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Diabetic Cataracts in Dogs - Surgery or No? Experience?

1,253 Views | 14 Replies | Last: 4 mo ago by EMY92
SweaterVest
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7:18p, 8/15/25
AG
Our 8yo Brittany was diagnosed with diabetes back in May. After dialing in her insulin dosage with our vet we've had her on insulin and a strict home cooked diet since.

She was doing great but over the last two days it seems like her vision has rapidly degraded and she is not struggling to even walk around without bumping into things. We carry her up and down stairs now and help her find her food and water, which is heartbreaking to say the least. She went from snapping at flies and dialing in on squirrels across the yard one day to seemingly only seeing 6 inches in front of her the next. We have a vet appointment on Tuesday next week and I anticipate the diagnosis being being diabetic cataracts.

Do any of our resident vets or dog owners have experience with canine cataracts surgery or just getting by with a dog losing her vision. This is really tough with bird season coming up, not because I have to have a dog to hunt, but because we live in Virginia now and our annual dove hunting trip home to Texas is the highlight of her year. She's still full of energy and seems as happy as ever and I'm sure she'll adapt, but we're interested in exploring options to restore her vision.

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SharkinAg
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7:35p, 8/15/25
AG
Your dog is young enough to justify it if you can justify the cost. 3500-5000 was the last I heard. They need to make sure her retinas are in good shape which optho would do with ultrasound. Higher rates of complications with cataract surgery in dogs than people. Lots of eye drops and rechecks initially. Usually very successful. Nothing cooler than watching a blind dog wake up from anesthesia able to see again. I like south Texas veterinary ophthalmology in San Antonio. Lots of good places in Dallas, Austin and Houston as well.
I always tell everyone it never hurts to go and have the conversation with the specialist. Doesn't mean you have to do the surgery.
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Random Ag
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7:38p, 8/15/25
AG
We have an almost 13 yo WPG that late last month became completely blind (retinal atrophy - so can't help you on cataract options).
Our vet recommended a blind halo collar (muffins halo) to feel more comfortable around the house. For the first few days she was very timid and rarely moved. A week later she was navigating the house decently. 3 weeks later she is going up stairs alone and exploring our rural property (also in Virginia) with no fear. The nearby bird hunting club closed so probably no hunting for ours, but depending on how yours adapts, a hunting trip may not be out of the question.
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Random Ag
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7:40p, 8/15/25
AG
SweaterVest, also if you are in the Richmond (or CVille) area, Dr Fuchs with VCC is the very best!
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SweaterVest
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In reply to SharkinAg • 8:30a, 8/16/25
AG
Thanks! We're in Virginia but are driving back to Texas in September and will be staying in San Antonio for a week before heading south to dove hunt. I'll call the Ophthalmology vet you recommended on Monday to start a conversation.

What is the recovery period generally like in terms of activity limitations and for how long? I'm sure she'd have to sit this year out if she had surgery that week, but having her sight back would be worth it.
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SweaterVest
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In reply to Random Ag • 10:16a, 8/16/25
AG
Thanks Random. After seeing this I ordered one of those last night. I think that will help her out tremendously. We're further north, but not opposed to driving for a specialty. Will give Dr. Fuchs a call next week.
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SharkinAg
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In reply to SweaterVest • 11:10a, 8/16/25
AG
SweaterVest said:
Thanks! We're in Virginia but are driving back to Texas in September and will be staying in San Antonio for a week before heading south to dove hunt. I'll call the Ophthalmology vet you recommended on Monday to start a conversation.

What is the recovery period generally like in terms of activity limitations and for how long? I'm sure she'd have to sit this year out if she had surgery that week, but having her sight back would be worth it.


Can't remember the recovery period to be honest. You usually need a referral from your vet. I'd ultimately find an ophthalmologist near you since there are several follow up appointments.
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SunrayAg
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4:23p, 8/16/25
AG
Our 14 year old cow dog mix has been blind and getting insulin shots for 3 years.

She occasionally bumps into things. Still loves to sniff trail bunnies in the yard. Still sniffs out her food and water. My wife and I serve as her "service humans" and go on walks with her. We talk to her and clap our hands, and occasionally change her direction with a leg to keep her headed the right direction. We also built a little handicap ramp so she doesn't have to deal with stairs. I will stand on it and tap my foot to guide her up.

