Special Diet for Dogs With Cataracts

Cataracts in dogs develop because of several things. They can occur due to being breed specific, general aging, trauma, genetics at birth, various diseases, or following some eye surgeries. Other causes are due to genetics, diabetes mellitus, aging uveitis, hypocalcemia, radiation exposure, and toxins.

One of the most common causes in dogs that develop cataracts are congenital, or genetic inheritance. It is also the most popular in current research with a need for DNA testing in specific breeds. Those that are genetically predisposed to cataracts are the American Cocker Spaniels, Bichon Fries, Boston Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Havanese, Miniature Schnauzers, Miniature and Standard Poodles, and Silky Terriers.

It is common for people to assume that dogs with cataracts are as "blind as a bat." Just one of the many myths that abound, studies show that dogs with cataracts are still able to see while bats see with excellent "sonar sight."

Cataracts in dogs do not significantly interfere with vision unless the lens is large, thick and dense. Thinner and less dense cataracts require fewer surgeries and do not significantly interfere with a dog's vision. Cloudiness and blue-gray in color in a dog's small cataract affects a minor percentage of their lens.

As the cloudy area increases in size, so does the cataract. The dog's vision will worsen over time, or it becomes worse more rapidly. The growth of a cataract and how it affects your dog depends on many things, such as the health of the dog and the breed.

Symptoms of cataracts in dogs

Symptoms in dogs with cataracts include blurry vision, inability to see in a weak light, walking into objects, refusing to go outside at night, difficulty with bright lights, difficulty seeing at night, and difficulty recognizing faces. A dog that is developing cataracts may act as if they are depressed or have episodes of falling. Overall, cataracts are the cause of half of the dog's blindness and 33% of visual impairments on a global basis.

What dog breeds are affected by cataracts the most?

• Afghan Hound – cataracts develop around six to 12 months
• American Cocker Spaniel – cataracts develop six months and over
• Boston Terrier – cataracts are congenital
  • A congenital disorder, also known as a birth defect, is a condition existing at or before birth regardless of cause. Of these disorders, those characterized by structural deformities are termed "congenital anomalies" and involve defects in a developing fetus. Birth defects vary widely in cause and symptoms. Any substance that causes birth defects is known as a teratogen. Some disorders can be detected before birth through prenatal diagnosis. (source: Wikipedia)
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever – 12 months and older
• German Shepherd – eight weeks and older
• Golden Retriever – six months and older
• Labrador Retriever – six months and older
• Miniature Schnauzer – either congenital or develops at six months and older
• Old English Sheepdog – congenital
• Siberian Husky – six months and older
• Silky Terriers – congenital and genetic predispositions
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier – six months
• Standard Poodle – one year of age
• Welsh Springer Spaniel – studies done on secondary glaucoma and congenital cataracts.
• West Highland White Terrier – congenital

Researchers at the Animal Health Trust in the U.K. and OptiGen in Ithaca, N.Y., are requesting DNA samples of breeds affected by cataracts (Australian Shepherds that are affected by bilateral cataracts, are over 8 years old, and test clear of cataracts; Golden Retrievers with PPSC; Miniature Schnauzers with congenital HC; and Irish Red & White Setters with HC. Currently, over 100 breeds have been tested for congenital disorders.

Of the above dog breeds, those who have the very highest prevalence of cataracts are:

