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  • Project Breathe

    Project Breathe is an international initiative started by Invisible Fence Brand with the goal of equipping all first responding emergency units throughout Canada, the US and the UK with specially designed pet oxygen masks.

    Caledon Mountain Veterinary Hospital would like to raise awa... Read More

  • Project Pet Slimdown

    Project Pet Slimdown is a weight loss program designed for your cat/dog to help them lose weight.  By losing weight they can lead a happier, healthier and longer life.  Each pet will get their own individual program designed for them because, as we know, every pet is dif... Read More

  • New reception email address

    Effective immediately the new email address to contact our reception desk is:

    cmvhreception@gmail.com

     Please make the appropriate changes to your contact lists.  Thank you.

    Read More

  • Help Dr. Juan Elduayen

    Juan Elduayen is a wonderful and well-respected veterinarian in Toronto.  He emigrated with his family from Venezuela and has been working for the past couple of years at both the Woodbine Animal Clinic and Front Street Animal Hospital.  A huge blow came when he was very recently diag... Read More

  • Blood Donor Program

    Call us for more information about our blood donor program.  519-927-5775 ask for Ashley Read More

  • Facebook

    Be sure to check us out on facebook and 'like' our facebook page. 

     You can enter your pet's photo for our Pet of the Month contest by emailing your pet's photo to cmvhreception@gmail.com with "pet of the month" in the subject line and watch... Read More

CATARACTS PDF Print E-mail

What is a cataract?

Inside the eye is a lens that focuses light on the back of the eye or the retina. Vision occurs at the retina. This is similar to a camera which has a lens to focus light on the film. If the lens becomes opaque this is called a cataract.

What causes cataracts?
 
The most common cause of cataracts in the dog are inherited. Other causes include injuries to the eye or diseases such as diabetes mellitus (“sugar diabetes”). Some appear to occur spontaneously and are age related.

Are some breeds more prone than others?

Many breeds of dogs are affected with hereditary cataracts. Some of the recognized breeds include the American Cocker, Labrador, Poodle, Boston Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel to mention a few.

Will my dog go blind?

If cataracts occupy less than 30% of the lens or only one lens is affected, they rarely cause diminished vision. When the opacity reaches about 60% of the total lens area, vision impairment is usually apparent. If the opacity progresses to 100% of the lens, the dog is then blind. However, whether the cataract remains static or progresses depends on the type of cataract, the breed and other risk factors.

Can anything be done to prevent my dog from going blind?

Today’s veterinary ophthalmologists can remove cataracts and restore failing vision in your pet. Most pets have few complications and return to normal running and playing within just a few days of the surgery.

How old will my dog be if he does go blind?

Since the major cause of cataract is hereditary, cataract progression varies from breed to breed. In some breeds cataracts will develop relatively early in life whereas in others the first signs are detected when the dog is older and progression is so slow that dogs still have reasonable sight well into old age.

If the condition is hereditary, what can be done to prevent it from being passed on?

This is a situation where prevention is better than cure. Many organizations offer eye disease certification programs that offer breeders an excellent chance to make sure they are producing disease free puppies. We will be more than happy to discuss details with you.

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This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest E. Ward Jr., DVM.

 © Copyright 2002 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. August 9, 2004.
 
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