Cataract Symptoms on a Dog

Cataracts are the most common eye problems facing dogs, and there are no effective medications to prevent or treat cataracts in dogs. Cataracts often affect the lens of the eye of a dog. The animal may develop the cataracts because of various reasons. The dog may be genetically predisposed to develop things such as cataracts. It may be that your dog is getting older or has some sort of eye injury that results in cataracts. No matter what the reason, the symptoms generally tend to be similar.

  1. Change in Eye Color

    • Regularly check the color of your dog's eyes. If the color of the eye changes to gray, white or blue, there is a good chance that the dog has a cataract in his eye and that his vision is weakening. This change in color can be caused by water and protein buildup in the dog's eye.

    Whining/Vomiting

    • If a dog is losing his eyesight or having trouble with vision, he often gets dizzy and uncomfortable. Signs that your dog is in this discomforted state include pacing, whining and vomiting. If you notice any of these symptoms, check the dog's eyes for any swelling, color change or inflammation.

    Redness Around the Eye

    • Cataracts don't only affect the lens of the eye. They affect the outside of the eye as well. Some dogs will first experience redness or swelling around the eye area. If you notice there is redness around the dog's eyes, get them checked out immediately. The redness and swelling could be a sign of a cataract, but also a disease such as conjunctivitis or keratitis.

    Less Movement

    • If you have a very active dog, it may be easier to tell if something is wrong. If the dog has become less active, check his eyes to determine if the color has changed or if there is redness and swelling immediately. If the dog has slowed down or is acting out of the ordinary, it can be one of the most telling and first signs that something is wrong. The reason the dog may be less prone to move is because he can no longer see and may be hesitant in movement.

    Bumping into Things

    • Dogs have very strong senses that help them in their everyday life. If they are losing their eyesight, their senses weaken and they can't tell the difference between colors. If the dog is bumping into household things, it may be that he is having trouble telling the difference between open space and an object. Early diagnosis is the key to helping a dog who has a cataract.