Changes in eye color or changes in pupil size or shape.Watch out for any of these symptoms of cataracts in your pet: Pets of any age can develop cataracts for a number of medical reasons, including eye injuries, nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, or infections. Fortunately, in cats, these cataracts rarely result in any significant vision loss. Some cats even have them from the time they are born. Diabetes is the second most common cause of cataracts in dogs, with over 75% of diabetic dogs getting vision altering cataracts within their first year of being diagnosed with diabetes.Ĭataracts are common in older pets, just like in people, but they actually can occur at any age. In dogs, inherited cataracts are most common, with certain dog breeds more affected including Poodles and Poodle crosses, Havanese, Golden Retriever, and Siberian Huskies. Sometimes cataracts irritate the eye and can cause pain. A cataract may involve just a tiny area in the lens and stay small, or it may occupy the entire lens, leading to partial or complete vision loss. Signs Your Pet May Have CataractsĬataracts are cloudy areas within the lens of the eye that usually appear white or gray. You can also take them into unfamiliar environments in both the light and dark and monitor how well they navigate. Toss a toy or a treat, and watch carefully to see how your pet responds. It is often hard to tell if animals are losing vision in one eye, because they compensate so well with the other eye. It's also a good idea to test your pet's vision daily. A veterinary ophthalmologist will be able to explain your pet's risk for glaucoma and discuss preventative therapy if indicated. If your pet is at risk, your vet may discuss having regular exams at a pet eye center. There are several treatments that can help, depending on what caused the glaucoma and how severe it is.Įven if your pet isn't showing symptoms, discuss your pet's risk for glaucoma with your family veterinarian at your pet's next exam. If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms of glaucoma, contact a veterinarian at a pet eye center immediately. Signs of vision loss, such as bumping into furniture or not recognizing familiar people.Redness of the blood vessels in the whites of eyes.Pupils are a different size in each eye.Continual blinking or squinting of the eye.Behavioral changes such as no longer wanting to play or interact.Watch out for any of the following symptoms of glaucoma in your pet: Glaucoma can even cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, which will cause a pet to go blind. Obviously, your pet can't tell you he or she has a headache, but changes in behavior – sleeping more, general lethargy, and no longer wanting to play – should alert you that something may be wrong. If you've ever suffered from one of these severe headaches, you know how miserable you feel and why a pet's behavior would change. If cats get glaucoma, they are more likely to have the secondary type.īecause pressure builds up inside the eye, both types can cause migraine-level pain. Secondary glaucoma happens when another eye disease, such as cancer, inflammation of the eye, or advanced cataracts prevents the normal drainage of fluid inside the eye. While rare in cats, it is very common in dogs, especially certain breeds including Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Chow Chows, Shiba Inus, and Arctic breeds. Primary glaucoma is an inherited condition. Glaucoma has two types: primary and secondary.

Cataracts are cloudy areas that form in the lens of the eye. Glaucoma happens when fluid in your pet's eye doesn't drain properly, causing painful pressure in the eye. Veterinary ophthalmologists at a pet eye care center can evaluate your pet, diagnose the abnormality, and come up with a treatment plan that can help your pet feel better.įirst of all, what exactly are these disorders? While both of them affect the eye and can impair your pet's vision, they are two very different conditions. Both of these disorders can cause discomfort, pain, reduced quality of life, and even blindness in animals.įortunately, there is help for animals suffering from these eye disorders.

Eye diseases that commonly affect humans, such as cataracts or glaucoma, can also be found in our four-legged friends. These are all possible symptoms of eye problems in pets. Maybe your cat is walking clumsily, has watery eyes, or keeps bumping into furniture. Perhaps your dog no longer wants to play, is sleeping more, or is constantly blinking. As a pet owner, you always know when something seems 'off' about your pet.

Unequal pupil size cats causes