Spring is the time of year when the department gets the most calls regarding supposedly abandoned or orphaned animals. As biologists have learned, usually these animals arenât orphaned at all. Often, overeager individuals ârescueâ the animal while the mother is foraging. The walrus pup before transport to Sea World.
Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts. This is the most common type of age-related cataract, caused primarily by the hardening and yellowing of the lens over time. Nuclear refers to the gradual clouding of the central portion of the lens, called the nucleus; sclerotic refers to the hardening, or sclerosis, of the lens nucleus.
The increased density of the lens causes it to look cloudy in dogs over about 7 years of age. The lens will continue to appear cloudier over time. Nuclear Sclerosis is easily mistaken as a Cataract, which is a different problem that also causes the lens to become cloudy. While a cataract is an abnormality that can cause blindness and inflammation inside the eye, nuclear sclerosis is normal for an older dog, and the condition has minimal effect on vision.