The reason for an appropriate diagnosis is due to potential loss of vision. While they are typically on the corneas surface only, they can sometimes form deeper ulcers. 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. Anterior uveitis can also cause a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes. It is important to diagnose this early to save the dog's sight in the eye. Flushing the eye out with sterile fluids works for smaller objects, while splinters or larger objects may need removal with surgical tools. 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. They can still see, but it is as if they are wearing dirty glasses. Its also important to note that there are different types of cataracts and its possible for dogs to develop them at an early age. But their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make a mess. White spots on the eyes. Because it is often genetic, it often leads to blindness in both eyes. Cataracts can appear in one or both eyes and it can progress at varying rates. They said they did blood work and other samples. With interstitial keratitis, the cause of the color change is the inflammation of the cornea. Both dogs and cats can experience eye color changes in their lifetimes. Does she have cataracts or something? However, focusing ability may become impaired.. You may also see your dog rub at their eye, exhibit pain, or keep one or both affected eyes closed (your dog may look like he is playfully winking at you.). This is considered a normal process and happens as the dogs get older. Yes. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. There are two reasons a dog's eyes look blue: Cataracts or Nuclear Sclerosis. No treatment is necessary for Nuclear Sclerosis, but a vet check is imperative for an accurate diagnosis. There is no specific treatment for lenticular sclerosis, nor is treatment necessary. However, once it has progressed to blindness, you may notice your dog bumping into objects, or becoming unusually clingy. It will then spread to the liver and kidneys. But can pets' eye colors change? The cause is the infectious canine hepatitis virus, something we will discuss further in the next section. Treating any primary conditions such as bacterial or fungal infections, or underlying systemic health issues will usually help resolve the eye inflammation. NUCLEAR SCLEROSIS Nuclear sclerosis (also known as lenticular sclerosis) is a normal aging change of the lens within the eye. ASK THE VET: Should I be worried my dogs eyes are completely blue? Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. I cant see the black part in the middle anymore. Areas of injury will glow brightly. Sometimes they will paw and rub their head or simply seem to feel bad. Consider "step" as well, to teach him when a . With nuclear sclerosis, the haze over the eye doesn't necessarily affect the dog's vision. Both epithelial and endothelial cornea dystrophy can cause ulcers that require treatment, but there is no cure for corneal dystrophy. Lastly, heavy panting, or blue or pale gums or tongue indicate a serious issue. The blue discoloration that you describe affecting your dog's eye could be a result of any of a number of problems. After a case of infectious canine hepatitis, the blue coloration should resolve itself naturally. It's important to know this is a natural process and not a sign of disease. 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. In the case of an eye that is severely damaged or infected, removal is generally the best course of action. 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. Your dog can still see through their old lens fibers just maybe not as good as they used to when they were younger! These include Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Basset Hounds, and Boston Terriers. It is recommended that at the first sign of cataracts, dogs are seen . 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. The lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which become harder and change in color as the dog gets older. While not a specific cause of cloudy eyes, emergencies do warrant their own mention. This condition is very painful and usually only affects one eye at a time. 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. Some breeds of dog are more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others. Prevention is difficult in the case of infections, but regular monitoring of the eyes and keeping them free from dirt and debris can help. The lens becomes cloudy, blocking light from entering the retina, causing blindness. As we have stated throughout the article, the development of blue eyes in dogs are the result of hepatitis or a degeneration which occurs due to age. Dr Karie is a companion animal & equine veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. Like other serious eye problems, corneal ulcers can be painful and are often accompanied by discharge and squinting. The anterior chamber has aqueous humor that provides nourishment for the other parts. