Eye Catarachts-Please Help

 For about 6 months when I look at Ruben's eyes in a certain light Im sure Im seeing the beginning of catarachts (spelling). I have never taken him to the Vet or mentioned it to anyone...... until a few weeks ago someone said to me "he's got the beginning of catarcts". I can remember when our family dog had them,he was 17,Ruben is just 3yrs 4months.....How do you actually know? Do I take him to a Vet now? Can they get them at such a young age?   Thanks in advance   

Oh no am sure you need to pop him to the vets, I am sure they could do something beings he is young. I am afraid I don't know too much about it   

Not had any personal experience of dogs having cataracts, may be worth asking the vet about it though for a professional opinion.

Thanks for your replys. Our family dog went blind with old age,and it looked as though he had a dull film over his eyeball. Ruben's look exactly like it. Ive spoke to a few dog owner's who said it's nothing to worry about now,I was under the impression it would happen to older dogs only. Maybe a trip to the Vet is whats needed to put my mind at rest,and get hi s eyes checked over. Thanks again  

Has he had any problems with his eyes before? The only reason I ask is because Daisy has a little scaring on one eye from and ulster and that looks like cataracts, good look at the vets, let us know how you get on xx

got to take him to the vets asap. there are 2 reasons for cataracts: health problems such as diabetes or age related degeneration which can happen prematurley. if it is the former then they can be treated but if it is the latter then they will only get worse but unfortunately the condition is irreversible.
in humans the affected lens is liquidied with ultrasound then replaced with a silicone one. if they do this procedure for dogs then i reckon the cost will be horrendous.
i know all about cataracts because i had them in both my eyes when i was just 35 and after a lot of tests it was found that they were premature age related. i had the surgery.
i hope that your dogs are treatable. good luck.

Oh thank you both so much,although its something I dont want to hear!!.Sazzle,he did get a cut on his lower lid wen a dog attacked him wen he was about 9months old,but it's in both eyes? Daz,thanks for informing me that the dogs eyes are basically like ours,as wat I thought!! If it is the worst will insurance cover it?? My poor puppyboey!! I will keep you updated when we have been to the doggy Dr's

Oh yes please do   Hope it goes OK x

Please let us know. Its a upsetting thing to have (if thats the case) at a young age.

Hi Folks!! Well,I took Ruben to the doggy Dr's and Im afraid he does have the start of cataracts    On a positive note (We must remain positive),he is a very healthy boy. We just have to monitor them and,if they get bad we go for the operation. It could take years before they get bad enough for an operation. At least I know he has a strong,healthy heart to withstand going under if he needs the operation.xox

You did the right thing taking him Hun, at least you know we're you stand

Yip,your right Hayley,at least I now know for sure.xox

Glad you got him checked out, you'll feel better for knowing I'm sure xx

Def feel better,Ive been doing some research into it,also Glaucoma which is another name for it,v much like cataracts.  Still,feel sorry for my Puppyboey Ruben.    I just have to make sure he gets even more good runs 

Just on a side note my brother has been told he will get a cataracht in his eye because he has a detached retina. He has had a few ops on his eye so far but the cataracht has to get to a certain degree before that can be operated on.

Ange wrote: For about 6 months when I look at Ruben's eyes in a certain light Im sure Im seeing the beginning of catarachts (spelling).  I have never taken him to the Vet or mentioned it to anyone...... until a few weeks ago someone said to me "he's got the beginning of catarcts".  I can remember when our family dog had them,he was 17,Ruben is just 3yrs 4months.....How do you actually know?  Do I take him to a Vet now?  Can they get them at such a young age?    Thanks in advance   

Jabba had cataracts in both his eyes last year. I noticed that he couldn't find his tennis ball straight away when thrown like normal. I took him to the vets & they did all the tests, he wasn't diabetic, which was good news, he was just a rare case of a young dog getting them. (he was only 2.5yrs) I think they concluded that he had too much of a certain type of protein in the lens which causes the cataracts. Anyway lucky i had pet insurance so the surgery was organised in Sydney (4hrs away) and he went and had both eyes fixed. He stayed there for a week & when i went to pick him up he recognized me straight away before i said anything which was great. The only downside of the op was the meds he was on caused him to lose nearly 5kgs after the op. But once he stopped having them he has packed the beef back on. Now a few months after the op he's doing great & his eye sight is better than ever!

Take him to the vet & get him checked the earlier they get fixed the less stressed as he goes blind. Jabba started getting a bit testy as they got worse but he's all good now.

Cheers

Brettj83...thanking u very much for the info. Ur the only other person Ive came across who's dog has the same problem. Wen u mentioned Jabba not seeing his ball wen out throwing it, thats wat Ruben's like....I know the operation is gonna cost me alot of money,if it saves Ruben's eyesight Im willing to spend. Kathy,thank u too for the info. Im researching the costs,where to get it done etc at the moment. Thanks again Folks