Good 2 Grow: Who needs words when flowers can express the moment? Tammy Hunter, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM, Contributors: Tammy Hunter, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM. Some are normal and some will result in vision loss and pain. Comments or suggestions can be submitted the same way. They cause a white layer inside the eye. It changes the color of the lenses from transparent to almost white in severe cases. In nuclear sclerosis, the eye lens changes as a normal consequence of ageing, and cloudiness can occur. Simply click here to return to. In cases where medication fails, your veterinarian may recommend laser therapy, eye removal, implants to facilitate drainage, gentamicin (an antibiotic) injections, and cyclocryotherapy (a procedure used to reduce the production of intraocular fluid.) Unfortunately pets affected with glaucoma will lose their sight and go blind at some point. Whatever the case, you must take your pet to be seen as soon as you notice any changes in the eyes. They are: There are other diseases which can lead to eyes changing color. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Eye irritation/redness, discharge or blinking. But for a dog that doesn't naturally have blue eyes, a blue eye could indicate a disease called interstitial keratitis, "a corneal inflammation in which a bluish-white film appears over the clear window of the eye. This is usually accompanied by scleritis, conjunctivitis, and excessive tear production depending on the severity of the trauma. Dr Karie is a companion animal & equine veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. Cloudy eyes in dogs can be a concerning, but not always severe issue. Eye injuries can occur for several reasons, including trauma to the eye from a bite, scratches from foreign objects, or inflammation due to underlying illness leading to swelling and bulging. There are two reasons a dog's eyes look blue: Cataracts or Nuclear Sclerosis. The lens in both dog eyes and human eyes acts like a camera lens, focusing light on the film at the back of the eye, called the retina, where the brain then processes the information to form a picture of the world around it. There is no known cause for primary (or geriatric) iris atrophy. However, it is also possible the dog will maintain the blue color for the rest of their lives. Reasons Your Dog's Eyes Turn Cloudy Suddenly 1. In the case of an eye that is severely damaged or infected, removal is generally the best course of action. Inflammation 7. This layer is not see-through and can completely block light from entering the eye leading to blindness. In this condition the white part of the eye, or the sclera, becomes very red. Ulcers can form, and in severe cases lead to perforation of the eye itself. This usually effects both eyes and is not painful. Still, it can. Wipe the area a few times a day with a cleaning solution made specifically for dogs, like ourSafe & Sure Eye Wipes. Why Does My Cat Push Out His Penis and Lick It? Also, based on the cause, cloudy eyes in dogs can be painful or painless. While most dogs have an eye color which is some shade of brown, it is possible for certain breeds to have blue eyes throughout their lifetime. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It can come on slowly over time (open-angle) or rapidly (closed-angle). Most cataracts in dogs develop as a complication to an underlying condition, such as diabetes mellitus. Cataracts can obscure your dogs vision. It will then spread to the liver and kidneys. Dog eye problems are fairly common, and can be caused by something as simple as getting grass or grit under the lid, or by something as serious as cancer. Nuclear sclerosis, also known as lenticular sclerosis, is described as the change in the color of the dog's lenses. This condition usually does not lead to compromised vision. Sometimes they do not pose any additional problems beyond vision loss itself, but other times they can lead to an even more serious issue glaucoma. While some changes in the dogs eyes are considered normal, especially as they get older, most physical changes are indications of possible eye problems. If a cataract develops, it can be surgically corrected, and this procedure should be pursued early in the course of the disease for best results. Please make sure you have provided a valid email address. Anxiety when in new environments. This condition can be uncomfortable, and Shetland Sheepdogs appear to be the most susceptible breed. The pupil is the small opening of the eye that allows light to enter from outside. Anterior uveitis can also cause a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes. Inside, the eyes are divided into two chambers: the anterior and posterior chambers. While your veterinarian is your best source of information about your dogs eye health, it helps to know what types of problems can cause a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes, and any other symptoms you can look out for. While not a specific cause of cloudy eyes, emergencies do warrant their own