• American Cocker Spaniel
  • The American Cocker Spaniel was first recognized as having hereditary cataracts in the 1970s.
  • The earliest documentation occurs around six months to one year of age, but average development is three to four years of age.
  • Cataracts affect the entire lens or localized area. It will occur in one eye before the other.
• Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever
  • The Retrievers are known to develop hereditary juvenile cataracts from one to three years of age. Non-hereditary cataracts can also develop but a Board-Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist is required to determine whether the cataract is hereditary or not before breeding can occur.
  • Pigmentary uveitis, a newly emerging eye disease concerned with the Golden Retriever, is thought to have a genetic basis.
  • Note: Pigmentary uveitis develops in middle-aged or senior Golden Retrievers. It is extremely important for annual eye exams to occur for the lifetime of any Golden Retriever that has been bred.
• Siberian Husky
  • About six percent of Siberian Huskies are affected by the hereditary condition known as juvenile cataracts.
  • Juvenile cataracts are a form of primary hereditary cataracts (HC)
  • The Siberian Husky Club of America (SHCA) requires Siberian Huskies to receive CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) certification and be registered on the Siberian Husky Ophthalmic Registry (SHOR) to receive their eye clearances for CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) certification.
• (Australian) Silky Terrier
  • The Silky Terrier is prone to progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts. However, they may or may not have PRA with the cataracts.
• Miniature Schnauzer – either congenital or diseased, develops at six months and older
  • This is one of the dog breeds that have been DNA tested for cataract congenital disorder
• Welsh Springer Spaniel – congenital and glaucoma
• West Highland White Terrier – congenital

Treating cataracts in dogs with Natural Primalix Cataractin

Natural Primalix Cataractin from Natural Wonder Pets is fast becoming one of the more popular methods for treating cataracts in dogs. An alternative is dog cataract surgery at the cost of $1,500 to $3,000, with the usual dangers of surgery for older dogs. Unfortunately, by the time many dog owners wait too long and the lens in the dog's eyes are too thick and opaque, there is no other choice.

What is Natural Primalix Cataractin for cataracts in dogs?

Primalix Cataractin^TM for Cataracts in Dogs and Cats – Herbal Extract – Functional Food Drops^TM – $39.95 (Regular price $49.95) – 4 oz Glycerite (Amber Glass Tincture) Contains 120 droppers full. Organic, human grade ingredients. Up to 5 times more absorption in the gut than pills, tablets or granules. Now with N-acetyl L-carnosine (NALC). Refrigerate after opening. DO NOT PUT IN EYES.

Contains the herbal constituents, antioxidants, bioflavonoids and amino acids that nourish and therefore eliminate specific essential nutrient deficiencies that have been proven in clinical trials to cause the formation of cataracts in dogs and cats.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Apple Cider Vinegar, Bilberry berries, Wheatgrass, Ginkgo Biloba, Dandelion Root, and NALC. USDA Certified Organic ingredients.

All Primalix products give you 2 to 4 times more medicine than our competitors' 1 or 2 ounce bottles that cost about the same and may contain harmful alcohol.

The reviews on Primalix Cataractin are good, which is an area a person should always go first before buying any product. Then check out the ingredients in the product.

Purified water –  FDA classifies bottledwater under three main categories, with number 3 within Primalix Cataractin

1. Natural spring water
2. Mineral water
3. Purified drinking water

To be categorized as purified drinking water by the FDA, water has to be refined in one of three ways—deionization, reverse osmosis or distilled.

Purified water is initially carbon filtered and then processed by a reverse osmosis purification unit. During the reverse osmosis process, water is put through a semipermeable membrane, where only the purest water molecules are collected—unwanted particles move through the system and are discarded. The result is a refreshingly clean drinking water.

Non-carbonated waters go through a multi-barrier system before being bottled. This process includes a one-micron absolute filtration, ultra-violet light treatment and an ozonation process.

Vegetable Glycerin – Glycerin is USP grade and over 99% pure. And … unlike sugar, glycerin does not contribute to tooth decay. What is most important in this products is that it is a replacement for alcohol in herbal and botanical tinctures, avoiding alcohol exposure to many people.

Apple Cider Vinegar – Organic raw apple cider vinegar undergoes two fermentation processes. It produces enzymes and life-giving nutrients that make it a nutritious powerhouse.

• May encourage bowel movement regularity, thereby removing toxins from the body at a faster rate.
• May help with joint stiffness and discomfort.
• Breaks down fats so your body can use them instead of storing them. For this reason, many diets include organic raw apple cider vinegar in the regimen.
• A small-scale study on organic raw apple cider vinegar was conducted by researchers at Arizona State University and published inDiabetes Care. It was reported that organic raw apple cider vinegar helps reduce glucose levels.

