How to Tell If a Dog Has Cataracts
- 1). Understand what the symptoms of cataracts are. Color changes will be present in the eye, in shades of white, gray, or blue. There may be spots or streaks across the lens or pupil, and the eye might appear cloudy. The eye may be red or swollen, and the dog may squint. Since cataracts can cause vision loss or blindness, the dog's behavior may change. It may appear clumsy and bump into things, or be hesitant to enter dark rooms or new places. Some dogs may even become more aggressive because of their sight problems.
- 2). Look over the dog's eyes carefully; consider any behavior changes it might have had, and observe whether any of the symptoms of cataracts are present. If the dog has any of the symptoms, there is a good chance it has cataracts.
- 3). Make an appointment with the dog's veterinarian. The vet can perform tests in order to make an official diagnosis. The vet will perform a thorough eye exam. If the dog does have cataracts, the vet may decide that surgery is the best course of action for treatment.
