· What is a cataract?
· How do cataracts form?
· How do I know if my dog or cat has cataracts?
· Can cataracts be dissolved?
· How does PetVision® dissolve incipient cataracts?
· How can I determine if my pet is a candidate for using PetVision on its cataract?
· How can I determine if my pet is prone to Cataracts?
Inherited cataracts in your dog may occur independently or in association with other ocular disease. The breeds that appear to develop inherited cataracts along with their age of onset are listed below. If a dog is diagnosed with inherited cataracts, the dog should obviously not be use for breeding because of the likelihood of perpetuating the disease in offspring.
Breed Age of Onset
| Breed | Age of Onset |
| Afghan Hound | 6-12 months |
| American Cocker Spaniel | 6 + months |
| Boston Terrier | Congenital |
| Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 1 + years |
| German Shepherd | 8 + weeks |
| Golden Retriever | 6 + months |
| Labrador Retriever | 6 + months |
| Miniature Schnauzer | Congenital or 6 + months |
| Old English Sheepdog | Congenital |
| Siberian Husky | 6 + months |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 6 + months |
| Standard Poodle | 1 + years |
| Welsh Springer Spaniel | Congenital |
| West Highland White Terrier | Congenital |
The most common metabolic disorder resulting in cataract formation in the dog is diabetes mellitus. If diabetic dogs are followed for a year or more, almost all of them would develop cataracts. In diabetic dogs the glucose concentrations in the lens increase. The extra glucose is converted into sorbitol, which causes an increase in the influx of water to the lens. The increase in water causes a breakdown of the lens fibers and a resulting cataract. Cataracts in diabetic dogs can develop extremely rapidly, if the dog is not regulated. They generally affect both eyes. Surgical removal of the lens can be successfully perfomed in the diabetic dog, if the animal has been regulated successfully for at least three months.
Souce: PetEducation.com/Foster & Smith, Inc.