The cataract eye disease is not to be trifled with in dogs either. The animal should be taken to a specialized doctor as soon as possible. Only surgery can cure.
Frankfurt / Main (dpa / tmn) - Most of the time, the disease is noticed by chance: The dog no longer catches the thrown treat as confidently as usual, stumbles over the curb or does not manage to climb a step properly in an unfamiliar environment.
In this case, owners should drive quickly to the vet and let their dog look deep in the eyes. If the lens is gray or even white, it could be a cataract. The dog either sees poorly or is completely blind.
Operation by a specialist
"This disease is not to be trifled with, because the retina cannot regenerate," warns veterinarian Barbara Braus from the animal clinic in Hofheim. She advises taking the dog to a veterinarian who specializes in eye treatment immediately. Because mostly only the specialists have the necessary equipment and experience to diagnose the disease and, if possible, to cure it. To make the diagnosis, the vets first put drops in the dogs' eyes. So the pupils are set wide and can be examined.
The range of treatment, however, is extremely small. Only an operation can bring the cure - the sooner the better. The prerequisites for this are an intact retina and functioning nerve cells, and the animal must of course be capable of anesthesia. "If an operation cannot be performed, the animal has to be treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops for the rest of its life," explains veterinarian Astrid Behr of the Federal Association of Practicing Veterinarians in Frankfurt am Main. Otherwise the disease can become extremely painful for the animal. In no case should the affected eyes remain untreated.
High chances of success
The operation has long been as sophisticated as in human medicine. The surgeon makes a small incision in the outer corner of the eye and opens the cornea, then smashes the contents of the lens with ultrasound and sucks it out of the capsule. If the lens bag is intact, an artificial lens is implanted.
The good news: According to Braus, the chances of success of an operation are enormous, especially if the disease is recognized early. She usually works miracles. Almost every dog can see again a day later at the latest - even if it was blind beforehand. How quickly he can get home is different from each clinic. Sometimes the patient is discharged on the day of the operation.
High costs
However, not everyone can afford an operation. If both eyes are affected by cataracts, the owner has to pay around 4,000 euros. One eye costs more than 2000 euros.
Even less good news: complications can arise, some animals react with inflamed eyes. Therefore, the patients are treated with eye drops for a long time after the operation and often need follow-up care. The dogs are not allowed to romp for the first few weeks, but have to walk on a leash.
Young animals are also affected
Contrary to popular belief, the cataract affects not only old, but also young animals. Because the causes are diverse. "The disease can also be inherited, caused by diabetes or injuries to the eye," explains veterinarian Behr.
Some popular dog breeds, such as the golden retriever and the labrador, are prone to this eye condition when they are younger. You can go completely blind in just a week or two. If cataracts appear as a sign of old age, the disease progresses much more slowly.