Dogs
Just like we, human beings can have cataracts, dogs especially who grow old or have been diagnosed with diabetes are also prone to this vision problem. Cataract refers to the lens of the eye turning opaque. If the opacity of lens is small, it is known as incipient cataract. In this case, there is no problem with vision. However, if the damage is caused to greater area of the lens, then a dog may have blurred vision. This is referred to as a mature cataract when the entire lens becomes cloudy. The intermediate stage is the immature cataract when considerable area (not the whole) of the lens is affected. Once the lens has been affected by cataract and interferes with daily functions of the canine, then cataract surgery is widely regarded to be the best treatment for cataracts in dogs.
Symptoms of Cataracts in Dogs
Change in eye color protein and water build up in the eye leads to change in eye color of a dog from its normal hue to blue, white or gray. However, nuclear sclerosis in older dogs may also cause the lens to have a grayish appearance. Hence, a change in color of the eye may not always indicate cataracts in dogs. However, in case a dog is more than eight years old or has been diagnosed with diabetes, change in color of the eyes is most often a sign of canine cataract. Other signs that a dog owner should keep an eye out for are frequent bumping of his pet into things, reduced jumping or vitality, reluctance to go to unfamiliar places, excessive squinting, blindness, pain and inflammation in the eye.
When to Have Cataract Surgery?
If a dog with cataract has vision problems that affects his daily life, then it is important to consider cataract surgery for him. Earlier, vets would often wait for surgery until the canines suffered complete loss of vision. However at present, vets are of the common consensus that the sooner the surgery is done, the better the chance of the canine recovering from this dog health problem. This is because firstly, mature cataracts pose a threat of causing certain complications that may lead to complete loss of vision and secondly, the more developed the cataract, greater the chance of complications in the surgery. Also if the cataract has been there for long, then the outer layer of the lens may also get calcified which makes surgery even more difficult.
How Much Does the Surgery Cost?
Although cataracts in older dogs is a common problem that plagues a dog's health, this ailment can be easily resolved by canine cataract surgery. This surgery for dogs involves removal of the affected lens and replacing it with an artificial one. Although this line of treatment is easily available, the surgery for dogs is expensive. Surgery in each eye can cost anywhere between USD 1,500 to USD 3,000 per eye. This usually includes a couple of days' stay at the veterinary hospital. However, it is best to confirm if this is the case with the hospital where you are getting your dog operated for cataract. Although cataract surgery in dogs and humans involve more or less the same procedure, medical insurance for dogs do not cover the cost of cataract surgery in dogs. This might make many dog owners look for options for low cost surgery. However, it is very important for a dog owner to ensure that in his bid to look for cheap cataract surgery options, he does not compromise on his dog's health.
Success of the Surgery
Cataract surgeries in dogs have almost 90% success rate. Once the surgery has been performed, the cataract will not grow back in the lens. However, in certain cases a mild cloudiness and wrinkling of the lens capsule may occur. This is known as secondary cataract. This is common in human beings. However, intraocular lens implants in dogs prevent the lens from becoming cloudy after a cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery for dogs usually requires a couple weeks for recovery. However, pet care after the surgery is very important. Other than adhering to the medications as prescribed by the vet, a dog owner should use a dog harness instead of a dog collar to walk his pet. He should cut down on the activities of his dog for a month after the surgery. Moreover, he should regularly clean the discharge from the eyes that the dog may have during the first week after surgery and follow the schedule of re-examination rigorously.
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Dogs
Cataract Surgery for Dogs
Just like we, human beings can have cataracts, dogs especially who grow old or have been diagnosed with diabetes are also prone to this vision problem. Cataract refers to the lens of the eye turning opaque. If the opacity of lens is small, it is known as incipient cataract. In this case, there is no problem with vision. However, if the damage is caused to greater area of the lens, then a dog may have blurred vision. This is referred to as a mature cataract when the entire lens becomes cloudy. The intermediate stage is the immature cataract when considerable area (not the whole) of the lens is affected. Once the lens has been affected by cataract and interferes with daily functions of the canine, then cataract surgery is widely regarded to be the best treatment for cataracts in dogs.
