When Your Pet's Eyes Turn Cloudy, Should You Be Concerned?

When Your Pet's Eyes Turn Cloudy,

Should You Be Concerned? 

 

• Nuclear sclerosis is a condition seen primarily in older pets that causes the pupils of the eyes to take on a cloudy bluish-gray appearance.
• Nuclear sclerosis is considered a normal change to the lens of the eye in middle aged and older animals. The condition comes on gradually and pets are able to adapt to the changes in vision that occur.
• Many pet parents confuse nuclear sclerosis with cataracts, a much more serious eye disorder also common in older pets. It’s important to make an appointment with your vet if you notice changes in the appearance of your pet’s eyes or his ability to see.
• No treatment is necessary in pets with nuclear sclerosis, but there are many things you can do to help slow age-related changes in your pet.

Slowing Down Age-Related Changes in Your Pet

The most important thing you can do for a pet with nuclear sclerosis is slow down age-related changes.

• Keep your pet in good physical condition and at a healthy weight.
• Don’t allow your pet to be over-vaccinated or given unnecessary medications such as pest preventives or other drugs. Try to keep your pet in a “green” environment by eliminating toxic household cleaners and chemical-laden shampoos.
• Feed your pet a diet rich in antioxidants, preferably through a living, raw, whole fresh food diet. Antioxidants, specifically vitamins C and E, scavenge free radicals and can slow down the degenerative changes in your pet’s eyes.
• Add bilberries in pill or raw food form to your pet’s food. Bilberries are an excellent source of flavonoids and have antioxidant properties as well. Combined with vitamin E, they are known to protect the eye tissue in humans and halt lens clouding.
• Talk with your holistic vet about other supplements that can benefit your pet’s ocular health, including beta-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, glutathione, SOD (super oxide dismutase), and alpha lipoic acid. Also talk with your vet about nutraceutical eye drops and Chinese herbs that have been proven effective in slowing lens degeneration.

Most importantly, if you see changes occurring in your pet’s eyes, have your dog or cat evaluated by your veterinarian to make sure you’re doing all you can to prevent further degeneration.