The Pet Connection’s Pet Talk: Eye Care
As I begin to see signs of aging in myself I am also noticing it in my older pets. They suffer from the same ailments that we do, cataracts, bad backs, knee hip and join pains, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, obesity, asthma, thyroid disease, diabetes, you name it. If we get it, then so can they.
As I prepare for upcoming cataract surgery for myself, I wanted to look into cataract surgery for our pets. To spot a cataract in your family fur baby, look into their eyes and if you are beginning to notice their eyes looking cloudy that may be the first sign of cataracts.
What exactly is a cataract? A cataract is the cloudiness within the lens of an eye. It’s the same in a human as it is in your pet. A cataract messes with or interferes with the light as it tries to reach the retina. If the cataract is bad enough it can cause blurred vision and even blindness in th eperson or animal. In some animals as stated by Kristen Gervais, DVM, MS, DACVO, a cataract can be inherited with the cataract genetically programmed to occur. She also states other common causes of cataracts in dogs including diabetes, ocular trauma and ocular inflammation. In rare occasion a puppy may be born with cataracts or may even develop them within the first few weeks of its life.
Ignoring chronic cataracts can cause pain in your pet’e eyes and cause secondary issues such as retinal detachment or glaucoma and ultimately blindness.
After your family veterinarian has accessed your pet for cataracts he or she will recommend you on to a specialist or Ophthalmologist for this type of specialized surgery. To see if your pet is a candidate for cataract surgery, they must meet other health requirements. As with any surgery, pre-blood screenings and a wellness or physical exam will be made to make sure that your pet is healthy enough for the anesthesia. Your specialist
will also perform two other test to see if your pet is a candidate for cataract surgery. Ocular Ultrasound will evaluate the back portion of the eye and ERG, Electroretinogram, test will monitor the function of the retina. A CAT Scan may also be recommended to scan all areas in and around the eyes.
As I am understanding about my upcoming cataract surgery, they will go in and remove the cloudy, cataractous lens and implant an intraocular lens so that I can see again. Same as in a dog they will remove the old lens by a procedure called, phacoemulsifcation. All is done with general anesthesia and under the watchful eyes of a cataract specialist or veterinary ophthalmolgist. Through a small incision or cut they will fragment and aspirate the cataract from the eye. They then will insert an artificial lens to restore your pets vision. Sounds simple enough, right!
Cataract surgery in dogs has a very high success rate, with 95% of dogs regaining their vision once they recover. ETHOS veterinary health reports that long-term vision after surgery is 90% at 1 year and 80% at 2 year post-operatively.
After any surgery you will have to follow doctor’s orders. I’ve already been prescribed eye medication for my cataract surgery and you’ll be required to do that for you pet as well. The only good things for me I’m hoping that I won’t be made to wear the dreaded “Lamp Shade, Elizabethan Collar or E-collar” to prevent me from scratching my eye as your pet will be required to wear one. Healing usually runs around two weeks following doctor’s orders.
Some areas cataract surgery may run from $2,700 to $4,000. This estimate includes everything from the preliminary exam to the specialized testing, followed with the surgery, anesthesia, surgery room, hospitalization, medication and post-op care.
What if you just can’t afford cataract surgery for your fur baby? Visiting with your family vet as soon as you see the cloudiness in their eyes, will prevent them from a potentially painful life and preventing secondary problems. Your vet can prescribe eye drops or ointments to insure your pet remains pain free and will visit with you about a course of action.
Do you have a breed that is more susceptible to having cataracts?
Golden Retrievers, Miniature Poodles, Boston Terriers, Siberian Huskie, American Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers
Do your research, visit with your family vet about cataract surgery for your pets. While doing research about cataract surgery I saw ads that state, “Proven to reverse cataracts in dogs 100%” “Dog cataract natural solution-eye see clearly treatment” Buyer beware. Do not fall victim to on-line scams, do your research.
Please don’t litter, spay and neuter.
Coahoma ISD
K-12th Breakfast
Monday: No school
Tuesday: Breakfast burrito with hash browns, 100% fruit juice, fruit, milk.
Wednesday: Power breakfast, biscuit, gravy, eggs, bacon, 100% fruit juice, fruit, milk.
Thursday: Sausage kolache with yogurt or breakfast bread with yogurt, 100% fruit juice, fruit, milk.
Friday: Breakfast sandwich, 100% fruit juice, fruit, milk.
K-8 Lunch
Monday: No school
Tuesday: Crispy tacos or frito pie or taco salad, fresh veggie cup, beans, salsa, orange smiles, milk.
Wednesday: Ravioli with Tuscan veggies or chicken nuggets with mash potatoes, broccoli, roll, fruit cup, dessert, milk.
Thursday: Hamburger or pizza or popcorn chicken salad, fries, carrots, snowball salad, milk.
