.
Cataract development is believed to be genetic in many breeds, like the English cocker spaniel, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Alaskan malamute, Siberian husky, and many other breeds. For these breeds, frequent eye examinations by a qualified veterinarian are particularly crucial as the dog gets older. Many owners mistakenly assume that a clouded appearance to the dog's eye indicates a cataract. In reality, most every dog will develop a cloudy lens as he or she ages, which is simply a normal sign of advanced age and doesn't cause loss of vision. This condition is referred to as nuclear sclerosis and is extremely common. To distinguish between a cataract and nuclear sclerosis, the veterinarian will utilize an instrument known as an ophthalmoscope to cast light into the eye. If the light passes through the lens to the retina, there is not a cataract. If the light is obscured and does not reach the retina, the dog has a cataract..
The most commonly seen types of cataracts in dogs are those developed as a consequence of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a disorder of blood sugar regulation, and in dogs with diabetes the unusually high blood sugar can cause excess sugar buildup in the eye, which causes the lens to swell and the lens fibers to rip apart. This results in the development of a cataract. Most dogs with diabetes will someday form cataracts whether or not the diabetes is suitably treated, but maintaining regular blood sugar levels will assist in delaying the onset. If your dog is a breed that is susceptible to developing diabetes, such as a miniature schnauzer, it is extremely essential for you to listen to your veterinarian's advice for screening and to be watchful for the evidence of diabetes: drinking more, urinating more, and shedding weight.
If your dog has developed cataracts, treatment is available, although it might not be applicable to every unique. If there is just one eye afflicted, most vets won't endorse treatment, as the dog should be able to compensate with its other eye. If both eyes are afflicted and the dog is effectively blind, the sole treatment is an operation known as phacoemulsification, where a tiny instrument is inserted into the lens and removes the damaged lens fibers. This operation is only carried out by veterinary ophthalmologists and is typically very successful for the right kind of patient. If your dog has been diagnosed as having cataracts and you are interested in surgical treatment, you should contact a veterinary ophthalmologistâ€"they can normally be found at veterinary teaching hospitals and specialty or referral veterinary centers.
The dog's eye is a highly complex organ composed of a number of smaller structures within the eye. One such structure is the lens, the see-through apparatus in the center of the eye that serves to focus and direct light onto the retina. For the lens to function as intended it must remain transparent. A cataract forms when the lens becomes clouded, causing a lack of light coming into contact with the retina and a subsequent gradual loss of vision.
Cataracts can form for several reasons. Some are congenital, which means that the dog is born with them. Primary congenital cataracts occur in the miniature schnauzer rarely, but any breed can have congenital cataracts secondary to certain diseases in utero. Nonetheless, the majority of cataracts form later on in life, either because of genetics (hereditary) or as a consequence of diabetes mellitus.
Cataract development is believed to be genetic in many breeds, like the English cocker spaniel, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Alaskan malamute, Siberian husky, and many other breeds. For these breeds, frequent eye examinations by a qualified veterinarian are particularly crucial as the dog gets older. Many owners mistakenly assume that a clouded appearance to the dog's eye indicates a cataract. In reality, most every dog will develop a cloudy lens as he or she ages, which is simply a normal sign of advanced age and doesn't cause loss of vision. This condition is referred to as nuclear sclerosis and is extremely common. To distinguish between a cataract and nuclear sclerosis, the veterinarian will utilize an instrument known as an ophthalmoscope to cast light into the eye. If the light passes through the lens to the retina, there is not a cataract. If the light is obscured and does not reach the retina, the dog has a cataract..
The most commonly seen types of cataracts in dogs are those developed as a consequence of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a disorder of blood sugar regulation, and in dogs with diabetes the unusually high blood sugar can cause excess sugar buildup in the eye, which causes the lens to swell and the lens fibers to rip apart. This results in the development of a cataract. Most dogs with diabetes will someday form cataracts whether or not the diabetes is suitably treated, but maintaining regular blood sugar levels will assist in delaying the onset. If your dog is a breed that is susceptible to developing diabetes, such as a miniature schnauzer, it is extremely essential for you to listen to your veterinarian's advice for screening and to be watchful for the evidence of diabetes: drinking more, urinating more, and shedding weight.
If your dog has developed cataracts, treatment is available, although it might not be applicable to every unique. If there is just one eye afflicted, most vets won't endorse treatment, as the dog should be able to compensate with its other eye. If both eyes are afflicted and the dog is effectively blind, the sole treatment is an operation known as phacoemulsification, where a tiny instrument is inserted into the lens and removes the damaged lens fibers. This operation is only carried out by veterinary ophthalmologists and is typically very successful for the right kind of patient. If your dog has been diagnosed as having cataracts and you are interested in surgical treatment, you should contact a veterinary ophthalmologistâ€"they can normally be found at veterinary teaching hospitals and specialty or referral veterinary centers.
About the Author:
Cathy Doggins is a prolific writer on all types of dog health issues. These include many typical eye diseases such as cataracts in dogs. When not writing about dogs, Cathy can be found volunteering at a local shelter or orating on the rights of small animals.
