Cataracts in Diabetic Dogs

The appointment schedule says, "Check Eyes".  His owner says, "He was just fine on Friday, and on Saturday he started bumping into things.  He falls off the curb, he can't find the steps.  I put his treat on the floor and he couldn't find it until I put it up where he could smell it."  Well, that sure sounds like he can't see.

When a dog goes gradually blind with age-related cataracts, he becomes accustomed to blurry, ever-worsening vision and learns to compensate.  I have had clients whose dogs had been stone-blind for who-knows-how-long and they never knew it until they rearranged the furniture and Fido plowed into the coffee-table.  They apparently have a pretty decent quality of life.

When dogs go blind suddenly, they are bumping into everything and they are pretty distressed, just as you would be if somebody suddenly turned out all the lights... permanently (or even just a couple of weeks, as in last year's ice storm aftermath). 

So what could make a dog suddenly go blind?  He might have a detached retina from trauma or high blood pressure, but that's pretty uncommon.  He could have an infection or inflammation in his eye that flared up rapidly. We often see that with Blastomycosis, a systemic fungus that's not uncommon in our area.

OR, he could have cataracts, where the lens inside the eye becomes opaque.  This is a close-up of Jackson's eye.  I could see his cataracts from across the room -- the pupil of his eye is all white and sparkly.  The thing is, cataracts don't usually develop overnight.  That is, they don't unless you have Diabetes Mellitus ("sugar diabetes").

"So, Jackson weighs 12 pounds.  Has he lost weight?"  "He weighed 14 pounds four weeks ago."

"Does he drink a lot of water?"   "He is constantly at the water bowl. I can't keep it full."

"How is he feeling?  Any vomiting?"  "He really doesn't feel good.  He doesn't vomit, but he's not eating so well."

And, sure enough, his blood sugar is 434 (should be close to 100), and his urine is full of sugar.  Worse, his urine is full of ketones.  Without adequate insulin, he has been unable to utilize sugars and starches normally for a long time.  So, he has had super-high blood sugar for a long time.  This produces the rapid development of cataracts, maybe not totally overnight, but fast.  [Check out Veterinary Partner for a more thorough explanation.]

Since he couldn't utilize sugar, he had to break down body fat (and probably some muscle and such, as well), hence the rapid weight loss.  Imagine dropping from 140 to 120 in four weeks.  This excessive breakdown of fat has produced a lot of the ketone as byproduct.  It was making Jackson feel kind of sick. [Here's another link to a diabetes discussion on Veterinary Partner.]

Fortunately, he was still eating (though not well) and not vomiting.  Another couple of days and he would have required hospitalization and intensive care.  We started him on insulin, and he was already starting to feel a little better the next morning.  It will probably take a few weeks to really get him regulated, but he should be enjoying life again pretty soon.

Comments

[Janet]

Unfortunately, he'll still have cataracts. How old is he?

[veterinary clinic tx]

I think Jackson might see well now. Isn't he? He is a really sweet dog and I like you to update him.

- Mathew R.

[Doc]

Hello, Mathew,

Unfortunately, Jackson's cataracts will not get any better without surgical removal by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Right now our first priority is to get his blood sugar regulated, then re-evaluate him for any other problems.

Thanks for reading and writing.

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[Joey]

I loved your article it has great information. I think you and your readers might be interested in another article I found, about pets and dry eyes.
http://www.whatistheeye.wordpress.com

[cataract eye surgery]

Just funny I didn't know that dogs also have a cataract?

jayn

[Cataracts]

It seems like when dogs get cataracts they have alot of trouble being able to see anything at all. Our family dog "Susie" used to walk right into the pool in the middle of winter because her vision had become so poor.

[roselle]

my dog does not eating for 2 day .. i think she has a cataracts .. what should i do ? pls. help me

[Doc]

Hello, Roselle,
Cataracts can be scary for the dog if they develop suddenly, causing the dog to go blind in just a few days.

They are not typically painful, though a long-term cataract can rupture the lens capsule inside the eye and cause severe inflammation.

Not eating usually indicates that a dog feels bad, but is not a very specific sign.

This is something that needs "hands on". You really need to take your dog to a veterinarian for an examination.

I am sorry that I cannot be of help to you.

Good luck.