Bilberry berries – a relative of blueberry, cranberry, and huckleberry, and its fruit looks and tastes much like the American blueberry. Bilberry is a dried, ripefruit and leaves are used to make medicine. It is also used for improving eyesight, including night vision.

• Night vision Treatments
• Retinopathy Treatments
• Glaucoma Treatments
• Intraocular pressure Treatments
• Asthenopia (eye strain) Treatments

Wheatgrass – Bilberry is also used for treating eye conditions, such as cataracts and disorders of the retina. New studies show that it may help retinal disorders. According to a study published in the journalBiogerontology in 2005, onaging reversal titled, "Aging reversibility: from thymus graft to vegetable extract treatment — application to cure an age-associated pathology," wheatgrass may actually reverse lens opacity that is associated with cataracts.

"Old dogs were orally treated for a month and the lens opacity analyzed before and after the treatment. Results showed a reduction from 25 to 40% of lens opacity. The efficacy of wheat sprouts in the recovery of age-related alterations and in treating age-associated pathologies could be due to the contemporary presence of small regulatory acid peptides, a remarkable level of highly energetic phosphoric radicals and antioxidant molecules, peculiarities that may be, to some extent, related to the aging process regulation."

Ginkgo Biloba – the herbal extract inhibits free radicals and may have an important role in the future therapy of numerous eye diseases.

Ginkgo Biloba is the only tree that survived the northern ice age. It has no known pathogens and its leaves and berries have a compound that acts as a cerebrovascular dilator. This means that gingko extract can increase the blood flow to the brain, head and eyes. Since glaucoma damage may result from either high eye pressure or poor blood flow to the eye (especially at night), this potent bioflavonoid could be utilized. Studies have confirmed a 24% increase in blood flow to the eye in normal individuals. Another study has demonstrated an improvement in the visual field of glaucoma patients after taking  Ginkgo extract twice daily. Source: EyeAdvisory.com

Dandelion Root – green tea "catechins" have been among a number of antioxidants thought capable of protecting the eye. Other beneficial substances include vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

A 2010 study conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong showed that green tea antioxidants can be found in eyes more than 20 hours after they have been consumed. The scientists showed for the first time that lens, retina, and other eye tissues absorb these protective substances, raising the possibility that green tea may protect against glaucoma and cataracts in dogs.

Analysis of eye tissues showed beyond a doubt that eye structures absorbed significant amounts of individual catechins. "Our results indicate that green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative stress," the report concluded on cataracts in dogs.

10 Search engines to use for "cataracts in dogs"

1. aKeKee.com – The Pet Search Engine
2. https://ori.hhs.gov/education/products/ncstate/dog.htm – Federal overview of dogs/Animal Welfare Organization
3. adoptapet.com/dog-adoption – search from 16,000 – Shelters and rescues
4. animals.net – Animals of the World
5. dogpile.com – A search engine that fetches results from Google, Yahoo! and Yandex, and includes results from several other popular search engines, including those from audio and video content providers.
6. http://usdogregistry.org/information/information-therapy-dogs/ – US Dog Registry for therapy dogs
7. dogresearch.nl/engels/home.htm – Dog Research
8. pnas.org/content/106/Supplement_1/9971.full – From wild animals to domestic pets, an evolutionary view of domestication
9. https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs – Controlling your dog in public/Banned dogs
10. https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet – Service and emotional support animals

Biography of Gary Le Mon

Gary Le Mon is a Board-Certified Master Herbalist specializing in natural home remedies for dogs and cats. He is certified by the American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board and is a member of the American Herbalists Guild and the American Botanical Council. Founder and chief formulator of Natural Wonder Products, Gary, now retired, dedicated himself to caring for animals and the formulation, testing, and distribution of Earth-friendly, 100% natural veterinary-naturopathic medicine. For any questions regarding cataracts in dogs, please contact him on his website.

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Special Diet for Dogs With Cataracts

Source: https://www.waycooldogs.com/cataracts-in-dogs-natural-primalix-cataractin/

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