Why does my diabetic dog have cataracts?
Diabetic dogs will often develop cataracts due to the diabetes. Because of the fluctuation in blood sugars, cataracts will develop at varying rates depending upon the diabetic control and your dog’s individual body.
How old does a dog have to be to have cataracts?
Hereditary cataracts, Fife says, tend to form in dogs at a young age—between 1 and 5 years old. Can Dogs with Cataracts Still See?
What are the symptoms of hypermature cataract in dogs?
Hypermature cataracts are those that have progressed to a point where they are actually starting to liquefy and dissolve. Not all canine cataracts advance to this point, but once they do, the liquefaction process often creates painful inflammation in the eye that causes symptoms such as redness of the eye and constriction of the pupil.
Can a unilateral cataract be congenital in a dog?
A unilateral cataract can also be congenital meaning it’s present as a birth defect but might not develop until later in the dog’s life. Younger dogs tend to develop unilateral cataracts more commonly because of their playful puppy nature.
How long does it take for diabetic dogs to develop cataracts?
In fact, 75% of dogs develop cataracts and blindness in both eyes within 9 months of being diagnosed with diabetes. The cataracts develop very quickly—sometimes overnight!
What causes a dog to get cataracts at a young age?
Another cause of cataracts in dogs comes down to genetics. “Hereditary cataracts occur quite commonly in certain purebred dogs,” Fife says. Hereditary cataracts, Fife says, tend to form in dogs at a young age—between 1 and 5 years old.
Is there any way to prevent diabetic cataracts in dogs?
Generally there is very little that can be done to prevent diabetic cataracts from occurring. Good diabetes management may help to delay the onset of the condition, but this is very difficult to achieve in dogs.
What kind of health problems can a diabetic dog have?
And 80% of diabetic dogs have cataracts within 16 months of diagnosis. Diabetic dogs can also develop kidney problems, such as kidney failure. The sugar in the urine can cause damage to the kidneys and, over time, kidney problems arise. Liver disease is another health problem associated with diabetes in dogs.
