Question:
Hello, I have a 15 month old female daschund. I have taken her for her yearly vacinations and the vet told me, he noticed she has bubbles on both her eyes. He said cataracs is hereditary and she may require surgery in the near future. Surgery is very expensive and I'm hoping there are other alternatives. What would you suggest? Thanking you in advance.

Regards,
Nadia

Answer:
OH that's too bad. Yes, they can be hereditary, and if they are truly cataracts, surgery is the only option I know of to get rid of them.

Is the same laser surgery available for humans also used on dogs?

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I am very sorry to hear about your little girl. There is hope...


http://news.com.au/common/story_page...E13762,00.html

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5000.00 wow that is alot

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You should get a referral to an eye specialist.

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That's a great story...there are lots of wonderful people out there,somewhere
$5.000 is a lot of money,but she is such a young dog,I would take out a bank-loan to give her a chance at a good life.
Maybe a second opinion from an eye-doctor would be worth your while.
Your vet said she MAY require surgery in the near future,did he give you any other options?
Maybe the breeder you got your dog from can help out with the cost.

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When I queried bout my senior dog about 5 yrs ago it was almost 5grand so I'm not surprised!

But seriously go to a specialist, get their opinion.

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Are there no such places for pets to go when people have low income,like there are for humans???I would die if i had a pet that needed 5000.00 worth of surgery,i am pretty sure most people with pets are not financially prepared for that either,unless you are just downright wealthy...............

Answer:
Originally Posted by heidiho
Are there no such places for pets to go when people have low income,like there are for humans???I would die if i had a pet that needed 5000.00 worth of surgery,i am pretty sure most people with pets are not financially prepared for that either,unless you are just downright wealthy...............

Unfortunately Heidi, we still live in a disposible society. Without funds a human would have difficulty finding a surgeon to perform this type of operation.

My suggestion would be to take the dog to a Vet Teaching University. I am lucky to have U of Florida nearby. 10 years ago my #1 Alpine doe (goat) needed emergency surgery..they knocked $1000. off of the bill because this was also a learning experince for their students...turns out caprines are the last species of animal anyone ever brings in.
It doesn't hurt to inquire..

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That is a good idea,i will have to remember that one,i wish i was rich i would open up a place like that for low income people.....................

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I can't remember where I read this but a vet had written that the removal of cataracts in pets is not the same as in people. What the removal of cataracts does is in clearing the vision it also prevents the ability to see close. He said that for people there are contact lenses that will correct that problem but seeing as it's not possible to perscribe contact lenses for a dog the dog is left with the ability to see far but is severely hampered in trying to see anything that would normally be within his range of vision.

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There is laser correction for people after having caracts removed, then you don't need contacts. I think it's all done in one shot, no?

It seems as though the surgery worked for the dog in teh story, there was no mention of difficulty seeing up close... who knows....

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