Most people are familiar with cataracts, as nearly everyone knows one or two people who is afflicted with them. Cataracts are a very common degenerative eye condition in humans, and they're a common dog eye issue as well. It's important for dog owners to be conversant with the outward appearance of cataracts in dogs as well as the common risk factors for their development and treatment in the event that they do appear.
The canine eye is a complicated organ comprised of numerous smaller structures within the eye. One such structure is the lens, the transparent apparatus in the center of the eye that serves to direct light onto the retina. For the lens to function properly it must remain transparent. A cataract happens when the lens becomes cloudy, leading to a lack of light contacting the retina and therefore a gradual loss of vision.
Cataracts can occur for several reasons. Some cataracts are congenital, meaning that the dog is born with them. Primary congenital cataracts happen in the miniature schnauzer unusually, and any breed can suffer from congenital cataracts secondary to certain contagions in utero. But the vast majority of cataracts occur later in life, either as a result of genetics (hereditary) or secondary to diabetes mellitus.
Cataract development is believed to be genetic in several breeds, such as the English cocker spaniel, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Alaskan malamute, Siberian husky, and a number of other breeds. For these breeds, frequent eye examinations by a certified veterinarian are particularly critical as the dog gets older. Many owners accidentally believe that a clouded appearance to the dog's eye denotes a cataract. In fact, almost every dog will develop a cloudy lens as she ages, which is just a standard side-effect of advanced age and doesn't cause loss of vision. This condition is known as nuclear sclerosis and is very common. To distinguish between a cataract and nuclear sclerosis, the veterinarian will employ 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 typical kinds of cataracts in dogs are those formed secondary to diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a disorder of blood sugar regulation, and in dogs with diabetes the atypically high blood sugar causes excess sugar accumulation in the eye, which causes the lens to swell and the lens fibers to tear apart. This leads to the formation of a cataract. Most dogs with diabetes will eventually develop cataracts even if the diabetes is appropriately treated, but keeping blood sugar controlled will help delay the onset. If your dog is a breed that is prone to developing diabetes, like a miniature schnauzer, it is important for you to follow your veterinarian's suggestions for screening and to be aware for the signs of diabetes: drinking more, urinating more, and losing 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 canine eye is a complicated organ comprised of numerous smaller structures within the eye. One such structure is the lens, the transparent apparatus in the center of the eye that serves to direct light onto the retina. For the lens to function properly it must remain transparent. A cataract happens when the lens becomes cloudy, leading to a lack of light contacting the retina and therefore a gradual loss of vision.
Cataracts can occur for several reasons. Some cataracts are congenital, meaning that the dog is born with them. Primary congenital cataracts happen in the miniature schnauzer unusually, and any breed can suffer from congenital cataracts secondary to certain contagions in utero. But the vast majority of cataracts occur later in life, either as a result of genetics (hereditary) or secondary to diabetes mellitus.
Cataract development is believed to be genetic in several breeds, such as the English cocker spaniel, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Alaskan malamute, Siberian husky, and a number of other breeds. For these breeds, frequent eye examinations by a certified veterinarian are particularly critical as the dog gets older. Many owners accidentally believe that a clouded appearance to the dog's eye denotes a cataract. In fact, almost every dog will develop a cloudy lens as she ages, which is just a standard side-effect of advanced age and doesn't cause loss of vision. This condition is known as nuclear sclerosis and is very common. To distinguish between a cataract and nuclear sclerosis, the veterinarian will employ 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 typical kinds of cataracts in dogs are those formed secondary to diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a disorder of blood sugar regulation, and in dogs with diabetes the atypically high blood sugar causes excess sugar accumulation in the eye, which causes the lens to swell and the lens fibers to tear apart. This leads to the formation of a cataract. Most dogs with diabetes will eventually develop cataracts even if the diabetes is appropriately treated, but keeping blood sugar controlled will help delay the onset. If your dog is a breed that is prone to developing diabetes, like a miniature schnauzer, it is important for you to follow your veterinarian's suggestions for screening and to be aware for the signs of diabetes: drinking more, urinating more, and losing 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 frequent writer on all sorts of dog health issues. This includes many common eye conditions like cataracts in dogs. When not writing about dogs, she can be found volunteering at a local shelter or speaking on the rights of small animals.
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