Intestinal Worms in Dogs (and Cats)

Learn about the different types of worms in dogs (and cats) here ... roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms. Your veterinarian can check your pet's stool sample to be certain pets do not harbor intestinal parasites such as you see here.

Worms in Dogs (and Cats)!

Why does the veterinarian want to check a stool sample? Dogs (and cats) are victims of several internal parasites frequently referred to as worms. The most common are the roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Of these four only two are commonly seen in the stool with the unaided eye: roundworms and tapeworms. 

Most worm infestations cause any or all of these symptoms: diarrhea, perhaps with blood; weight loss; dry hair; general poor appearance; and vomiting, perhaps with worms in the vomit. However, some infestations cause few or no symptoms; in fact some worm eggs or larvae can be dormant in the dog's body and activated only in times of stress, or in the case of roundworms and hookworms, until the later stages of pregnancy when they activate and infest the soon-to-be-born puppies and kittens.

Look at the photo on the right and you can see that roundworms can assume different sizes. Tapeworms, meanwhile, will not be seen externally; in fact, all you might see in the stool or attached to the fur would be the small segments that detach from the end of the tapeworm. Hooks and whips are also so small that they seldom are seen in the stool.

This is precisely why a stool sample is often required in order to discover which parasite is present; the presence of these worms' eggs can often only be detected microscopically.

Keep in mind that it is the goal of each parasite to stay in the safety of the intestinal tract; if they come out, they'll die! They don't want to be detected!

Let's examine each type of worm individually:

Parasite Eggs, As Seen Under the Microscope in a Stool Sample

Roundworms

A large percentage of puppies (and kittens) are born with microscopically small roundworm, or ascarid, larvae in their tissues. The larvae is introduced to the developing pup (or kitten) right in the mother's uterus -- via migration through the mother's tissues!

Roundworm larvae can also be transferred to the nursing pup or kitten from the mother's milk. The larvae make their way to the intestinal tract where they can grow up to five inches in length. They start shedding eggs and try desperately to keep house in the small intestine of the pup (or kitten).

The eggs that the adult worms pass in the stool can now reinfest the animal or other dogs and cats if somehow the egg-bearing stool is eaten. When the worm eggs hatch, larvae are released internally to migrate to the animal's lungs where the larvae (remember, the larvae are microscopic in size) are finally coughed up, swallowed, and finally grow up to adults in the small intestine. 

Female roundworms can produce 200,000 eggs in just one day. These eggs are protected by a hard shell, which enables them to exist in soil for up to years. Puppies (and kuttens) with active roundworms in the intestines often have a pot-bellied appearance and poor growth. The worms may be seen in vomit or stool. If not treated in time, a severe infestation can cause death by intestinal blockage.

Roundworms don't just affect young pups (or kittens), though. They can infest adult dogs and cats, too. However, as mentioned above, the larvae can encyst in body tissue of adult dogs and cats, remain dormant for periods of time, and can activate during the last stages of pregnancy to infest the puppies and kittens.

Worming the mother has no effect on the encysted larvae in the body tissues and cannot prevent the worms from infecting the newborn. Almost all wormers work only on the adult parasites in the intestinal tract.

Whipworms

This parasite is more often seen in dogs than cats. Adult whipworms, although seldom seen in the stool, look like tiny pieces of thread, with one end enlarged. They live in the cecum, the first section of the dog's large intestine. Infestations are usually difficult to prove since the whipworms shed comparatively few eggs; so an examination of even several stool samples may not reveal the presence of whipworms. 

If a dog is presented with chronic weight loss and passes stool that seems to have a covering of mucous (especially the last portion of stool the dog passes), and lives in a kennel situation or an area where whipworms are prevalent, the veterinarian may prescribe a whipworm medication based upon circumstantial evidence. 

Although they seldom cause a dog's death, whipworms are a real nuisance for the dog and can be a problem for the veterinarian to diagnose.

Hookworms

These are also much more common in dogs than in cats. They are very small, thin worms that fasten to the wall of the small intestine and suck blood. Dogs get hookworms from larval migration in the uterus, from contact with the larvae in stool-contaminated soil, or from ingesting the eggs after birth. As with roundworms, the hookworm larvae can also be transferred to the nursing pup from the mother's milk.

A severe hookworm infestation can kill puppies, often making them severely anemic from the loss of blood to the hookworms' vampire-like activities! Chronic hookworm infestation is a common cause of illness in older dogs, often demonstrated as poor stamina, feed efficiency and weight maintenance. Other signs include bloody diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and progressive weakness. Diagnosis is made by examining the feces for eggs under a microscope.

Tapeworms

The tapeworm is transmitted to dogs (and cats) that ingest fleas -- as apparently fleas think tapeworm eggs are real tasty -- or hunt and eat wildlife or rodents infested with tapeworms or fleas. If you were to see an entire tapeworm you would notice that they are arranged with a small head at one end and many tiny brick-like repeating segments making up the rest of the worm. 

