nsaifr: Anyone have a pet with cataracts?

GuitaristsGirl

I don't know what to do.  We have two precious dogs that we adore. They're 8 1/2 years old.

With one of the dogs - Earlier this year we noticed clouding on her eye.  We took her to the vet, who sent us to a vet ophthalmologist, who diagnosed a mature cataract.  Very unusual, she said, because it developed and matured in the span of only a few months.

The dr. is pushing surgery, of course.  She (the dog) is on 2 different perscription eye drops in the meantime which, I think, are designed to hopefully prevent glaucoma?  The dr. has indicated that the longer we wait, the less likely it is that the surgery will be successful. This conversation has been ongoing for a few months now.  In the meantime, the dr is having us return every month to check her eyes. . . .

While she's a medical professional, she is in the business of making money so it's hard to know how much of what she says re urgency/ need we should take completely seriously and how much is a sales pitch.  (And this practice is the only one for hours around so we can't get a second opinion.)  And, honestly, it's not so much the money that's a concern at this point, but the amount of time that will be required to care for her after the procedure - it sounds like a *lot* and we really have our hands full right now. 

In the meantime, though, she's started developing a cataract on the other eye.  Let's be honest, we can NOT have a blind dog around kids.  So, I guess it looks like we're doing surgery.  It's just a matter of when. . .

I guess, as I'm typing this, that I don't really have a question. . . perhaps I'm just looking for others who have experienced this and can share their thoughts.

thx   

tapgirl

Our 13.5 year old lab has had cataracts for several years.  The vet has never suggested we look into surgery, though.  I don't know if they just aren't that severe or if there isn't anyone in our area who could do the surgery.  She doesn't have any drops, either.  Sorry, I'm not much help.

Good luck.  It is hard to know how to best help our pets as they get older.

 

 

sasa625

My family dog had a cataract that she seemed to be born with. The vet never suggested treating it at all. She passed away from cancer around 6 so I can't say that it never would have been an issue but it didn't slow her down for 6 years! It might be helpful to get a 2nd opinion.

buggs

You can PM me, I may be able to answer some questions for you.