Old Age Cataracts Vs Pannus?

[fritofeet]

Lucy is starting to get some cloudiness over her eyes, which to me seems typical of the older dogs we had growing up. I took her into the vet for her check up and I mentioned Pannus, and the vet said no, it happens when the get older. I know this vet has greyhound patients, but we haven't figured each other out yet and so I'm just checking. Lucy turned 10 in Dec, and Diesel is showing some of the same "eye-shine" but not as strong as Lucy's.

Does Pannus present itself like this? And, is there anything that can be done to slow down cataracts? I don't think we have an eye specialist in the area, but I'm checking.

 

TIA

[Batmom]

Your vet should be able to tell if it's cataracts or not.

 

Most older dogs will have eyes that look cloudy/shiny/a little different when light shines in them due to a thing called nuclear sclerosis. It's a change in density of the lens. Doesn't affect vision to any appreciable degree.

[rycezmom]

Gustopher P was diagnosed with Pannus yesterday. We have a very reputable ophthalmologist who diagnosed him and also told us he has the beginning of some mild cataracts. She could see the difference between the two. Gus just turned 9 at the beginning of the year. Waiting for the eye meds to be delivered. I have learned that if I am not comfortable with a vets ability to diagnose, I seek a second opinion. I am blessed to have a vet who had no qualms about referring me to the eye specialists when he was not sure. I hope you are able to find a specialist near you. It sure eased my mind....

[fritofeet]

Your vet should be able to tell if it's cataracts or not.

 

Most older dogs will have eyes that look cloudy/shiny/a little different when light shines in them due to a thing called nuclear sclerosis. It's a change in density of the lens. Doesn't affect vision to any appreciable degree.

 

Thanks Jey.

That's exactly what it is.

 

 

 

Now, don't get me wrong-the new vet is ok and the greyhounds LOVE him. Diesel will even walk on his shiney floors, but it is going to take awhile for me to get over the huge betrayal by my previous vet. I trusted them, and didn't follow my gut like I should have and it cost me my Hogan. I still can't really talk about it and I'm sitting here bawling, so going to the vet's office is really fun.

[Batmom]

{{{{{{{{{{fritofeet}}}}}}}}}}

 

[Guest lotsagreys4me]

My gh has pannus and it starts at the edge of the eye as a smallish spot. If your dog has like a film covering the entire eye, I would trust my vet and go with the cataracts.

[Guest goofydog]

I took Get Em to the regular vet for cloudiness that had started bilaterally from the bottom of the eye and was creeping higher towards his iris'. The vet took one look and sent me straight to the opthamologist. He was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis. We had 3 weeks of Clindmycin and pred-acetate drops 3x daily. We are now down to drops 1x daily. He is doing well but will need the drops for the rest of his life.

 

Moral of the story: find an opthamologist if at all possible. Hugs to you and Lucy.

[Guest Tenderhearts]

Your vet should be able to tell if it's cataracts or not.

 

Most older dogs will have eyes that look cloudy/shiny/a little different when light shines in them due to a thing called nuclear sclerosis. It's a change in density of the lens. Doesn't affect vision to any appreciable degree.

 

Three of my dogs have the nuclear sclerosis. The surface of the lens hardens with age. It doesn't affect their vision like cataracts do, but it does affect their depth perception. Toby has no problems catching a stuff outdoors in the sunlight, but in lower light he sometimes misjudges. It gives their eyes a bluish tinge.

[fritofeet]

Your vet should be able to tell if it's cataracts or not.

 

Most older dogs will have eyes that look cloudy/shiny/a little different when light shines in them due to a thing called nuclear sclerosis. It's a change in density of the lens. Doesn't affect vision to any appreciable degree.

 

Three of my dogs have the nuclear sclerosis. The surface of the lens hardens with age. It doesn't affect their vision like cataracts do, but it does affect their depth perception. Toby has no problems catching a stuff outdoors in the sunlight, but in lower light he sometimes misjudges. It gives their eyes a bluish tinge.

 

 

That's exactly what I'm seeing, and the vet's technical term was "it happens when they age, it's normal in senior hounds" not knowing me that well. So far, all the double checking I've done on him has proved he is correct (thanks guys) and that he does know what he's doing. He's been very good and patient with me even though I'm a big PIA. I googled it after Batmom gave me the technical name and bingo! The new vet hasn't figured out I like scientific names and copies of test results yet.

Thanks Devon, that info makes me calmer too.

 

Lucy does show some depth perception problems when it is dimmer light. She used to catch everything, and now she waits for it to land. We did have a good game of "chase me" in the yard with Sally pouting because she couldn't butt in.

 

 

Thanks guys, I really do appreciate the input.