Tapeworms can reach 4 to 6 inches in length within the intestine. Each tapeworm may have as many as 90 segments (!), though it is the last segments in the chain that are released from the worm that can be seen in the stool or, as seen in the photo on the right, attached to the fur under the pet's tail. 

Many cases are diagnosed simply by seeing these tiny terminal segments attached to the pet's fur around the anus or under the tail; they even move around a bit shortly after they are passed and before they dry up and look like little grains of rice or confetti. It also these segments of the tapeworm which contain the eggs.

Tapeworms cannot be killed by the typical generic, over-the-counter wormers. So don't waste your time and money on non-prescription medication, see a veterinarian for a treatment that actually works.

Why should the veterinarian check a stool sample?

Early diagnosis for the presence and type of intestinal parasite is vital. To do this the stool (only about a teaspoonful is needed) is mixed with a special solution, which makes the microscopic eggs more visible. Many veterinarians include the stool check as part of the annual health examination. (Note: Tapeworm eggs do NOT show up well in routine fecal analyses! Tell your veterinarian if you spot these rice-like segments in the stool or caught in the fur under the tail.)

What is a Dewormer Solution?

A derwormer solution is used to rid your pet of worms. The type of dewormer solutiion will depend on the type of worm present. Not all worms respond to the same treatment and no single wormer works against all kinds of parasites. 

Additionally, some non-prescription wormers are quite ineffective in removing worms from the dog or cat. Your veterinarian will have available for you the best kinds of wormers for the particular type of parasite your pet has.

Prevention

If you allow the dog to eliminate in the backyard, remove feces at least once a week. It also important you watch where your dog goes in the neighborhood dog park; these are often infested with intestinal worm larvae.

Use the correct wormer under veterinary supervision, and have the dog's feces checked frequently in persistent cases. Do not mix wormers and do not use any wormer if your dog is currently taking any other medication, including heartworm preventative, without consulting the veterinarian. 

In the case of persistent reinfestations, some veterinarians will prescribe worming treatments on a routine basis all year long. Generally, prescription wormers will be safer and more effective (although often more expensive) than over-the-counter worm medications.

Do worms affect humans?

CAUTION! Intestinal parasites of dogs and cats are potential health hazards for humans, too. If hookworm larvae penetrate the skin they can cause "cutaneous larval migrans", a potentially serious and scarring inflammation results.

For example, ascarid (roundworm) eggs, if ingested, can cause a disease called "visceral larval migrans" where tiny worm larvae migrate through the person's intestinal wall and into the body tissues. They then grow to larger size almost anywhere in the body. Ocular disease is a common sequel "visceral larval migrans". 

Children are at most serious risk especially if play behavior is in an environment where dog, cat, or raccoon feces may be present... such as in a sandbox. A single adult Toxicara canis female can shed up to 100,000 eggs a day which pass into the dog (or cat's) environment with the stool. 

Please take the worming advice of your veterinarian seriously and adhere to strict sanitation principles whenever pets and children are in close contact.

Worms in Dogs

Worms are one of the most common health problems for dogs. There are five types of worms that generally affect dogs: heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. Certain types of worms are easier to spot than others. For example, if your dog picks up a tapeworm, it’s common to see what resembles grains of rice in its stool. Heartworms, on the other hand, are harder to diagnose and an infected dog will often show only subtle symptoms until the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage.

Here are the 11 most common symptoms of worms in dogs:

1. Dog Coughing

One of the advanced stage symptoms of heartworms in a dog is coughing. Dogs with hookworms and roundworms may also develop a cough.

2. Dog Vomiting

Dogs that have worms will often throw up. Roundworms can sometimes show up in a dog’s vomit.

3. Diarrhea in Dogs

Soft stools and canine diarrhea can be the result of worms. In addition to diarrhea, dogs with hookworms may have blood in their stools.

4. Low Energy Dogs

Dogs that are lethargic and less active than normal may be showing symptoms of having worms.

5. Pot Bellied Appearance

If your dog starts to appear pot bellied or bloated, it may have contracted worms. This is commonly seen in puppies that have picked up worms from their mother.

6. Dog’s Change in Appetite

If you notice a sudden change in your dog’s appetite, he may have come into contact with roundworms. Dogs that are infected often lose their appetite. As worms steal a dog’s nutrients, a dog with worms may also show a sudden increase in hunger.

7. Dog Losing Weight

If your dog shows signs of rapid weight loss, he may have a tapeworm or a whipworm.

8. Dull Coat

A healthy dog should have a shiny thick coat. If your dog’s coat begins to dull and dry out, he may have picked up a form of worms. Loss of hair or the appearance of rashes can also denote worms.

9. Dog Itching and Signs of Skin Irritations

Dogs that show signs of skin irritation may have a severe infestation of worms.

10. Dog Rubbing Its Bottom on the Ground “Scooting”

While this can often be caused by problems with the anal glands, dogs with worms will occasionally rub their rear ends on the floor in order to relieve themselves of the itch due to worms in the area.

