Cataracts in Dogs

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Cataracts in Dogs

By: Dr. Jennifer Welser

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Section: Overview

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A cataract is any opacity in the lens of the eye. The normal lens is translucent (clear), and it transmits and focuses light onto the retina in the back of the eye. A cataract within the lens may block the transmission of light to the retina.

There are many causes of cataracts. The most common form of cataracts in the dog are genetic, inherited types. For genetic cataracts, the age of onset and severity varies among the various breeds of dogs.

Cataracts may also develop following trauma to the eye, in association with metabolic diseases such as diabetes, from nutritional disorders during puppy hood, or secondary to other eye diseases. Cataracts may develop spontaneously in old age, but should not be confused with nuclear or lenticular sclerosis, an aging change that often occurs in the canine lens and does not cause blindness.

Rarely cataracts may develop following exposure to certain drugs, toxins, concentrated microwaves, radiation, or following electrocution.

Cataracts cause varying levels of vision impairment and may lead to blindness.

What to Watch For

Bluish, gray or white color change inside of the eye

Tendency to bump into things

Reluctance to use stairs or jump up onto objects

Hesitancy in unfamiliar environments

Other signs of blindness

Inflammation or redness

Pain and squinting due to the underlying cause

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1Cloudy Eye in Dogs
A cloudy eye or increased opacity of the eye is associated with reduced transparency of either the cornea, the fluid media within the eye, or the lens that may or may not be associated with a reduction...
Read More
2Ketoconazole (Nizoral®)
Ketoconazole is used in both dogs and cats to treat infections caused by fungi. These infections may affect the skin, claws, lymph nodes, respiratory tract, bone and other tissues.
Read More
3Diabetes in Dogs
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common endocrine (hormonal) diseases of dogs. It is a chronic condition in which a deficiency of the hormone insulin impairs the dog's ability to metabolize sugar....
Read More
4Glaucoma in Dogs
Inside the normal eye there is constant production and drainage of a watery fluid. When a problem with the drainage of the fluid occurs, the pressure inside of the eye can increase. High pressure causes...
Read More
5Retinal Detachment in Dogs
Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina from the underlying choroid and occurs most often as a result of degenerative changes in the peripheral retina and vitreous body, which produce holes...
Read More
6Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)
The objective of Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) is to eliminate heritable eye diseases in purebred dogs. CERF accumulates research data, provides eye registration certificates and facilitates...
Read More
7Blindness in Dogs
Blindness is the loss of vision in both eyes and may be caused by disorders of the structures that receive and process the image or specific visual pathways of the brain that transmit and further process...
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Cataracts in Dogs

Cataracts in Dogs

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