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"How To Pick The Perfect
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Astrology Resources

In Depth Astrology Report For Your Pet.
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Cataracts of the eye often form in
older dogs and cats. Cataracts of the eye cloud the vision of
older dogs and cats. Cataracts usually form in both eyes in
dogs and cats. Cataracts of the eye are cloudiness of the lens
of dogs and cats. Cataracts of the eye must be severe to seriously
affect the vision of dogs and cats. Diabetic dogs and cats are
more subject to cataracts of the eye. Cataracts of the eyes
of dogs and cats can be successfully removed. Cataracts of the
eyes of dogs and cats are less debilitating than one might expect.
Cataracts are cloudiness of the lenses or coating of the lenses
(capsule) of the eyes. They occur in all animals as they age.
Cataracts that occur at or near birth are often due to nutritional
deficiencies in the diets fed. A lack of the amino acid, taurine,
is one example. Cataracts that occur in a single eye or after
an accident are usually the result of injury to the eye.
The most common form of cataract is that occurring
in older animals. It is called senile cataracts. Cataracts appear
as a milkiness of the pupil or hole or aperture of the eye.
Senile cataracts almost always occur in both eyes simultaneously.
Once they are pronounced, they pet’s eyes are often dilated
(enlarged) because not enough light passes through to the retina.
Cats tend to develop cataracts at an older age than dogs. Some
breeds of dogs develop cataracts earlier than others. Afghans,
Cockers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, German Shepherds, Golden
retrievers, Labradors, Schnauzers, Old English Sheepdogs, Huskies
Poodles, Westies and Springers are among these breeds. As cataracts
mature, they often develop crystalline cracks.
Other causes of early-onset cataracts are diabetes, malnutrition
and, as I mentioned before, injury to the eyes.
There are two factors in your pet’s favor. The first is
that cataracts tend to look worse than they really are. If a
veterinarian uses his/her ophthalmoscope and can visualize the
retina well, then the dog or cat can see out equally as well.
The second factor is that both dogs and cats use their noses
more so than their eyes for recognition of objects. If you notices
two male or female dogs approach each other, the first thing
they do is to sniff each other’s tail area to tell what
sex each is. That is, unlike us, just observing the other individual
is not enough. So both dogs and cats can go on living health
happy lives despite having the blurred vision of cataracts.
Cataracts can be removed surgically by a veterinary ophalmologist.
I have never recommended this because I have never seen a pet
whose quality of life was affected by cataracts. I once had
them removed from an elderly sea lion who could no longer balance
a ball on his nose – but that was a quite unusual case.
A good way to slow the development and progression of cataracts
is to supplement your pet’s diet with vitamin E (d-alpha
tocopherol acetate) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Both these
anti-oxidants seem to slow the progression of age-related changes
such as cataracts in animals and people.
Provided Courtesy of
Dr. Ron Hines
www.2ndchance.info
Notable Quote.
"I
think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional
love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
Gilder Radner
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