Canine Cataract
I have recently discovered that my poor dog Flippy (as named by my daughter) has a canine cataract! He is ten years old. I first discovered the canine cataract when I noticed a strange opacity in his right eye as we were playing outdoors a few weeks ago. I did some reading online, and was hoping that it was simply nuclear sclerosis, as Flippy is getting on in the years. Unfortunately, a visit to the vet made it clear that poor Flippy is losing vision in his right eye to a canine cataract!
I suppose that this canine cataract is going to be the first in a long line of health problems as the dog years rack up. First, the canine cataract, then his hearing. Our last dog, Floppy was luckier. Instead of a canine cataract and then everything else that follows, he was hit by a tractor trailer and killed instantly at the age of nine.
I'm just hoping I can find a canine cataract specialist in my area before this gets much worse. I have read about canine cataract surgery, and I'm concerned that it may be a bit too expensive for my current budget; it is not exactly cheap to have a canine cataract fixed!
I suppose that if we can't afford it, and he goes blind, we may eventually have to have him put down. We live near a country road, and people drive so crazily out here. It might be easier to have him put to sleep, than risk him wandering blindly on the road, only to get hit by a car and suffer.
I hope I can find some information on how to deal with a canine cataract, and then find a vet who can work out a payment plan that fits with my budget.