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Cataracts in dogs is common as they age but we can do some steps in order to help our pets fight it. First off, what are cataracts? It is the opacity in the lens of your pet’s eye, thus causing blurry vision. If the cataract is still tiny, it won’t be any disturbance to him however you must monitor it since the denser and thicker they become, the bigger the chance that it will to blindness.

Cataracts develop due to old age or may arise from trauma or from a disease such as diabetes, however the most common factor is that it is hereditary. Cataracts may be there already the moment your pet was born and would only develop once he reaches at least 1 year old.

So, how can you determine if your pet already has cataracts? Check his eyes. If it appears bluish-gray in color or cloudy, then take him immediately to the vet for an exam. Be warned though that a dog’s lens normally becomes cloudy and gray as they age. This is called nuclear sclerosis, but this condition doesn’t put your pet’s vision at any risk and treatment is usually not recommended.

An untreated cataract may slip from the tissue which it lodged from and would float around the eye and may block the natural fluid drainage. This would then lead to glaucoma which eventually leads to permanent blindness. Cataracts also dissolve with time, causing a painful and deep inflammation in your pet’s eye.

Cataracts in Dogs

For a more detailed information about cataracts, click here.

How to Prevent it Naturally

Vitamins C & E. You can fight free radicals with these vitamins. They are known to be antioxidants since they block all of the free radicals’ harmful effects. For pets who have cataracts the given dose is 50 IU of vit. E per 10 pounds of body weight once daily. Simply punch a tiny hole on the vit. E and squeeze it unto your pet’s food. Vit. C actually causes diarrhea so you have to experiment a bit to see what dose your pet can tolerate.

Vegetables. Incorporate more veggies unto his daily diet. Carrots, kale and other yellow and green vegetables are very rich in antioxidants.

Bilberries. When taken in tablet form, this antioxidant would protect the tissue of your pet’s eye. Experts found out that bilberry when mixed with vit. R stopped the clouding of lens in 97% of their test subjects who has early stage cataracts. Ideal dose would be 50mg to be mixed in your pet’s food on a daily basis.

Beta-carotene. This is one antioxidant that when absorbed would be converted to vit. A which protects the eye tissues. Ask your vet on what is the proper dose for your pet.

Cineraria. This is a healing herb which has the ability to reverse the cataracts that have already formed thus minimizing the need for surgical intervention. This is one of the few things that can really clear cataracts and it comes in eye drop form. Just ask your vet about it and ask for a prescription.

It is normal for your pet’s eyes to age and go through changes as they grow older. Thus, cataracts in dogs is not something new nor unusual. They are often caused by free radicals, diabetes, aging, trauma among others. The good news is that free radicals can be dealt with preventing the developing of cataracts in your pet’s eyes.

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