4yr old Setter with cataracts operate or leave?

Passtheshampoo

Passtheshampoo

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Hi

My nearly 5yr old setter has just been diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. Having spoken to the vet there are potential probs if we operate and if we leave her. Obviously with being a youngish dog I am swaying more towards a double cataract removal but I'm concerned about her being on lifetime meds afterwards and problems after the op. If I leave her she could start to have eye infections and obviously her sight is compromised.
Does anyone on the forum have a dog that has had the op and what was your experience? The vet I've been referred to isn't my usual vets and I'm always a little wary that once they know you have insurance they tend to push for the most expensive treatment...............
 
Passtheshampoo said:
Hi
If I leave her she could start to have eye infections and obviously her sight is compromised.
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I've never heard of this in regard to cataracts -the infections part.

Personally having had clients dogs with cataracts that have had the op and some that haven't I would leave alone.
 
s4sugar said:
I've never heard of this in regard to cataracts -the infections part.

Personally having had clients dogs with cataracts that have had the op and some that haven't I would leave alone.
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The vet had said if we don't operate them my dog could get eye infections in the future. If we do operate dog will need meds for life. Humans have cataract ops and don't need meds for life which is what worried me, surely eyes are as delicate in humans as in dogs so why the different aftercare?
 
Your dog "could get eye infections" -so could any dog.

A blind dog may knock or snag an eye but IME this is rare as they usually adapt well.

We had a blind Basset in welfare with untreated glaucoma and beyond effective surgery - he had solid cataracts but slight light /dark response and soon learned patterns. I taught him to walk with a bell on my jeans and step up, step down and in days he could trot alongside. This was a dog that shuffled along, feeling every step, when he arrived.
We actually found him a home with a family and he is a whiz at hide & seek and runs after a bell ball.

Blindness is not the end for a dog. Have you contacted the breeder & the breed club?
 
My mams husky had double cataracts removal at about 2 yrs old (common in juvenile diabetes) to be fair it never gave him great sight and was not the success we hoped it would be (he is not on any meds for his eyes) she did go to a specialist and got a rescue discount so I think it was around £1500-£2000 but he can see enough to navigate most of the time, he manages fine, he does bump into things when they are moved around, so keeping things familiar is a must to help them.
I personally would go for the op in such a young dog but indeed as s4sugar suggests they do manage and adjust.
Where abouts are you?
 
I'm in W Yorks. Vet had said double catract op would be around £4k plus numerous follow up visits, meds and ultrasound. Looks like they are looking to spend my £6k cover!
 
i would go for the op- the cataracts are just going to develop and at least with the op she will ahve some vision
 
I'm so sorry to read this and I wish you every bit of luck in both deciding what to do and for your dog in the future.

Out of interest what type of setter do you have?

Posterior Polar Cataract (PPC) Are tested for prior to breeding Irish red and white setters. Dogs with them cannot be used for breeding due to the likelyhood of them passing these on but so far no dogs in this breed have ever actually gone blind.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA is tested for in English and Gordon setters.

We do also have a red setter she is 11 and for the past year has been completely blind due to cataracts. We have decided not to have surgery 1) due to her age 2) due to the risk of infections and the difficulty in keeping her eyes clean after the operation.

It was always my understanding that you are more likely to have infections having them operated on than not? Having said that you dog is young. I would contact the breed club as they will have a health secretary who will have a great deal of experience in dealing with these things. They will probably be able to give you details of people to talk to who have had their dogs operated on and those who have not.

Information for the breed club you need will be very easy to find on google.


Also it is important you let the breeder of your dog know (if you know who it is - they need accurate information to inform their future breeding decisions).

The breed club will keep a record of your dogs health condition (if you agree) as this helps them know what conditions are affecting dogs in their breed and they can then use this information not just to help prevent it in the future but also to inform others.

Best wishes and if you need any more help feel free to contact me. Can I also recommend a forum called exclusively setters. Lots of people on there that are a lot more knowledgeable than me and will be able to offer you help and support.

Good Luck x
 
Thanks to all those who replied. My Irish Setter had a bilateral cataract op 2 months ago and is doing really well. I've had 2 months of applying different drops and giving tablets so it has been hard work. She finally got the ok on Tuesday to be able to have free exercise (had instructions to do harness walks only for initial 2 months post op). I now have a much happier dog who has gained weight and is full of confidence again.
 
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