Note: The dog pictured here was my senior dog, Cori. She developed glaucoma, a vision issue, at the age of 2, and became blind in one eye. A year later, she lost vision in the other eye. It was highly traumatic for both of us. Over time, we learned together how to navigate the new and uncertain world. We stuck together until she passed away at 15 1/2. When she went blind, I wrote The Blind Dog Guide for dog parents to help them help their blind dogs. If you know someone who might benefit from this guide, please email me at [email protected].
Recently, I came across an article in Today’s Veterinary Practice about ocular issues in senior dogs. The article entitled, “The Aging Canine Eye: What to Look for and How to Intervene” discusses numerous vision and ocular conditions including abnormal intraocular pressure, eyelid tumors, lens changes and more.
Being a nutrition-oriented person, one of the conditions jumped out at me because of its mention of dietary and supplement-related intervention. This condition is retinal degeneration.
The article notes that although there is limited information about such intervention in retinal degeneration, certain supplements, including omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene and astaxanthin, and vitamins C and E may offer some support. These results were based on noted studies.
Although veterinary intervention is the main source of management when it comes to eye health in senior dogs, there is a possibility that certain supplements may offer support along the way.
In my opinion, many of these supplements can offer benefit regardless of eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids are famous for their anti-inflammatory actions, and carotenoids are also well known for supporting the immune system and more. I recently wrote a post about carotenoids, which includes an educational handout with dietary sources of carotenoids. And often I mention omega-3 fatty acids.
If you have a dog who may need some extra supplemental support, or you know someone else who does, you can shop my Fullscript store for many options: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/sarahwhitman
And as always, visit my Services page for ways I can assist you and your dogs.
You can read the original article at https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/ophthalmology/the-aging-canine-eye