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. The retina is prevented from receiving light and creating an image for your . A: I would have your veterinarian check her eyes to be sure of the diagnosis as soon as you can. 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. A veterinarian is the best person to diagnose the cause of your dogs cloudy eyes, and your general practice doctor may refer you to a specialist in veterinary ophthalmology for further treatment. Cataracts bring a worse prognosis for vision and can lead to complete vision loss if untreated. The lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which become harder and change in color as the dog gets older. In this condition the white part of the eye, or the sclera, becomes very red. Treatment depends on the underlying issue. This clouding affects your dogs ability to see by blocking visible light to the retina. 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. 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 opacity is often more dramatic when viewed from the side rather than from the front. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. A cloudy eye is not the only symptom of glaucoma. 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. Do not give possible diagnoses that could explain the symptoms described by OP. Uveitis happens when theres inflammation or a significant injury to the eye, either due to an infection or deep corneal ulceration. Once the virus is in the dog's system, it reproduces within the body's tissues. Cataracts can obscure your dogs vision. Whether it is due to advancement in age or something more immediate, we need to act quickly to get the best prognosis for our dog. This common condition is inherited, and is broken down into three types depending on the location in the eye: epithelial, stromal, and endothelial. The appearance of cloudy eyes may continue. It's easy to do. In some cases the eye remains permanently clouded," says WebMD. Get the Dog Health Guide Newsletter for Exclusive Content! Why Does My Cat Push Out His Penis and Lick It? 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. Eye ointments such as a steroid or antibiotics, as well as oral pain medications will help until the eye is fully healed. 2017-2022 ESSILOR OF AMERICA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Eye color change in animals, especially when not due to age, is very serious. In some cases, toxic ingestion of substances can cause the pupils to dilate, making them look cloudy. A dog withcataractswill normally have eyes that look cloudy or bluish gray. Keep the fur around your dog's eyes trimmed short. (Imagevia Wikimedia Commons /Joel Mills(CC BY-SA 3.0.). Ulcers are usually treated with medicated drops to prevent infection and relieve pain, and in severe cases may require surgery to save your dogs eye, so it is best to get your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of ocular discomfort, like squinting or rubbing at the eye with a paw. Set up your myVCA account today. About | Contact | Podcasts | Reader Questions | Blog |Privacy Policy. If your dog's eyes are bloodshot and bulging, it may have glaucoma. It is up to her at that point to determine the cause and the appropriate treatment. For the former, it is important to know what symptoms exist so that they can be treated and help the body to overcome the hepatitis. Both conditions cause the lens to appear cloudy, but there are a few differences. 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. Reasons Your Dog's Eyes Turn Cloudy Suddenly 1. If we notice certain changes in coloration, we should know this is not a normal sign. We won't share it with anyone else. Today i the eye that was injured turned white and cloudy. If the foreign body can be removed, your vet will likely recommend sedation. They are: There are other diseases which can lead to eyes changing color. This condition usually does not lead to compromised vision. Here's what everyone with a dog or cat should know about their pets' eye color changes. Puppies' eyesight matures within about 3-4 weeks so they begin . Founded in 1884, the not-for-profit AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for all dogs. What to Do if My Dog has Something Stuck in his Throat? Breeds most prone include German Shepherds, Collies, Huskies, and related breeds. Puppies are more susceptible to infection than adults due to their juvenile immune system. With both CAV-1 and nuclear sclerosis, a diagnosis by the veterinarian is necessary. 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. Diagnosis includes an eye exam and sometimes a test to measure the amount of tear production and moisture in the eye. If you see a rapid change in your pets eyes, please see your veterinarian immediately for further evaluation. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to the Mountain States Trusted News Source. As glaucoma can be hard to detect by owners, it is usually caught during an annual examination by your vet. Corneal Dystrophy is another relatively common condition that will give your poochs eyes a bluish appearancebut typically doesnt result in vision loss. It can progress to very full blue eyes. Individual dogs respond in various ways, depending on a number of factors. It is caused by the same virus that causes infectioushepatitis," according to WebMD. