Dogs can suffer from cataracts when they start to get older. When this disorder develops, the eyes become dull and the animal has a lot of difficulty seeing. To help him, you must first take him to the vet, who examines him and sets up a treatment plan. If you choose surgery to remove cataracts, be sure to strictly follow all preoperative instructions; when the animal begins to recover, allow it to rest and limit all vigorous activities. Contact your vet with any questions or concerns during the entire process.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Weighing the Different Treatment Options
Step 1. Recognize the signs of cataract development
It is a disorder that develops over time and it is essential to treat it early. As the owner of the dog, you need to have his eyes checked regularly; in particular, see if they become cloudy or change color. If the animal already has cataracts, pay attention to whether the affected area grows or changes shape.
- You may also notice other physical signs, such as a loss of balance - it may seem a little more clumsy or accidentally hit furniture.
- If you have diabetes mellitus, check for ocular symptoms; if you see him losing weight or urinating more frequently, take him to the vet.
Step 2. Take him to the vet
He is the only person who can correctly diagnose the disorder; they are likely to want more details about the animal's medical history and to ask you to describe the symptoms you have observed so far. During the visit he also performs a thorough physical examination, focusing in particular on the eyes.
Based on what he finds, he may decide to have a series of blood tests and tests done; an ocular ultrasound may also be needed before scheduling surgery
Step 3. Give him antioxidants and vitamins
However, talk to your vet before giving any product to your dog, although it may be helpful to give him nutritional supplements to try to combat the development of cataracts. You can add oral antioxidants or healthful oils - such as cod liver oil - to her food; with your veterinarian's supervision, you can also give him some herbal supplements, such as blueberries.
- These fruits are believed to help strengthen the eyes by developing a link between the eyes and the liver; Aircraft pilots are known to consume blueberry supplements.
- A general intake of healthy changes in the dog's diet can slow the growth of the disease; for example, he uses a blender to make green leafy vegetables liquid and mix them into his food.
Step 4. Evaluate acupuncture
Once the disease is diagnosed, you can attempt canine massage and acupuncture therapy. Your vet can recommend a qualified and reliable therapist; ask the acupuncturist to focus primarily on the areas of the body associated with visual disturbances.
Therapeutic Touch is not a good solution if the animal is suffering from anxiety; in this case, the massage can be more stressful than relaxing
Step 5. Continue to monitor for cataracts
Once you have confirmed the presence of the disorder and taken the dog to the vet, you need to know how to proceed with the treatment. Your doctor may ask you to observe their eyes for a specific period and note any noticeable changes; also, regardless of whether you choose surgery or not, you need to pay attention to the condition of the animal's eyes.
Step 6. Consider surgery as a possible treatment
At the present time it represents the main solution for dogs suffering from cataracts; however, it is an invasive procedure and requires a long recovery period. Most vets recommend it only for young and healthy specimens, also because it is quite expensive: the initial price is around 700-800 euros, but it can also be higher depending on the care needed.
An ultrasound performed by the vet is also needed to determine if the dog is a good candidate for eye surgery, as the retina (the back area of the eye) must be healthy. In dogs that are in good health, the postoperative vision recovery rate is 90%
Step 7. Know the dangers of an untreated cataract
If you neglect the problem, your dog's vision is likely to continue to deteriorate until he completely loses his sight due to the development of glaucoma. The affected lens can also change position in the eye, causing a lot of pain. Regardless of whether or not you decide to proceed with surgery, it is important to develop an observation and treatment plan.
As part of the treatment, it may be necessary to discuss with the doctor the use of painkillers; It may be a good idea to plan this in advance and keep a supply of medicines in the house, in case your four-legged friend goes through a difficult time
Method 2 of 4: Adjusting the Home Environment
Step 1. Keep the same routine all the time
Whether you are recovering from surgery or have chosen to deal with your vision loss without a surgical procedure, make it a habit to always follow the same basic routine in your daily care. Always feed him at the same time and make sure you always play with him at the same time; this allows the animal to know what to expect, even with an altered vision.
Step 2. Use smells to help him move
A dog facing visual disturbances instinctively develops a greater sense of smell; take advantage of this phenomenon by using two "smell" signals in the family: one to indicate "good" and the other "bad". For example, use vanilla to indicate a positive thing; pour a few drops of this fragrance into the dog's food area and around exit doors to guide him to areas that are important to him.