11. Visible Worms in Fur or Fecal Matter

Some worms, such as tapeworms may appear as small moving segments in the fur or area around dog’s anus. Roundworms can often be seen in a dog’s stools.

If left untreated, worms can damage your dog’s internal organs and lead to loss of consciousness and death. If you suspect that your dog has worms, take it to your nearest veterinary office. Most worms are easy to treat and your veterinarian will prescribe a medication based on the diagnosis.

The best way to keep your dogs safe is to make sure they use a monthly heartworm disease preventive year round

.

How to treat your dog's worms

How to tell if your dog has worms

Worms are one of the most common health problems for dog, but, fortunately, also very treatable. Therefore, it is important for you to learn how to tell if your dog has worms and obtain the appropriate medication.

I will go over how to know if your dog has worms, what you should do if you find worms, and how you can prevent worms.

CONTENTS AT A GLANCE

1. Signs telling you that your dog has worm...
2. Why your dog might have worms
3. How do you know if your dog has somethin...
4. What kind of worms can your dog have?
5. What to do if your dog has worms
6. How to select a dewormer

Signs telling you that your dog has worms

Common symptons to watch out for

Since your dog can't speak English well, YOU need to be diligent in watching out for your dog and noticing any unusual signs. Here are some common ways to tell if your dog has worms.

• Visible worms or eggs in fecal matter - This is the most common way to confirm that your dog has worms. However, not all kinds of worms are visible in fecal matter to the naked eye.
• Visible worms in fur, or area around dog's rear - Tapeworms, in particular, may appear as small moving segments, which later dry out to resemble grains of rice.
• Scratching or rubbing of rear on the ground or against furniture - if your dog shows signs of itchiness around the rear, it may be irritated by worms in the area. However, this could also be due to problems with glands unrelated to worms.
• Vomiting with visible worms - if your dog has worms, you may also see them in your dog's vomit.
• Bloated stomach or belly - This is another common symptom of worms, often seen in puppies who receive worms from their mother.
• Weakness, increased appetite, constant hunger, weight loss - If your dog has worms, the worms are stealing your dog's nutrition. Your dog may be weak or constantly hungry, and in severe cases, may be losing weight.
• Diarrhea, particularly with blood in it.

Why your dog might have worms

When your dog is at risk

• Newly born puppies - roundworm eggs can form cysts in adult dogs that remain dormant. These eggs CANNOT be removed by medication. When a female dog is pregnant, these dormant eggs will activate and infect the puppies.The mother's milk can also pass roundworms to puppies.
• Contact with infected dirt - roundworm eggs and hookworm larvae can reside in dirt. If you dog comes in contact with infected dirt, your dog may have worms.
• Fleas - young tapeworms can reside in fleas. If your dog swallows fleas while grooming, your dog will ingest tapeworms and be infected.
• Hunting or eating wildlife - wild animals may carry worms, including tapeworms residing in fleas on wild animals. If your dog hunts or eats wildlife, your dog may swallow worms.

How do you know if your dog has something besides worms?

A dog owner's guide to diagnosis and treatment

Some of the symptoms for worms, such as stomach irritation, can be confused with other health problems. Keeping your dog healthy means you need to be alert to warning signs for a range or problems, not just worms. You can always bring your dog to the veterinarian, but the first line of defense, is YOU, the dog owner at HOME, not the veterinarian's office.

In addition, medication can have side effects, and some dogs react poorly to medicines prescribed by the veterinarian. Even after you visit the veterinarian, you need to carefully observe your dog and know when there is another problem.

If you are interested in learning how to take care of your dog's health from home, and what health problems to look out for, I recommend that you devote some time to learning about dog health issues. This means a lot of reading, at least in the beginning! You can ask your veterinarian to recommend literature. Easy-to-read, but reputable, magazines are also a great source of health information.

What kind of worms can your dog have?

How to tell the difference between worms.

Below are symptoms and risks for worm infections, grouped by the kind of worm.

• Roundworms - roundworms can grow up to half a foot in length and live in the intestines. They should be visible as small noodle-like bits in fecal matter and cause swollen bellies. Roundworms are a big problem with puppies.
• Hookworms - hookworms are thin, small worms that "bite" or "hook" into the intestinal wall. They are not always visible by eye, which means a microscope examination is needed to observe eggs in fecal matter. Hookworms can cause bleeding because of their biting, which results in bloody stools or anemia.
• Tapeworms - tapeworms are flat, long worms that live in the intestines. Segments of the tapeworm breaking off are visible to the naked eye as rice-like grains after drying out.
• Heartworms - heartworms are one of the most dangerous worms because they cannot be easily detected. Heartworms can be spread by mosquitoes. Heartworms damage the heart muscle and require a blood test to detect. Heart damage can be fatal, and you will only see other symptoms such as weakness or dull fur after heart damage has already occurred. It is absolutely necessary to keep your dog on a heartworm preventive medicine.
• Whipworms - whipworms are thin, thread like worms living in the large intestine. Adults may be visible by the naked eye, but fecal matter does not contain many worms, so they may be difficult to detect. A microscope examination of several fecal samples may be necessary to detect them. Whipworms are one of the most difficult worms to eliminate, but they are treatable.

