Cataracts

    • Gold Top Dog

    Cataracts

    Has anyone seen cataracts in very young dogs (under 3)?  If so, what was usually the underlying cause of the issue?  I am very interested to know!  Thanks for any input!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Hi nlkelly,
    Yes, I have. I rescued a Lhasa that was only 2yrs old who had the onset of cataracts. When I picked her up, I initially thought she was an older dog until I brought her in to the vet to be checked out. I was stunned to find she was only 2. The vet said the cause of her eye problems was from the previous owners not attending to her eyes when she had an infection, or corneal abrasion and allowed same to heal on it's own. The vet also said as time went on, she may develop blindness in that eye due to the cataract starting to form. Such a shame for a dog to suffer needlessly like this.
    Anyway, happy ending. She now has a home that is so much better for her and is spoiled rotten.
    Eye's are very touchy and are nothing to mess with on your own. The eye ball itself is the only organ if you will, that cannot be duplicated or made whole again.

    • Gold Top Dog
    It can also be caused by an inherited gene.

    http://www.veterinaryvision.com/public_forum/retdegen.htm
    • Gold Top Dog
    True. I forgot about that one too. Thanks Marty.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yup- my sister noticed her GSD puppy had them about two weeks after she got her.  The breeder said she would take the puppy back and give her another one, but that she (the breeder) would euth the puppy rather than get her eye surgery.  Yeah, like my sis is going to return the puppy after hearing that!  Bad, bad breeder!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Bad breeder in deed... Smack her with a wet noodle![:@]