Diabetic Cataracts

[jen0m]

I'm just wondering how many people's dogs developed cataracts and how soon after diabetes diagnosis? I'm really scared that this is going to happen to Honey & I know that the probability of this happening is more than likely. The thought of her going blind would kill me. Did anyone go for the surgery option & how successful was it? Thanks.

Jen 🐾

[Patty]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Hi Jen,
I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses here. But also do a search for cataract surgery in the archives. The success rate is often about 80-90% depending on the clinic. The most common complication is glaucoma.

Some dogs just don't develop cataracts. My Ali had fluctuating blood sugar most of her diabetic days and never developed them in her 4 years. Sandy's Tiggy, Barb's Abby, and Tricia's Lily are others that haven't progressed or developed at all.

They can come on slowly or over night. Eileen's Mildred had a very successful surgery and never had another problem in her 6 years with diabetes. Then there are some dogs that just aren't candidates like Natalie's Chris. A thorough work up with an experienced ophthalmologist is really important to determine retinal function, breed issues, and other factors that effect outcome.

As with everything related to canine diabetes...every dog is different.
Patty

[CraigM]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Annie developed cataracts, if my memory is correct, within a few months of DX. She had surgery on both eyes a month or two later. The surgery was successful on the right eye, but not successful on the left eye. For about the next two years she was on a boat-load of eye drops to maintain the good eye, but she seemed to develop glaucoma in the right eye overnight late last year. She had surgery, but it wasn't successful and she went totally blind.

As you may have read, blindness doesn't affect many dogs as it would many humans. Annie still goes for walks and navigates the house / fenced backyard with little difficulty. She still plays with her toys, and will chase a bounced ball, just a little bit slower. She certainly has no trouble finding her food dish at meal time! She still goes berserk when she hears the school bus stop in front of the house, wants to go out and play with the kids!

This will sound cold-hearted, but there is a slight benefit in Annie's blindness. Her BG readings seem to be much better. I think that for the 4 years she had "something" going on with her eyes the irritation, or the boat-load of eye drops caused wide swings in her BG.

We do what we can. Thankfully I haven't kept close tabs on how much we've spent on surgeries, eye medications and eye vet visits, but think it's in the neighborhood of $10,000 We joke with the eye vet about the Maui condo we have bought for her.

Craig

[BogiesMom]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Hi Jen,
Bogie was diagnosed with small cataracts in both eyes a year ago and still maintains his full site. I found out he had them when I took him to see if he would be a candidate for the kenostat study... I was fortunate enough that we lived near one of the testing facility's in the states. Although when we arrived and had the exam the ophthalmologist told me that Bogie had the start of small cataracts in both eyes and he was not a candidate for the study, he also told me he would be totally blind in 3 months. Of course, I was devastated, Bogie was placed on eye drops every other day and routinely follows up with an ophthalmologist near out home every 4 months.
His cataracts haven't fully developed, my ophthalmologist tells me they haven't changed in size since the day she first saw him and pressures remain low. But if they do advance we are prepared to go forward with the surgery.
So, I would say Honey may never develop them and then she may... but if you see any changes or your vet notices anything new I would follow up with a specialist...
Good Luck to you and Honey

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Hi Jen,

Abby has cataracts, but they have not fully developed, and her blood sugar, like Ali's, fluctuates. It may have something to do with the fact, that the lens may have been harden to begin with because she was 11 when originally diagnosed, and perhaps is a little resistant to diabetic cataracts. I am not sure.

She has been diabetic for 2.5 years now, and she is not blind. So I don't think it is a foregone conclusion. I am thankful each day she has her sight, and do prepare her for the day that she may not have it, by teaching her some new commands.

Barb

[spiritdog6]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

My dog Sidekick developed cataracts and went blind 6 weeks to 2 months after diabetes hit. He did not do well as a blind dog, lost all confidence. Total loss was on a walk one evening .....it was devastating to see it happen.

I interviewed 3 eye surgeons, picked one, and had a successful surgery.

It is a miracle (to me) to take a blind dog in the AM, and come out in the PM with a seeing dog. He became "himself" when his sight was restored.

My other dog Hunter was also diabetic, but he developed "old age cataracts" and never went blind. He was diabetic a year before Sidekick became diabetic.

Be sure to see a Specialist if you see signs of cataracts. A GP does not have the know how that an Eye Specialist does. As in the difference between diabetic cataracts and old age cataracts.

Sidekick loved seeing.....and he did well.