What to do if your dog has worms

How to treat your dog

If you think your dog has worms, safe and effective treatments are readily available.

For the most common types of worms, including heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, there are all-in-one medications for your dog in flavored chewable tablets. For example, Iverhart Max

tablets are useful for treating all four of these conditions and includes three active ingredients: ivermectin to prevent heartworm, pyrantel pamoate to treat roundworms and hookworms, and praziquantel to treat tapeworms.

Since this kind of medication covers all the major worm types, it is a very convenient multi-purpose medication for the average dog owner. You need to determine the correct dosage based on your dog's weight, but most of these medications require one tablet a month.

How to select a dewormer

Guide to petmeds for dog worms

If you know what kind of worm your dog has, you can find the correct medication available from discount online stores. Just make sure to check the ingredient and usage label to determine activity against a specific kind of worm. Common ingredients are listed below. Many convenient formulations which mix multiple ingredients are also available. In some cases, a prescription may be necessary.

• Ivermectin - prevention of heartworm
• Pyrantel pamoate - treatment of hookworms and roundworms
• Selamectin - treatment or prevention of heartworms, prevention of hookworms and roundworms
• Milbemycin oxime - prevention of heartworms, treatment of hookworms, roundworms, and some whipworms
• Paziquantel - treatment of tapeworms

How to make sure your dog does not get worms

The best treatment is prevention

Because worms are effectively treated with medication, it is important to keep you dog on a worm prevention treatment. Heartworm, in particular, can be fatal, and is preventable with monthly tablets. The same tablets can also help prevent other worms. For example, Iverhart makes a preventive tablet labeled Iverhart Plus, which contains only ivermectin for prevention of heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.

Preventive measures are the best way to deal with worms BEFORE your dog has health problems. By taking this simple measure, you can help keep your dog happy and healthy.

Dog pictures i like

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How can I chat with other dog people?

Question: How can I chat with other dog people?

Answer: Sometimes it isn't easy connecting with other dog nuts, and being around people who do not understand your commitment and need to talk "dog" can be frustrating as well as lonely at times. 

Well, come on in! About Dogs has a wonderful online community of dog lovers just like you. Join us on The Dog Park, where many dog lovers and dog experts gather to chat about our favourite species and share knowledge. You can browse the discussions as a Guest, or you can join to become an About Member here, and post any questions you might have. Joining is free and easy. 

Take the time to read the Rules Of The Forum, they are there to help make your welcome go smoothly and easily, and then hop on in! The Dog Park is a wonderful, laid-back community comprised of many dog lovers, and we are happy to include you in our "pack".

How to Help Your Dog with Cataracts

It is not uncommon for dogs to develop cataracts over time. Most dogs are not affected until they get up there in years and it begins gradually. However, not all dogs with a cloudy-looking eye has cataracts. In fact, the geriatric eye is a hardening of the lens of the eye, known as Nuclear Sclerosis and not a cataract. You as the pet parent may have concerns and wonder how you can help your dog with cataracts. This is the first sign of vision loss in our pets but it does not mean that your dog cannot see. So, what exactly is a cataract and how does it affect your dog?

According to the Pet Place, the lens that covers the eye is normally clear but when a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy, blocking transmission of light to the retina. The eyes will appear to have a bluish, gray or white covering on the eye itself. A dog with problem cataracts may have a tendency to bump into things, reluctant to do normal activities like jumping, climbing stairs and so forth, may seem withdrawn in unfamiliar circumstances and is constantly squinting. In advanced cases, the dog may experience pain, inflammation and redness of the eyes.

Animaleyecare.net states that the causes of cataracts is usually genetic although a specific trauma to the eye can definitely be a factor. Dogs with diabetes are predisposed to cataracts. In puppies, cataracts can be the result of nutritional disorders. Dogs with an ocular type disease may develop cataracts as well as rare cases of birth defects, side effects to radiation and infections or toxic drugs.

If you have concerns about your dog's eyes, your veterinarian can perform a thorough physical examination to recognize cataracts and exclude any underlying medical issues. Some tests may be performed in order to do so, such as blood tests, ultrasound of the eye and an electroretinogram to evaluate the function of the retina.

Be sure to contact your veterinarian to find out any known treatment for cataracts in dogs. The condition cannot be reversed. Cataract surgery can be performed in more advanced cases but is not always recommended or necessary for your dog to live a long happy life. If the cataracts are due to an underlying condition such as diabetes, that condition needs to be treated. The cataracts will not clear up but will progress as long as underlying issues are addressed and remedied.

There is little that you can do to prevent cataracts. To provide a good life for your dog, be sure to keep the home in consistent order as most dogs have things memorized so as not to run into something. For his/her safety, be sure the yard is fenced in or is on a leash and monitored.

About Cataracts in Dogs

What is a Cataract?

