The Hindu : Front Page : Now canine cataract surgery catching on

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Sunday, Oct 05, 2008
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Now canine cataract surgery catching on

D. Karthikeyan

MADURAI: Tommy had a little problem: the 13-year-old Pomeranian kept bumping into things in its way. Its master, S. Jaganathan, a gastroenterologist, was worried for it, and took it for an examination. The veterinary surgeon diagnosed cataract in both eyes. And one of them was surgically corrected here on Wednesday.

P. Pothi, a former Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry, made the diagnosis. The right eye had senile cataract, which occurs less frequently in dogs than in humans. In another month the left eye will be operated upon, too.

The procedure was performed by G. Bhaskararajan, ophthalmologist. He removed the affected lens and fixed an intra-ocular lens. Dr. Pothi and K. Vairavasamy, veterinary assistant surgeon, gave the dog anaesthesia and assisted in the surgery. The procedure cost about Rs. 7,000. There was no “hospital stay” involved.

Tommy is now back at its best, moving briskly around the house. In this temple city renowned for its tradition of eye care, at least two similar procedures have been conducted in recent times, according to medical sources. These sources said that canine cataract could be caused either due to old age or diabetes.

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