Cataracts in dogs are cloudiness in the lens of your dog’s eyes that prevents him from seeing clearly. “There are many causes of cataracts in dogs, including inherited (genetic) cataracts, diabetes mellitus, uveitis (inflammation inside the eye) and trauma to the lens, among others,” says Beth Kimmitt, DVM, resident of ophthalmology at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Indiana. Cats can get cataracts too, but they are much more common in dogs.
What dog breeds develop cataracts?
Inherited cataracts are the most common type of canine cataracts. This means the dog was born predisposed to developing the problem. Certain breeds are more likely to develop cataracts, including Australian Shepherds, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
How old does a dog have to be to develop cataracts?
Cataracts are seen in older dogs but they can also occur in young dogs and even in puppies. When young dogs develop cataracts (between 6 months and 6 years old), it’s called juvenile cataracts. Cataracts can affect one or both eyes — frequently, one eye is more affected than the other.
What are the symptoms of cataracts in dogs?
Cataracts in dogs might develop quickly (over a period of weeks) or slowly (over a period of years). You might first notice that your dog’s eyes look cloudy or hazy. “Owners may start to notice a white color within the eye behind the iris (colored part of the eye),” Dr. Kimmitt says. “This may start out faint, and then become more obvious as the cataract progresses. Owners may also notice vision deficits as the cataract worsens. Often, obvious vision changes do not occur unless both eyes are affected because they compensate well with just one visual eye.