Cataracts In Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments






I. What is Cataract in Dogs ?

 


Cataract is one of the common ophthalmic diseases in dogs. It refers to the turbidity of the lens in the eyes. To put it simply, cataract means that when the lenses of a dog's eyes become cloudy, its vision is affected. Generally speaking, under normal circumstances, the lens is transparent. Its function is focusing light on the retina and enabling dogs to see the surrounding world clearly. On the contrary, When looking at things, lenses become cloudy, it is difficult for light to pass through the turbid lens and a clear image cannot be presented on the retina.

 

 

 

II. Main Symptoms Shown When Your Dog Has Cataracts

 

i. Eyesight changes

 

1.Decreased vision:


Dogs may frequently bump into furniture, walls and other objects when walking because they cannot accurately judge the position of objects. They are slow to respond to thrown toys and cannot chase and catch them as quickly as before. When going up and down stairs, they will be hesitant and may even fall because they cannot see the height and position of the stairs clearly.


2.Reduced response to familiar people and environments:


When the owner calls from a distance, the dog's response time becomes longer, or it cannot accurately find the owner's position.
In a familiar environment, they will also show confusion and uneasiness. For example, they cannot find their usual resting place in their own yard.



ii. Appearance of eyes is changed

 

1.Lens opacity:


This is one of the most obvious symptoms of cataracts. Normally, the lens of a dog's eye is transparent. When cataracts occur, the lens gradually becomes cloudy. From the outside, the eye appears white or grayish-white. The degree of opacity will increase as the disease aggravates. In the first stage, it may only be slightly cloudy and not easily noticed. In the later stage, it may completely block the pupil, making the eye look like it is covered with a layer of white mist.



2.Eye color change:


In some cases, a dog's eyes may appear blue or bluish-white. This is caused by cataracts that lead to changes in the refractive index of the lens, contributing to light to scatter. This color change is usually related to the degree of lens opacity. The more serious the opacity is, the more obviously the eye color changes.

 


iii. Behavior changes


1.Personality changes:


A formerly lively and active dog may become timid and cautious, full of fear towards the surrounding environment. This is because the decline in eyesight makes your dog feel unsafe and more vigilant towards unknown things.
Some dogs may become reclusive or lonely, unwilling to interact with their owners and other pets, and prefer to hide alone in a quiet place.


2.Decreased activity initiative :


Due to visual impairment, dogs will feel nervous and unease during activities, so their activity enthusiasm will be significantly reduced. They may no longer be as keen on walking, playing, and exploring new places as before.
Prolonged inactivity may also lead to problems such as muscle atrophy and weight gain in dogs.

 


iv. Other symptoms

 

1.Red and swollen eyes and tearing:


Cataracts may cause inflammatory reactions in the eyes, showing signs like red and swollen eyes and tearing. This is a self-protection mechanism of the body in response to abnormal changes inside the eyes. If not cured in time, the inflammation may worsen and further threaten the health of the eyes.


2.Frequent blinking and squinting:


Dogs may blink or squint frequently, trying to alleviate eye discomfort. This is because cataracts can increase the sensitivity of the eyes to light. Strong light will stimulate the eyes, causing pain and discomfort. Some dogs may also scratch their eyes with their paws. This is a very dangerous behavior and may lead to eye injuries and infections.

 


III. The Causes of Cataracts in Dogs

 

i. Genetic factors:

 

Some breeds of dogs have a higher genetic tendency for cataracts, such as Cocker Spaniels, Boston Terriers, Poodles, Bichon Frises, etc. Genetic factors may lead to abnormal structure or metabolism of the lens, making the lens more prone to turbidity. Generally speaking, if a dog's parents or close relatives have cataracts, then its risk of developing cataracts will also increase accordingly.

 

ii. Age factor:

 

As dogs become older, various functions of their bodies will gradually decline, and the eyes are no exception. The lenses of elderly dogs are more prone to aging and turbidity, thus triggering cataracts. This is because the proteins in the lens will undergo degeneration over time, leading to a reduction in the transparency of the lens. In general, the likelihood of developing cataracts in elderly dogs over 7 years old will increase significantly.

 

iii. Ocular diseases:



1.Uveitis: This is a common ocular inflammation that may be caused by infection, trauma, autoimmune diseases, etc. Uveitis can trigger damage to the tissues inside the eye, including the lens. Long-term uveitis may induce cataracts because inflammation can affect the nutrient supply and metabolism of the lens, making it turbid.


2.Retinal diseases: Some retinal diseases, such as retinal detachment and retinal degeneration, may affect the normal metabolism of the lens, thereby increasing the risk of cataract occurrence.


3.Ocular trauma: When the eye is subjected to external forces such as impacts or punctures, the lens may be damaged and then lead to cataract. For example, when a dog accidentally bumps into a hard object or it is scratched in the eyes by other animals while playing , it is possible to cause damage to the lens.

 

iv. Nutritional factors:

 

1.Lack of nutrition: A dog's eyes need a variety of nutrients to maintain normal functions, such as antioxidants like vitamin C, E, lutein, and some minerals like zinc. If a dog's diet lacks these nutrients, it may lead to a decline in the antioxidant capacity of the lens, making it more vulnerable to oxidative damage and thus triggering cataracts.



2.Obesity: Obese dogs also have an increased risk of developing cataracts. This is because obesity results in metabolic disorders of body, affecting the blood circulation and nutrient supply to the eyes. At the same time, it will also increase the risk of diseases such as diabetes. And diabetes is an important factor in triggering cataracts.