Friday: Pulled pork sliders or chicken parmesan with breadstick, green beans, garden salad, chilled pineapple, dessert, milk.
9-12 Lunch
Monday: No school
Tuesday: Crispy tacos or frito pie or taco salad, rice, fresh veggie cup, beans, salsa, orange smiles, milk.
Wednesday: Ravioli with Tuscan veggies or chicken nuggets with mash potatoes, broccoli, roll, fruit cup, dessert, milk.
Thursday: Hamburger or pizza or popcorn chicken salad, fries, carrots, snowball salad, milk.
Friday: Pulled pork sliders or chicken parmesan with breadstick, chips, green beans, garden salad, chilled pineapple, dessert, milk.
Big Spring ISD Anderson
Monday: Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Pastry cereal with string cheese, assorted fruits, assorted milk. Lunch: BBQ chicken melt, egg chef salad, assorted vegetables, juice, assorted fruits, assorted milk.
Tuesday: Breakfast: Cinnamon sugar donut, yogurt with string cheese, assorted fruits, assorted milk. Lunch: Pizza sticks with sauce, popcorn chicken salad with flatbread, assorted vegetables, juice, assorted fruits, assorted milk.
Wednesday: Breakfast: Berry french toast bites, cereal with string cheese, assorted fruits, assorted milk. Lunch: Chicken-nwaffles, taco nacho salad, assorted vegetables, juice, assorted fruits, assorted milk.
Thursday: Cinnamon Toast Crunch pastry, yogurt with string cheese, assorted fruits, assorted milk. Lunch: Chicken fried steak with roll, chef salad with flatbread, assorted vegetables, juice, assorted fruits, assorted milk.
Friday: Breakfast pizza, cereal with string cheese, assorted fruits, assorted milk. Lunch: Pepperoni pizza, yogurt, cheese and fruit salad, assorted vegetables, juice, assorted fruits, assorted milk.
Elementary
Monday: Breakfast: Yogurt with crackers, assorted fruit, 100% juice box, assorted milk. Lunch: Hot dog with chips, peanut butter and jelly uncrustable sandwich, fruit and vegetable, milk.
Tuesday: Breakfast: Coco puff pastry, assorted fruit, 100% juice box, assorted milk. Lunch: Sloppy Joe on a bun, ham and cheese sandwich, fruit and vegetable, milk.
Wednesday: Breakfast: Mini cinnamon bagel bites, assorted fruit, 100% juice box, assorted milk. Lunch: Chicken nuggets with roll, taco nacho salad, fruit and vegetable, milk.
Thursday: Breakfast: Cinnamon sugar donut, assorted fruit, 100% juice box, assorted milk. Lunch: Country fried steak, turkey and cheese sandwich, fruit and vegetable, milk.
Friday: Breakfast: Blueberry waffle bites, assorted fruit, 100% juice box, assorted milk. Lunch: Tony’s pepperoni pizza wedge, yogurt, cheese and muffin, fruit and vegetable, milk.
High School
Monday: Breakfast: Apple frudel, waffle bites with fruit, egg/sausage/cheese burrito, refried beans, Trix cereal bowl, assorted fruits and juice, assorted milk. Lunch: Salisbury steak with noodles, baconburger, chicken/spicy chicken sandwich or nuggets, cheese/pepperoni pizza, assorted vegetables.
Tuesday: Breakfast: Cinnamon sugar donut, pancake bites with fruit, egg/sausage/cheese burrito, refried beans, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, assorted fruits and juice, assorted milk. Lunch: Cheese sticks with sauce, hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken sandwich or nuggets, cheese/pepperoni pizza, assorted vegetables.
Wednesday: Breakfast: Mini cinnamon rolls, waffle bites with fruit, egg/sausage/cheese burrito, refried beans, Trix cereal bowl, assorted fruits and juice, assorted milk. Lunch: BBQ pork sandwich, hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken sandwich or nuggets, cheese/pepperoni pizza, assorted vegetables.
Thursday: Breakfast: Blueberry bagel, pancake bites with fruit, egg/sausage/cheese burrito, refried beans, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, assorted fruits and juice, assorted milk. Lunch: Chicken fried steak, hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken sandwich or nuggets, cheese/pepperoni pizza, assorted vegetables.
Friday: Breakfast: Chocolate filled crescent, waffle bites with fruit, egg/sausage/cheese burrito, refried beans, Coco Puffs Cereal bowl, assorted fruits and juice, assorted milk. Lunch: Big Steer, burger, walking taco, hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken sandwich or nuggets, cheese/pepperoni pizza.
Intermediate
Monday: Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast Crunch pastry, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/ cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken, pizza or corn dog, assorted juice and milk.
