Do all diabetic dogs go blind? Here’s What to Do Next

Factors On Dogs Going Blind From Diabetes

It depends on how quickly you catch the disease and begin treating it. The sooner you get on the management of the disease will be a factor in whether your pup might go blind. Another factor is how quickly you can get your pup in a safe BG (Blood Glucose) range. We recommend that if your pup is still sighted, you keep the BG (Blood Glucose) numbers as close to 200 as possible. How do you do that? Get a meter and start testing your pup right away. Knowing where the numbers are will not only potentially save your pup’s sight, but will also in the long run save you countless hours of worry and ultimately, will save you a whole lot of money!

The blindness that is caused by Diabetes is Diabetic cataracts which means that sugar builds up on the lens of the eye and causes it to become cloudy and brittle. This is not the same condition as cataracts caused by age. Diabetic cataracts can be removed by a fairly pricey surgery, but once done, they will not reoccur. That is because a synthetic lens is inserted during the surgery and glucose can’t adhere to the synthetic lens. There are also supplements that you can give that will protect your pup’s vision if you start them early on after diagnosis.

When Teddy, a 12-year-old border terrier, was diagnosed with diabetes, his care team at the UC Davis veterinary hospital predicted he would eventually go blind. Within five months of the diagnosis, that prediction came true. Cataracts caused by the diabetes had formed in both of Teddy’s eyes completely clouding his vision. But UC Davis veterinary ophthalmologists offered hope, having performed many vision-restoring cataract surgeries over the years.

So now Souza has her work cut out for her, providing two eye drops and two insulin injections every day for Teddy for the rest of his life. The injections required a bit of a learning curve for Souza.

“The kidney disease is at the very beginning,” said Souza. “Dr. Sutter informed me that this usually comes along with the diabetes. Thankfully, it has not progressed from Stage 1, and Teddy is not on any medication or special diet for that.”

On top of the diabetes diagnosis—which immediately required twice daily insulin injections for the rest of Teddy’s life—and the vision concerns, Teddy also developed chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is thankfully only in Stage 1 and seems to be holding there.

“All the doctors have been very responsive to my concerns and communications,” Souza continued. “I feel very lucky having the UC Davis team on Teddy’s case. Everyone has been wonderful, especially Dr. Sutter.”

Another very important recommendation is that if your diabetic dog is started on a special canine antioxidant vision supplement called Ocu-GLO™ , BEFORE they develop cataracts, blindness can be prevented in many of these dogs. A 2012 clinical study in Great Britain found that diabetic dogs supplemented daily with Ocu-GLO™ did not develop blinding cataracts over a one-year period. This has also been Dr. McCalla’s clinical experience with Ocu-GLO™ supplementation in diabetic dogs, as long as the diabetes remains well-controlled.

Animal Eye Care is located 20 miles south of the Peace Arch Canada/U.S. border— just a 45 minute drive from cities in the southern Vancouver BC suburbs. Dr. McCalla will examine your pet and answer all your questions and concerns, with the care and attention that you and your pet deserve.

If cataracts are developing in your diabetic dog, this is an ophthalmic emergency; you must have your pet examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist as soon as possible . To locate a veterinary ophthalmologist near you, please ask your family veterinarian or visit the ACVO website . You can read about cataract surgery in our article Cataracts and Cataract Surgery in Dogs .

Diabetic dogs can live healthy lives. Unfortunately, a common complication of diabetes in dogs is cataracts (cloudy lenses). In fact, 75% of dogs develop cataracts and blindness in both eyes within 9 months of being diagnosed with diabetes. The cataracts develop very quickly—sometimes overnight! If untreated, the cataracts cause intraocular inflammation called Lens-Induced Uveitis (LIU) that harms the eyes by causing glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure). If the LIU is uncontrolled and glaucoma develops, cataract surgery might not be possible. Glaucoma causes a chronic headache (similar to a migraine). In worst case scenarios, cataracts form rapidly in both eyes, the lens capsules split/rupture, severe LIU occurs resulting in glaucoma and severe painful intraocular inflammation (phacoclastic uveitis), and both eyes need to be surgically removed. This is a tragic outcome, and one to be avoided if possible. Thus, DO NOT WAIT until your dog’s diabetes is controlled, before seeing an ophthalmologist!!

One breed that is at high risk of developing diabetes is Miniature Schnauzers. This breed is prone to developing pancreatitis (a risk factor for diabetes), which may in turn be associated with elevated blood levels of fat (triglycerides). Miniature Schnauzers are genetically predisposed to elevated fat levels (hyperlipidemia), with about 20% (or more, based on clinical studies) of adult dogs being affected. Some dogs do not develop hyperlipidemia until they are at least 3-4 years of age.

Diabetic and Blind Dog | Insulin Dependent Dog | Diabetes

Getting their diabetes under control is essential if youre to help your dog whos going blind. By

If your dog has diabetes and you suspect any loss of vision or blindness, it’s important to see a vet as soon as possible. The changes in the eye caused by high blood-sugar levels can be reduced once the diabetes is controlled. Factors such as obesity, diet and other conditions can increase the risk of diabetes and cataracts, so it’s important to get these factors under control. Sadly, many dogs with diabetes will develop cataracts, but the good news is they usually adapt well and surgery may be possible to restore vision.