What is not a Cataract?

Why did my dog develop a Cataract?

How are Cataracts treated?

How well will my dog see after Cataract surgery?

Why is Cataract surgery so expensive?

What if Cataract surgery is not done?

What is involved in having Cataract surgery performed on my dog?

What are the risks involved with Cataract surgery?

What is a Cataract?

Like a camera, eyes have a clear lens inside them that is used for focusing. A cataract is any opacity within a lens. The opacity can be very small (incipient cataract) and not interfere with vision. It can involve more of the lens (immature cataract) and cause blurred vision. Eventually, the entire lens can become cloudy, and all functional vision lost. This is called a mature cataract. Some mature cataracts will transform over time into hypermature cataracts. Hypermature cataracts usually are reduced in size due to loss of water and proteins from the lens. This causes the lens to shrivel and the lens capsule to wrinkle—similar to a grape turning into a raisin. Hypermature cataracts vary in how cloudy they are. Some are completely cloudy, and others have clear areas that can allow some vision IF the rest of the eye is functional. Depending on the dog’s age and breed, it can take several months to years for a mature cataract to turn into a hypermature cataract.

What is not a cataract?

Normal geriatric dog eye, with normal Nuclear Sclerosis

All geriatric dogs (usually beginning at 6 years of age) develop a hardening of the lens (Nuclear Sclerosis) that causes the lens to have a grayish appearance. The grayish-blue haze increases as the dog ages. Nuclear sclerosis is NOT a cataract, and does not usually interfere with vision. The photo to the right shows a normal geriatric dog eye with normal nuclear sclerosis. Nuclear sclerosis also occurs in humans, and the hardening of the lens with age results in reduced near-vision in people; this is why people in their 40’s and older need reading glasses—because their lenses no longer are soft enough to easily change shape to allow for near vision. Another name for this is presbyopia, which means “old eye”. Dogs do not have good near-vision to begin with (compared to people), so nuclear sclerosis does not significantly interfere with their near-vision.

How do you tell the difference between nuclear sclerosis and cataract in your dog? The answer is that you can’t. You can start with having your family veterinarian evaluate your dog’s eyes, but often it is difficult for a doctor who is not an ophthalmologist to differentiate between the two conditions. However, veterinary ophthalmologists can tell the difference between nuclear sclerosis and cataract, using specialized equipment and their expertise. Also keep in mind that dogs can develop BOTH nuclear sclerosis AND cataract—many geriatric dogs do develop cataracts. If your geriatric dog has cloudy eyes but still appears to see well, this does not mean that they do not have cataracts—dogs can see fairly well if their cataracts are small. Dogs also can adapt well if one eye is blind from cataract and the other is not—often, they adapt so well that the owner does not realize that the dog cannot see out of one eye. Dogs can also adapt well—up to a point–if both eyes gradually develop severe cataracts; dogs can develop a “memory map” as to where things are in their familiar environment. Dogs with poor vision do not let their owners know that they have a vision problem until it is severe in both eyes. 

Why did my dog develop a Cataract?

Cataracts have many causes in dogs, and sometimes it is not possible to identify the cause of cataracts in affected patients.

Most cataracts in dogs are inherited and can occur at any age. The cataract may develop rapidly over weeks, or slowly over years, and occur in one or both eyes. Different breeds of dogs have different characteristics of cataract development. For example, cataracts in Bichon frise dogs tend to develop rapidly in early adulthood and usually involve the entire lens in both eyes. Mixed-breed dogs can also develop inherited cataracts.

The second-most common cause of cataracts in dogs is diabetes (diabetes mellitus). 75% of diabetic dogs will develop blinding cataracts within the first year of being diabetic. Often, the cataracts form very shortly after the dog becomes diabetic. See the accompanying article, Cataracts, Blindness, and Diabetic Dogs. Diabetic cataracts develop VERY fast—often overnight—in dogs, and they are a medical and surgical emergency.

The third most common cause of cataracts in dogs is a toxic reaction in the lens—the lens is “sick”, due to some other ocular disease or (much less commonly) due to a drug reaction. These are called “toxic cataracts”. Toxic cataracts caused by ocular disease are quite common in dogs, and are caused by: 1) retinal degeneration, especially Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)— uveitis (intraocular inflammation) of any cause, including trauma; and 3) secondary to glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure) of any cause

A special type of cataract occurs in dogs in which the lens capsule is ruptured due to trauma. The trauma can be penetrating (such as a cat claw injury or pellet gun injury) or a severe blow to the eye that results in lens capsular rupture. The lens contents leak out through the hole in the capsule and cause both cataract and a severe immune-mediated reactive uveitis; the uveitis does not usually “peak” in severity until 2–3 weeks AFTER the injury occurred. It is not always apparent that the lens capsule has ruptured; often, by the time this is diagnosed it is too late to save the eye and the eye needs to be removed. Thus, it is prudent to seek immediate medical attention for ANY injury to your dog’s eye. Lens capsules can also rupture if the lens swells, causing the capsule to stretch and split open. This can happen in diabetic dogs and in some types of inherited cataracts that rapidly form.

