How long until a dog goes blind from cataracts?

During the days when we are with dogs, their lively eyes are like bright stars, carrying their curiosity about the world and pure love for us. When they learn that their dogs have cataracts, their owners are full of anxiety and worry. The most urgent thing they want to know is: How long will it take for the dog to go blind? This question is like a heavy haze, shrouding the hearts of every dog ​​lover. ​

Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in dogs. In essence, it is the opacity of the lens, which blocks the normal focus of light on the retina, thus affecting vision. Under normal circumstances, the lens is clear and transparent, and light can pass smoothly, allowing dogs to see the surrounding objects clearly. But when cataracts occur, the protein structure of the lens changes and becomes turbid, and vision is also affected.

The time from the onset of cataracts to blindness in dogs is not fixed and is affected by many factors. Breed plays a role in this. Some specific breeds of dogs, such as poodles, bichon frise, and Boston terriers, are naturally more susceptible to cataracts, and the disease may develop relatively quickly. For example, once a poodle develops cataracts, it may be severely impaired in vision or even blindness in just a few months to a year. In contrast, other breeds of dogs may develop the disease more slowly. ​

Age is also a key factor affecting the speed of cataract development. Cataracts tend to develop faster in older dogs due to slower metabolism and declining body functions. If puppies develop cataracts, the course of the disease is usually more complicated than that of adult and elderly dogs. However, relatively speaking, due to the strong repair ability of puppies, in some cases, the disease may not develop as quickly as that of elderly dogs. ​

In addition, the type of cataract also has a significant impact on the time of blindness. Diabetic cataracts are more common in dogs. This type of cataract is caused by long-term high blood sugar levels in the dog's body. The disease progresses very quickly. Sometimes in just a few weeks, the dog's vision will drop sharply and soon face blindness. As for congenital cataracts, because the problem occurs in the embryonic development stage of dogs, the development speed varies from individual to individual. Some puppies may have their vision severely affected within a few months after birth, while others may become blind after several years. ​

When the owner finds that the dog has cataracts, he often falls into deep self-blame and pain, thinking that he has not taken good care of the dog. But blindly blaming oneself cannot solve the problem. What is more important is to take positive and effective measures to delay the process of dog blindness. In daily life, the owner should strictly control the dog's diet, avoid feeding high-sugar and high-fat foods, and reduce the body's metabolic burden. For dogs with diabetes, it is even more important to follow the doctor's advice, take medicine on time, and control blood sugar levels. At the same time, take the dog to the pet hospital regularly for eye examinations to keep abreast of the development of cataracts so that the doctor can adjust the treatment plan. ​

If economic conditions permit, surgical treatment is an effective means to improve the dog's vision and delay blindness. Through surgical removal of the cloudy lens and implantation of an artificial lens, most dogs can restore a certain degree of vision. However, not all dogs are suitable for surgery, which requires doctors to make a comprehensive judgment based on the dog's physical condition, cataract type, etc.​

Whether or not dogs eventually go blind, our love for them should not change. As dogs' vision gradually declines, we should create a safe and familiar living environment for them to prevent them from getting hurt due to vision problems. Spend more time with dogs and give them more care and comfort. Every touch and every gentle word can make dogs feel our love and alleviate their inner anxiety. Dogs give us unreserved companionship and loyalty, and this love will not change even if their vision declines or even goes blind.