Does My Dog have Cataracts?

Posted by Terrel Walkins on March 24th, 2020

Cataracts are a disease that impacts the lens of the eye, causing it to lose transparency and limit vision. Cataracts will eventually cause blindness as the lens of the eye becomes thick and opaque. There are many reasons a dog may develop cataracts including old age, genetic predisposition, eye injury, or eye infection. The risk of cataracts increases dramatically as your dog ages. Sometimes there is no other cause than age.

There are five symptoms you can watch out for that may indicate your dog has developed cataracts. The first symptom is a discoloration of the eye. You will notice a bluish-gray or white layer develop over the lens of your dog's eye. You also may see your dog rubbing or scratching at its's eyes. Cataracts will develop at different rates, which means your dog could have them for years before going blind. There is no way to predict the progression of cataracts.

Eye irritation and redness, as well as excessive blinking and discharge from the eyes, are also common. Finally, signs your dog is having difficulty seeing will include clumsiness and a reluctance to climb stairs or jump on furniture. As your dog loses its sight, you can help by ensuring that the areas of your house where the dog lives are kept clean, and furniture is not moved around frequently. Blocking off steps with a dog gate will help prevent falls and injuries. As your dog gets accustomed to the blindness, they will be able to move around the house with ease.

If you are concerned your dog is developing cataracts, you can take him to the vet to be examined. The examination will include blood tests, physical exams, eye exams, and a full history. If your dog receives regular exams, your veterinarian may already suspect the development of cataracts, but you should set a special appointment if you start to see symptoms.

Even the friendliest dog may get apprehensive while getting their eyes examined or eye drops put in. Having a heavy duty dog harness can help you control your dog during the exam while still keeping it safe from harming itself. If your dog is having trouble seeing, a dog harness is better than a leash because you can guide your dog without having to pull on its neck. When a dog starts losing vision, they may get apprehensive or more aggressive than usual. A harness provides better overall control.

Once your dog is diagnosed with cataracts, you will have a couple of treatment options. If the cataracts are caused by something like an infection, you can treat the underlying cause, which may stop the progression. There are eye drops that will not stop the development of cataracts but will prevent inflammation making the condition worse. Finally, you can have the cataract surgically removed if your dog is otherwise healthy.

Diagnosis and treatment of cataracts in dogs can get expensive. One way to prepare for this is with pet insurance. You can compare pet insurance with iSelect to make sure you are getting the best rates for the coverage you need. Cataracts are most common in older dogs, so you may decide to get insurance as your dog ages; however, younger dogs are more prone to injury due to their activity level, so getting pet insurance when your dog is a puppy and maintaining it as your dog ages is the best approach.

Cataracts are not painful. If your dog is too old to endure surgery safely, it can still live a happy life. You can talk to your doctor about extra precautions and lifestyle changes you should consider living with a blind dog.