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Showing posts with label sight. Show all posts

Do Dogs See in Color?  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , ,

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

New Study Shows Canines Do Depend on Color Perception

By Melissa Cronin
7/22/2013

How do dogs see the world? A lot more colorfully than you might have imagined, new research suggests.
Scientists have long known that dogs' eyes are physically equipped to perceive colors, and consequently that canines are not colorblind. But dogs are believed to see only shades of yellow, blue, and gray. That's because their eyes have only two types of color-sensitive "cone" cells as compared to three in the human eye.
Given their limited color "rainbow," do dogs really make use of their color vision to make decisions – or do they depend solely on levels of brightness?
"In the past, it's been easier to test whether dogs respond to brightness," says Dr. Stanley Coren, a University of British Columbia dog vision expert who was not involved in the new research. "But testing whether they use color discriminations is so much more difficult. So it hasn't been clear whether, at a conscious level, dogs are using color."
To get a better picture of dog vision, researchers at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow tested eight untrained dogs using pairs of contrasting colors on paper squares – dark yellow with light blue or light yellow with dark blue. The squares were placed in front of boxes containing meat, one of which was unlocked. Then, through a series of 90 trials for each dog, the animals were trained to associate a certain color with the unlocked box and, consequently, the meat reward.
Next, the researchers removed the color that the dogs had been taught to associate with the meat reward, and presented just two choices to the dogs. If a dog had been taught to look for dark yellow to yield a reward, for instance, it was offered only light yellow and dark blue to choose from. This way, the scientists could tell whether the dogs were using color or brightness to make their choice.
So how well could the pooches use color to choose the right box? More than 70% of the time, the dogs correctly picked the box displaying the same color, and a whopping six out of the eight dogs went for it 90 or 100% of the time – indicating that the dogs were making decisions based on the color of the square alone, not its degree of brightness.
"The dogs could, in fact, switch over and make the proper color distinction," Dr. Coren said. "It proves that not only do dogs have color vision, but they also consciously use it."
The study was published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Source: The Huffington Post – Science
Copyright © 2013 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.


 

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Cataract Options  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim

Jessie Losing His Vision

by Dr. Andrew Jones

Jessie was my father's dog – and now he is part of my family. He's a 12-year-old Portuguese Water Dog cross (???) who has a propensity to chase fast moving outdoor creatures (look out, squirrels!).

But as he is getting older, his vision is getting worse.

He can't always see the treats thrown for him. And he has a hard time recognizing people a short distance away.

It appears his vision is going.

I performed a brief exam, and his has a noticeable whiteness in the center of his eyes.

Cataracts – likely normal aging changes going on with the lens – in veterinary terms called lenticular sclerosis. It's a very common finding with older pets – perhaps you have had a similar experience.

In most cases, it means subtle vision loss, and this is usually more noticed at nights (under lower light).

While I was practicing, I would typically tell clients in this situation to monitor the changes, and not do much at all.

Rapidly forming advanced cataracts are different – they can lead to complete blindness, and they have different causes (e.g., diabetes).

Cataract Options

Fortunately, there are some holistic options, and I am trying some of these on Jessie now.

SUPPLEMENTS. The antioxidants Vitamin E (dose is 100 IU per 10 lbs) and Vitamin C (dose is 100 mg per 10 lbs), plus specific flavonoids, such as Quercetin (dose is 25 mg per 10 lbs) or bilberry (dose is 1 capsule per 10 lbs), may be helpful for cases of allergic eye infections and cataracts.

CINERARIA. Has been effective in reducing the size of some cataracts and decreasing cataract formation. To make a sterile eye solution, purchase sterile saline from a pharmacy. Using the tincture dilute the mixture with 1/2 saline and 1/2 cineraria. Apply one drop twice daily to the affected eye, being careful not to contaminate the eyedropper. This must be used for three months before evaluating its effectiveness.

CHRYSANTHEMUM. This can be found as a Chinese remedy called Ju Hua. It is safe for both dogs and cats. The dose is 1/4 teaspoon per 10 lbs. of the dried herb twice daily. Another Chinese herbal formula called HACHIMIJIOGAN is shown to slow cataract progression.