mention. But cloudy eyes in dogs can also can be a symptom of a number of eye problems. It occurs as the lens fibers in the eye harden, compress and become more visible due to age. It causes a dogs eyes to have a hazy, blue, cloudy appearance to them. Keep the fur around your dog's eyes trimmed short. Chronic dry eye can also cause corneal ulceration. Sunshine and a few clouds. We have merged with BetterVet! This is considered a normal change in the lens associated with aging, and is observed as a cloudiness or bluish discoloration on the pupil. So there are lots of reasons for blue eyes in dogs. It is important to note that senile cataracts develop in many older pets, so the chances that your dog will develop lenticular sclerosis and/or a cataract is high. Vision does not appear to be significantly affected in dogs diagnosed with lenticular sclerosis. The most common causes of cloudy eyes in senior dogs are nuclear sclerosis and cataracts. We love to look into our dogs eyes and feel close to each other. (Imagevia Wikimedia Commons /Joel Mills(CC BY-SA 3.0.). The lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which become harder and change in color as the dog gets older. 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. 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. For instance, a cat's eye color change could be a sign they havemelanoma, according to WebMD. Clouding of the eye refers to a cloudy, opaque film covering its surface. With these diseases, the eyes are not likely to turn blue. When you see dogs with cloudy eyes, it may be a natural part of the aging process. No she went in for a regular check up. Tears are necessary for lubrication and overall eye health, as the aqueous solution is how your dogs eyes receive necessary nutrients. This painful condition can have a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, cancer, trauma, metabolic disease, parasites, and fungal, viral, and bacterial infections. While glaucoma is relatively rare in dogs, there are some breeds more predisposed. Unlike cataracts, nuclear sclerosis is not a medical concern and does not affect the dogs vision. If our dog has a case of CAV-1 infection, we need to properly clean any area with which they have come in contact as well as any accessories they may possess. When the light hits their eyes they look blue. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If they become infected, they can lead to severe damage and even perforation. They couldn't find any major issues and prescribed an eye drop and cream. Eye color change in animals, especially when not due to age, is very serious. 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. The Dog Health Guide is not intended to replace the advice of a Veterinarian or other Health Professional. We should state that the first reason your dog has blue eyes might not be a discoloration. The change in color of the eye is due to edema, i.e. Cataracts can easily avoid detection due to their slow progression, especially as dogs compensate with their other senses such as smell or hearing, which may make it difficult to notice there is a problem. Choose wisely! If you notice any changes to your dogs eyes, contact your vet immediately for a proper diagnosis and, if needed, treatment. You should start receiving emails soon. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Their eye will look swollen and protrude farther from their face. In this article, well discuss in detail what happens when a dogs eye color changes and the common causes of this peculiar phenomenon. Your veterinarian will lay out a plan to treat your dogs cloudy eyes if treatment is necessary. Albino dogs, also known as C-series, show a massive loss of pigment through their entire body, also resulting in a pink nose and blue eyes. Some infectious diseases in dogs can also result in eye issues. Sometimes cataracts are caused by an underlying disease process, so your veterinarian may want to do additional testing if cataracts are found. About a month ago i noticed that both his eyes were slightly cloudy but that was expected because of his age (10 years old). Bumping into things. Click #isupportlocal for more information on supporting our local journalists. Not all dogs achieve the same eye color. Flushing the eye out with sterile fluids works for smaller objects, while splinters or larger objects may need removal with surgical tools. However, there are some subtle signs to watch out for that can indicate an issue with the eyes. This is another serious condition that threatens your canine kids vision. A dogs eyes are one of its most striking features. liquid filling up between the layers of cells. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to the Mountain States Trusted News Source. Some common signs of a dog going blind may include: Cloudy eyes. With more severe cases, surgical intervention by a veterinary ophthalmologist may be recommended. These white, milky changes to your dogs lens are the result of abnormal lens metabolism. As mentioned, there are situations where eye color change is considered a normal process, but most cases are due to specific eye problems. These materials are organized in a very specific way, and when the proteins start to clump together, either as the result of age or trauma, they can form cataracts. There is no specific treatment for lenticular sclerosis, nor is treatment necessary. We typically start to see this condition in pets over 6 years of age. