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Dog Health Care: Cataracts in Dogs
I'm sure many of us have heard of cataracts in humans, but dogs may have cataracts as well? Cataracts are one of the most common issues dogs develop in their eyes, which may affect all breeds and of all ages.
What Are Cataracts?
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The actual meaning of cataracts is "to break down", this "break down" causes the disruption of the normal arrangements of the lens fibers. The disruption is what creates the loss of transparency and therefore affects the vision. Cataracts may appear as crushed ice or white in the eye, you can see them in the lens of eyes.
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How Cataracts Form
All types of cataracts form the same way, the normal lens is maintained in a dehydrated state. The lens consists of 66% water and 33% protein. In the lens there's a sodium water pump system that is in charge of keeping the water/protein balance in check.The damage of bio-mechanical system of the lens cause the damages the pump system . Because of this damage the percentage of insoluble protein increases. In order to determine the type of cataracts it is most important to know the age of the dog which develops the cataracts.
amp;quot;Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: #006600;">How to Prevent Cataracts
- Cataracts may be caused by free radicals, which are harmful oxygen molecules in the body,which damaging the tissue in the eyes overtime. You can fight the free radicals with vitamin E or C, this will block the harmful oxidizing effects of these free radicals.
- Vegetables are a great source of antioxidants, include vegetables like carrots, kale and yellow or green vegetables to your dogs diet. This will also support your dogs moods helping with solving problematic dog behavior.
- Give your dog capsules of bilberries, the antioxidant in these capsules will protect the tissue of the dogs eyes.
- Give your dog Beta-Carotene which converts into vitamin A. Which will help the tissues of his eyes.
- Use Cineraria, this is a healing herb, and may be helpful in reducing the chances of cataract surgery. It is available in a eye drop form.
Nuclear Sclerosis
Nuclear Sclerosis is the hardening and grey on the lens of dogs eyes. It is easy to confuse Nuclear Sclerosis with cataracts, it is important to know Nuclear Sclerosis doesn't effect the dogs vision in anyway. This is a normal reaction to your dogs aging and may results in lightening of the lens. Nuclear Sclerosis occurs because the fibers in the dogs lens compress overtime.
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Types of Cataracts
- Developmental Cataracts, also known as "early onset" develops early in the dogs life. This type of cataract may be inherited or caused by diseases such as; diabetes, infection, toxicity or mellitus.
- Senile Cataracts, also called "late onset". This occurs in dogs that are over the age of six. This is common problem in humans but rarely occurs in dogs.
- Inherited Cataracts, when suffering from inherited cataracts, there may also be an association with other ocular diseases. Being diagnosed with Inherited Cataracts, it is imperative not to use your dog for breeding since the disease could be perpetuated in the offspring.
- Congenital Cataracts is a type of Cataract the dog develops at birth. The dog normally has the Cataracts in both eyes, even though being born with them doesn't mean the Cataracts were inherited. In a unborn puppy there may be an infection or toxins that cause the formation of the Cataracts.
How to take care of a dog who has developed cataracts
- You can start by keeping your dogs environment the same, in other words not moving furniture or other household items. This will help them maneuver around obstacles and not become confused.
- Make sure your dog is safe. Which mean to protect them from wandering dog in the street.
- It is essential to test your dog for diabetes, this is one of the leading cause of cataracts. If your dog does have diabetes they will need regular care from a veterinarian, and it is good to check their weight to ensure diabetes doesn't develop.
- Surgery may be a consideration if your dogs has reduced eyesight and has it is too difficult for them to maneuver around.
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