Cataracts can dim a dog's vision, but in some cases, surgery can help
By Kim Campbell Thornton
My little dog Gemma is about as spry as a 16-year-old dog can be, but we've seen one definite sign of aging in our Pom-Chi mix. Since late June, her vision has deteriorated noticeably. It was obvious before then that she had cataracts, but they have progressed enough to limit her vision. She has walked into walls when she's in unfamiliar areas, and she sometimes has trouble following my movements when I'm setting down her food dish or handing out treats.
A cataract is cloudiness, or opacity, in the lens of the eye. Although it looks as if it's a film on the surface of the eyeball, the cloudy lens is deep inside a dog or cat's eye, according to the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology.
Cataracts are inherited in many breeds, including Boston terriers, cocker spaniels, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, miniature schnauzers, poodles, Siberian huskies and wirehaired fox terriers. They most commonly develop when a dog is 1 to 5 years old.
Health ailments such as diabetes, inflammation and trauma can also lead to cataract formation. Cataracts may also develop as a dog ages. Sometimes cataracts remain small throughout a dog's life; other times they worsen to the point of blindness.
Depending on a dog's age, health and the severity of vision loss, cataracts can be removed surgically. It's not a simple process, though. Two tests, an electroretinogram (ERG) and an ultrasound, are performed beforehand to assess the health of the retina and determine whether removing the cataracts would improve vision. The tests aren't painful or risky, but they require sedation to ensure that the dog doesn't move her head or eyes.
If the dog is a good candidate for surgery, eye drops are administered several times daily before the procedure. With the dog under anesthesia, the ophthalmologist makes a small incision and, using a technique called phacoemulsification, breaks up the cataract with ultrasonic vibrations and then removes the particles. For sharper vision, an artificial lens can be implanted inside the eye.
The eye drop regimen continues for approximately six weeks following surgery. The "cone of shame" makes an appearance, too. The dog must wear a protective soft or plastic Elizabethan collar for two weeks to ensure that he doesn't scratch or otherwise injure the eye. Baths and vaccinations are forbidden until the eye heals.
Cataract surgery has a high success rate, but like any surgery, it can have risks and complications.
Rainey, a beagle, had congenital cataracts. Her owner, Denise Nord, who lives northwest of Minneapolis, opted for surgery for the then-1-year-old dog to improve her quality of life and permit continued involvement in dog sports such as tracking, agility and obedience. Rainey is now 8 years old and doesn't have great vision, but Nord says she would choose surgery again, even with the complications her dog had.
"She did well for quite a while, but over time the lens 'rolled up,' and she lost the near vision in one eye," Nord says. "She is on drops for high eye pressure. About two years ago, she started having corneal edema in the 'bad' eye. It has been a journey, but we have a great ophthalmologist. For a young dog, it was the right choice."
At her advanced age, Gemma isn't a candidate for cataract removal, but fortunately most dogs get around just fine with reduced vision or even complete vision loss. If your dog has cataracts, a consultation with a veterinary ophthalmologist can help you decide the best way to proceed.
Q&A
Urine marking can
have several causes
Q: My 1-year-old English toy spaniel has a bad habit of lifting his leg in the house, and I now have to limit where he's allowed. I can't neuter him because he's a show dog. I've never had this problem with a male dog before. Can you help? -- via email
A: You've made a good start by limiting where he is allowed to go in your home. Now you need to figure out what is triggering his desire to mark your home with urine. Male dogs like to mark vertical surfaces or entryways to claim territory, let females know they are available for mating or to build their confidence if they're feeling insecure. For instance, maybe your schedule has changed, or you've brought a new person, object or animal into the home.
Next, teach him that marking is for outdoors only. Tether him to you. If he signals that he is about to mark something by sniffing or circling, interrupt him by clapping your hands or saying, "Oops." Then ask him to perform some other action he knows, such as sit, down or shake, and reward him for that.
You can also take him outdoors. If he then lifts his leg on a tree or other acceptable surface, praise him: "Good pee outside!"
If the problem is related to anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about prescription medication that can help him to relax.
Be consistent. Time for improvement can range from a few days to a few weeks.
Whenever you can't supervise, request an alternate behavior or take him outdoors; manage the situation by confining him or using a bellyband to prevent marking.
Never punish him physically or verbally for marking. If marking is done out of conflict or anxiety, punishment can make the problem worse. -- Mikkel Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
THE BUZZ
Cats chatter about
exciting matters
-- Does your cat chatter when she looks out the window and sees a bird or squirrel? Gnashing her teeth is an involuntary reaction to the frustration she feels when she sees something she wants very much but just can't get to it. Let her chitter chatter without interruption. A cat who is already wound up may take out her frustration on you in the form of an angry hiss or even a painful scratch. This type of behavior is called redirected aggression, and it's not something you want to get in the way of. Keep your distance.
-- When it comes to wacky names, dog lovers top the charts. A recent contest by Nationwide included such monikers as Katie Scarlett of Chattapoochie, Master Humphrey Beauguardus, Chicky Chippo the Fox Demon, Catfish Hobbs and Polkadot Sox. The Top 10 names, voted online by the public from a list of 50 selected from the company's database of 575,000 insured pets, were McLoven the Stud Muffin, Kanye Westie, Angus Von Wigglebottom, SuperFunCoconutDog, Optimus Prime Rib, Maximus Waffles, ChaChi Big Foot, Scrappin Scruffy Macdoogle of the Highland Macdoogles, Lieutenant Colonel Be Back Soon and Aggie Von Schwaggie.
-- The jagdterrier, also known as the German hunt terrier, is a working terrier breed with a strong prey drive. He hunts quarry such as badgers, rabbits and raccoons both above ground and underground. The jagdterrier has a black coat with tan or rust markings. The coat can be furry, smooth or "broken," a blend of long and short hairs. The weight range is 17 to 22 pounds. Intelligent and adaptable, these dogs aim to please but are best suited to a farm or ranch home where their hunting skills will help keep pesky animals at bay. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.