Does My Pet Have Cataracts? How To Get A Diagnosis

It’s an unavoidable reality all pet owners must face: as pets get older, their bodies won’t work quite the same. Watching changes to your pet’s health can be difficult and lead to questions about what is normal and what is not.

When it comes to pet eyes, it’s not uncommon for pet owners to notice changes over time. But how can you know whether or not the changes you are noticing in your pet’s eyes are cataracts or something else?

Here’s how to try to figure out whether or not your dog or cat has cataracts!

Could it be ANYTHING besides cataracts?

The first thing to note is that cataracts aren’t the only cause of your pet’s eyes turning cloudy. Nuclear sclerosis occurs in both cats and dogs as they get older. The change in appearance is due to a compression of the lens. It is a natural process that doesn’t cause your pet pain or significant loss of eyesight.

How To Tell The Difference

The truth is you can’t! In fact, your regular veterinarian may not have the specialized equipment to tell the difference between cataracts, nuclear sclerosis, glaucoma, or degeneration. There are some tests they can run to determine if there are underlying health issues or if your pet is experiencing loss of eyesight.

With that in mind, it’s a good idea to call your vet before making an appointment to determine if they have the necessary equipment. If they are unable to make the diagnosis, ask for a recommendation to a specialist that can. Take note of whether there are any signs of severe sight loss or signs your pet is in pain so you can discuss these with the specialist. These symptoms can indicate an increased risk of cataracts and would imply a greater need to seek expert care.

What can I do to help my pet?

If your pet has cataracts, there’s a chance surgery may be necessary. However, it should be noted that while cataract surgery is very common in humans, pet cases aren’t always right for surgery. From the size of the cataract to age of the pet, there are important evaluations your specialist will take into consideration. On your part, it’s important to be aware that the sooner a cataract is caught, the more likely a successful surgical removal can be performed. If that’s the route your vet recommends, be sure to discuss important details such as success rates for your pet’s case and the possibility for complications.

If surgery isn’t recommended, your veterinarian will still come up with a care plan to manage your pet’s cataracts. The work doesn’t have to stop with your vet, though. There’s research that shows that glutathione is effective in preventing cataracts. It can be found in natural sources such as eggs or from supplements.

Are there other supplements to help my pet?

Veterinary Practice News notes that PetVisionPro has been found successful at reducing cataracts and sclerosis in pets that were unable to get surgery. While they did not provide any research along with these claims they did have testimonials from pet parents who saw improvements in pet eye cloudiness as well as their vision.

Tell us about the clouds in your pet’s eyes and what you’ve been doing to manage them!