Cataracts advice needed Updated

[aljeana]

Amy my 11 year old cocker who does agility suddenly started having problems sighting the entrances to the tunnel, the up planks on the dog walk and running past jumps. 

At home if you moved your hand quick she would jump out of the way but nothing else, but her eye sight seemed to be effecting her a great deal in agility training, over a very short period of time it became evident she was having problems sighting distance.

My vet looked at her thinks it's early stages of cataracts could progress really slow but could progress quickly. 

I have decided to have Amy referred to an eye specialist to get a confirmed diagnosis as if it is cataracts then she could loose her sight, I am interested in COL experiences if their cocker was diagnosed with cataracts did you have the cataract removal operation if so how well did it go or did you decide not to.

I just want to get some views prior to Amy's appointment next Friday

[elaine.e]

Sorry to hear that Amy has cataracts.

I've experienced it with 2 of my Cockers. My first Cocker, Josh, was diagnosed with cataracts when he was 13. The vet I used was an ophthalmologist anyway, so I didn't need a specialist referral. His opinion, given Josh's age and heart problems and that the cataracts were slow growing, was that surgery could be done, but if Josh was his he wouldn't have the surgery done because it was likely that old age or illness would see Josh off before total blindness happened. I agreed, not least because Josh was coping well with losing his sight. As it happened, Josh lived until almost 17 and was virtually blind by then, but still plodding round without worrying too much.

William is 11 and was diagnosed with cataracts about 3 or 4 years ago. He has Dry Eye (not that that's linked to cataracts) and has 6 monthly check ups with an ophthalmologist. It was during one of those checks that she diagnosed cataracts in both eyes. I wouldn't have known because William wasn't showing any signs of having sight problems. They hadn't been present 6 months previously. At the next 2 check ups they had progressed but still not to the point (the ophthalmologist described it as ripening) to the stage that would be best for surgery. Then they stopped developing and haven't changed since.

I know they could still develop, and as long as William was healthy and fit I'd almost certainly opt for surgery for him. But I'm hoping they stay as they are. The ophthalmologist describes his eyesight as being like that of someone wearing very scratched sunglasses all the time! But it doesn't affect his activities and confidence. If you didn't know William well you wouldn't know he's partially sighted. I know because I sometimes see him sort of squinting at distant things when we're out walking, maybe a log or a cow or pony laying down that he can't see well enough to be sure what it is.

I'm sure you're doing the right thing by having Amy referred to a specialist. At least you'll then know all the possibilities and options. I hope you get some positive answers

[elaine.e]

I remembered a thread on here from a few years ago when a Cocker called Meg had cataracts surgery when she was about 12 or so, and it was a resounding success. Here's a link to the thread http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=74651.msg1106936#msg1106936

[aljeana]

Thank you both very helpfull

[Ben's mum]

No experince really just wanted to say amazing Amy is still doing agility at 11 
Ben's sight has changed now he is 12, but my vet thought only very slight cataracts so advised to leave them alone.

[aljeana]

Well we decided to take Amy to an eye specialist to get a full diagnosis, we went on Friday and Amy was checked over by asking her to do some physical test such as weaving her way trough a set of cones in day light & dark.

That was quite amusing as Amy being an agility dog just gave the vet such a funny look as to say are you being serious 😉Vet thought it was funny.

She then went through actual eye testing it was confirmed that Amy does not have PRA but early stage cateracts in both eyes at level 2.  The vet feels that I noticed so early due to the fact I train & run Amy in agility & it was effecting her judgement in jumping & going on the contact equipment.

This stage is to early for the cateracts removal operation as they cannot predict how quick they will grow we are going back in 3 months for a further assessment to gauge the progression.  I am not sure if I would go ahead with the operation but I know looking at the dogs coming into the surgery less than 5 days after their operations they were all fine & happy

[Sharpie]

I had the same with my previous cocker, Molly..she had cataracts..we did the "obstacles in a dark room test", and she hit every one- it was a bit sad tbh.  we decided not to put her through the op in the end (she was 12) as she had a happy life and was well adapted to her normal surroundings..she died at 15 1/2, still loved her walks and was generally very happy so long as we respected her blindness and didn't take her anywhere too stressful for her.

I hope youe situation with Amy works out either way

[PennyB]

That's funny as Bosley didn't have this obstacle test  - mind you he only has a cataract in one eye which is hypermature so am having the op done or because of the type of cataract he could go blind and have other problems (am sure this means eye removal eventually if I don't pursue an op) - am having op done as having a blind side is making him fearful - he is only 2 though so hopefully it will work