It might not be something you see occurring immediately, often progressing over time. Cataracts can start small and grow large, or they can appear overnight and completely blind your dog. But for a dog that doesn't naturally have blue eyes, a blue eye could indicate a disease calledinterstitial keratitis, "a corneal inflammation in which a bluish-white film appears over the clear window of the eye. Though not technically a color change that occurs as the dog goes through different life stages, it is still a condition that interests most dog owners, especially if their dog has it. Like many changes that come with age, it can just happen naturally. LENSES THAT ADAPT TO VARIABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS, PROTECTION AGAINST GLARE, SCRATCHES, AND SMUDGES. Cloudy eyes in dogs can be a concerning, but not always severe issue. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Not all dogs achieve the same eye color. If you suspect eye inflammation, your vet can help figure out the underlying cause. Good 2 Grow: Who needs words when flowers can express the moment? In fact, it could take up to 3 to 4 weeks before their eyes have fully developed into the permanent color they will have as adult dogs instead of . Prevention is difficult in the case of infections, but regular monitoring of the eyes and keeping them free from dirt and debris can help. Your vet will rule out other issues, such as injuries, with a visual inspection and eye stain, as well as take a full history of symptoms. Unlike cataracts, nuclear sclerosis is not a medical concern and does not affect the dogs vision. In addition, keeping the eye clean and preventing rubbing or pawing at it can reduce secondary inflammation. It usually develops in both eyes at the same time and the eyes gradually take on a cloudy, bluish-grey appearance. We always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences. Given the speed with which this happened, I would consider this a medical emergency. Mature cataracts can produce white fissure lines on the lens. You should start receiving emails soon. Blue or cloudy eyes are just one sign of aging. Nuclear Sclerosis isn't painful and veterinarians say dogs should be able to adapt to any minor vision changes, meaning they should still be able to see. Infectious Diseases. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores. For foreign body injuries such as scratches or bites, removal of the object, cleaning of the eye, including the surrounding tear ducts and membranes, and oral and topical antibiotics and pain medications can help. The two chambers are separated by the iris, pupil, and lens. go to an emergency vet or if possible an ophthalmologist ASAP. Owners report it looking like ice crystals. You may notice that your pet is squinting and the eye may produce excessive tears. It is spread in urine and nasal discharge. Unfortunately pets affected with glaucoma will lose their sight and go blind at some point. There are more noticeable signs you can look out for. There are two reasons a dog's eyes look blue: Cataracts or Nuclear Sclerosis. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. Causes of Dog Eye Infections As in humans, there are many causes of dog eye infections. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Yes. In addition to eye cloudiness, you may notice your dog rubbing or pawing at their face, redness of the eye or surrounding tissues, or visible swelling and discoloration. Anterior uveitis can also cause a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes. Click here to see the top 12 signs your pooch is entering his senior years. This then changed as they age into adolescence, becoming their natural color in a few months time. Your veterinarian will do a pressure check and if it is too low, the likely hood of uveitis is real. Inherited glaucoma affects many breeds of dogs, tear-stimulating medications and topical antibiotics, Active Shooter & Mass Attack Safety Resources. Dry Eye Can Cause Your Dogs Eyes To Turn Cloudy 2. We should state that the first reason your dog has blue eyes might not be a discoloration. While the exact mechanism is poorly understood, it appears that the lens gradually becomes harder with age. Do not give OP specific treatment instructions, including instructions on meds and dosages. Diagnosis includes an eye exam and sometimes a test to measure the amount of tear production and moisture in the eye. You will receive an email with your results soon. The only way to get them comfortable again is to remove the diseased eye. Cataracts and lenticular sclerosis are two of the most common eye problems seen in dogs over the age of nine. Corneal Ulcer 8. ASK THE VET: Should I be worried my dogs eyes are completely blue? Some breeds are more susceptible to dry eye than others, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Pugs. There are two types of glaucoma: primary or inherited glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma, which is usually caused by another condition such as cataracts, a lens luxation or subluxation (where the lens shifts position in the eye), cancer, inflammation, or retinal detachment. Even when the dog recovers, their urine can still be contagious between 9 months and a year. That said, prophylactic antibiotics, as well as medicated eye ointments and pain medications can help reduce the chances of a secondary infection as well as reduce rubbing and overall irritation while the eye heals. Just as with humans, a dog with cataracts will have difficulty seeing at night and experience sensitivity to strong light and glare. Breeds like Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherds, Australian Cattle dogs, Border Collies, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Great Danes, and Dalmatians are predisposed to developing this condition. Good luck. Reasons Your Dog's Eyes Turn Cloudy Suddenly 1. Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. Nuclear sclerosis, also known as lenticular sclerosis, is described as the change in the color of the dog's lenses. It is not intended to serve as medical advice or to take the place of advice from, or treatment by, your veterinarian. But can pets' eye colors change? But why color is changing is what should concern pet owners. This condition is most common in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs, such as Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs. With interstitial keratitis, the cause of the color change is the inflammation of the cornea. Now his eye has turned a foggy blue color. Flushing the eye out with sterile fluids works for smaller objects, while splinters or larger objects may need removal with surgical tools. Her desire to strengthen the human-animal bond while providing enhanced preventative care led her to start VIP Vet Visit an at-home veterinary care option that provides less stress, more convenience and better care. The veterinarian will use a microscope with a bright light to identify the type of corneal dystrophy your dog has, as well as a fluorescein stain to examine the details of the eye, and may prescribe antibiotic eye medications. AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. Nothing came of it. All rights reserved. For instance, a husky generally has blue eyes. Both epithelial and endothelial cornea dystrophy can cause ulcers that require treatment, but there is no cure for corneal dystrophy. Video call a licensed vet to get expert advice. There are a variety of causes of cataracts in dogs, including age, trauma, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and genetics. With these diseases, the eyes are not likely to turn blue. This is due to edema in the eye. Your dog can still see through their old lens fibers just maybe not as good as they used to when they were younger! We love to look into our dogs eyes and feel close to each other. Your dog may rub at the affected eye, show pain when the eye is touched, or may have visible clouding or injury to the cornea. Eye color change in animals, especially when not due to age, is very serious. Chronic dry eye can also cause corneal ulceration. Chance of rain 100%. It will depend on the acuteness of the symptoms and the progression of the infection. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Pigmentary keratitis refers to brownish-black discoloration of the eye's surface caused by the deposition of pigmented melanin granules. A veterinarian should examine any dog with cloudy eyes to diagnose the cause and prescribe prompt treatment, if necessary. Airedale Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Samoyeds, and Weimaraners are predisposed to this condition. Both dogs and cats can experience eye color changes in their lifetimes. More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dogs vision the way cataracts do. Eye ointments such as a steroid or antibiotics, as well as oral pain medications will help until the eye is fully healed. This film can look blue, but to varying degrees. This results in one of their eyes being bluish or white. There is no known cause for primary (or geriatric) iris atrophy. However, cloudy eyes can sometimes be hard to detect, especially if your dog relies more on their other senses, such as hearing and smell, to compensate. DogsCatspets is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to amazon.com. However, the most important action is prevention. Such compensation does not influence the information or recommendations made. This occurs when the protein component of the lens clumps together and forms a cloud-like substance, preventing light from entering the eyes. Glaucoma is a condition where the aqueous humor (the eyes fluid) doesnt drain properly. Lastly, heavy panting, or blue or pale gums or tongue indicate a serious issue. Its crucial to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss an appropriate treatment plan with your vet. This variation of hepatitis strain is caused by a virus, specifically by the canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1). Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. All rights reserved. When the eye is examined with an ophthalmoscope, the retina and fundus (back of the eye) can still be seen through the sclerotic lens. Pet eye colors may have to do with age. Senile cataracts form when the aging lens fibers degenerate. Interstitial means the inflammation is occurring between the cells of the cornea. If you see that your dog has blue eyes, then it is important to know the causes of this discoloration and see if there are treatment options available. Your veterinarian may run a series of diagnostic tests to narrow down the culprit. Otherwise, most corneal injuries will heal on their own over time. Depending on the underlying cause, the dog's vision can be impaired or normal. If the dog's eye is turning blue unnaturally, then there are not many possible causes. Dogs such as Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzu and Chinies Shar-Pei are particularly prone to glaucoma. Cataracts develop as result of an increased amount of protein accumulated in the eye. Cataracts progress through four stages of maturity: incipient, immature, mature, and hypermature. Yes this absolutely warrants an immediate ER trip. It seems extreme, but they do great and are pain free once more. But their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make a mess. This means that it can then be eliminated from the body via various secretions. Injury is the most common cause of abrasion and injury to the cornea, however, bacterial infections can also lead to corneal ulcers if left untreated, and may take hold as a secondary infection in traumatic injuries. This is considered a normal process and happens as the dogs get older. Your veterinarian will lay out a plan to treat your dogs cloudy eyes if treatment is necessary. 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