Cataracts can also develop due to nutritional deficiencies in dogs, such as orphan puppies on an artificial milk-replacer diet. These are called nutritional cataracts, and they often will improve as the puppy matures.

Dogs also can develop cataracts with age (often after 8 years of life). However, age-related cataracts in dogs are usually small and do not significantly interfere with vision.

There are many other potential causes of cataracts in dogs, such as birth defects, radiation (usually from prolonged radiation therapy for cancer of the head), infection, etc. but discussion of these causes is beyond the scope of this review article.

How are Cataracts treated?

Once a lens has developed a cataract, there is no known method to make the lens clear again. Immature, mature, and hypermature cataracts can be treated by surgically removing them.

However, nutritional support of the lens can help to prevent or lessen the severity of developing cataracts. Nutritional supplementation can help to enhance lens health by providing oral antioxidants designed specifically for support of the canine eye. Antioxidant supplementation may also help reduce ocular inflammation that occurs in dogs both secondary to cataract formation and following cataract surgery. A unique antioxidant supplement product designed to support the health of the canine eye has recently been developed. Ocu-GLO Rx™ is a pharmaceutical-grade canine vision supplement containing 12 antioxidants; it is specifically formulated for support of the canine eye—especially for retina and lens health. Ocu-GLO Rx™ was developed by two veterinary ophthalmologists (one of which is Dr. Terri McCalla) and a compounding pharmacist. For more information about this unique canine vision supplement

It is important to understand that no cataract can be reversed; once the lens is cloudy, it stays that way unless cataract surgery is performed to remove it. Two exceptions to this rule are: 1) some nutritional cataracts can improve over time; and 2) hypermature cataracts can develop clear zones over time. However, as this process occurs in hypermature cataracts, damage to the eye also occurs in the form of lens-induced inflammation (called lens-induced uveitis or LIU). LIU, in turn, can cause glaucoma, retinal detachment, and/or lens luxation (slippage of the lens from its attachments, allowing the lens to float around inside the eye and cause damage and pain).

Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed on humans. However, not all dogs with cataracts need or should have cataract surgery. In fact, most dogs with cataracts do not need surgery, because most lens opacities in dogs (and a lens opacity is a cataract, no matter how tiny or big) are small and don’t significantly interfere with vision. Just because a dog’s eye has a cataract does not mean that the dog must undergo cataract surgery. Only a veterinary ophthalmologist can determine if cataract surgery is indicated in an affected patient.

Cataract surgery is a quality of life surgery—not a life-saving surgery. The ophthalmologist must evaluate many criteria before determining if a dog can or should undergo cataract surgery. However, it is also true (in Dr. McCalla’s view) that restoring a blind dog’s vision with cataract surgery is one of the most satisfying parts of being a veterinary ophthalmologist, and surgery can give a dog a wonderful new lease on life. For a blind dog to again be able to see its owner, to play with toys, look out the window and actually see things—this is life-changing for canine patients and their owners. This is especially true if the dog is elderly and deaf or hard of hearing—to have its vision restored can make a huge difference in its quality of life.

The procedures and equipment used to remove cataracts in dogs are the same as those used in humans. A small incision is made in the eye and a hole is made in the capsular bag that holds the lens. Phacoemulsification is then performed, in which a special probe ultrasonically emulsifies and removes the cataract (the lens contents inside the capsule). After the cloudy lens is removed, the lens capsule remains and is called the capsular bag. An artificial replacement lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL, is placed in the bag. The eye is closed with extremely small absorbable sutures. IOLs are either rigid polymer plastic lenses or soft foldable lenses. The choice of which type of IOL to place inside an eye during surgery is determined by the ophthalmologist. Because even the slightest damage to structures in the canine eye can have disastrous effects, cataract surgery is extremely delicate surgery and is performed under general anesthesia with high-magnification using an operating microscope. If both eyes are affected, usually both eyes are operated on at the same time—especially in diabetic dogs.

How well will my dog see after Cataract surgery?

After successful cataract surgery dogs see close to normal. However, we cannot give dogs perfect vision. This is because an exact replacement of the original living lens is not possible. Furthermore, dogs have more inflammation in their eyes after surgery than humans and therefore have more scarring. This scarring does slightly decrease vision. The post-operative inflammation and scarring (lens capsular opacification) may be lessened by both anti-inflammatory drugs and oral antioxidant supplementation  Most owners notice a tremendous increase in their pet’s vision after cataract surgery, but they can still detect certain visual difficulties.

After surgery, cataracts cannot recur. However, some dogs can have decreased vision years after cataract surgery due to formed scar tissue, glaucoma, and/or retinal detachment. In rare instances, placement of an IOL is not possible at the time of cataract surgery. These dogs still see better, but are more far-sighted and near objects are out of focus. The cornea does two thirds of the focusing of the eye, so vision is still present but not perfect if the lens (which does one-third of the focusing) cannot be replaced with an IOL. Some dogs require anti-inflammatory medication and/or Ocu-GLO Rx™ for several weeks, months, or lifetime following cataract surgery. This may help reduce the risk of capsular opacification, secondary glaucoma, and/or retinal detachment forming.

