My dog has cataracts!

[Pembo]

Dh took our 9 1/2 yo golden retriever to the vet this morning for his chronic ear infections. I told DH earlier in the week I thought something else was wrong with him. Not sure why just a gut feeling.

The vet went to give him a routine exam and asked dh if he has been banging into things lately. Yep. He has cataracts. Not too bad. Vet said he's probably seeing ok during the day but in low light/night he probably can't see much at all.

Tucker is our beloved friend and first child~brought dh & I both to tears to hear that our buddy is going blind.

However, other than those pesty ears, he is very healthy.

 

[janette]

One of our Bichon's has cataracts. The vet said she probably sees very little out of one eye and limited in the other. We adopted her this year and she already had them so I don't know how she was before but it really doesn't seem to limit her. The only time she acts a little funny is going down stairs. She is very cautious and goes down slowly, we had to work at them when she first came to the house.

She relies on smell and other things. She always knows when someone has a treat out

 

[luvmydogs]

I'm sorry that Tucker's sight is deteriorating. Our 10 yr. old Chihuahua, Cookie, has cataracts too. Nearly blind in left eye, marginally in right. She really does quite well though--she's a little tentative on the steps and jumping off our bed! Most dogs adapt quite well, although it's natural to feel badly for the friends we care about so much. Just keep on loving him like you do--it's the best thing in the world for both of you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

A for you guys, and one for Tucker too.

 

[damo]

Our little cocker spaniel had cataracts in one eye when she was a year old. We had it removed for $1200. Six months later, her other eye went, we had it removed for another $1200 (bought her from a very reputable breeder who said she will give us a free puppy when we are ready for another dog). You would never know that she ever had the cataracts, she sees great now and recovered very nicely from both surgeries. He close-up vision is limited but you'd never know it unless you toss her something. Our ten year old cocker now has cataracts as well. He is totally blind in one eye and very limited eyesight in the other. We won't get them removed since I don't think he would recover from the surgery as easily as the little one did. He's also deaf, so he's quite the character! He has the greatest sense of smell!

 

[ZachnElli]

My 12 year old golden has them too. Completely blind in one eye now. She smacked her head into the end table tonight, poor thing. I know she has an ear infection right now too and need to take her in, but I'm scared too. I'm afraid she won't come home with me.

 

[grinningghost]

Oh Pembo, so sorry to hear this. I have a Golden too. She's 6 and has seizures and arthritis. But these dogs are so lovable, they're worth everything we go through to keep them as healthy as possible.

Here's a big hug for you and your beloved doggie.

 

[Serena]

Aww, I'm sorry. Goldens are so nice and sweet. I love them.

My grandma had a dog that went blind. As long as no one moved the furniture she was alright. Even as far as going outside. She would follow the fence to do her business and then follow the fence back.
The only thing we had to be careful with was approaching her too fast, she didn't like it.