How to Treat Punctate Cataracts in Dogs

Cataracts should be examined early to prevent future complications.

A cataract refers to the presence of any opacity or cloudiness in the lens of the eye. In dogs, cataracts can be a result of eye injury or infection, genetic predisposition, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies or radiation exposure. A punctate cataract is a very small cataract that is limited to a specific location within the eye. Cataracts impede a dog's ability to see and can eventually cause complete blindness.

Things You'll Need

• Canine eye-health supplements

Instructions

1. Take your dog to a veterinary ophthalmologist. If you don't know of any, ask your current veterinarian for a referral. Request that diagnostic tests be performed on your dog, such as an ultrasound or an electroretinography, a test to measure electrical responses of retinal cells. The veterinary ophthalmologist will be able to assess whether or not surgery is necessary to correct the cataract.

2. Schedule an appointment for cataract surgery if it is recommended by the veterinary ophthalmologist. It is best to remove the cataract as early as possible to prevent potential infections and complications, which can include the complete loss of the dog's eye.

3. Follow up with the veterinary ophthalmologist regularly if surgery is not recommended right now. Careful monitoring of the cataracts will ensure that they are not growing in size or severity. Ask about the use of anti-inflammatory eye drops to promote eye health.

4. Provide your dog with nutritional supplements that are intended for canine eye health. These supplements should provide antioxidants to help reduce inflammation.

References

• Dog Stuff: Lens Anatomy and Types of Cataracts
• Animal Eye Care: Cataracts in Dogs
• PetMD: Cataracts in Dogs