tramissa Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) My almost 12 year old has had 'cloudy' eyes for 12 - 18 months or so now. I've been keeping an eye on them and she was at the vets for a full check up at the end of last year. She is starting to fall to bits in that she has a fatty lump on her side, a couple of teeth are not so good and just general age related stuff. The vet decided she was not a candidate for surgery (I was going to have the teeth pulled/cleaned and lump removed if possible). Monday her eyes were the same as normal. Her right eye has gotten 'cloudier' over the past couple of weeks, but still no definite cataract. Yesterday I gave her dinner and did my normal nightly health check (feel all over for lumps/ticks/check eyes and teeth etc) and her right eye now has a complete, mature cataract. At least, I'm pretty sure it's a cataract - looks the same as google images of cataracts, milky white colour, covers only the coloured area of her pupil etc. Not so surprising. She is 12, it's not unknown for the breed (lowchen) to develop cataracts late in life. But, I'm at a loss as to what I should be doing, if anything. Is it just a normal part of ageing and you adjust to the new limits (i.e, don't stick my hand suddenly on that side, take into account she may be a little nervous in situations now etc) or does it require daily treatment for life, as some websites suggest? I do have her booked into the vet but cannot get in before Friday afternoon. She is keeping that eye closed as much as she can. Not sure if it is because she finds it easier to navigate/keep balance with it closed, or if she is in pain/infected etc. It does not look infected, no redness, no swelling, she has no temperature etc but it was a bit 'sleepy' (light green coloured, along the edge of the lid toward the inner eye) when I got home this afternoon. I've wiped it with a bit of sterile saline and gauze for now and will definitely keep an eye on it until her vet appointment, but I'm terrified it might be glaucoma or infection, even though it doesn't match the symptoms or images I can google about it. If necessary I will take her to the emergency vet, but I'd rather try to avoid that, for her sake, the vet that is called out's sake and my wallet's sake, so I'm hoping anyone with experience with cataracts can let me know if this is needed. And yes, I am terrified that the vet will say it's something really bad (due to the rapid progression of it). I know I need to face up to it sooner rather than later, as each thing happens, but I just can't face losing her yet. Edited March 14, 2009 by tramissa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) When I thought my boy had cataracts I booked him into see a veterinary opthamologist. The vet thought he had cataracts, the groomer thought he did, but the opthamologist cleared him completely and said it was simply ageing lenses. Your vet will probably just refer you to an opthamologist anyway. If it's come on suddenly, as you've indicated, get him checked for diabetes as this happened to my sister's dog and it turned out that the cataracts were caused by the diabetes and by underlying cushing's disease. Nothing could be done about the cataracts until the diabetes and cushings were brought under control. Your vet can do the testing for the diabetes and the cushing's. The opthamologist said that if they're in both eyes, most people will only get one eye done as it's around $1500 per eye for the operation. Edited March 11, 2009 by Sheridan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) DP Edited March 11, 2009 by settrlvr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Yep need to see a specialist & ideally would have been better when first spotted due to the issues that can cause cataracts or go hand in hand.Like glaucoma,dry eye ,eye ulcers etc etc Diabetes is often the last thing any body thinks of but certainly a cataract partner. As for dealing with we have had a few.Most coped very well others sadly it shortened there life because they just couldnt cope after a while. We found there hearing would go & then there smell. Dont move anything.If possible have mats that lead to water bowls. watch how the dog deals outside & whether it gets disorientated & consider that if going out for long periods esepcailly in bad weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 She still has one good eye so is coping fine at the moment. From her actions, apart from being a little nervous about things when she has to judge depth etc (like jumping onto the couch), she hasn't noticed any difference. She's still running and playing and making her way around fine. Nothing has really changed for her. I have taken her to a couple of vets since her eyes started clouding and none have spoken of referral, or even thought there was a problem. I don't even think there is an ophthalmologist up here. At her age, and with her health, she will not be undergoing surgery. When she no longer copes, as much as I dread it, I will need to say goodbye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 You might tell us where you are . .. someone may recommend a specialist. (I'm in WA and suspect you aren't so I'm no help). I agree with settrlvr. If it is cataracts without associated problems (eg glaucoma, diabetes, etc.) your dog is likely to cope ok. Her vision won't be the same, but it's likely she will still see shapes and have some peripheral vision for some time. Even old dogs who go completely blind manage ok if they have an environment in which they can predict where things are and nothing challenges them too much (a young puppy can be a major challenge). If there's no way to get to a specialist, and your regular vet can rule out other health problems, just be kind to the old girl. If she gets to the point where she can't get on the sofa, give her a bed on the floor. Keep her to a predictable routine. Sight isn't as important to dogs as it is to humans . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Yes, can't recall where you are, Tramissa. When the vet thought Grumps had cataracts, he immediately suggested an opthamologist so I'm surprised that the vets you saw didn't. If both are clouding, both need attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldens Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 My golden retriever, Buck, developed vision prolblems abut the time he turned 11. My vet said his eyeballs wre healhy, just "old." his depth perception went bad and a leaf could blow by him and he would jump amd let out a yelp tho it never touched him. He also misjudged distance for getting on bed, etc. And his nigh vision was bad enough he would not go out alone at night to do his business. He had his own bedroom and i left drapes open on side so neghbor's outside light would shine in and make light for him. Our walls are white, but doors are dark. I kept his bedroom door open til he went to be at night. One night for some reason it was closed and I did not have the hall light on and he went trotting down the hall (he always went ahead and got on the bed and waitd for his night time treat) and bless his heart, he ran right into the door. He could