- Type Disease
Eye
- Name
Cataracts
- Abbreviation
CATRx
- Description
A cataract is any opacity or loss of transparency of the lens of the eye. The opacity may be confined to a small area of the lens or capsule, or it may affect the whole structure. A complete cataract affecting both eyes will result in blindness, whereas small non-progressive cataracts will not interfere with vision. Primary cataracts occur in some breeds; in other breeds the cataract may develop secondarily to another inherited disorder such as progressive retinal atrophy or glaucoma.
- How Transferred
The genetics have not yet been defined for most affected breeds. In others, the mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, or with incomplete dominance.
- What to Look for
This depends on whether the cataracts are localized to a small area or are more general, and whether they affect one or both eyes. A small cataract in one eye will not affect your dog's vision at all. At the other end of the spectrum, cataracts may progress rapidly or slowly to cause complete blindness.\n\nCongenital cataracts or those that develop at a young age may mature and be reabsorbed, resulting in improved vision. This is unpredictable. In the process of resorption, liquefied lens material may leak into the eye causing inflammation and possibly glaucoma.\nWith their acute senses of smell and hearing, dogs can compensate very well for visual difficulties, particularly in familiar surroundings. In fact owners may be unaware of the extent of vision loss. You can help your visually impaired dog by developing regular routes for exercise, maintaining your dog's surroundings as constant as possible, introducing any necessary changes gradually, and being patient with your dog.
- Diagnosis
You may suspect your dog is having visual difficulties and/or you may notice discoloration of your dog's pupil(s). Your veterinarian will be able to see the cataract with an ophthalmoscope. Even when not causing visual problems, cataracts may be discovered on a routine ophthalmoscopy exam.
- Treatment
Cataracts can be removed surgically. The decision whether to do so is based on several factors, such as whether the cataracts are progressive, the degree of visual impairment, and the dog's temperament. To prevent postoperative problems, the dog must be cooperative and quiet, especially in the first week following surgery.
- Breeding Considerations
It is prudent to assume cataracts are inherited unless another specific cause can be identified. Since some cataracts cause no clinical signs, it is worthwhile to screen dogs of affected breeds annually that are used in breeding programs. Where cataracts are identified, affected animals, their parents and littermates should not be used for breeding.\n\nThe fact that the age of onset is fairly specific for different breeds is helpful in making decisions about breeding programs.
- Known Breeds Affected
Basenji\nBeagle\nBearded collie\nBedlington terrier\nBelgian sheepdog\nBelgian Tervuren\nBichon frise\nBorder collie\nBorder terrier\nBoston terrier\nBouvier des Flandres\nBrussels Griffon\nCairn terrier\nCavalier King Charles spaniel\nChesapeake Bay retriever\nChow chow\nClumber spaniel\nCocker spaniel, American\nCocker spaniel, English\nCollie (rough and smooth)\nCurly coated retriever\nDachshund\nDalmatian\nDoberman pinscher\nEnglish springer spaniel\nEnglish toy spaniel\nFlat-coated retriever\nFox terrier, smooth\nFox terrier, wire hair\nGerman shepherd\nGerman shorthaired pointer\nGolden retriever\nGordon setter\nGreat Dane\nHavanese\nIrish setter\nIrish water spaniel\nIrish wolfhound\nJapanese Chin\nLabrador retriever\nLhasa apso\nMastiff\nNewfoundland\nNorfolk terrier\nNorwegian elkhound\nNorwich terrier\nNova Scotia duck tolling retriever\nOld English sheepdog\nPapillon\nParson (Jack) Russell terrier\nPekingese\nPembroke Welsh corgi\nPoodle, miniature\nPoodle, standard\nPortuguese water dog\nRottweiler\nSaint Bernard\nSamoyed\nSchnauzer, miniature\nSchnauzer, standard\nScottish terrier\nShar-pei (Chinese shar-pei)\nShetland sheepdog\nShih tzu\nSiberian husky\nSoft coated wheaten terrier\nStaffordshire bull terrier\nTibetan spaniel\nTibetan terrier\nWelsh springer spaniel\nWest Highland white terrier\nWhippet\nYorkshire terrier\nAffenpinscher\nAmerican Staffordshire terrier\nAmerican water spaniel\nBluetick coonhound\nBorzoi\nBoxer\nField spaniel\nFrench bulldog\nGerman wirehaired pointer\nIbizan hound\nKeeshond\nKerry blue terrier\nKuvasz\nLakeland terrier\nLowchen\nManchester terrier\nMiniature pinscher\nNeapolitan mastiff\nPointer (English pointer)\nPomeranian\nPoodle, toy\nPug\nPuli\nRhodesian ridgeback\nSchipperke\nSealyham terrier\nSilky terrier\nSussex spaniel
