How to naturally support your dog with cataracts?

Is your dog's eyes starting to get cloudy and whitish, just like my old dog Kiwi? It's possible it could be canine cataracts.

Indeed, just like in humans, cataracts in dogs affect the eyes and impair vision.

Eye health is very important, as you might expect. So, I invite you to read on to be well-equipped to recognize cataracts in dogs.

In addition, you will be entitled to our advice on what can be done to relieve a dog suffering from cataracts.

What causes cataracts in dogs?

As you may know, cataracts are, by definition, a clouding of the lens. This is caused by a change in the proteins within this organ.

The lens is a small, oval, football-shaped sphere inside the eye that serves as a lens. Its role is to focus light before it is projected onto the retina, which then transmits the image to the brain via the optic nerve.

When a dog develops a cataract, the lens loses its transparency and light no longer reaches the retina as effectively, resulting in a vision disorder.

So now we roughly understand the process that causes cataracts, but why do these changes in the lens proteins occur?

Among the most common causes of cataracts in dogs are advancing age and heredity.

An advanced age

In fact, dogs over seven years old are more likely to develop cataracts than younger dogs. This is called senile cataracts.

It usually develops rather slowly, and vision loss is gradual, so dogs mostly get used to it and compensate with their other senses.

Heredity

Some purebred dogs are genetically predisposed to developing cataracts at a younger age. Examples include poodles, Siberian huskies, and Yorkshire terriers . Therefore, it is important to monitor the vision of these dogs.

An inflammation of the eye

Retinal disease, shock, or trauma to the eyeball can be predisposing factors for the development of cataracts. In short, any cause of eye inflammation can lead to the appearance of cataracts in the future.

Diabetic cataracts in dogs

Normally, a healthy dog ​​has enough insulin (a hormone) to transport glucose from digestion to the cells in its body.

However, a dog with diabetes does not have enough insulin to do this crucial job, and so glucose builds up in the blood.

This accumulation of glucose in turn causes changes in the lens, among other things. The lens becomes waterlogged, which causes cataracts, which generally progress quickly.

Most dogs with diabetes will develop cataracts, even if it is well controlled, and go blind. I'm thinking of a friend's dog who has diabetes and is now indeed blind.

What are the symptoms of cataracts in dogs?

The main signs of cataracts in dogs are classic and easily recognizable. They include:

• Pupil (center of the eye) whitish, cloudy eyes
• Difficulty finding a treat (must smell it instead of seeing it)
• Resistance to stairs or getting on the couch
• Bums into furniture
• Changes in behavior: calmer, stays close to owner or aggression

How do you know if your dog has cataracts?

Two of the early signs of cataracts in dogs are increased sensitivity to light and a whitish cast in the pupils.

That said, many people confuse this veil in the dog's eyes with a very common phenomenon, normal in old dogs, namely nuclear sclerosis.

Therefore, it is important to consult a veterinarian if you begin to notice a change in the color of your dog's eyes. Only an experienced professional can accurately diagnose cataracts.

How to treat cataracts in dogs?

Treatment for cataracts in dogs will initially depend on the underlying cause.

If, for example, your dog has diabetes or an eye infection, it will be important to ensure that these conditions are under control before moving on to the next stage of treatment.

Ultimately, your veterinarian may recommend surgery to treat cataracts as well as eye drops.

Cataract surgery in a dog

This surgery involves removing the lens and inserting an implant. It is only considered when it can restore vision to a healthy dog, or relieve pain, as it is invasive and expensive.

Talk to your veterinarian to see if your pet is a candidate for this surgery.

If a cataract does not cause inflammation or glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) and blindness is its only consequence, it is reasonable not to consider surgery.

However, some dogs become very anxious or even aggressive when blind, so the decision to have surgery is a case-by-case decision and yours.

I invite you to read below, I give you a natural alternative to promote good eye health in case of cataracts in your dog, without surgery.

The cost of cataract surgery in dogs

Prices vary between $2,700 and $4,000, depending on, among other things, the surgical technique used.

This is a surgery that will be performed by an ophthalmology specialist and for this reason, prices can easily reach a few thousand dollars.

Eye drops

Please note that following this surgery, the animal will need to receive eye drops to reduce inflammation in the eyes for several months.

If you choose to let nature take its course, it is also highly likely that your pet will require anti-inflammatory drops in the advanced stage of the condition.

Some eye drops have been marketed as being able to dissolve cataracts. These drops have had some beneficial effects on the eyes, but they did not dissolve the cataracts as promised.

In short, there are still no miracle drops to make cataracts disappear.

However, there is a natural alternative to keep your dog in good condition.

Natural support for dog cataracts

As mentioned above, it's not possible to completely treat a dog's cataracts without surgery. That said, we've put together a natural product that will be of great help. As a dog owner, you want to slow their progression.

Indeed, the homeopathic product VisioAnimo (Cataracte-L) was specially designed to promote a healthy lens in your dog. It can also be used for other animals such as cats, rabbits, and horses.

Slowing the progression of cataracts is important. This is therefore a significant advantage, particularly for our animals who are showing the first signs of the condition and whose vision is not yet affected.

By cleaning and protecting your dog's lenses, VisionAnimo (Cataract-L) is a great ally.

It's also important to target the source of the problem in the treatment process. For example, if your dog has diabetes and cataracts are a result, it's important to treat this condition as well.

And you'll see, using our VisioAnimo product (Cataracte-L) in combination with treating the root cause of cataracts is important. You want to help stop their progression and prevent their recurrence.

Watch our video:

Natural Treatments for Cataracts in Dogs

As promised, we've prepared a list of natural remedies you can use to relieve your dog's cataracts. As a home remedy, we're talking about honey and carrots.

Honey as a natural treatment for dog cataracts

Some people recommend using a little honey to treat cataracts in humans, so it's likely that it may have a beneficial effect on dogs as well. I would recommend talking to a veterinarian before attempting this technique, though.

It is said that placing a drop of raw beehive honey (personally I would suggest medical honey) on the inside of the lower eyelid using your index finger can help treat this condition.

Honey is recognized as a powerful healing agent and has proven itself in the veterinary world in the field of wound care. Therefore, it is an interesting natural treatment option to investigate.

Carrots to treat cataracts in dogs

I like this idea because carrots make excellent treats that are good for your dog's health. But be careful to cut them into small pieces so your dog doesn't choke.

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, an important vitamin for eye health. So, theoretically, they would be a good addition to your dog's eye care. At least, in reasonable doses, they can't do any harm.

As you and I know, prevention is better than cure! So protect your dog's eyes by providing shelter from UV rays when spending time in the sun. Provide a balanced and complete diet full of vitamins to strengthen his immune system.

And finally, pay special attention to your dog's eye health. I invite you to contact us for any health problem your pet may have.