ver, Labrador retriever, and cocker spaniel.
- Diabetes — About 75 percent of diabetic dogs develop cataracts. When the dog’s blood sugar rises, the sugar level in the eye fluids also increases. The lens absorbs this excess sugar, which ultimately results in cataract formation. Early referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is the best way to manage these dogs.
- Geriatric — As pets age, the proteins and fibers in the lens begin to break down, resulting in cataract formation.
- Inflammation — Cataracts can occur when inflammation breaks down the proteins and fibers in the lens.
- Trauma — If the capsule that encloses the lens is disrupted, the immune system recognizes the lens proteins as foreign, and attacks, resulting in inflammation and potential cataract formation.
- Congenital — Some pets are born with cataracts.
- Dietary deficiencies — Amino acid deficiencies, including histidine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, and arginine, have been linked to cataracts.
- Toxins — Certain toxins, including ketoconazole and disophenol, have been linked to cataracts.
- Electric shock — The exact cause is unknown, but receiving an electric shock can cause cataracts.
Cataract signs and diagnosis in pets
A cataract causes the lens in the center of your pet’s eye to appear white, gray, or cloudy. Cataracts can affect only part of the lens, or the entire structure. The opaque area impedes normal image formation, and causes vision loss. Pets are exceptionally good at adapting to vision loss, especially if the loss is gradual. This means you may not realize your pet has developed a cataract until you see the changes in their eyes, at which point the cataract may be advanced. Advanced cataracts often incite more inflammation inside the eye, which can decrease your pet’s eligibility for cataract surgery.
Having a veterinary professional regularly monitor your pet’s eyes is the best way to detect cataracts early, when they can best be managed. If your pet has developed a cataract that causes vision loss, our ophthalmology department wil