They can still see, but it is as if they are wearing dirty glasses. Some of the breeds most commonly affected include the Australian Shepherd, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Havanese, Silky Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Siberian Husky, and West Highland White Terrier. Cloudy eyes in dogs can be a concerning, but not always severe issue. With interstitial keratitis, the cause of the color change is the inflammation of the cornea. After a case of infectious canine hepatitis, the blue coloration should resolve itself naturally. Already have a myVCA account? If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale. This article is purely informative. Video call a licensed vet to get expert advice. It can progress to very full blue eyes. A mature cataract looks like a white disk behind . What Pet Parents Need To Know! This means keeping up with a dog'c vaccination schedule. This can also reduce secondary infections and inflammation. Some other common symptoms include: Its important to schedule a vet appointment and seek treatment immediately to prevent further damage. Ulcers can form, and in severe cases lead to perforation of the eye itself. It is possible there is a blue tinge, but it may depend on the light and original eye color. It causes a dogs eyes to have a hazy, blue, cloudy appearance to them. Simply click here to return to Eye Infection. In rarer cases, fungal infections and viruses such as hepatitis can cause eye inflammation. 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. Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, veterinarian and San Francisco SPCA representative, toldKCBS radio"most puppies are born with amber or yellow eyes but those will change to a dark brown by about eight weeks of age." Sometimes steroid drops will help or saline drops can slow the progression in some cases, but most of the time there is no treatment. If you look closely, you can often see the flecks of color appear gradually. Your dog can still see through their old lens fibers just maybe not as good as they used to when they were younger! It is often a sign of infection in or near the eye. Some breeds of dogs have blue eyes for life, such as the Siberian Husky. 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. They cause a white layer inside the eye. A cloudy eye is not the only symptom of glaucoma. Foreign bodies are another cause of visible eye cloudiness. However, always take your dog to the vet to be certain of which ailment he/she may be experiencing. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. As the condition worsens and pressure increases, the pupil can dilate and the cornea becomes cloudy. We always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences. This is why the highest percentages of cases occur in dogs under the age of one year. A dogs eyes are one of its most striking features. As part of a puppy's initial vaccinations and their yearly boosters, a vaccination against CAV-1 is given. Dry Eye Can Cause Your Dogs Eyes To Turn Cloudy 2. It is caused by the same virus that causes infectious hepatitis ," according to WebMD. Put tags or bells that jingle or make noise on other animals in the house and consider wearing one yourself so that your blind dog knows where his companion is. Dr Karie is a companion animal & equine veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. I think she can see because she doesnt run into things but I dont know how. There are many causes for clouding of the eyes, including aging-related health issues, injuries, and more. Press J to jump to the feed. WV Culinary Team: Alternative, outdoor cooking methods can add adventure to mealtime, WV Culinary Team: Stale bread for the win, Ask an expert: 7 most common questions about automatic home generators, One A Day: Small Daily Acts of Self-Care Go a Long Way to Health. However, the most important action is prevention. However, focusing ability may become impaired.. This condition usually does not lead to compromised vision. It is up to her at that point to determine the cause and the appropriate treatment. Among the many eye diseases which can affect dogs, not many can cause the eye to appear blue. More and more proteins gather, eventually clouding the entire lens. Prevention is difficult in the case of infections, but regular monitoring of the eyes and keeping them free from dirt and debris can help. This layer is not see-through and can completely block light from entering the eye leading to blindness. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Symptoms & Signs About 7-10 days after exposure to the virus, the corneas appear blue or very hazy (Blue Eye). Other than the mentioned differences, a dog and a humans eye is practically identical. My Dog Has Leg Cramps - Causes and Treatment, My Lovebird has Diarrhea - Causes and Treatment, My Old Cat Has Tremors - Causes and Treatment, Rectal Prolapse In Dogs - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment, Low Platelets in Dogs - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment, Sore Throat In Cats - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment, Photophobia (becomes increasingly sensitive to light). Lenticular sclerosis is the term for a bluish transparent haze that develops in the lens of the eye in middle-aged to senior dogs. Your comment will be removed, and you may be banned. However, if you travel frequently with your dog in the car with the window down, or on bikes or other locations with flying debris, pet goggles are beneficial to avoid dirt and debris from causing scratches. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. LENSES THAT ADAPT TO VARIABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS, PROTECTION AGAINST GLARE, SCRATCHES, AND SMUDGES. The anterior chamber has aqueous humor that provides nourishment for the other parts. There are two reasons a dogs eyes look blue: Cataracts or Nuclear Sclerosis. Yes. 