Symptoms of Cataracts in Dogs
Change in eye color protein and water build up in the eye leads to change in eye color of a dog from its normal hue to blue, white or gray. However, nuclear sclerosis in older dogs may also cause the lens to have a grayish appearance. Hence, a change in color of the eye may not always indicate cataracts in dogs. However, in case a dog is more than eight years old or has been diagnosed with diabetes, change in color of the eyes is most often a sign of canine cataract. Other signs that a dog owner should keep an eye out for are frequent bumping of his pet into things, reduced jumping or vitality, reluctance to go to unfamiliar places, excessive squinting, blindness, pain and inflammation in the eye.
When to Have Cataract Surgery?
If a dog with cataract has vision problems that affects his daily life, then it is important to consider cataract surgery for him. Earlier, vets would often wait for surgery until the canines suffered complete loss of vision. However at present, vets are of the common consensus that the sooner the surgery is done, the better the chance of the canine recovering from this dog health problem. This is because firstly, mature cataracts pose a threat of causing certain complications that may lead to complete loss of vision and secondly, the more developed the cataract, greater the chance of complications in the surgery. Also if the cataract has been there for long, then the outer layer of the lens may also get calcified which makes surgery even more difficult.
How Much Does the Surgery Cost?
Although cataracts in older dogs is a common problem that plagues a dog's health, this ailment can be easily resolved by canine cataract surgery. This surgery for dogs involves removal of the affected lens and replacing it with an artificial one. Although this line of treatment is easily available, the surgery for dogs is expensive. Surgery in each eye can cost anywhere between USD 1,500 to USD 3,000 per eye. This usually includes a couple of days' stay at the veterinary hospital. However, it is best to confirm if this is the case with the hospital where you are getting your dog operated for cataract. Although cataract surgery in dogs and humans involve more or less the same procedure, medical insurance for dogs do not cover the cost of cataract surgery in dogs. This might make many dog owners look for options for low cost surgery. However, it is very important for a dog owner to ensure that in his bid to look for cheap cataract surgery options, he does not compromise on his dog's health.
Success of the Surgery
Cataract surgeries in dogs have almost 90% success rate. Once the surgery has been performed, the cataract will not grow back in the lens. However, in certain cases a mild cloudiness and wrinkling of the lens capsule may occur. This is known as secondary cataract. This is common in human beings. However, intraocular lens implants in dogs prevent the lens from becoming cloudy after a cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery for dogs usually requires a couple weeks for recovery. However, pet care after the surgery is very important. Other than adhering to the medications as prescribed by the vet, a dog owner should use a dog harness instead of a dog collar to walk his pet. He should cut down on the activities of his dog for a month after the surgery. Moreover, he should regularly clean the discharge from the eyes that the dog may have during the first week after surgery and follow the schedule of re-examination rigorously.
- Dog Eye Problems
Do you notice that your dog's eyes are red or swollen? Do you find him frequently rubbing his eyes against something? Do you feel that the eyes of your pet dog are unhealthy and making his life miserable? Well, alike humans, dog eye problems...
- Canine Eye Problems
Canine eye problems are an hindrance to dogs' health, which cause severe suffering. Eyes, are one of the most delicate body parts of humans, as well as, animals. Improper or neglected care and cleaning of eyes have all kinds of eye problems as...
- Eye Problems In Dogs
Taking care of pet animals is not everybody's cup of tea. It needs an all-time alertness and vigilance. Well, when you love somebody, observation and care come naturally. For canine lovers, one good general rule is to keep a close check on dog...
- Canine Glaucoma
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Catherine and Joesph bought their children a Chihuahua, a few years ago. When the pet was five months old, they noticed that the bottom of the right eye appeared red and swollen. The family thought that the dog might have scratched its eyes or got...