cataracts
by TERRY
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Hi friends, my gisette, a poodle, has cataracts. one eye is completly covered and the other is starting. can anyone give me some advice on this subject. she seems to be able to still see from one eye, but i notice that she is carefull when being appoached she seems to back off for a while. she usually is very friendly towards children and now is shying away when they come. would appreciate any info anyone has as to care, removal, experiences. by the way she 2 sisters, tiffany a maltese and joy a poodle, thanks for your comments.

DISCUSSION:

Hello Terry. My 12 1/2 year old Cloudio had cataract surgery in May. We considered all the options and possibilities and decided it was the best thing for him. He's still very active and in very good health so we decided he'd be happier than if he were totally blind, which would have been the case by early next year. You didn't mention how old your Gisette is for starters. What has your vet said about her eyes?

From what I've learned, there are basically two kinds of cataracts. One progresses slowly and the other much more quickly. Cloudio had the faster kind. If you are considering surgery by all means have it done by a canine opthamology specialist. The sooner it is done the better the results. It is not an inexpensive procedure, another impoortant consideration. Tests are done prior to the surgery to insure that your dog is in good health. After all it is elective surgery. After the surgery comes the recovery time. You really need to be commited to the follow up otherwise you will have wasted your time and money and needlessly put your dog through the discomfort. The dog will have to wear an elisabethan collar for several weeks. You have to make sure your other pets don't scratch the eye(s). There will be at least two or three kinds of drops for the eye(s) that will have to be administered every few hours. You will have to adhere to a pretty strict schedule for the drops. If the eye(s) gets infected it could be a problem. I hope I'm not sounding too negative about this. I just want to make sure you know this is not as simple as a spay or neuter opertion for instance. You really need to have a thorough talk to your vet and the eye doctor and think long and hard if it is something you and your dog can get through.

Don't feel as though you have to do this either. I have heard of many older dogs that have gone blind and still live a good life for many years. It all depends on your situation. Let us know how things go. Good luck and good health to you and your furbabies!
JP