Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Taking care of your dog before surgery
• Method 2 of 2: Caring for your pet after surgery
• Tips

Cataracts occur when your dog gets old. With cataracts, your pet's eyes may appear cloudy and have difficulty distinguishing between objects. Small cataracts will not affect vision, but unfortunately they often get large. Surgery is the only way to get rid of this condition, but you can help your pet by caring for him before and after the surgery.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Taking care of your dog before surgery

1. 1 Get an eye diagnosis before you talk about your dog having cataracts. Although cataracts are common in dogs, owners can be wrong if they diagnose themselves. As it ages, your pet's eyes may turn grayish or bluish in color, but this does not necessarily mean that your dog has cataracts. A bluish haze in the eyes may mean that he has multiple sclerosis and does not affect his vision.
   • Because of this confusion, it is best for your pet to be seen by a veterinarian before treatment options are considered.
2. 2 Understand that surgery is the only way to get rid of cataracts. If the veterinarian has diagnosed this disease, then surgery is the only way to restore vision. If you refuse surgery, the further development of the disease can lead to complete blindness.
   • The surgery usually involves replacing the lens of the eye with prosthetic lenses.
3. 3 Help your dog get used to the plastic collar / cone. After vaginal surgery, the pet will need to wear a protective cone around the neck. To make the postoperative life easier, make your pet wear the cone before surgery. After the operation, he will not be sweet anyway, and an incomprehensible plastic thing, which he has never seen, will only cause even more inconvenience.
   • Ask your veterinarian for the cone and put it on your dog every day for a while (choose the frequency yourself). So your pet will get used to the collar and will not be scared by it after the operation.
4. 4 Practice keeping your dog in one place. As with the cone, keeping your pet in a small space where it can recover is a must after surgery. He will need to rest in a calm environment so as not to harm himself. Introduce him to the box or cage so he doesn't get intimidated by it.
   • To help your dog get used to the crate, put a dog bowl of food in it. Various treats can be added to increase the dogs' desire to enter. When your pet begins to eat, close the cage door for a short period of time.
5. 5 Your dog should be examined at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. Since the operation is performed under general anesthesia, veterinarians must ensure that your dog is in proper physical condition. The examination will also show if your dog is physically ready for surgery. This check includes a blood test, blood pressure monitoring, and an assessment of your dog's clinical history.
   • If your pet is diabetic, then a blood test before surgery is extremely important. In addition, it is necessary to pass urine for analysis.
6. 6 Talk to your veterinarian about preoperative eye drops. Some veterinarians recommend eye drops before surgery to relieve inflammation. These drops can be taken up to two weeks before surgery, and the frequency of use can be increased several days before surgery.
   • Flurbiprofen are classic anti-inflammatory drops given to dogs prior to cataract surgery.
7. 7 Do not feed your dog for 12 hours prior to surgery. It is important! Postpone breastfeeding for 12 hours before surgery, as food intake may affect medications used during surgery.
   • However, if your pet is diabetic, then you should provide him with that portion of food and insulin, which is the norm. Talk to your veterinarian about the steps to take specifically for your dog.

Method 2 of 2: Caring for your pet after surgery

1. 1 Limit the stress on your dog. After the operation, it is necessary for your pet to recover and heal. It will be necessary to restrict its movement and protect it from stress.
   • To restrict his movement, place him in a cage for several weeks. Your veterinarian will tell you the exact amount of time. However, you will have to take him out of the cage. In such cases, use a leash to prevent it from moving too fast.
2. 2 It is imperative that your pet wear a protective collar. A protective collar, also known as an Elizabethan collar, will be provided to your pet after surgery. It will need to be worn for 4 weeks or so.
3. 3 Give your dog the medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will most likely prescribe antibiotics in the form of eye drops, which should be taken for 3-4 weeks.This will prevent eye contamination.
   • Flurbiprofen is also taken after surgery. The dosage is likely to be 3-4 drops per day.
4. 4 Keep track of how much your dog rubs his eyes after the drops. For some dogs, eye drops are very annoying. A little rubbing is normal, but if your dog seems irritated and continues to rub his eyes, talk to your veterinarian about other possible treatments. You may notice, for example, the following symptom of irritation:
   • Mild swelling around the eyes that spreads towards the eyes.

Tips

• Washing and grooming is generally strictly prohibited for at least 3 weeks. A shoulder strap is recommended instead of rigid leashes and chains.
• If you notice that the cataract is forming again, contact your veterinarian immediately. Recurrent cataracts can be caused by diabetes and need to be controlled.