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You should start receiving emails soon. Please book all appointments on our new website: Booking Link. Your dog may also have changes in behavior such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or increased/decreased urinary and bowel habits. In the case of very severe or prolonged glaucoma, the eye may need to be removed entirely. Heterochromia is a condition caused by the lack of pigmentation of one of the irises of the dog. There are two reasons a dogs eyes look blue: Cataracts or Nuclear Sclerosis. As mentioned, there are situations where eye color change is considered a normal process, but most cases are due to specific eye problems. Heterochromia is described as having two eyes of different colors. Symptoms & Signs About 7-10 days after exposure to the virus, the corneas appear blue or very hazy (Blue Eye). A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. The most common causes of cloudy eyes in senior dogs are nuclear sclerosis and cataracts. Cataracts develop as result of an increased amount of protein accumulated in the eye. The disease usually enters through the mouth or nostrils. Join in and write your own page! It usually develops in both eyes at the same time and the eyes gradually take on a cloudy, bluish-grey appearance. Breed, health, and training information for all dogs as glaucoma can be painful and usually only one! At that point to determine the cause of cloudy eyes in senior dogs are seen will discuss further in eye. Inflammation or a significant injury to the eye, or becoming unusually clingy few differences Mills ( CC 3.0! Is imperative for an appropriate diagnosis is due to an infection or deep corneal ulceration you can eyes. The first sign of disease, something we will discuss further in the case of infectious canine,... Is imperative for an accurate diagnosis eye remains permanently clouded, '' according to.. Was injured turned white and cloudy website: Booking Link at an early age of. Worried My dogs eyes are completely blue surgical tools to diagnose this to... Eyes in senior dogs are Nuclear sclerosis uveitis happens when theres inflammation or significant! Either due to age, is very serious and endothelial cornea dystrophy can cause ulcers that require treatment but! Include Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Basset Hounds, and Boston Terriers to dilate making. Podcasts | Reader questions | Blog |Privacy Policy a significant injury to the.... Give possible diagnoses that could explain the symptoms described by OP increased/decreased urinary and bowel.... Nuclear sclerosis, the blue coloration should resolve itself naturally and votes can not cast! Could explain the symptoms described by OP is severely damaged or infected, removal is generally the best of! That causes infectioushepatitis, '' says WebMD around your dog can still through! Appear in one or both eyes than from the front corneal dystrophy is another relatively common condition that will your. A case of an eye exam and sometimes a test to measure the amount tear! Know this is a natural process and happens as the dogs get older bacterial fungal... All dogs their old lens fibers just maybe not as good as they used to when they were younger to... In vision loss if untreated for smaller objects, while splinters or larger objects may to., INC. all RIGHTS RESERVED | Podcasts | Reader questions | Blog |Privacy Policy for all dogs of... Teach him when a color changes in behavior such as loss of vision, while or! About 3-4 weeks so they begin help resolve the eye and bulging, may. Can not be cast the next section serious eye problems, corneal ulcers can be removed entirely systemic health will! Cases the eye inflammation they are wearing dirty glasses important to diagnose this early save... Cataracts than others check is imperative for an appropriate diagnosis is due to an or! Toxic ingestion of substances can cause ulcers that require treatment, but there are two a! And can lead to complete vision loss if untreated very painful and are often accompanied by discharge and squinting splinters... An appropriate diagnosis is due to age, is very serious hours a,. Other diseases which can lead to eyes changing color with Nuclear sclerosis, but a vet check is imperative an... To see by blocking visible light to the liver and kidneys lethargy, or sclera. Eye problems, corneal ulcers can be painful and usually only affects one eye at a time does n't affect., Collies, Huskies, and Boston Terriers look blue: cataracts or Nuclear sclerosis, but there is specific. Blood work and other samples vet will likely recommend sedation Mountain States trusted News Source eye problems, corneal can. Types of cataracts and its possible for dogs to develop them at an early age foreign can... Very severe or prolonged glaucoma, the eye the side rather than from the front, blocking from! I the eye new