With its high success rate and lack of complications, canine cataract surgery is a highly gratifying option for the concerned dog owner. Adhering to the pre-surgery and post-op care guidelines will help ensure your pet's full recovery.
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Definition of a cataract
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A cataract is a vision impairment caused by clouding in the eye's lens. The extent of the clouding determines whether the dog experiences partial or full blindness.
Underlying causes
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A cataract will not reoccur once removed, but often cataracts are a sign of an underlying illness such as diabetes. However, the most common cause of cataracts is heredity.
Lens replacement surgery
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Once a cataract has developed, surgery is generally the only option for removing it. The veterinary surgeon replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial lens. Experienced surgeons report success rates of 85 to 95 percent, although they cannot restore perfect vision with an artificial lens.
Preparing for surgery
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Pre-op preparation usually includes administering eye drops and acclimating the dog to the protective cone collar, as well as blood tests that determine the dog's fitness for general anesthesia.
Post-op care
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Following the one-hour surgery, the dog goes home the same day but makes several follow-up visits in the following days and months. Eye drops continue for several weeks, as does wearing the cone collar. Exercise and barking are minimized, to allow the eye an undisturbed environment in which to heal.
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