Can Someone Tell Me About Dog Cataracts, Please?

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peepsnbunnies

peepsnbunnies

Crowing
14 Years
Mar 31, 2007
1,472
5
264
Central Florida
I think my dog may have cataracts. I know next to nothing about cataracts in dogs. Can someone give me some information about them?

My German Shepherd, Heidi, is 7 1/2 years old. I have noticed lately that she has not wanted to chase squirrels very much which is unusual for her, but I did not think too much about it. But several days ago I noticed when I was taking her outside for potty at night, she was hesitated going into the dark until I turned the light on. I looked at her eyes and they look a little bit foggy, not totally clear. Are there any nutritional supplements that I can give her to make them go away, or stop the progression? Are they treatable? Is it expensive?

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Lisa
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Quote:
I worked for a Opthamologist as a Opthamology Tech and assisted in surgery. For animals it is high to have cataract surgery. I don't think there is any supplement you can get for it.
Drs Foster and Smith maybe a site to check out.

I have had several dogs with cataracts. They manage okay.

Sunshine helps cataracts develop in humans and eye injury can cause a "tramatic cataract". So in dogs I would think the sunshine contributes to cataracts too.

(We had a Vet bring a horse to the Dr. I worked for, that was interesting)

Wendy
 
A lot of people mistake cataracts for Lens Sclerosis, which is the natural thickening of the lenses in their eyes as they age. It doesn't really affect their vision it just causes a slightly hazy look. She is an older German shep so it would be a normal change for her.

Lenticular sclerosis, also known as nuclear sclerosis, is a normal change within the lens that occurs with
advancing age. The central zone of the lens, also known as the nucleus, becomes denser and appears as a grey
haze within the eye. Humans, dogs, cats and horses are all affected by lenticular sclerosis. In humans, nuclear
sclerosis results in presbyopia, which is a loss of the ability of the lens to accommodate. Accommodation is the
mechanism used to maintain focus on objects that are close up. Accommodation is required in humans for
performing routine tasks such us reading. Lenticular sclerosis is the reason that most people who are “forty-
something” require reading glasses.
Your pet’s visual acuity will be slightly decreased secondary to lenticular sclerosis; however, these deficits are
minimal. Your pet's vision will be decreased in areas with dim lighting. Lenticular sclerosis is not painful and
most cases do not require medical or surgical treatment.

HTH

More reading of you're interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenticular_sclerosis​
 
Last edited:
My 15 year old aussie mix has cataracts. Both eyes a very cloudy and gets worse as he gets older. But he also is hard of hearing and has arthritis in his hips. He's been a great dog and I will make sure he doesn't suffer in the end.
 
peeps, she's absolutely beautiful.

I have a 13 year old german shepard/chow mix. She has cataracts, along with a few other age related issues. She doesn't doesn't let it slow her down to much. She has more "puppy days" than she has age appropriate days. My vet wouldn't consider doing anything for her due to her age.

Smiles
Jul
 
Thanks Jul,
She is just the sweetest dog too, the kind that tries soooooo hard to please you. She is also very trustworthy with all my critters, but she is also VERY SERIOUS about her job of guarding the house and yard.
 

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