From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2008-07-22 21:04:30 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Early cataracts and glaucoma development
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I wanted to give everyone who has ferrets with early onset cataracts
a heads up.
Two of my Ohio rescues developed cataracts before they were a year
old. I've waited months for them to be assessed by a veterinary
opthamologist from Florida, who travels here during summer months and
sees veterinary patients.
They were seen today. One of sprites' cataracts is being reabsorbed
by the body, which according to this expert happens when cataracts
develop early. That is the good news. The bad news is that the body
reacts to the reabsorption by causing inflammation in the eye, which
inevitably leads to glaucoma and may also lead to retinal
detachment. Glaucoma is a painful condition and leads to total
blindness.
Fortunately, she does not have any inflammation yet, but he stated it
is just a matter of time before it develops. Fortunately, there is a
prophylactic treatment available - daily eye drops for the rest of
their lives. The eye drop medication is Voltaren OP 0.1% (Diclofenac
Sod. 0.1%), in their case, one drop per eye, once a day - for the
rest of their lives.
Some Ohio rescues have developed cataracts because of the mink diet
they were fed (Fox, 2nd ed, 1998), which exacerbates a probable
genetic predisposition to cataracts. If you have one of these little
ones make certain to have her/him assessed by a veterinary
opthamologist before glaucoma can develop.
Tressie
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