Some words from the Experts !!

[bearbearsmom]

I don't have the opportunity to visit much, but I certainly know where to come when I need some expert opinions !! My heart is so heavy. I believe my Rogan is developing cataracts or something serious with his eyes. The vet will be coming to the house early next week to take a look, but I was just wondering if some of you have experience with your dogs getting cataracts at an early age. Rogan is just 3-1/2 years old (born 04/05/2007). He was doing fine and just a few weeks ago we were in the front and we were throwing and catching his "baby". Earlier this week when I was doing laundry he came and was watching me, but when he looked at me I was really taken aback. His left eye was very "bluish" with a white cloud forming at the top and almost looked "dead." The other eye is the same only not quite as bad. I groomed him last weekend and he was just so himself, and I can't imagine I could have missed this for so long. I am with my dogs constantly. He is the couch potato of the group !!

Tonight I put the other two dogs out in the back, and took him alone in my front room with his baby. He was very excited to play and when I toss the baby he turned around, but definitely could not run right for it. He went in the general direction by hearing it drop, but I could tell he was finding it by smell more than sight. I decided to try and test him out a bit, so I took off my flip-flops and when I toss the baby, I went and stood on the other side of the room. When he turned around he couldn't even tell I was there. He walked around, walked right past me, and then turned around and found me by smell.

I just feel like the most horrible mother and can't imagine how this could have come on and I didn't notice. He is definitely not in any pain whatsoever.

He is very happy, wags his tail, jumps up when I call his name and is just his same old large lovable self. I was just looking for some experiences from everyone and any advice.

Thanks in advance !!

 

[lilly06]

No experience here. I wonder if something else is going on. 3 1/2 years old seems really really young for cataracts. Have you considered taking him to vet?

 

[bearbearsmom]

The vet is coming to the house

My lovely vet makes house calls so will be coming the first of the week ...

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

I am thinking my neighbor notice a haze on their Dob's eye, and it was reversable. I sure don't know the details. Hope the same works for your pup. I just hate for you to wait for a visit since time may be critical.

 

[Ginny]

My first bitch developed cataracts at the age of 6. I, too, felt awful that I hadn't picked up on it sooner. I noticed odd behavior at the food bowl - she'd stop eating and just look around. Very out of character for a food hound. One night I saw that bluish haze and knew what the problem was. The vets hadn't figured it out until I brought up cataracts.

She had surgery and a lens implant. The post surgery was intense - drops every two hours for several days and frequent rechecks. Her result was fabulous and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. That was almost 15 years ago so I imagine things have improved quite a bit. Back then I paid around $1500 for the surgery...I'd be interested to find out what it costs now.

 

[NewfMom]

Kimber started developing cataracts at a year old. In her case the vet felt it was genetic cataracts. Hers got worse slowly and we didn't do surgery on them until she was 8. When they first started though she was walking into things and missing things but her cataracts were not "developed" enough to operate on at that stage.