Why is Cataract surgery so expensive?

Cataract surgery is expensive because it requires specialized equipment and training. The instruments and equipment used for cataract surgery in dogs are the same type used for cataract surgery in people. Furthermore, you are paying for the highly advanced training and expertise of a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.

When people undergo cataract surgery, they usually pay very little for it because insurance picks up most of the tab. This is not the case in veterinary medicine. The pet owner pays 100% of the cost of cataract surgery and other health care for their pet. Even pet health insurance policies often exclude cataract surgery, because the cataracts are often genetic and most insurance companies will not cover any genetic or pre-existing condition. If you have health insurance for your dog, do not assume it will cover cataract surgery—check with your insurance provider.

What if Cataract surgery is not done?

Immature, mature, and hypermature cataracts can cause a serious reactive inflammation inside the eye (Lens Induced Uveitis, or LIU) that must be medically treated, whether or not surgery is performed. LIU can lead to complications such as glaucoma or a detached retina whether or not cataract surgery is performed, and LIU decreases the success rate of cataract surgery. An additional potential complication in eyes not undergoing surgery is lens luxation, which can be quite painful depending on how the lens slips (luxates) out of position. Glaucoma is also painful, in the form of a headache. Cataract surgery is an elective procedure. If surgery is not performed, lifetime anti-inflammatory eye drops are required, as well as periodic eye re-examinations. Dr. McCalla also prescribes for these patients as a lifetime support for ocular health when cataract surgery is not elected. There is a best window of time in which to perform surgery. The earlier the cataract can be removed, the better.

If cataract surgery is not done, your dog might do just fine. However, it might not; the worst-case scenarios that could occur are that the dog eventually develops glaucoma secondary to LIU (which is chronically painful in the form of a headache), or develops extremely painful lens luxation. If these conditions cannot be controlled medically (and lens luxation usually cannot be medically controlled, especially if the lens luxates into the anterior chamber of the eye), then surgery is needed; either removal of the eye, or removal of the luxated lens if there is a hope of vision. There are other surgical choices for blind glaucomatous eyes 

It is also important to understand that most dogs that are blinded from cataracts can adequately adjust to their vision loss, if they are in a safe and stable environment and their eyes are not painful. You cannot determine if your dog’s eyes are painful from cataract development—if your dog has developed secondary glaucoma, it has a headache but will not show this in any obvious way, until it is too late. By that time, the affect eye is enlarged and completely blind due to destruction of the optic nerve. When this occurs, medication usually is not adequate to control the increased intraocular pressure, and surgery is needed to relieve the pain.

If your dog has cataracts but you believe that you cannot afford surgery, it is still VERY important for you to have your dog evaluated by a veterinary ophthalmologist!This is because medical treatment of the affected eye(s) is almost always needed to help prevent complications arising from the presence of the cataract. The cataract causes LIU, which in turn can cause many serious complications and the complete loss of the eye (including possible surgical removal of the affected eye).

What is involved in having Cataract surgery performed on my dog?

The first step is to have your pet examined by Dr. Terri McCalla at Animal Eye Care to determine if your pet is a good candidate for surgery. A preoperative blood profile (including serum triglyceride testing; for nondiabetic dogs, the blood is drawn after the dog has been off food for 10–12 hours. For diabetic dogs, the blood is drawn shortly before the morning or evening meal to mimic a fasting blood sample), comprehensive physical exam, and assessment of anesthetic level of risk are then performed by your family veterinarian. If your pet “passes” these tests, electroretinography (ERG) and gonioscopy testing is scheduled at our hospital, as inpatient procedures. They are performed under sedation, and cause no discomfort. ERG testing evaluates retinal function, as it is vital that the retina (the “film in the camera”) is working, in order to perform cataract surgery. Gonioscopy evaluates the drainage angle of the eye to determine if the eye(s) are at increased genetic risk of developing glaucoma postoperatively. If they are, additional medications will be prescribed and these medications may be needed for your pet’s lifetime. Ultrasonography of the eye(s) is also performed at another nearby veterinary hospital. Some patients require ultrasonography and not ERG testing, and some patients require neither test. In this case, gonioscopy is performed on the day of cataract surgery.

If your dog “passes” the ERG test and/or ultrasound test(s), surgery can be scheduled. The eyes require 3 days of intense medication immediately preceding the surgery day. Dr. McCalla also prescribes Ocu-GLO Rx™ (oral antioxidant supplementation) prior to and following cataract surgery. On the day of surgery, your pet will need to arrive at the hospital early in the morning to receive intensive eye treatment before surgery. The surgery is performed and your pet goes home the same day. Your pet will not have eye patches. Your pet must wear a harnessafter surgery when being walked. Attach the leash to the harness and NOT to a neck collar, as this could place pressure on the jugular veins, causing increased eye pressure.