[Emily]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Elliot was dx this past March and developed cataracts over the summer. They matured quickly and his loss of vision is pretty substantial at this time. We have an appt. with the opthalmologist this week to see how things are progressing. I opted against surgery due to the cost.
I was devastated when he was first dx with cataracts. It really hit me hard, but Elliot hasn't been too upset He has just continued on as he always has.....he navigates the house and yard with a few bumps here and there. He still plays with his toys etc. He doesn't play with his sister as much....I think b/c he can't "see" her play posturing and he doesn't like to jump up or down from furniture. He's fine with me lifting him though. We go on walks and he responds well to verbal cues etc.
I don't know what the statistics are on dogs developing cataracts related to diabetes, but I didn't expect it to happen when it did. It still makes me sad when I think about it....but my emotions about it are not Elliot's emotions so I just keep everything upbeat and happy around him.
Hope all continues to go well with Honey!

[jim maceri]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Jen,

Spirit is coming up on his 2 year sugarversary in a couple of weeks. I like you was very worried about him going blind the first year. A 120lb. blind dog isn't quite as easy as one you can pick up. Anyway, I've been having his eyes checked at each visit to the vet and had a specialist look at him once earlier this year. The good news is that his eyes are normal for a dog his age (6) and considering the life span of a giant breed newfie is about 9-10 years the specialist said his eyes are "aging" normally. He stated that he doesn't believe his diabetes has affected his eyes yet. Just the normal amount of "cloudiness" for an aging dog.

That being said, work on control......since each dog is different, my vet suggested that I attempt to keep his blood sugar between 100-200 most of the day but even going to 250 for periods may not cause damage. My personal goal is to let him be a dog, run, play, take walks ect....so I really don't worry if I can keep him between 150-250. On my last visit to the vet he said that based on his experience, dogs that are constantly over 300 in BG have a higher chance of having eye issues but even then he has some dogs that don't have the control as spirit does and they are still not blind after years of diabetes.

One comforting thought is what others reassured me that dogs can do very well even if they go blind....remember a dogs sense of smell is the key for them so thank goodness diabetes doesn't affect our pups noses...LOL One other thought....because of some personal issues that have come up in my life over the last year I've realized you can make yourself sick worrying about things that MAY NOT happen. Love your buddy, take care of him and don't add the stress of worrying about something that may or may not happen. Just love them, cuddle them and make each day with your fur baby special. You will be able to handle whatever happens and so will your dog.

[amydunn19]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Maggie had cataract surgery - lens removal. It went well - she was a younger dog at the time so I felt like it was a good move for us. I don't know if I would put her through it as an older dog but I would definately do it again. She was a good candidate and has had few problems since.

[maladuca]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Jen, Teddy had the start of a cataract in May during a regular check up. I was told it was due to old age. 3 weeks later in June he was diagnosed with diabetes. Early in September I noticed major clouding in that eye and some in the other. I also started seeing him bump into walls and trip over toys. So last week I took him in and sure enough all sight is gone from that first eye and partial from the other. It is just breaking my heart.
They did say he might be a candidate for surgery but the cost is just not something we can handle.
But I will tell you that Teddy doesn't seem to be bothered. He is a bit clingy and unsure at times but is still happy. Most have said that it is harder on us than them - and I believe that to be true.

[Eddie]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Hi Jen

Eddie is different to most on here as he couldn't see for several years before he was diagnosed with diabetes. His retinas deteriorated and the eye specialist said there was nothing we could do for him. So in an odd sort of way we don't have the same worry for him as it's already happened...

It still makes me very sad when I think about it so my solution is Not to think about it. I don't think he does and he just gets on with things so we copy his example. He's still the same Eddie and he is still a joy to have with us. Like Jim said, we focus on letting him be a dog; a few days ago I watched him scrabbling around in the vegetable garden hunting for mice under some sheeting - head underneath the sheeting, bottom in the air and much snuffling, snorting and tail wagging going on .... they can still do their doggy things!

If it happens you - and Honey - would cope because that's what you do.... but in the meantime I'd try not to worry about it and enjoy her as she is. Just focus on keeping her as regulated as possible to reduce the risk and hope for the best.

Antonia

[siberian7]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

I have a question regarding this, if the cataracts are removed and the dog is able to see again can cataracts return again at some point in the future?

[k9diabetes]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Cataracts can't return because they remove the lens.

It is important to know, though, that there is a complication rate of around 10% where problems develop after surgery and the eye or eyes have to be removed, so they can go blind again, just not from cataracts.

That complication rate has been borne out by the dogs here.

Natalie

[siberian7]

Re: Diabetic Cataracts

Cataracts can't return because they remove the lens.

It is important to know, though, that there is a complication rate of around 10% where problems develop after surgery and the eye or eyes have to be removed, so they can go blind again, just not from cataracts.

That complication rate has been borne out by the dogs here.

Natalie

thanks, she is adjusting fairly well to the blindness. In all reality we probably wouldn't do the surgery if they said she could. I just had questions and sometimes being selfish wish we could have her eyesight back.