 

v. Diabetes:

 

Diabetes is an important risk factor for cataracts in dogs. High blood sugar can cause an increase in glucose content in the lens, increase the osmotic pressure of the lens, absorb water and swell, and then lead to lens turbidity. Diabetic dogs usually develop cataracts much faster than normal dogs, and the condition is often more serious. If a dog has diabetes, the owner should pay close attention to its eye health and take it to the veterinarian for eye examinations regularly.

 

 

 

IV. How to Prevent Cataracts in Dogs?

 

 

i. Diet management:

 

1. Balanced diet:

 

Provide dogs with nutritionally balanced food, including high-quality protein, an appropriate amount of fat, carbohydrates, and abundant vitamins and minerals. Ensure that the food contains enough antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, and lutein, which help protect the eyes from free radical damage. You can choose high-quality commercial dog food. At the same time, you can also appropriately add some fresh fruits, vegetables and meat to meet the nutritional needs of dogs. For example, carrots are rich in beta-carotene and are beneficial to eye health; blueberries are rich in anthocyanins and have antioxidant effects.

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2.Control weight:

 

Avoid excessive obesity in dogs, because obesity will increase the risk of diseases such as diabetes, and diabetes is an important factor in triggering cataracts. Reasonably control the amount of food for dogs and determine the daily feeding amount according to factors such as the dog's age, weight, and activity level. Increase the dog's exercise volume, take the dog out for walks and play regularly to keep the dog at an appropriate weight.



ii. Eye care:



1.Regular check-ups:

 

Take the dog to the veterinarian regularly for a comprehensive physical examination, including an eye examination. The veterinarian can detect eye problems in the dog early through professional examination methods and take corresponding treatment measures.
For some breeds that are prone to cataracts, such as Poodles and Cocker Spaniels, as well as elderly dogs, the frequency of eye examinations should be increased.

 

2.Clean the eyes:

 

Keep the dog's eyes clean. Gently wipe around the dog's eyes with a clean, damp cloth every day to remove foreign substances such as eye discharge and dust. Be careful not to wipe too hard to avoid damaging the dog's eyes. If the dog's eyes show abnormal symptoms such as redness, swelling, and tearing, take the dog to the veterinarian in a timely manner for treatment.



3.Avoid trauma:

 

In daily life, pay attention to protecting the dog's eyes and prevent them from getting injured. For example, don't let the dog play in a dangerous environment and avoid contact with sharp objects. When trimming the dog's hair, be careful not to hurt the dog's eyes.



iii. Disease prevention:



1.Preventing diabetes:

 

Diabetes is an important factor in triggering cataracts in dogs. Therefore, pay attention to preventing dogs from getting diabetes. Reasonably control the dog's diet and avoid feeding the dog too much high-sugar and high-fat food. Take the dog to the veterinarian regularly for blood sugar tests to detect signs of diabetes early.


If the dog already has diabetes, strictly follow the veterinarian's advice for treatment and control blood sugar levels to reduce the occurrence of complications such as cataracts.

 

2.Preventing ocular diseases:

 

Treat the dog's ocular diseases in a timely manner, such as uveitis and keratitis, to prevent these diseases from developing into cataracts. If the dog's eyes show symptoms such as redness, pain, and tearing, take the dog to the veterinarian immediately for diagnosis and treatment. Regularly deworm and vaccinate dogs to prevent ocular infections and the occurrence of other diseases.

 

iv. Living environment:

 

1.Avoid strong light stimulation:

 

Avoid letting dogs be exposed to strong light for a long time, especially intense sunlight. Provide appropriate sunshade measures for dogs, such as putting on sunglasses or a sun hat for dogs when doing outdoor activities. At home, also pay attention to avoiding letting the dog's eyes directly face strong light, such as lights and windows.

 

 

 

V. How to Cure Cataracts for Dogs?

 

 

i. Drug treatment:



1.Antioxidants: Some antioxidants can help slow down the development of cataracts. For example, vitamin C, E, and lutein can reduce oxidative damage in the lens, thereby delaying the progression of cataracts. These drugs usually need to be taken for a long time, and the effect may vary from individual to individual.


2.Aldose reductase inhibitors: They can inhibit the conversion of glucose in the lens into sorbitol, thereby reducing lens swelling and turbidity. However, the effect of this drug is also limited, and there may be some side effects.


3.Anti-inflammatory drugs: If cataracts are caused by ocular inflammation, then using anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce inflammation and thereby slow down the development of cataracts. However, anti-inflammatory drugs cannot cure cataracts and can only be used as adjuvant therapy.



ii. Surgical treatment:



1.Phacoemulsification cataract aspiration: This is currently the most commonly used method for treating cataracts in dogs. During the operation, the doctor will use ultrasound to emulsify and aspirate the cloudy lens, and then implant an artificial lens. This surgical method has the advantages of small trauma, quick recovery, and good effect. However, the surgical cost is relatively high and it needs to be operated by an experienced veterinarian.


2.Lens extraction: If the dog's cataract is very severe and phacoemulsification surgery cannot be performed, or if the dog's eye has other serious problems, then lens extraction may be required. This surgical method is to completely remove the cloudy lens. However, the dog's vision will be affected to a certain extent after the operation, and rehabilitation training and care are needed.

 


iv. Auxiliary treatment:



1.Nutritional support: Providing dogs with nutritious food, especially food rich in antioxidants and vitamins, can help maintain eye health and promote postoperative recovery.


2.Eye care: Clean the dog's eyes regularly and use eye drops or eye ointment to keep the eyes moist and clean and prevent the occurrence of infections and other complications.


3.Rehabilitation training: If the dog's vision is affected after surgery, then rehabilitation training is needed to help the dog adapt to the new vision condition. For example, sounds and smells can be used to guide the dog and let them gradually get familiar with the surrounding environment.