Introduction
Your dog may begin to develop cataracts for a number of different reasons. Perhaps your dog is a breed that is genetically predisposed to developing cataracts, like a Golden Retriever or a Boston Terrier. Maybe your dog is growing older, or perhaps your dog has developed cataracts due to an eye injury or as a result of diabetes. However no matter what the cause is, a cataract affects the lens of the eye and the symptoms are always the same.
Symptoms of Cataracts in Dogs
The two main symptoms that dogs display when they have cataracts is a blue-grey spot in the pupil and problems with vision. Cataracts can occur in one eye, as is usually the case in cataracts caused by injury, or they can occur in both eyes. They can suddenly appear over night and rapidly expand over the eye, or they can slowly develop over a period of years.
The spot that appears on the eye due to a cataract is usually a bluish grey color. It may have a cracked appearance, or it may look like a chip of ice. You may also notice a bluish grey haze over the pupil of the eye. Cataracts will always harm a dog’s vision. Depending on the severity of the cataract, your dog may display behavior which indicates mild or severe vision problems. Some of the symptoms of vision problems include a high step walk, unsure footing, tripping over objects, walking into walls, misjudging distances, and not recognizing people.
If you notice your dog displaying any of these symptoms, or if you notice any changes to your dog’s eyes or vision, it is important to make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Cataracts are normally painless, but they can cause an inflammatory disease which results in permanent eye damage if they are not treated. To date, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. Your veterinarian will help you to decide whether surgery is best and if anti-inflammatory medication is needed.