The smell of coloquintide or mint can be "bad" fragrances and you can use them to warn him of dangerous areas, for example the edges of the fireplace
Step 3. Do not make any changes in the house
Avoid moving furniture or making substantial changes in inhabited areas; make sure you keep your furry friend's personal space the same way and don't move his cage or food and water bowls.
Step 4. Put padding on corners or sharp edges
Lower yourself to the level of the dog and walk around the house looking for potential dangers from objects and / or sharp edges at that height; once identified, cover them with pieces of foam rubber. Such protective barriers are for sale online and in baby supply stores, but can also be used to protect dogs and keep them safe.
Method 3 of 4: Caring for Your Dog Before Surgery
Step 1. Help him get used to the Elizabethan collar
Since you will have to wear it for protection during the recovery process, you should make sure that it fits in this tool a little before the date of the operation, so that it can facilitate the postoperative journey.
Ask the vet to recommend a conical collar that you can put on the dog for a few hours every day (you can decide the duration of this "training"); by doing so, the animal will not be frightened when it is put on after the surgery
Step 2. Train him to stay indoors to prepare him for recovery
Just as with the Elizabethan collar, it is necessary to keep it confined to a small space during the postoperative phase, to ensure that it heals; he must rest and avoid further injury. Make it a habit to stay in the cage before the date you need to take him to the vet to treat the cataract, so he doesn't get scared or confused when he has to stay there during the healing period.
To do this, place his food bowl in the carrier; you can also add some treats to entice him to enter. Once he has adapted to being in the cage to eat, try closing the door for a short time
Step 3. Schedule a follow-up visit at least 4 weeks before the operation
Since the surgery requires the animal to be anesthetized, you should first undergo a full vet checkup to ensure that it is physically able to withstand the procedure. The preoperative visit includes blood tests, a blood pressure check and an evaluation of the clinical history.
If the animal is diabetic, it is essential to perform blood tests before surgery, in addition to evaluating the possibility of a urinalysis
Step 4. Discuss preoperative preparation with your vet
Some doctors recommend preventive treatments that involve the use of anti-inflammatory eye drops; they are instilled in the two weeks prior to treatment, increasing their frequency in the last few days. At the date of surgery, the "four-legged patient" must have been fasting for 12 hours.
If he has diabetes, you should give him the normal amount of food and the usual dose of insulin on the morning of the operation; if so, discuss these details with your veterinarian
Method 4 of 4: Caring for Your Dog After Surgery
Step 1. Restrain him using a harness
During your recovery you must use this tool and not a collar. The harness better distributes the traction you exert on the leash to control the animal, while the collar transfers all this force to the neck and eye area, potentially interfering with healing. Make sure you are very gentle when handling your little friend through this harness.
Step 2. Reduce the amount of exercise
Just as humans need time to recover, dogs also need to remain calm in the days following a surgical procedure; rest is the most important factor in healing, which allows the body to regain strength. Encourage him to relax by lying on the floor next to him; he then gradually moves on to short walks in the neighborhood.
You can also put it in the cage to reduce its movement; however, leave it inside for only short periods, otherwise it may suffer from muscle cramps which slow down healing even more
Step 3. Give him the medications prescribed by the vet
Keep all the documents issued by the clinic that indicate the exact dosage of the medicines at hand and make sure to complete all the drug therapies, even if the animal seems to be better after a few doses. Your vet probably prescribes antibiotic eye drops that you need to instill for 3-4 weeks to ward off the risk of infection.
- Remember to wash your hands before applying medication to your dog's eyes to prevent the spread of pathogens.
- Carefully monitor any adverse reactions to postoperative medications; for example, if you try to furiously scratch your eye after instilling the drops, discuss different active ingredients with your vet.
- Expect to notice slight swelling around the treated area; clear discharge may also be present, but be aware that this is completely normal. If you notice any troubling symptoms, call your vet.
Step 4. Be aware of the possible complications
It is worth knowing the warning signs to watch out for in the postoperative phase; observe your dog often to make sure he is not complaining of symptoms of infection, such as a foul-smelling discharge from the eye. Your faithful friend may react negatively to the anesthesia, so make sure he becomes more and more conscious over time.
Advice
- Although surgery is the best solution at the moment, researchers are conducting studies to find eye drops that reduce or eliminate cataracts.
- If you have animal health insurance, check your policy to find out whether it fully or partially covers your dog's cataract surgery.
