Cataracts in dogs usually appear due to advanced age, although there are other reasons that also influence their appearance. For this reason, if you have observed that your friend has lost confidence when walking, that he is a little clumsy or if you suspect that his vision is affected, then we will explain how to know if my dog has cataracts.
But not only that, but also when you finish reading this article you will know how they are treated. Do not miss it.
What are cataracts?
The falls are the opacity of the lens of the eyes. When animals (including people) see something, light rays travel to our eye through the pupil and focus on the retina, which is a layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye. , through the lens.
This lens must be transparent so that it can focus the light well on the retina. However, if it is cloudy, that is, if you have cataracts for whatever reason, you will not be able to do it.
What are the causes of cataracts in dogs?
There are several causes, which are:
- Advanced age
- Diseases like diabetes
- Trauma to the eye
- Breed: the dogs of the breeds Caniche, Cocker spaniel, Bichon frize, Schnauzer, Siberian Husky, Fox terrier, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Pekingese, bobtail, Shih Tzu y Lhasa apso they are more likely to have them.
And the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of cataracts are:
- Loss of vision
- Low tolerance to light
- Excess tearing
- The lens becomes opaque with a whitish hue
How are they treated?
The only really effective remedy is operación, with a 95% success rate. It is done under general anesthesia and the dog recovers very quickly. In any case, it will be the veterinarian who decides whether to operate or not, since each dog and each case is unique.
We hope it has been useful to you 🙂.