Tuesday: Breakfast: Cinnamon sugar donut, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken, pizza or walking taco, assorted juice and milk.
Wednesday: Breakfast: Mini cinnamon bagel bites, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/ cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken, pizza or beef and tater burrito.
Thursday: Breakfast: Coco Puff Pastry, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken, pizza or chicken fried steak.
Friday: Breakfast: Blueberry waffle bites, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken, pizza or ham and mac casserole.
Junior High
Monday: Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast Crunch pastry, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/ spicy chicken, pizza or corn dog, assorted juice and milk.
Tuesday: Breakfast: Cinnamon sugar donut, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken, pizza or walking taco, assorted juice and milk.
Wednesday: Breakfast: Mini cinnamon bagel bites, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/ spicy chicken, pizza or beef and tater burrito.
Thursday: Breakfast: Coco Puff Pastry, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken, pizza or chicken fried steak.
Friday: Breakfast: Blueberry waffle bites, yogurt and elf grahams. Lunch: Hamburger/cheeseburger, chicken/spicy chicken, pizza or ham and mac casserole.
Kentwood Pre-k
Monday: Breakfast: Maple waffle bites, fruit, 1% white milk. Lunch: Cheeseburger with smile fries, fruit, and 1% milk.
Tuesday: Breakfast: Pancake wrap, fruit, 1% milk. Lunch: Hot dog with chips, fruit and vegetable, 1% milk.
Wednesday: Breakfast: Cinnamon sugar donut, fruit, 1% white milk. Lunch: Popcorn chicken, fruit and vegetables, 1% milk.
Thursday: Breakfast: Apple frudel, fruit, 1% milk. Lunch: Hot dog with chips, fruit and vegetables, 1% milk.
Friday: Breakfast: Fudge poptart, fruit, 1% milk. Lunch: Tony’s cheese pizza wedge, fruit and vegetable, 1% milk.
Forsan ISD
Monday: No school Tuesday: Breakfast: Cereal bars, fresh fruit, fruit juice and milk (elementary); Sausage kolache with cheese stick or cereal, apple slices, fruit juice and milk. Lunch: Steak fingers or cheese sticks with marinara or turkey and cheese sub, mashed potatoes, savory green beans, strawberry and bananas, fresh fruit and milk.
Wednesday: Breakfast: Honey buns, fresh fruit, fruit juice and milk (elementary); Chicken and waffles or cereal, mandarin oranges, fruit juice and milk. Lunch: Pizza or crispy chicken salad or PB&J sandwich, fresh veggie cup, garden salad, strawberry cup, fresh fruit and milk.
Thursday: Breakfast: Breakfast pizza, fresh fruit, fruit juice and milk (elementary); Breakfast pizza or cereal, strawberry cup, fruit juice and milk. Lunch: Popcorn chicken with roll (elementary) mini corn dogs (elementary) Buffalo popcorn chicken bowl with roll (JH/HS) chcken parmesan (JH/HS) or turkey and cheese sub, tots, baby carrots, fruit gelatin, fresh fruit and milk.
Friday: Mini powdered donuts with bacon or cereal, applesauce cup, fruit juice and milk. Lunch: Nachos with ground beef or turkey and cheese sub (elementary) crispy chicken bacon ranch jalapeno wrap (JH/HS) or PB&J sandwich, fries, baby carrots, applesauce cup, fresh fruit and milk.
Sands CISD
Monday: No school
Tuesday: Breakfast: Stuffed bagel, fruit, fruit juice, milk. Lunch: Fish sticks mac and cheese, black eyed peas, garden salad, grapes, cookie, milk variety.
Wednesday: Breakfast: Sausage kolache, cheese stick, fruit, fruit juice, milk. Lunch: Taquito and queso, charro beans, seasoned corn, salsa, apple slices, cookie, milk variety.
Thursday: Breakfast: Pancake and sausage, fruit, fruit juice,milk. Lunch: Hamburgers, celery sticks, baby carrots, pears, milk variety.
Friday: Breakfast: Breakfast bread, yogurt, fruit, fruit juice, milk. Lunch: Grilled cheese, chips, tomato soup, red bell pepper strips, seasoned corn, apple sauce, milk variety.
Senior Center
Monday: Ham and cheese sandwich, lettuce and tomato, macaroni salad, baked chips, cookies, milk.
Tuesday: Pork roast with gravy, potatoes carrots and onion, spinach, mandarin oranges, roll, milk
Wednesday: Smoked sausage, saerkraut, red roasted potatoes, applesauce, bread, milk.
Thursday: Chopped BBQ on a bun, potato salad, pinto beans, mixed fruit, milk.
Friday: Chicken nuggets, sweet and sour sauce, french fries, macaroni and cheese, peach cobbler, milk.