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. Take your pets to the vet if you notice a color change. Tests such as eye stains to rule out injury, bloodwork to check for systemic illnesses, and visual examination of the eye can all help narrow down the cause behind the inflammation. Corneal Dystrophy is another relatively common condition that will give your poochs eyes a bluish appearancebut typically doesnt result in vision loss. 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. Are You Choosing The Right Food For Your Pet. While the two seem related, there does not appear to be a causal relationship. Luckily, dry eye can usually be treated with tear-stimulating medications and topical antibiotics, and in severe cases there are surgical options available to help promote increased tear production. Now his eye has turned a foggy blue color. This is an inherited, progressive condition that typically affects both eyes, causing the most damage to the cornea. With both CAV-1 and nuclear sclerosis, a diagnosis by the veterinarian is necessary. Most dogs, with age, develop a haze within the lens similar to cataracts, called nuclear sclerosis, says veterinary ophthalmologist Martin Coster, DVM, MS, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (DACVO). They are: Interstitial keratitis caused by infectious canine hepatitis. Treatment depends on the underlying issue. Dark brown is the most common eye color in dogs. The pupil is the small opening of the eye that allows light to enter from outside. Small, toy breed dogs can be more predisposed, but any dog can develop the condition. The best course of action is to ensure their general well-being to give them the best chance at slowing the degeneration. In nuclear sclerosis, the eye lens changes as a normal consequence of ageing, and cloudiness can occur. Corneal ulcers, also known as ulcerative keratitis, are caused by slow-to-heal ulcers and sores forming on the cornea. Breeds most prone include German Shepherds, Collies, Huskies, and related breeds. Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. This usually happens in response to corneal injury or irritation on the surface of the eye. Tea Mathews: How much does it mean to you? There are many variations between these two extremes, but we always need to be careful of symptoms. It rarely significantly affects the dog's vision It often gives the eyes a cloudy, bluish colour, rather than white Join in and write your own page! My 13 year old male shih Tzu got an eye infection, been treating it but has not helped. You may notice your dog bumping into things more often, or other changes in their behavior, as well as an opaque film over the eyes. A: I would have your veterinarian check her eyes to be sure of the diagnosis as soon as you can. Treatment varies depending on the severity and underlying conditions. Glaucoma is usually diagnosed with a tool called a tonometer. There is no treatment needed because the condition does not cause serious problems, but it might be a good idea to discuss your dogs aging eyes with your veterinarian, so that you know what to expect as your dog grows older. Its crucial to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss an appropriate treatment plan with your vet. Cloudy eyes can be scary when spotted, but treatment can help your dog remain healthy and happy. If they become infected, they can lead to severe damage and even perforation. A dog withcataractswill normally have eyes that look cloudy or bluish gray. Image: http://veterinariacamicaza.blogspot.com, Click to attach a photo related to your comment, get the vaccnation it was talking abt DUH, My Dog Has Blue Eyes - Causes and Treatment, My Dog Has Dandruff - Causes and Treatment, My Rabbit Has Diarrhea - Causes and Treatment, My Cat Has a White Nose - Causes and What to Do, My Cat Has a Hernia - Types, Causes and Treatment, My Dog Has a Nail Infection - Causes and Treatment. 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. By acting quickly you just might save her vision and keep those beautiful eyes sparkling again. The eyes can be given a whitish coloration, but the eye turning blue can also occur. The appearance of cloudy eyes may continue. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. These white, milky changes to your dogs lens are the result of abnormal lens metabolism. Its important for your veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist to determine whether a dog is suffering from primary or secondary glaucoma, because treatment may vary for each type, says Dr. Klein. The lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which become harder and change in color as the dog gets older. Glaucoma is a condition where the aqueous humor (the eyes fluid) doesnt drain properly. Download this e-book to get the explanations behind some of the strangest canine behaviors. Some breeds of dog are more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others. No she went in for a regular check up. Eye inflammation can also cause eye clouding in dogs, especially when it affects the cornea. In neither of the two causes is a direct treatment administered. More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dogs vision the way cataracts do. All rights reserved. Pawing and rubbing of the face and eyes can also indicate discomfort from swelling, pain, or itchiness. There are three types of corneal dystrophy: Dogs who suffer from cataracts will typically develop a cloudy, whitish, or crackly appearance in their eye/s. Foreign Body 5. Your dog may show symptoms such as redness, cloudiness, seeping of green or yellow discharge, and the desire to scratch or paw at the eye. As mentioned, there are situations where eye color change is considered a normal process, but most cases are due to specific eye problems. