What to do when a dog has cataracts? Treatment methods, prevention measures, full analysis

What to do when a dog has cataracts? Treatment methods, prevention measures, full analysis

Cataracts are one of the common eye diseases in dogs, which refers to the clouding of the lens in the dog's eye, leading to decreased vision or complete loss of vision. If your dog is diagnosed with cataracts, you may feel worried and helpless. But don't panic, this article will explain in detail the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention measures of canine cataracts, helping you better understand and deal with this disease.

I. Causes of canine cataracts

The causes of canine cataracts are diverse, mainly divided into the following categories:

1. Congenital cataracts: This type of cataracts exists at the time of the dog's birth, usually caused by genetic factors. Some breeds of dogs are more prone to congenital cataracts, such as Poodles, Schnauzers, Pomeranians, etc.
2. Traumatic cataracts: Cataracts caused by trauma to the lens, such as being pierced by sharp objects, being hit, etc., can also lead to cataracts.
3. Secondary cataracts: Secondary to other eye diseases or systemic diseases, such as uveitis, glaucoma, diabetes, etc.
4. Senile cataracts: As dogs age, the lens gradually ages and can become cloudy, leading to cataracts.

II. Diagnosis of canine cataracts

If you find that your dog's eyes have the following symptoms, it is recommended that you take your dog to a veterinary clinic for examination:

The color of the pupil changes, for example, it becomes gray or blue-white, and has a pearly luster.
Decreased vision, such as bumping into objects, walking unsteadily, being unresponsive to the surrounding environment.
Obvious cloudiness in the eyes.

Veterinarians usually diagnose canine cataracts through the following methods:

Eye examination: Observe if there is obvious cloudiness in the dog's eyes, the color of the pupils, etc.
Slit-lamp examination: Use a slit lamp to observe whether there is cloudiness in the lens and judge the degree of cloudiness.
Fundus examination: Observe whether there are lesions in the fundus.

III. Treatment of canine cataracts

The main treatment methods for canine cataracts are as follows:

1. Drug treatment: At present, there are no drugs that can treat cataracts, but some drugs can be used to control the progression of cataracts, such as suppressing inflammation, improving blood circulation, etc.
2. Surgery: Surgery is the most effective method for treating cataracts. The cloudy lens is removed through surgery to restore vision. Common surgical methods include lens aspiration, intracapsular extraction and extracapsular extraction.

The risks of surgical treatment include:

Postoperative infection: Infection may occur after surgery, and timely anti-infective treatment is required.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma may occur after surgery, and timely intraocular pressure-lowering treatment is required.
Decreased vision: Vision recovery after surgery varies from dog to dog, and some dogs may not fully recover their vision.

IV. Prevention of canine cataracts

The key to preventing canine cataracts lies in:

1. Regular checkups: Take your dog to the veterinary clinic for regular eye checkups, and early detection of cataracts can allow you to take timely measures to control the development of the disease.
2. Maintain a healthy diet: Feed your dog a nutritionally balanced dog food and avoid feeding high-sugar and high-fat foods, which can reduce the risk of your dog developing cataracts.
3. Protect your dog's eyes: Avoid contact with sharp objects and collisions, preventing the occurrence of traumatic cataracts.
4. Control other diseases: Timely treatment of your dog's uveitis, glaucoma, diabetes, etc. can prevent the occurrence of secondary cataracts.

V. Summary of experience

Canine cataracts are a common disease, but they are not untreatable. If your dog is diagnosed with cataracts, don't panic, consult a veterinarian in time and choose a suitable treatment plan. At the same time, taking preventive measures can reduce the risk of your dog developing cataracts and protect your dog's healthy vision.

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