Vision usually improves during the first week after surgery—often within 24 hours—but the return of functional vision sometimes takes up to 2–3 weeks. Most dogs exhibit minimal to no pain after surgery. Your pet will require oral medication and two or three different kinds of eye drops 3 to 4 times a day for the first few weeks after surgery, and on a lesser frequency for several months post surgery. Your pet MUST wear a cone-shaped restraint collar (E collar) the first 2 weeks after surgery to prevent self-trauma to the eyes. We also ask that you bring your pet back for reexaminations at 1 day, 5 to 7 days, 2 to 3 weeks, 8 to 10 weeks, and 4 to 6 months post surgery, and every 6 to 12 months thereafter. This reexamination schedule may change if there are post-operative complications.

What are the risks involved with Cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure, but there are risks. Chances of the patient having improved vision after surgery are high for most dogs (90%–95%). But 5% to 10% of dogs will not regain good vision due to complications, and may actually be permanently blind in one or both of the operated eyes.

If your dog has significant LIU (most commonly caused by a hypermature cataract), this also decreases the success rate. LIU is the primary reason that the sooner that cataract surgery can be done, the better.

The risk of intraocular scar tissue. All dogs develop some intraocular scar tissue (primarily opacities of the lens capsule). Excessive scar tissue will limit vision. Puppies and young adult dogs develop more capsular opacities than older dogs. Anti-inflammatory medication and antioxidant supplementation with Ocu-GLO Rx™ may help reduce the formation of severe capsular opacities.

The risk of glaucoma. Glaucoma (increase in eye pressure) occurs in 30% of dogs that have cataract surgery, usually within the first 24 hours after surgery. This is not as bad as it sounds; most of these pressure increases are quite temporary and quickly resolve with treatment within the first 1–2 days after surgery. However, glaucoma can also occur later—months to years following surgery. Glaucoma not only can cause complete vision loss, but also may require the need for additional medications or surgery. It can be painful (in the form of a headache) and cause LOSS OF THE EYE if uncontrolled.

The risk of retinal detachment. While surgical re-attachment of the retina is sometimes possible, the success rate can be low and this complication usually results in complete vision loss. However, if it is caught early the surgical success rate is much higher.

The risk of intraocular Infection. While this is rare, it can cause complete vision loss as well as LOSS OF THE EYE (i.e. surgical removal of the eye).

The risk of general anesthesia. Anesthesia safety has progressed tremendously during the last 5 years. However, even healthy pets CAN DIE UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA. We take anesthesia seriously and use the safest medications at Animal Eye Care. All patients are monitored extensively by our surgical staff. All patients receive electronically assisted ventilation and monitoring of their blood oxygenation, carbon dioxide levels, respiration, temperature, heart function, and blood pressure. 

How can the risk of developing postoperative complications be reduced for your dog?

By following these recommendations:

Having your dog’s eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist as soon as cataracts are suspected (especially if your dog is diabetic), and NOT waiting until the lens is completely opaque and the eye is blind. Sometimes general veterinary practitioners advise waiting—It is best NOT to wait!

Following all treatment directions correctly and faithfully.

Bringing your dog to all recommended postoperative reexaminations by your ophthalmologist. Regular postoperative reexaminations by the ophthalmologist, for the rest of the dog’s life, are needed.

Lifetime postoperative antioxidant supplementation with Ocu-GLO Rx™  for more information).

Calling your ophthalmologist’s office if you suspect ANY change has occurred in your dog’s eye(s).

Always using a harness to walk your dog; do not attach the leash to a neck collar.

Successful cataract surgery depends on a great team effort over the lifespan of your dog—a willing patient (your dog must allow itself to be treated with both oral and topical medication, and must allow its eyes to be examined by an ophthalmologist. If your dog is a land shark, we will not even get to first base in order to examine it!), a dedicated owner who can follow treatment instructions and bring the patient for all scheduled ophthalmic examinations AND call our office if they have any concerns, a dedicated ophthalmologist and staff who are available when you need them, and a dedicated family veterinarian who is able to refer your dog to an ophthalmologist and work with you and the ophthalmologist to ensure that your dog is as healthy as possible. 

The One (and Only) Vitamin Not Needed in a Dog’s Diet

Have you ever seen a dog eating an orange? Or a lemon?

Probably, not. That’s because unlike humans… who require vitamin C to sustain life… dogs possess the natural ability to make their own.

Without vitamin C humans get a disease called scurvy… and die. Dogs do fine without it.

Just the same, there have been some reports claiming the vitamin may be beneficial in the treatment of bladder infections… or even hip dysplasias.

Unfortunately, those claims are only anecdotal and have not yet been scientifically confirmed by what’s known as “peer-reviewed” research.

So, don’t worry if you don’t find vitamin C… or any of the vegetables or fruits that naturally contain it… on your dog food’s ingredient list.

Your dog can take care of that nutritional shortfall… all by herself.