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Tick Born Diseases

Cataracts

What are cataracts?
 A cataract is any opacity or loss of transparency of the lens of the eye. The opacity may be confined to a small area of the lens or capsule, or it may affect the whole structure. A complete cataract affecting both eyes will result in blindness, whereas small non-progressive cataracts will not interfere with vision. Primary cataracts occur in some breeds; in other breeds the cataract may develop secondarily to another inherited disorder such as progressive retinal atrophy or glaucoma.

Most cataracts are inherited. Non-hereditary cataracts also occur, as a result of other diseases, trauma, toxicity, or metabolic disturbances.

How are cataracts inherited?
The genetics have not yet been defined for most affected breeds. In others, the mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, or with incomplete dominance.

What do cataracts mean to your dog & you?
This depends on whether the cataracts are localised to a small area or are more general, and whether they affect one or both eyes. A small cataract in one eye will not affect your dog's vision at all. At the other end of the spectrum, cataracts may progress rapidly or slowly to cause complete blindness.

Congenital cataracts or those that develop at a young age may mature and be reabsorbed, resulting in improved vision. This is unpredictable. In the process of resorption, liquefied lens material may leak into the eye causing inflammation and possibly glaucoma.

With their acute senses of smell and hearing, dogs can compensate very well for visual difficulties, particularly in familiar surroundings. In fact owners may be unaware of the extent of vision loss. You can help your visually impaired dog by developing regular routes for exercise, maintaining your dog's surroundings as constant as possible, introducing any necessary changes gradually, and being patient with your dog.

How are cataracts diagnosed?
You may suspect your dog is having visual difficulties and/or you may notice discoloration of your dog's pupil(s). Your veterinarian will be able to see the cataract with an ophthalmoscope. Even when not causing visual problems, cataracts may be discovered on a routine ophthalmoscopic exam.

How are cataracts treated?
Cataracts can be removed surgically. The decision whether to do so is based on several factors, such as whether the cataracts are progressive, the degree of visual impairment, and the dog's temperament. To prevent postoperative problems, the dog must be co-operative and quiet, especially in the first week following surgery.

Breeding advice
It is prudent to assume cataracts are inherited unless another specific cause can be identified. Since some cataracts cause no clinical signs, it is worthwhile to screen dogs of affected breeds annually that are used in breeding programmes. Where cataracts are identified, affected animals, their parents and littermates should not be used for breeding.

The fact that the age of onset is fairly specific for different breeds is helpful in making decisions about breeding programmes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.

Copyright © 1998 Canine Inherited Disorders Database. Revised: July 26, 2004.

Alzheimer’s

Sadly, dogs are all too human.  If your pet is getting absent-minded, it may be suffering from Alzheimer’s

 If your dog lies in the middle of the driveway even when cars approach, wanders around distractedly or can’t find your front gate, your pet may be suffering from canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, a disorder similar to Alzheimer’s disease.   Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease of the human brain that mostly strikes elderly people causing a steady decline in memory and mental abilities.

In recent years, similar symptoms were noticed in dogs and research led to the discovery that man’s best friend is also susceptible to the disorder.  Dr Guy Fyvie, a Johannesburg veterinarian, says about 75% of dogs over the age of 10 show signs of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.  He says signs of the disorder include disorientation – the dog is confused and fails to carry out normal routines like greeting family members.  The dog also sleeps more during the day and less at night.  Ann Miller of Bergbron, west of Johannesburg, says she noticed some alarming changes in her 14-year-old Jack Russel terrier, Humphrey, a year ago.  Humphrey began urinating in the house, which was something he never did, and he would also struggle to find the door.” She says.  Miller took her dog to a vet who diagnosed him as suffering from the canine version of Alzheimer’s and suggested she put him on a special diet.  “Ever since we put him on the brain diet, he has never had those accidents again,” she says.

 Fyvie says that, because dogs are living longer, they are prone to many of the same age-related health problems as humans.  “The condition is caused by degeneration of the brain as the pet gets older,” he says.  Researchers studying human Alzheimer’s use dogs as a model because the conditions are so similar, says Fyvie.  Tests shoed that affected brains have been damaged by toxic free radicals, produced as part of the normal metabolic process.

BRAIN FOOD:  A special diet is helping Humphrey, a Jack Russell suffering from a canine form of Alzheimer’s disease.

Diet:  However, Fyvie says a special diet high in antioxidant foods such as tomatoes and carrots helps to fight the effect of free radicals and maintain healthy brain cells.  “A prescription diet for dogs slows down the degeneration of the brain and results will be noted within a month,” he says.  Though the diet slows down the degeneration of the dog’s brain, Fyvie says it can’t completely heal the animal. (Submitted by Tania Edwards - Taken from The Sunday Times - 23 February 2003.)

How to help your dog with kidney problems 

 What is chronic renal failure? 

Chronic renal failure is characterized by a progressive loss of the normal function of the kidneys. One of the functions of the kidneys is to concentrate the urine.  As the kidneys progressively lose this capacity, your dog will start to urinate more frequently and will compensate by drinking more.  These are the first signs of chronic renal failure. Another very important function of the kidneys is to filter and remove waste products from the blood and to excrete them via the urine.  When the kidneys can no longer adequately remove these waste products, waste will start to accumulate in the blood, which may lead to several signs, such as listlessness, decreased appetite and/or vomiting, weight loss, diarrhoea and a poor skin and coat condition.  To determine whether a dog is suffering from renal failure your veterinarian can perform a simple blood test and analyse a urine sample. You do not need to wait for the dog to show all the above-mentioned signs before the blood test can be done. As soon as a dog starts urinating more frequently and drinking more, tests can detect the early stages of renal failure.

 What causes chronic renal failure? 

Dogs often lose some renal filtration function with age.  In chronic renal failure, however, this loss is more severe and may lead to the above-mentioned signs. Most often the exact cause of the disease cannot be determined.  Some possible causes of chronic renal failure are viral or bacterial kidney infections or the ingestion of toxic substances. 

 What can you do to help your dog?

The best way you can help your dog improve is to carefully follow your veterinarian's instructions.  If you are unsure about any of the following, please do not hesitate to ask your Veterinarian.

Nutrition for the dog with renal problems

The Iams Company is committed to one thing only:- the well-being of all cats and dogs.  If your dog suffers from chronic renal failure, he needs special nutritional care, depending on the stage of progression of the disease.  That is why the Iams Company has developed two different diets, Eukanuba Veterinary Diets, namely Renal Phase 1 Formula and  Renal Phase 2 Formula.  These two nutritionally innovative diets help your dog in dealing with this slowly progressive disease and ensures he receives optimum nutrition that enhances his overall well-being.  What's special about Renal Phase 1 and Renal Phase 2 Formula?

The progression of chronic renal failure and the accumulation of waste products in the blood can be influenced by changing the formulation of the food.  The Iams Company has incorporated the latest break-through science in these two diets.  This approach, with no compromise to the quality of the ingredients used, has led to two revolutionary diets that deal with the broad range of problems in chronic renal failure, while at the same time enhancing the overall well-being of your dog.

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Last modified: April 12, 2008