31
Mar
One in 10 dogs will become diabetic and 75 of diabetic dogs will eventually go blind. Diabetes in dogs occurs when the body fails to produce adequate stores of insulin.
Typically the body converts foods eaten by a dog into glucose.
Can diabetes make a dog go blind. Why has my dog with diabetes gone blind. Dogs with diabetes are at increased risk of developing cataracts. Where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and stops light entering the eye.
This is because the high sugar levels in a diabetic dogs blood can affect the structure of the lens and cause it. Photo Courtesy of Dr. Diabetic dogs can live healthy lives.
Unfortunately a common complication of diabetes in dogs is cataracts cloudy lenses. In fact 75 of dogs develop cataracts and blindness in both eyes within 9 months of being diagnosed with diabetes. Studies find that three out of four dogs develop blindness from cataracts within a year of being diagnosed with diabetes.
Learn how diabetes becomes so problematic for dogs. What Happens with Diabetes in Dogs. Diabetes in dogs occurs when the body fails to produce adequate stores of insulin.
Typically the body converts foods eaten by a dog into glucose. Blindness is a frequent occurrence in diabetic dogs less frequent in diabetic cats. Hyperglycemia in dogs causes both cataracts and retinopathy either of which alone can cause blindness in a few days or weeks.
Blood glucose levels as low as 250mgdL 140 mmolL can cause blindness in dogs. It is estimated that about 80 of the dogs with diabetes will develop cataracts to some degree. Sometimes such conditions can get worse leading to blindness.
If you start to see your dog with cloudy eyes visit a vet for a checkup. If caught early there are measures to alleviate this condition and help your dog get better. Duffy is an 11 year old Irish terrier who was rescued by the May family when he was young.
When we first met Duffy he was blind from his diabetic cataracts and cowered in the corner of the exam room quiet and frightened. The YouTube video demonstrates. We would have done it but he had PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy so he was going blind slowly over a year or two before the cataracts made it happen overnight 2 months after he was dx with diabetes.
Usually dogs dont go blind that quickly from cataracts from Diabetes. I wouldnt put her down yet. I would see another vet if your current vet is not willing to talk to you or show you bloodwork.
Hyperglycaemia can make dogs seriously ill after a while especially if theyre in conjunction with other health issues like urine infections. Diabetic dogs are more prone to other health issues and also have a 70 chance of going blind due to cataracts. Here are some common causes of blindness in dogs.
Infections or Inflammation viral bacterial fungal Cataracts can be caused by diabetes mellitus toxins genetics or other diseases. Blindness may result as a sign of a different disorder such as diabetes or it could be from injury and sometimes it is due to a hereditary disease you did not know your dog had. The truth is it is sometimes difficult for you to tell if your dog is blind because dogs are so adept at coping.
Your dog will go blind immediately If canine diabetes is not controlledtheres a good chance that your dog will develop cataracts pretty quickly. If it is controlled its likely to be more of a slow process. A lot of dogs get cataracts with age.
If left untreated diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness. How can you prevent diabetic retinopathy. To prevent or slow the development of diabetic retinopathy.
Take your prescribed medication. Stick to your diet. Control high blood pressure.
Avoid alcohol and smoking. Even controlled diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy so you should have a. There is no need to euthanize a dog because he will go blind get him on treatment and see how he does.
If he responds to insulin treatment and feels good then go with it but if he doesnt respond and doesnt feel good then it would be best to put him down. But most diabetic dogs start to feel a lot better once they are on regular insulin. Diabetes is an increasingly common cause of blindness in dogs.
One in 10 dogs will become diabetic and 75 of diabetic dogs will eventually go blind. Glaucoma is a condition that causes pressure to build up in one or both eyes which leads to blindness if left untreated. Cataracts are a cloudy film that grows over the eye.
Most diabetic dogs will develop cataracts and go blind. This web page is arranged as an FAQ to assist the owners of diabetic dogs in knowing what to expect and in decision-making regarding cataract surgery. WHAT IS A CATARACT.
A cataract is an opacity in the lens of the eye. Inside part of the eye called the lens cloudiness can occur to create a cataract. These white opacities are common in older dogs but can also develop due to diabetes.
Some dogs may also be born with them or develop them as juveniles. Glaucoma occurs when the normal pressure in the eye increases. Diabetes mellitus develops when your dogs body loses its ability to produce insulin on its own.
Insulin therapy administered through injections underneath your dogs skin is widely used to help your diabetic dog regulate its blood glucose. As essential as insulin is to a diabetic dog it carries with it a number of side effects.