<p>OK, now its my turn to add to the ranks of parents asking questions about pet care at CC…</p>
<p>Here’s the problem: my 11 year old Aussie mix has cataracts in both eyes, and she is essentially blind, although she is sensitive to light and probably has some residual or peripheral vision. But she’s having a hard time seeing anything close by, such as finding her water dish, tripping over and bumping into various household items and small furniture, etc. </p>
<p>Our vet has referred us to a doggie ophthalmologist which has a lovely video on their web site about cataract surgery for dogs - but we weren’t able to get an appointment until early January. At my son’s suggestion, I also called the UC Davis vet hospital and learned they charge $3000 for the surgery; I assume that the local vets with a private practice will quote an even higher fee. </p>
<p>In the meantime, I did some internet research and found some evidence that eyedrops containing N-Acetyl-Carnosine (an anti-oxidant) may be an effective treatment for cataracts in dogs & humans. Unfortunately, most of the “research” supporting this claim comes from Russia… and I am somewhat skeptical, though I did manage to find a dog-study from the UK which suggests that we are likely to experience modest improvement in my dog’s vision. But “modest” is probably good enough – (she is a dog, not an airline pilot, and in dog years, she is in her late 70s or early 80s)</p>
<p>N-Acetyl-Carnosine is readily available via the internet in non-prescription products with names like Brite Eyes III, Can-C, or Nu-Eyes. It is also contained in OcluVet, which is available only by prescription from veterinarians and is much more expensive. </p>
<p>Anyway… I’d like to know of anybody’s experience with aging, cataract-ridden canines. I have gotten my doggie a full medical workup, so I know she is in otherwise good health and does not have diabetes or glaucoma. She was functioning quite well until a few weeks ago, though in hindsight her vision has probably been deteriorating for about 6 months. (The vet had previously told us that the cloudiness in her eyes was normal, age-related nuclear sclerosis which would not interfere with vision, so I had mistakenly failed to recognize some of the signs of diminished vision).</p>
<p>cataract surgery in humans can be done on 90 year olds NOW because
its out patient with topical drops not general anaesthesia
since dogs wont cooperate they must be put under and that is why
vets hesitate with older dogs…complications from waking up from general
anaesthesia and respiratory problems following surgery is a major risk…
they will do young dogs with congenital or trauma cataracts</p>
<p>Our cocker spaniel, Sam, had cataracts and when he was about 12, we took him to an eye specialist at a private clinic in the LA area to be evaluated for surgery but because of various health problems Sam was having at the time, we decided not to proceed. Also, as isacc said, cataract surgery in dogs is more difficult than in humans; unlike humans, dogs can’t be expected to sit quietly through the operation with only light sedation. Eye drops must be applied 4 – 6 times/day for a month or two, which can be a bother. And for Sam, the emotional trauma of having to wear an e-collar for many weeks (the new neck rolls wouldn’t suffice) would have made him catatonic. Without his health problems, however, we probably would have gone ahead with the surgery. Sam went completely blind a couple of years later (he passed away 2 months ago, when he was almost 17). He did manage to cope with his blindness, so if surgery is not an option, the dog will eventually learn to adjust.</p>
<p>My only experience is with a neighbor’s dog – there were “complications” and she didn’t go into detail. The poor dog had to have her eye removed. The dog is a rescued racing greyhound, not excessively old and in relatively good health.</p>
<p>Check with the vet about complication rates.</p>
<p>Calmom: When you do finally have an appointment with the vet, ask about the possibility of surgery on only one eye. I assume it would be less expensive (though, understandably, not half of $3000) and, if something goes wrong, there’s still another eye to work on. I assume getting sight in one eye would add dramatically to your dog’s quality of life and – since he doesn’t need to drive – this may be sufficient.</p>
<p>I don’t know if this is any consolation, but my mother had 2 dogs go blind from diabetes. They both managed quite well and lived a good 4 to 5 years with the blindness. My own dog is 15 and has quite a bit of vision loss ( sounds a lot like yours) - he seems to get by pretty well, although he occassionally bumps into things. Our vet has not suggested any surgery or drops so I assumed it was not a great option for him ( I really love our vet and take her advice to heart).
Good luck with all of your research, but if none pans out remember, a blind dog can do quite well!</p>