[Chihuahuas] Puppies can be born with cataracts

[Kay Lewis]

Wow, I just learned a lot of new stuff about Cataracts. so I stand corrected on what I said about Joseph's eye problems. Kay http://www.petnews.com/clinicroom2.html Cataracts Q: My 10-year-old dog's eyes have started looking cloudy, and I don't think she sees as well as she used to. Could she be getting cataracts? A: All dogs over the age of about 8 years develop a hazy appearance to the lenses of their eyes. This normal change is called sclerosis, and your pet's vision will not be affected. Sclerosis results when the lens adds onion-like layers and becomes more dense as the dog ages. Cataracts, on the other hand, are the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye which keeps light from passing through. Cataracts can be small or completely cover the lens, and vision may be lost in varying degrees. Dogs can be born with cataracts or develop them as puppies or adults. Cataracts either can be inherited or caused by lack of proper nutrition, diseases such as diabetes or even drugs such as cortisone. Dogs with diabetes develop cataracts because the high buildup of sugar causes a chemical reaction which eventually clouds lens tissue in the eye. Some cataracts develop quite rapidly, while others grow very, very slowly. Regular examinations by a veterinarian are important to keep track of the rate of cataract development. Cataract surgery is more difficult in dogs than humans because the lens in the eye of a dog is much larger and very sensitive. As a result, it can become inflamed, resulting in scarring and even blindness. Surgery is not recommended to remove small cataracts. Usually surgery is performed only on dogs with severely affected vision or blindness in both eyes. It is critical to consult a veterinary ophthalmologist to determine if the retina and optic nerve are functioning properly. " Lets talk about our wonderful little friends! Join today! " SPONSORED LINKS Breed charm dog italian Dog breed gift Dog breed t shirt Dog breed charm Dog breed shirts Chihuahua YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS  Visit your group "Chihuahuas" on the web.    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.