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How
can you tell if your pet develops cataracts? You
might not notice any behavioral changes, but his
eyes will appear cloudy or blue-gray, as a result
of fluid retained in the lens. In the majority of
cases, cataracts are not a serious medical condition
and the changes in an animal's sight are usually
slight.
Dog Cataracts Are Often Inherited
Though
cataracts generally are associated with old age
and diabetes, dogs can begin to develop them when
they're young-at one to three years of age. This
condition often is inherited, and breeds such as
golden retrievers and poodles are especially prone.
If you suspect that your dog or cat may be suffering
from cataracts, have your veterinarian evaluate
him. Cataracts must be distinguished from nucleir
sclerosis, which is a normal change seen in the
lens of dogs and cats over 6 years of age.
Cat & Dog Eye Cataracts - Changes in Lifestyle
If
your pet is diagnosed with cataracts, he must learn
to adapt his behavior by using his other senses
to compensate for the loss of vision, Dogs and cats
can adapt surprisingly well to loss of vision, but
there are several things you can do to help ease
the process. It's best to keep your pet's environment
as stable as possible. Try not to rearrange furniture,
and keep his food dish, water bowl and bed in the
same place. If you have a cat who is developing
cataracts, be sure to keep his litterbox in its
usual spot.
Cataracts in Cats & Dogs - Safety First
If
you do have to move something around in your home,
lead your pet around the room. Knowing where everything
is will help keep your pet feeling secure. And if
your dog has cataracts, ANIMED recommends that
you keep him on a leash whenever he's outside. This
includes in your backyard, too, if it's not fenced-in
and escape-proof.
Be
sure to consult your vet if your pet's eyes appear
bloodshot or if he starts squinting. These signs
could indicate that liquid from the cataract has
started to leak, causing a painful inflammation
of the eye. Anti-inflammatory drugs will fix this
problem in most cases. And finally, if your animal
companion is having a problem seeing, a little extra
love and care from you can make things a lot better.
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