not tell it was closed, guess he thought the darkness was the room It was after that that i kept tha side drape open so the room would be some lite up, and made sure the door was not shut. We did make sure that things were not left out of place or moved around even tho he could see shapes, etc. That big always brave dog had become fearful of things and we just wanted to make thinkgs easy for him. By the way, when he was on leash being walked, even at nigh, he was his old self. We believe he felt that as long as he was "connected" to us, he was safe. Hoping for the bet for you little guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Tramissa, there is an excellent Veterinary Opthamologist who tours QLD twice yearly, or at least he did last I heard. If you ask your Vet they could tell you, His name is Dr Richard Smith from Animal Eye Services. Animal Eye Services Ask your Vet if they are still visiting your area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 Thanks guys. I am in Cairns, FNQ. Have had a chat to the vet on the phone tonight and he thinks Friday is fine and no need to rush in. Have been told to continue to clean the gunk away with saline solution when it appears. He does think it is normal age cataract based on the description of it and it's appearance. This weekend we are doing a big clean/declutter of the place so that floor space at least is clear. At least this gives me an incentive to keep the house decluttered! (It's not bad really, but spare room is a mess and so is my 'office' space, with textbooks etc all over the floor. I'm a soft touch and will lift her up anywhere if she looks like she wants to come up but doesn't think she can, and she has been lifted into bed since I've had her (I like high beds). They do have a cushion on the floor, but both of them prefer the couch, so I'll just keep lifting her up :rolleyes: Even Jonno is being very gentle/protective of her and has been for the past week or so. I was wondering about it until this appeared. The light thing is a good point though - I have noticed she's much less comfortable in the semi dark. Full dark is okay, light is okay, but that semi dark (like in a room with the light on in the hallway) and she's not so comfortable. I've had a big chat to mum tonight and explained that we need to readjust to her new level and make things easier for her, but not to baby her or treat her differently. I feel a lot better now after reading responses, talking to some people that have had dogs with cataracts and talking to the vet. I know the other eye could develop at any time, but I'm hoping it gives her at least a few more months so that it is a slow adjustment. While she is content and not suffering, I will do my best to keep her that way. Thank you all! Crisovar, will ask about them on Friday - thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Definitely clear any possible underlying cause (other than age) for the cataracts, but there are some eye drops that I believe have been successfully used in the reduction of this ailment in dogs. It was actually developed for use in humans, but they found that whilst they didn't have the success rate in humans, they did very well in dogs. Let me know if you need a link for it (I'd have to search for it) or at least perhaps raise the topic with your Vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 At the risk of annoying all the people in Off Topic... Tramissa, I have sent you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 The thing to remember is that, if you have ruled out any underlying health issues, dogs do cope very well without sight. I groom many elderly dogs who are blind. They are happy and manage very well if things are left in the same place in the home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) Thanks to everyone and a big thanks to Rappie. Just got home and the lens has completely detached and luxated forward and is now in the anterior chamber, which is why it is now so visible. Vet couldn't even really see the pupil at all. She is now on hourly cortisone (prednisolone) drops and BID tablets and we have to go back tomorrow to see if it is helping. If it is not, we will discuss options then. I will get a second opinion before deciding anything if it's not helping, but I'm almost sure I can see an improvement after only 2 doses. He said not to stay up all night to do the hourly drops, but I think it will be pretty close to it, just to ensure improvement. Edit - I have no concerns about her being blind in one (or both) eyes as long as she is happy, although I'm sure I'll be on here asking questions about blind dogs if it gets to that stage. My concern was that she might be in pain (confirmed by vet tonight) and that is the condition that I will be treating/deciding on. Edited March 13, 2009 by tramissa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Glad you have been to the vets. I was going to say that I would be worried about her keeping her eye closed as that would not be a sign of cataracts more like her eye was sore from something. Which it has turned out to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 Glad you have been to the vets.I was going to say that I would be worried about her keeping her eye closed as that would not be a sign of cataracts more like her eye was sore from something. Which it has turned out to be. Yes, and she was always going to be going to the vets - the appointment was booked before I made this post. This post was to find out if I needed to get her to an emergency vet. I don't know if it's wishful thinking, but it seems that the eye is improving already. She's such a good girl, she just rests her head against me and sits there while I'm putting the drops in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 Well, it wasn't wishful thinking A 'massive' improvement in just one night, so now drops are two hourly and tablets once daily and review on Tuesday (5:10 to remind myself). He doesn't think she will lose the eye at all. She's also now holding it open and he thinks the discomfort is pretty much gone, and will be totally gone by tomorrow if it keeps responding this way. Of course, if I notice anything I am to take her back day or night. He's also quite upset at his receptionist for not squeezing her in on the day I called based on my description at the time. The white is going, can only see it in the light now - in the shade her eye is brown again - I wasn't expecting that! She will be on daily eye drops, but that is easily manageable. I am so very, very relieved!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Glad to hear it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 (edited) Rappie - thank you so much for keeping me sane with the info you provided Everything I googled was worst case only, so it was nice to have a voice of reason Thank you also to everyone who replied in this thread, or sent me PM's with information and support. I appreciate it more than you can know! Edited March 14, 2009 by tramissa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 You're most welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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