Cataracts (Eye Condition) In Cats: Symptoms of Juvenile Cataract

January 18, 2011 | Cat Health | Leave a Comment |

What is a Cataract?

  • Is a clouding condition that occurs in the lens of the eye
  • It hinders the passage of light into the eye
  • It can change the way that colors are perceived, especially blue
  • It also obstructs vision when it is located right in front of the iris and the pupil
  • Depending on how or when it develops, it can also lead to changes in vision acuity and may cause either nearsightedness or farsightedness.
  • The condition affects both eyes, but more often than not, it will start in one eye.
    • .
  • Cataracts in cats may be senile, the kind that happens in older cats
  • Juvenile cataracts in cats may also occur in younger animals.

Symptoms of cataracts in cats

The most common symptom of cataract in cats is the opacity of the lens of the eye. Symptoms may not be noticeable in the early stages of the condition.

Here are some signs owners should watch out for if they suspect a cat of having cataracts:

  • Changes in eye color ??” Bluish or gray color changes
  • Increased tendency to bump into things.
    • .
  • Redness and inflammation of the eyes
  • Signs of pain ??” may be caused by the increased pressure on the eye or by the underlying condition that is causing the cataracts to appear.
  • Reluctance to jump onto objects to climb the stairs
  • Hesitancy to move around in new environment

Treatment for Cataracts in Cats

  • There is no treatment that can reverse the appearance of cataracts in cats other than surgical removal.
  • It is also important to treat the underlying cause of the cataract in order to keep it from happening again.

Home Care for Cataracts in Cats

When a cat has cataracts, it is important to keep it in a familiar situation so to avoid accidents. Cage rest is necessary after surgery and care must be taken to prevent cataracts from happening again.

Related Reading:
A cataract is a type of eye disease that affects dogs as much as humans. In fact, cataracts are one of the most common eye disorders that dogs suffer from. All breed of dogs are affected by this disorder.

What is a Cataract?

  • A cataract primarily affects the lens inside the eyes.
  • With cataract, the lens becomes opaque and vision becomes blurred.
  • There are three different types or stages of cataract namely incipient cataract, immature cataract, and mature cataract.

Symptoms of Cataracts in Dogs

  • Opaque lens that appear almost white
  • Affects long distance vision
  • Affects close-up vision
  • Blurring of vision

Treatment of Dog Cataracts

  • The primary treatment of choice in dealing with dog cataracts is through surgery.
  • With surgery, the cataract is surgically removed from the lens resulting in clearer vision with immediate results.
  • After surgery, several drops are prescribed by the vet and must be administered for a number of days to help decrease swelling post-surgery.
  • Cost of surgery for dog cataracts may be quite expensive but the results are immediate and worth it. Operation cost may go approximately $1500 to $3000 depending on ability and skill level of doctors.
  • Prevention is still the best treatment when it comes to dog cataracts.
Related Reading:

Cataracts in Cats

Cataracts in cats are characterized by cloudiness in the lens of the eye. This condition can hamper a cat’s vision, as they block light from going into the eye.

  • The cornea of the eye is normally clear
  • Cloudiness can occur for a number of reasons
  • It can be genetics or it can be a result of a disease
  • Most of the time, a cataract is going to develop secondary to an inflammatory process.
    • .
  • .Causes of cataracts in cats can be very varied. It could also be caused by certain nutritional deficiencies that the cat had when it was much younger.
  • When it comes to house pets, cataracts are more common in dogs than they are in cats

Symptoms of Cataracts in Cats

Cataracts in cats’ eyes could present in the following symptoms:

  • Bluish gray discoloration inside the eye
  • Issues with vision, the cat may have a tendency to bump into things. There may also be trouble seeing at night
  • Showing reluctance to jump on things or taking the stairs.
    • .
  • Redness and signs of inflammation surrounding the affected eye
  • Squinting and pain

Treatment

  • The aim of cataract treatment would not only be to remove the obstruction. It would also involve treating the underlying cause of the cataract.
  • When a cat has a cataract without inflammation, then the animal may be a good candidate for surgery.
  • If inflammation is present the surgery may not be a recommended option to treat the condition.
  • A vet will be the one to determine if a cat is a good candidate for surgery or if it isn’t.
  • Surgery is usually advised for acute cases or cataracts or for the inherited type.
  • Surgery for cataracts caused by an inflammation would be useless if the underlying inflammation is not treated because there is a good chance that the cataract will return.
Related Reading:
A Jack Russell Terrier is a very loveable dog with plenty of energy for work, fun, and play. That is the reason why it is among the most popular dog breeds. Still, small as it is, this dog breed has its fair share of ailments that dog owners should watch out for. Among these ailments are eye problems.

Jack Russell Terrier Eye Problems

  • Still, eye problems hound this dog breed.
  • In fact, cataracts seem to be a hereditary trait in this dog breed so that most dogs will develop this problem, especially as they age. Still, this can also be present in younger dogs. This can lead to loss of night vision, then to blindness.
  • Like in people, there is still hope for dogs with cataracts. As long as the retina is not yet damaged, the cataracts can be removed. This would mean that the dog will be implanted with artificial lenses to help retain its eyesight.

Jack Russell Terrier Eye Diseases

  • Lens luxation also seems to be a hereditary eye disease in Jack Russell Terriers. This ailment is characterized by displacement of the eye lenses. It is possible that one eye will be affected but both eyes are affected in most cases. The lens of the eyes can be completely dislocated, rubbing against the cornea and causing damage. The dog will experience pain, red eyes, and eventual blindness.
  • This dog breed is also prone to glaucoma, an ailment that can also lead to blindness.

Lens luxation and glaucoma can be treated with medical and surgical options, depending on the extent of the disease.

Related Posts:

Speak Your Mind