All of our dogs are registered with the Canine Eye Registration Foundation,
confirmation is available on their website.

Cataracts are one of the most common problems affecting the eyes of the dog. There are many different forms and causes of cataract formation. They affect all breeds and ages of dogs, but certain types show up more commonly in certain breeds.

Disorders of the lens are a common canine eye problem. The most frequent lens problem is cataracts. A cataract is defined as any opacity of the crystalline lens or its capsules. The opacities can range from minute areas that are barely detectable to complete cataracts in which the lens suffers a total loss of light transmission, resulting in blindness. If cataracts are extensive and bilateral, total blindness results. Cataracts in dogs can arise from a variety of causes such as inherited defects in lens metabolism, trauma, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes mellitus, retinal degeneration, or spontaneous developmental abnormalities. They may be acquired or congenital.

The exact cause of a cataract observed in an individual dog is often difficult to determine. Congenital cataracts may or may not be inherited. Cataracts may be primary or secondary. Primary cataracts are the type observed when no other ocular abnormality is present. Secondary cataracts are those that are associated with or accompany another eye disorder, such as generalized Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Genetic cataracts in dogs may be either inherited in a dominant or recessive mode, or both.