What to do about canine cataracts

Canine cataracts mainly involve two methods of treatment: drug therapy and surgical treatment. If the dog has early-stage cataracts, targeted drugs can be used to inhibit the cataracts in the dog's eyes, but it cannot solve the problem. Surgical treatment is the only effective method for cataracts. If you suspect that your dog has cataracts, relevant ophthalmic examinations such as ophthalmic B-ultrasound, slit lamp, intraocular pressure measurement, and retinal electrophysiology should be conducted to determine the severity of the cataracts and whether they meet the surgical criteria. If surgery is feasible, it is recommended to proceed as early as possible.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment mainly focuses on early-stage cataracts. Eye drops containing pinaverium chloride and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory eye drops can be used to inhibit the progression of cataracts, but it cannot resolve the cloudiness of the dog's eyeballs. Surgical treatment is the only effective method for cataracts.

Surgical treatment

Currently, the best treatment for cataracts is surgical treatment, involving microsurgical removal of the cataracts. It is recommended to detect and treat early. If a dog with cataracts seeks medical attention promptly during the early or mature stages of the disease, the success rate can be as high as 90% or more. However, if the best treatment time is missed, it may lead to permanent blindness in the dog, and potentially severe glaucoma, causing severe pain. The dog may exhibit frequent scratching, causing additional harm to the eyes.

Precautions

Before a dog undergoes cataract surgery, it is essential to ensure the dog's overall health. If the dog has a weak constitution, heart disease, or poor cardiopulmonary function, surgery is not advisable.尤其是年纪稍大的狗狗，最好根据检查结果听取手术医生的意见。此外，关于狗狗的病史也要毫无隐瞒地告诉宠物医生，以便宠物医生做出正确的决定。