Cataracts

[Bonny]

Has anyone had experience with an older dog that has almost lost his hearing & has cataracts on his eyes? My dog Bob has had this happen to him. Has anyone ever heard of lasser eye surgery for dogs to remove the cataracts? Also Bobs hearing is almost gone & when I touch him he jumps because he can't see or hear me that well. He is 12 years old & is also on Rimadyl half a pill twice a day. The Rimadyl is working good for him but now we have these other problems. I know there isn't to much we can do for the hearing part of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Bob is an Autrailian Shepherd.

[GraciesMommy]

Unfortunately, that does usually come with age. My schaunzer, Mercedes, was 16 when I had her PTS..and had cataracts and was also deaf (along with a multitude of other heartbreaking issues) But she was deaf for about a year and the cataracts had just started forming a few months before. The vet didn't recommend any surgery due to her age and other health problems. But they will do surgery to remove them. She has been gone one year Oct 31...
I would just see what your vet recommends since your baby is only 12 and if there are not other issues going on, it might be good to try.

[dragondawg]

Some Vets are now specializing on Cataract surgery for dogs, much like it is for humans. They cut out the lens, and insert an artifical one. The only problem with older dogs is the danger of anesthesia. You would need to discuss the possibilities with your Vet.

Remarkably dogs can navigate a little with sensory perceptions from their whiskers.

P.S. You can still play puppy games through smell. It's called "hide the treat" game. The sense of smell for a dog lasts throughout its life.

[KYS]

My next door neighbors dog had cataract surgery in
both eyes. It lasted for about 3 years and then her
sight went bad again. She is a senior dog now.
I remember she had to go to a specialist to see if she
was even a canidate.

When dogs get old, the eyes and hearing go.
Just like with us old people.

P.S. I had a very old poodle mix that was deaf and
had cataracts. She use to stay right next to me when
we went for our walks. Best walker I ever had.

[Sudilar]

When Shiloh was in for her check up with the Opthalmologist, there was a dog waiting for surgery that day to have her cataracts removed and one who came in for a check up after surgery. The owners of the dog who had the surgery done said that he was acting like a new dog!!! Shiloh has a pinpoint hereditary cataract that will not grow any bigger.
Good luck with your pup!

[mruffruff]

Many dogs can have successful cataract surgery. They can see again as soon as they come out of the anesthetic.! They do NOT have to mature as many people (including myself) believe. Bear had cataracts and I waited too long to do anything about them. The cataracts grew into his pupils and could not be removed. He later developed glaucoma and ended up having his eyes removed.

I had a call from a man whose deaf dog was blind from cataracts. Our vet suggested enuceation due to his age. He asked for suggestions on how to communicate and if it would be better to put the dog to sleep. All I could recommend was to use smell on doorways, lead the dog on a leash to "map" paths and walking heavy so the dog could feel vibrations.

Your vet can give you the name of an opthamologist. The eye doctor can tell you if Bob is a good candidate for the surgery. Different doctors use different types of surgery.

Be warned that the surgery costs around $1200.00 per eye.

Mary

[Scooby4]

There is surgery but it is extremely expensive. Only specialized vets do the surgery. My adopted Eskimo Spitz came to me with developing Cataracts. He is also mostly deaf. However, I cleaned his ears out and used ear wax remover. He hears much better!
Dirtnap also has conjunctive eye that runs goo out of it. I have to clean it almost everyday. There are treatments of eye drops but some cases they don't work. Dirtnap is one of those cases. He doesn't seem to mind the eye salve at all it just doesn't clear up the condition.
I wish I could give some encouraging news but you may want to talk to a regular opthamologist on cataract advice. Not sure if more light helps see better or not. I don't believe the animals are completely blind with cataracts just cloudy vision.
Also watch on petting approaches. Dirtnap will flinch when approached toward his head. I let him smell me BEFORE touching! It relaxes him. If you dog does snap at you, remember it can't see objects as well. Your hand may look like something is going to hurt it. Warn children to let the dog smell before touching. It is a natural reaction for them to smell first anyways. Good luck!!!

[Bonny]

Scooby4, Usually the nipping comes when we play ball.I now wear gloves to protect my hands. He can't see the ball & gets upset when the other dog wants to play ball. I have two tennis balls I throw. It is so sad to see him now. He wants to play ball but his eye sight & hearing are so bad that it is almost impossible. It is heck getting old. When he is sleeping & I awaken him he usually jumps. I will take your suggestion & put my hand by his nose to let him smell first & then touch him on his shoulder instead of his head. He has always been a gentle soul.

[Scooby4]

I think I understand why he is snapping at you when playing ball. Look at the action that your hand makes and the ball leaving your hand. Could imagine how scary that is if you have cloudy vision? Your dog is only seeing shapes and movements now. Any quick movements kicks him into protect mode.
Have you tried to ROLL the ball instead of tossing it? Slowing down your movements may help.
Me and Dirtnap have developed a game together We call it "Booty-booty Tail-Tail". I have a wall that divides the room with 2 entrances on both sides. He LOVES to go in one side and have me chase him through the OTHER!!! Here is the embarassing part... I call out "Booty booty" and chase him around the divider. THEN I do a little dance shaking my booty and saying "Tail-tail". He then comes after me!
He can handle this game because of the slow movements and distance between us. His teeth are in terrible condition for him to chew on toys.
So you may have to modify your games a bit. Dirtnap despite his cataracts, deafness, arthritis and tooth decay... Is JUST the most loving dog!!! He let me hug and cuddle with him this morning!!! He is responding more and more to my presence and hugging. Remember, your dog is now more reliable on touch and feel than many of his other senses.
PS. The gloves... some animals bite gloves intentionally. I worked in a pet store and when I wore gloves the animals bit them. If I handled the pets without gloves they reacted better. The gloves may be causing this natural reaction to bite them.

[Bonny]

Bob snaps at the ball to grab it & play the game of throw the ball & bring it back. I found if I play the game without the other two dogs around there is less snapping for the ball. I do gently roll the ball along the ground & at times if the sun is not out & shining he can see it better. The gloves I wear when I have all three dogs out playing ball, & retriving. One dog will drop the ball at my feet, the other younger one ( black lab belongs to my son) will allow me to remove the ball from his mouth or drop it aways from me. Bob he takes his ball & holds on to it & with the other dogs around he growls at them & then will snap to keep them away while I take the ball from his mouth. That is when the snapping goes on. I like the game you play with your dog. It sounds like fun. Old Bob likes to sleep a lot. So we go on hikes but it has to be in the open fields. He jumps around & acts like a young pup when go for hikes. It is good exercise for us both.