Source: https://www.getresponse.com/archive/vetsecretsnewsletter/Jessie-losing-his-vision-6130039.html
Copyright 2010 Four Paws Online Ltd.

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM has been a practicing Veterinarian for almost 20 years. He is a strong advocate of Natural Pet Health Care, and knows that the most important way to heal our pets and prevent disease is through proper nutrition. He developed Ultimate Canine to give our dogs that extra advantage – something that will provide them with everything they need to develop stronger immune systems to fight disease, heal sore or stiff joints, and help them live longer, happier lives. Dr. Andrew Jones' main focus is on alternative, non-traditional remedies for pets. His interest in alternative pet medicine culminated in the writing of his book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed.
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Cataracts in Dogs and Cats  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here are two great videos that I thought I would pass on...hope you find them interesting! –Kim

What You Should Know about Cataracts


Source: http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/4/cataracts-in-dogs-and-cats-vetvid-episode-011-711683

Dissolve Cataracts with Can-C Drops!



Source: http://www.antiaging-systems.com/43-can-c

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Blind Dogs Make Great Pets!  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I know firsthand that blind dogs make GREAT pets! –Kim

Lily & Maddison
Maddison will lead and Lily will walk nearly touching her so she knows where to go. It's lovely to watch. Maddison is always looking out for her.
By Nadia Gilani
October 22, 2011
When illness forced vets to remove Great Dane Lily's eyes, the prospects of a fulfilling life didn't look good. But then no one had reckoned on her pal, Maddison, stepping in to turn guide dog.

The pair have been inseparable for years but now find themselves looking for a new home, because their owner could no longer cope.
The catch for anyone interested is that the Great Danes come as a package. They have been waiting at the Dogs Trust re-homing centre in Shrewsbury since July.

Manager Louise Campbell said: "Maddison is Lily's guide dog. If they are out and about, for the majority of the time, Maddison will lead and Lily will walk nearly touching her so she knows where to go. It's lovely to watch. Maddison is always looking out for her."

Lily, six, was barely a puppy when she was struck by a condition that caused her eyelashes to grow into her eyeballs, damaging them beyond repair.
It was after this traumatic event that her relationship with seven-year-old Maddison developed as she took her under her wing.
The best buddies lived together until their owners decided they couldn't look after them any more.

Miss Campbell said: "With her lack of sight, Lily's other senses have heightened so although we don't split them up often she can tell if Maddison is nearby. They curl up together to go to sleep and they are very vocal with each other. We haven't analysed their different barks but if Lily wants to go forward and Maddison is in her way, the bark will have a different pitch. They are very close to one another and enjoy each other's company."

Miss Campbell said that Lily does all the things normal dogs do and if you saw her from a distance you wouldn't realise she had anything wrong with her eyes.
She added: "They are really happy with life, the glass is always half full with these two. They have been with us for a considerable amount of time but they are quite happy and go about their daily routine – they are very affectionate."
She believes the dogs' size and advancing years, as well as the fact they have to come in a pair, may have put off potential owners, and she warned that anyone contemplating taking the dogs in should look at their lifestyle and think of the responsibility involved.
"They are not gigantic when you see them outside. These are two lovely big girls who deserve to live out the rest of their lives together in comfort," she said.
Dogs Trust cares for around 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs every year through a network of 17 re-homing centres.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051780/Blind-Great-Dane-Lily-needs-home-space-HER-guide-dog-Maddison.html
© Associated Newspapers Ltd


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Can Your Pet Have Cataracts?  

Posted by — Kim in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here's an informative video that might shed some light on this topic. –Kim

Cataracts in Dogs & Cats

Source: http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/4/cataracts-in-dogs-and-cats-vetvid-episode-011-711683


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List of No-kill Shelters and Rescues

List of No-kill Shelters and Rescues: 
NATIONAL SEARCH
Find local shelters near you! LOCAL SEARCH
You can adopt or foster from any of these shelters or donate to support their efforts. Be sure to confirm that they are a "no-kill" shelter. Then, be a part of the solution!

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CLICK HERE FIRST; THEN CLICK THE PAGE LINK BELOW.