She still seems happy, so we're letting it ride until she's not.
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KSBogey
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4:49p, 8/16/25
AG
Gulf Coast Animal Eye Clinic is top-notch. They are in Houston, but maybe can give a recommendation for your area or work on your pup when yall come to Tx.
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SweaterVest
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In reply to SharkinAg • 8:37p, 9/30/25
AG
A little update and thank you to SharkinAg, bmfvet, DVM97, and Random Ag for the advice.

Lorrie had cataract surgery in both eyes yesterday and she's doing great. She doesn't care for the cone of shame or eyedrops, but other than that she's acting like her old self with clear eyes and a happy heart. I'll admit I (almost, ok maybe more than almost) shed a tear yesterday when we got home and the first thing she did was lock into a point on a squirrel across the yard. She was a little wobbly on her back legs since the anesthesia was still wearing off, but she wanted to show that she hasn't lost a step. I hadn't seen her do that since she went blind a few months ago. Our biggest struggle now is slowing her down while she heals up from the surgery.

We did drive back to Texas to dove hunt last week and took her along one evening. It was tough seeing her know what to do but not being able to do it all they way, but I think the enjoyed it all the same and she still got to sniff a few out with a little help. Can't wait for next year or maybe this winter if we go back to quail hunt so she can be back in action.

Thanks yall for the guidance and recommendations, I truly appreciate it. One of these days once we've moved home to Texas for good, I'd like to host a weekend dove hunt for all the good vets on this board. You've been invaluable to me and many others over the years.
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EMY92
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8:45a, 10/1/25
AG
These are a great replacement for the lamp shade.

https://www.amazon.com/KONG-Cloud-Collar-Collar-Medium/dp/B0045Y1JG6/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1LCE82DT2V0NC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0_8iwQ-mCe8JxFmje4xQMJtkH3uiZo6N2_E5As6tlAIgAjXBr_TWTezKWpwSKE4JUyrSdyLa6j5Sst1bFbMFE3CcOqyzJINnEif1NPuE_RZQrp0-cG_xWYvVWqBMz_atfDCUHQqP1en7MfWcph9KooTos1JYzV1A8G1RtKm1LjOrbHFM0dv6iZyYoTJ3pBvoKwUyejG7MNjmMg7U3SqD3ozANsbJk_UjxXzwlwG7kvFXz1AtQMyAYqjSnbM9XmSo-tUkksvuCkfBzvLw1GRdG_TFVzKbQYQ9K5-2fmBVD1E.dSdNOFTgwqwMNJGrKT1nJlfnBzcjKMJMyhc-nbZYEfE&dib_tag=se&keywords=kong%2Binflatable%2Bcone%2Bcollar%2Bfor%2Bdogs&qid=1759326272&sprefix=kong%2Binfl%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-7&th=1
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MouthBQ98
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In reply to EMY92 • 1:21p, 10/1/25
AG
Yep, instead of the cone of shame it's now the donut of shame at our house. Or at least the donut of pitiful acting.
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SweaterVest
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In reply to EMY92 • 2:39p, 10/1/25
AG
Yeah, agree those are great and we have one. It does a great job of keeping dogs from licking anything from neck to tail, but it wouldn't do much to keep her from scratching her eyes or rubbing/bumping her eyes into corners or other things.
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BlueHeeler
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12:57p, 10/2/25
AG
OP, I have been dealing with a diabetic Texas Heeler for 4 years (he's 14 now). I would advise checking in to using Novolin N (intermediate acting human insulin). It can be bought at Walmart very cheap and without a prescription. You can also get the syringes you need from the Diabetic Warehouse website and other places online.

The vets will tell you that you have to use Vetsulin because they make alot of money off it and selling the syringes etc. There is a Facebook group called Canine Diabetes Support and Information that has alot of information on this as well as a bunch of other information on dog foods for these dogs along with other things.

My dog has been on Novolin N all this time and does great on it (nice looking glucose curves). The curves looks much better than anything I ever got using Vetsulin for the 1st couple of months.
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EMY92
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In reply to BlueHeeler • 1:04p, 10/2/25
AG
As a human diabetic, Novolin N is good as a basal rate insulin, the insulin needed to keep your blood sugar steady, it is not good in handling mealtime spikes in blood sugar after eating. That's where something like a Novolin R would come in.

N lasts about 12 hours, R lasts 4-6ish. Each has a bell curve, so it's not a steady state thing.
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