Of Dogs and Cataracts

One weekend while my wife and I were washing the dog, she immediately noticed that there was a sort of glaze in our Cocker Spaniel's stare. Covering the inside of his his left eye was a slight milky film that neither of us had ever noticed before. Concerned, I immediately booked an appointment with my vet and brought my dog in for a consultation.

Scrappy, my dog, never has any major health issues that we couldn't solve. Being a Cocker Spaniel he has had multiple skin issues and plenty of ear problems, all of which we have faced throughout his seven years of life by using various medicines, changing diet, and simply adjusting our home's atmosphere and quality of his life. Up until now all of these issues were solvable or there was something we could do to mitigate the effects of the health concern. Once dealt with, he'd be on his merry cocker way and live life happily.

This time however was different because this was the first time we had to deal with vision problems. I had read a lot about Cocker Spaniel's before we adopted Scrappy Doo - how the breed was susceptible to ear infections and some skin conditions. I had read nothing about eye problems at the time. I now know more about cataracts and how common they are in aging and diabetic dogs, but hearing the vet tell me that cataracts were developing in his eyes hit me harder than anything else had.

There's something about dogs and pets that irks me emotionally when I see them in pain or if I know they are suffering. Perhaps it is their innocence? In a way, it is a strange feeling because, if I am honest, I do not have the same sympathy for human beings. For animals I am always hit hard when I see them in some unhealthy condition, especially now with my first pet.

For example, when Scrappy was about four years old he got something jammed in his paw that was invisible to the naked eye. He would not walk on his leg and would limp about the place. He ended up having to have surgery on his paw. The vets were able to find a shard of glass jammed in there somewhere and they removed it. It was a complete success but seeing him limp around for a short while had been heart shattering. Fortunately it was a resolvable ordeal and we went on with life after the surgery.

With the cataracts this is an entire different feeling. As of now he can still see and runs around as normal and is as happy as ever. His appetite is good and he still has his regular fun filled routine. The big change for us now as dog owners is everytime we look into his big brown eyes we feel a deep sense of sadness. I can see the cloudy covering over his left eye and I wonder when the right one will also develop. He can still see me and look at me affectionately for now, but as he grows older I fear that one day these hazy moon shapes will completely block out his vision in both eyes, and he will not be so free to run about as joyfully as he does.

We've researched all we can do and are waiting now for a specialist to give us the news on whether eventual surgery to remove the cataracts are in order. Being that he is almost 8 however, I fear that he may not be eligible. For now we've gone crazy with feeding him all the whole foods we can get that contain nutrients and vitamins beneficial for eyesight and slowing down the development of cataracts. We've also ordered special eyedrops that state help negate the growing process, but so far there is no real method to get rid of cataracts beyond surgery.

Two of the toughest parts in this ordeal has been waiting for the specialist (when there is only one dog eye doctor in your area, it is a dreadfully long wait) and learning that there is no real cure for this condition in older dogs. I will admit that I have been naive and foolish to not do more research on dogs as they get older. To me my dog is still in his prime - he can eat regularly, walk with me, still plays fetch and all those fun filled canine activities, but looking into his face and seeing these cataracts mirroring my gaze, these orbs blocking his eyes, finally, Father Time is coming along and changing him forever in a way I had never put any thought on until now.

Of course as I have aged I have lost my hair, I feel more tired, and I cant eat or drink as much as I used to. Seeing my best canine friend age so quickly, however, is something that is deeply depressing to me and is much harder for me to come to terms with. It is one thing to slowly watch humans grow old over time as we age along with them, but dogs seem to only be puppies one day, and then elder the next. If this is how parents feel watching their kids, I think I now have an inkling of understanding. The big difference is after 10 years of child rearing you at least hope your kids will grow up and have decent teenaged years, hopefully followed by a great future and a good life.

I suppose I should not focus too much on what will eventually come, and instead use this time to recall all the great times I have had and will still have with the dog. He will still be around for at least a few more years and hopefully even a bit longer. Despite my depression about him getting older, the right thing to do is to continue enjoying the time we have left together on this planet. Thank you all for reading as I hash out my feelings.