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Maggie's Eyes

2K views 21 replies 15 participants last post by  GoPack 
#1 ·
Hello Friends... Time flies when your puppy is nearly 19 months old! I've been popping in and out and I know many of you have had some struggles this winter with your pups and I'm thinking of you all. We got news in January that Maggie was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. I've been meaning to check in here with questions but I guess I've been in denial. I did a little web searching right away and it freaked me out. We had to bring her in today for another visit and it looks like they are getting bigger. We hadn't made the time to bring her to a canine eye specialist but we plan to now in the next 10 days.

Have any of you had these on a younger pup especially? What did you do? What questions should we ask the specialist? Is it genetic or not necessarily?

I know we probably weren't helping her by being in denial, because mostly I feel really bad for her. She of course doesn't seem to be bothered at all. But when she looks at me with those beautiful eyes, I just get a lump in my throat... here's a pic. :)

Thanks for listening and for any advice you might have for us and for her.
 

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#3 · (Edited)
She's beautiful - and has beautiful eyes. :)

Our Charmy had cataracts in both eyes. I think he was three when our vet noticed them. They did not ever progress to the point that you could see the cloudiness without shining a light.

I would most definitely have her eyes seen by an eye specialist if they have gotten worse in just a few months.

If they are truly cataracts, then yes - they are generally genetic. <- But as I just googled, there are other causes.

ETA - and fwiw, my dad just had his cataracts (related to diabetes) removed. It was a quick and easy surgery and he can drive at night again. So surgery is a possibility if these cataracts are that bad.
 
#5 · (Edited)
The veterinary opthamologist will be able to tell you what type of cataracts Maggie has, and if they are inherited or caused by something else, as well as a prognosis. The typical cataracts that Goldens get don't usually interfere with vision.

There is a wonderful veterinary opthamologist in Denmark-Dr.Sam Vainisi and Dr. Gretchen Schmidt of Animal Eye Clinic. They are excellent. All the competition people I know go to them-conformation, field, obedience, etc.

I wouldn't put off going to an opthamologist-best to know what you are dealing with, and if treatment will help, get started on it early.

I hope the cataracts are not serious and that her vision is not in danger.

Also, you will want to let the breeder know, especially if they do turn out to be one of the inherited kind.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I hope they don't progress. See the specialist though, it will be worth the trip. They actually can remove cataracts in some instances and replace the lense with an artificial one. I think it depends on the type of cataract. But I know someone who's Golden had juvenile onset cataracts, they did remove them and she's done just fine since the surgery.
 
#8 ·
Thanks, everyone! We have an appointment with the specialist next Monday. I appreciate your stories and advice. (And if I need another opinion, I will check out Dr. Vainisi. I grew up in that area and that's sure a familiar name!)

I'll check in after Monday. I'm sure it will be an exciting (and stressful) day for her. Keep your fingers crossed!
 
#11 ·
My youngest golden has "triangular" juvenile cataracts diagnosed at about 1 year at his CERF exam. They should not progress nor pose any vision problems to him. There are many types of cataracts though, hopefully Maggie's are not progressive or debilitating. Let us know.
 
#13 ·
I wish you the best of luck with the ophthalmologist. Hope that this is a benign cataract and not a genetic disorder affecting the retina. Paws and fingers crossed.
 
#14 ·
We love her black nose too!! (But it turned a tad pinkish in the center this winter!?!!)

Re: her eyes. The first vet said they were triangular. It's a concern to hear the next vet say they looked a little bigger within a couple of months. I'm hoping that that's how they first develop and then they'll stop growing. Of course I'm wishing and praying that... :)
 
#18 ·
She is a beautiful girl! I hope your appointment goes well. Keep us posted.
 
#19 ·
Just seeing this thread now. I didn't know dogs could get cataracts so young. Something else I'm learning from this wonderful forum!

I do hope they're not the kind that get worse, or that there's some kind of treatment. Your girl is gorgeous regardless..
 
#20 ·
Hello Friends: A million apologies that I haven't checked back in with you since the spring--work stuff, garden stuff, home construction chaos, going back to school stuff (even at my age!!), emergency surgery/recovery for Miss Maggie and now approaching winter stuff!

I have missed hearing about all of your pups and vow to keep better in touch with this wonderful forum.

First, Maggie's cataracts specialist believes they will not progress. Big immediate sigh of relief. We're supposed to have her checked annually. She was a crazy kid during the appointment but we were so proud of her--as some of you know, she gets a little anxious at the vet's office. She was pretty cooperative especially as three of us held her down while the vet did her exam.

We had a good summer but in the fall she had a little run-in with a metal garden fence, slicing her leg in the back near the torso. Poor thing--and hard to keep her down.

Here's a picture of her from October. I hope all of you and your pups are well. Happy holidays!
 

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