From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2009-03-17 10:26:48 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Cataracts
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Jeff,
You've probably come across my post about my two DMK rescues with cataracts (brief aside I identify them as DMK rescues because their history is very relevant to their current health status). These fuzzkids were fed a mink diet, which has exacerbated cataracts. Two of the three of a sibling group developed cataracts before they were a year old.
I had them both evaluated and assessed by a veterinary opthamologist who visits Nova Scotia every year. He's from Florida. He's done numerous cataracts surgeries on all kinds of animals and said very clearly that ferrets are not good candidates for cataract surgery.
According to this expert, their early diet combined with a genetic predisposition has given them juvenile cataracts. I did ask him about vitamin supplements and according to him, there is nothing that can be done to prevent the cataracts from forming once they've started. However, a secondary complication with juvenile cataracts is a higher probability of glaucoma. To prevent the glaucoma, he recommended Voltaren eye drops given daily. These are prescribed for humans that have had cataract surgery. Voltaren is a non-steroidal inflammatory.
What happens with juvenile cataracts is that because they come and go, that can result in inflammation, which predisposes them to glaucoma.
Of the two, one has very thick cataracts that have now remained. According to my vet she is probably completely blind - but you would never know it. She knows the environment of my home intimately, climbs, dances and acts like any normal seeing ferret, except she is more easily startled with sudden sounds. The other one has cataracts that still come and does still see but in a diminished capacity.
I don't know how old your little rescue is, but I can assure you that they do adjust and having cataracts, even as severe as one of mine has - does not appear to diminish their quality of life.
Tressie
[Some places with tips for helping ferrets adjust to blindness:
http://www.ferret-fact.org/Blind.htm
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG15018
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG13998 ]
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/