Why do dogs get cataracts? What causes cataracts in dogs?

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Sarah Johnson

Healthcare Technology Correspondent

Why do dogs get cataracts? What causes cataracts in dogs?

The causes of cataracts in dogs

There are many reasons that may cause cataracts in dogs. The cause of cataracts in dogs is a congenital factor. Cataracts may be caused by eye trauma, long-term eye inflammation, aging of the eyeballs in old age, or other diseases related to metabolism.


Symptoms of cataracts in dogs

In the early stages of cataracts in dogs, there are actually no obvious symptoms, and the dog’s vision is not found to be poor. As the disease progresses, it will be found that the dog's eyeballs are obviously not bright, become cloudy, and sometimes have obvious white spots. At this time, the dog's vision is obviously declining, and the dog will hit furniture or other things when walking.


Treatment of cataracts in dogs

The treatment of cataracts in dogs is actually the same as that in humans, with medication and surgery. Medications are mainly used for the early stages of cataracts in dogs. Bacterium and muscarinic eye drops can inhibit the development of cataracts in dogs, but they cannot solve the turbidity of the dog's eyeballs and can only inhibit them. Cataract surgery in dogs is usually an effective treatment.