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. White spots on the eyes. Occasionally, cataracts can occur practically overnight. It does progress with age, but is not a big deal. This variation of hepatitis strain is caused by a virus, specifically by the canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1). Unfortunately pets affected with glaucoma will lose their sight and go blind at some point. Cloudy eyes can be a symptom of a variety of eye problems, and some can be painful for your dog. From what i've read on the internet it could be wither nuclear sclerosis or cataracts. This site accepts advertising and other forms of compensation for products mentioned. Cataracts 4. It can come on slowly over time (open-angle) or rapidly (closed-angle). Both dogs and cats can experience eye color changes in their lifetimes. If you want to read similar articles to My Dog Has Blue Eyes - Causes and Treatment, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category. But cloudy eyes in dogs can also can be a symptom of a number of eye problems. Senile cataracts form when the aging lens fibers degenerate. Click here to see the top 12 signs your pooch is entering his senior years. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. This condition is known to be painful and often leaves dogs squinting and pawing at their eyes. We typically start to see this condition in pets over 6 years of age. Keep the fur around your dog's eyes trimmed short. It is recommended that at the first sign of cataracts, dogs are seen . Set up your myVCA account today. Chronic dry eye can also cause corneal ulceration. This is likely due to their facial conformation and genetic factors. Treatment generally involves medicated eye drops or ointments such as Terramycin, but may also include an oral antibiotic or pain medication depending on severity. The blue discoloration that you describe affecting your dog's eye could be a result of any of a number of problems. Injury to the Eye 2. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. 12 Dog Breeds With The Shortest Lifespans, Why Your Dogs Diet Is Life Changing: The TEDTalk All Pet Parents Should Watch, 8 Types of Assistance Dogs (& The Amazing Work They Do), Changes to the shape and/or color of the iris. It will depend on the acuteness of the symptoms and the progression of the infection. The dog will also have concurrent symptoms of: It is possible for interstitial keratitis to relieve itself spontaneously and the dog to make a full recovery. In this condition the white part of the eye, or the sclera, becomes very red. Nuclear Sclerosis is a hardening of the eyes' lenses and is common in older dogs. There is no "pure" albino dog on record, but some breeds have shown significant loss of pigment that result in a white coat, pink nose, and blue eyes. The entering light is focused by the lens and is received by the rods in the retina at the back of the eye for interpretation. Are your dogs eyes turning cloudy or blue? Cataracts can occur for many reasons, including hereditary causes with breeds such as Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and Boston Terriers. It's important to know this is a natural process and not a sign of disease. If your dog has an acute injury to the eye, such as bumping into a foreign object or getting bitten by another dog, it should be considered a medical emergency. Generally, there are two reason why your dog's eyes have turned blue. In the case of systemic illness leading to cloudy eyes, you may also see changes in overall behavior, appetite, or energy levels. In some cases, toxic ingestion of substances can cause the pupils to dilate, making them look cloudy. Wipe the area a few times a day with a cleaning solution made specifically for dogs, like ourSafe & Sure Eye Wipes. Join in and write your own page! Puppies' eyes are closed for up to the first two weeks of their lives. The only way to get them comfortable again is to remove the diseased eye. Corneal Ulcer 8. There are also a whole host of genetic eye conditions which certain purebred dogs can suffer from. Treatment will depend on the cause, and could include eye drops, eye ointments, and oral medications. Some of them can be resolved even without Book a video consultation with an experienced veterinarian within minutes. Anterior uveitis can also cause a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes. It is believed that, as the central lens is compressed by new fibers deposited on the outer rings of the lens, the compression leads to hardening and lens becomes opaque. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. Why Does My Cat Push Out His Penis and Lick It? Often times we see this in pets with diabetes and it will result in blindness over time. The look is quite similar to that of the beginning of a cataract, but it is imperative we distinguish between the two. Airedale Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Samoyeds, and Weimaraners are predisposed to this condition. We have merged with BetterVet! Lets go over the rule-out list to give you some information to take to your veterinarian: One condition that we see in older pets is called lenticular sclerosis. Please book all appointments on our new website: Booking Link. Cataracts cause diminished vision. While some changes may be painless and benign, others can lead to permanent eye damage and blindness. These protein strands gradually obscure the lens, making it harder for your dog to see and in some cases causing total blindness. Eye color change in animals, especially when not due to age, is very serious. R.A. Blue eyes can be a sign of Infectious canine hepatitis which is a disease of the liver and other organs caused by the adenovirus type 1. 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