Why would a puppy go blind from cataracts overnight?

by Lisa
(Wisconsin)

I bred a litter of puppies who are a little more than 3 months now.

The owners of one of the puppies let me know today that last night the puppies eyes got cloudy, they took him to the emergency vet, they suggested an ophthamologist who confirmed cataracts and today he is completely blind.

I am heartsick, the mom and dad have had all their health tests done, Including passing CERF testing. What could have happened to this beautiful baby?



Hi Lisa
I'm so sorry to hear about what's happened to your pup, and it's very puzzling.

Unfortunately I'm not a veterinarian so I can't give you the answers you need, for that I would suggest communicating with the ophthalmologist who examined this pup and see if they have any explanation or suggestions.

The fact that the pups' parents have their CERF certificates makes the whole situation unusual, as cataracts in puppies are normally a hereditary problem, and the CERF test should have eliminated the possibility of the parents carrying the genes for this sort of congenital condition.

Although cataracts in older dogs do take tend to develop slowly over time, when you see them in puppies they usually develop much more rapidly.

I suppose it could be a purely random problem, unique to this pup and without any genetic component, but as I said I have no veterinary training so I've no idea how likely, or even possible, this is.

Your vet, or an veterinary ophthalmologist are the ones who are most likely to have the answers to your questions.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope that this was a totally isolated incident and that surgery is able to correct this pups' problem so that he regains his full vision.