Cloudy Eye

[HowardC]

Hello to all. My chuaha Abi is 11 years old very fit and can stand her ground with our other dogs. She has had a cloudy eye for 3 years and we took her to the vet 3 years ago for advice. We decided not to pursue surgery as the vet said she is fit and this happens in older dogs. I wondered if other dog owners have this with their doggies. She’s in no pain and we don’t want to put her through surgery at her age. She manages well and can see in the eye.

 

[JoanneF]

It could be something called nuclear sclerosis, does that sound like something the vet may have said? It is a bit like looking through a slightly misted window.

It's quite common in older dogs.

 

[HowardC]

Hi Joanne yes that sounds like it. She knows her way around and does not bump in to things.

 

[JoanneF]

Mine too, and when we are out walking he knows where the kerb is, to jump up on it, so I don't think it restricts him very much.

 

[Laco]

Our last dog developed that when she was about 11 or 12, and unfortunately it progressed. Her last year, she was completely deaf, and though she could still see some, she moved very carefully, clearly exercising a great deal of caution to not run into things. Current girl, not yet four years, has very acute vision and hearing. I dread the thought of watching her go downhill as our last dog did, but at her age, that should be a number of years off.

 

[ola]

It does not affect the sight much. My vet said it makes them a bit short sighted. Nothing to worry about and completely normal in a good percentage of older dogs. If the vet was suggesting surgery it must be cataract rather than the normal ageing scelerosis. They look very similar and of course a cataract can affect vision the same as in people. It is a much more risky surgery in dogs with long term after care and not always successful so I would not go for it anyway.

 

[HowardC]

Our last dog developed that when she was about 11 or 12, and unfortunately it progressed. Her last year, she was completely deaf, and though she could still see some, she moved very carefully, clearly exercising a great deal of caution to not run into things. Current girl, not yet four years, has very acute vision and hearing. I dread the thought of watching her go downhill as our last dog did, but at her age, that should be a number of years off.

Sorry to see you lost your other doggie! We will watch out for this.