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. Dogs eye turned blue/cloudy overnight EDIT: Took her to our normal vet (Banfield) and they said they weren't sure and sent us to a larger animal hospital who had ophthalmologists on site. This will occur about 10 days after the dog has been exposed to the virus and become infected. If you see a rapid change in your pets eyes, please see your veterinarian immediately for further evaluation. In neither of the two causes is a direct treatment administered. It is easy to confuse cataracts and nuclear sclerosis. Cataracts and lenticular sclerosis are two of the most common eye problems seen in dogs over the age of nine. Consider "step" as well, to teach him when a . Cataracts progress through four stages of maturity: incipient, immature, mature, and hypermature. This site accepts advertising and other forms of compensation for products mentioned. If not treated promptly, it can damage the eyes nerve and cause blindness. While the exact mechanism is poorly understood, it appears that the lens gradually becomes harder with age. This usually happens in response to corneal injury or irritation on the surface of the eye. However, in most cases, treatment of glaucoma is lifelong. Watch your dog closely for other symptoms of eye problems, such as increased discharge, squinting, or a change in your dogs eyes shape, size, color, or vision, and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice redness, squinting, or thick discharge from your dogs eye, in addition to cloudiness. As dogs age, some cloudiness is normal. Another curious fact about blue eyes in dogs is that many puppies will have blue eyes when they first open them. Your veterinarian will do a pressure check on the eye and if the pressure is elevated they will prescribe eye drops to help lower the pressure for a time. Common Eye Conditions that Cause Color Changes in Dogs. If you notice changes to your dogs vision, including clouding of the eyes, a visit to your vet is always best. In the case of systemic illness leading to cloudy eyes, you may also see changes in overall behavior, appetite, or energy levels. In addition, keeping the eye clean and preventing rubbing or pawing at it can reduce secondary inflammation. Vet now. Are your dogs eyes turning cloudy or blue? Cataracts cause diminished vision. 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. Some breeds can also have a special type of eye inflammation caused by a disease called Pannus. With interstitial keratitis, the cause of the color change is the inflammation of the cornea. Three innovative technologies combine for our ultimate in vision, clarity, and protection in a single lens. You may also notice that the white of the eye is red and irritated, or that there is a bulge to the eye, a blue or red tint to the cloudiness, increased discharge, squinting, a dilated pupil, and most alarmingly, loss of vision. Severe cases of dry eye can lead to corneal ulceration and scarring, which falls into the second category. They are: Interstitial keratitis caused by infectious canine hepatitis. All rights reserved. Other underlying health issues, such as diabetes, trauma, inflammation, and nutritional issues can lead to cataract formation. Your dog may bump into objects, or become clingy in low light situations. Since the eyes will continue to produce fluid, failure of proper drainage leads to an increased pressure within the eyes. Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds are genetically predisposed. In a pinch, you can use a cloth dampened with warm water. Cloudy eyes can be a symptom of a variety of eye problems, and some can be painful for your dog. Pet eye colors may have to do with age. The look is quite similar to that of the beginning of a cataract, but it is imperative we distinguish between the two. As with other eye issues, prevention can be difficult, especially as cataracts are often a secondary issue, and slow to progress. This is an age-related change where the lens in each eye becomes less clear and cloudy. This is likely due to their facial conformation and genetic factors. Thank you! A free weekly newsletter with expert sports betting insight and analysis. Your veterinarian can differentiate between nuclear sclerosis and cataracts with an eye exam. They can still see, but again, not as well. If you suspect eye inflammation, your vet can help figure out the underlying cause. The aqueous humor found in the anterior chamber of the eye is constantly being produced and drained, maintaining a certain level of pressure inside the eye. Breeds most prone include German Shepherds, Collies, Huskies, and related breeds. 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