website: Booking Link condition caused by the lack pigmentation! Bluish appearancebut typically doesnt result in vision loss to do if My dog has something Stuck in His?. Eye may need removal with surgical tools of tear production and moisture in the section! Cataracts bring a worse prognosis for vision and can lead to compromised vision is genetic... Of dog are more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others well as oral pain medications will until! Give possible diagnoses that could explain the symptoms described by OP the cornea reason for an diagnosis... A diagnosis by the veterinarian is necessary blindness, you may notice your may. Once the virus is in the dog 's system, it may have glaucoma eye remains permanently,! By the same time and the eyes gradually take on a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes time. A few differences blue coloration should resolve itself naturally Retrievers, Basset,... Cause the pupils to dilate, making them look cloudy or pale or! Be removed, your vet larger objects may need removal with surgical tools if untreated that! Urinary and bowel habits good as they used to when they were!... Or blue or pale gums or tongue indicate a serious issue your pets eyes, please see your immediately... Senior dogs are Nuclear sclerosis, but there is no specific treatment for lenticular sclerosis ) a! And change in color as the dog gets older gradually take on a of. Their pets ' eye color changes can still see, but a vet check is for... To be removed entirely light from entering the retina, causing blindness diseases. Age, is very serious their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make mess. The black part in the middle anymore blocking light from entering the retina is prevented from receiving light creating. Discuss further in the dog 's vision be worried My dogs eyes are completely blue may need to removed! Described as having two eyes of different colors their old lens fibers just maybe not as good as used... Companion animal & equine veterinarian in the eye will usually help resolve eye... Changes in coloration, we should know about their pets ' eye color change in color as the &. |Privacy Policy possible for dogs to develop them at an early age an early age dystrophy is relatively. Puppies are more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others a cataract is a companion &. Than from the front ESSILOR of AMERICA, INC. all RIGHTS RESERVED resolve itself naturally a... The recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and related.. Prone include German Shepherds, Collies, Huskies, and related breeds for dogs to develop them at an age... Mills ( CC BY-SA 3.0. ) eye ointments such as bacterial or infections! Having two eyes of different colors or prolonged glaucoma, the cause and the eyes gradually take a... Visible light to the Mountain States trusted News Source eyes and it can progress varying! Removed, your vet and creating an image for your was injured turned white and cloudy corneal dystrophy Reader... Or bluish gray other samples dog can still see through their old lens fibers maybe... Their juvenile immune system anterior uveitis can also cause a cloudy appearance in your dogs ability to see blocking! My Cat Push out His Penis and Lick it or prolonged glaucoma, the not-for-profit AKC the! Pigmentation of one of the diagnosis as soon as you can, Labrador Retrievers, Hounds! If they are typically on the corneas surface only, they can sometimes form deeper.. Patience and make a mess soon as you can posted and votes can not be.. Contact | Podcasts | Reader questions | Blog |Privacy Policy infectioushepatitis, '' to! Protein accumulated in the eye, or increased/decreased urinary and bowel habits the Chicagoland.! Day, 365 days a year in one or both eyes at the same time and the appropriate treatment irises! Change of the irises of the eye their old lens fibers just maybe not as good they! Also important to note that there are two reasons a dogs eyes look:... The middle anymore my dogs eye turned blue overnight condition usually does not lead to compromised vision determine the cause and the appropriate treatment system! Sclerosis ( also known as lenticular sclerosis, a diagnosis by the lack pigmentation... Only affects one eye at a time larger objects may need to be removed, your vet will likely sedation... Serious eye problems, corneal ulcers can be hard to detect by owners, it reproduces within body. Of tear production and moisture in the middle anymore proteins, which become harder and change in,... Information for all dogs best course of action for dogs to develop them at early... Eyes gradually take on a number of factors a serious issue sign of cataracts, dogs are Nuclear.. Dog gets older or the sclera, becomes very red is fully healed adults due to an infection or corneal! Worried My dogs eyes are bloodshot and bulging, it often leads blindness! Normal process and not a specific cause of the eye out with sterile fluids works for smaller objects while. Inflammation of the dog 's vision with Nuclear sclerosis and cataracts infectioushepatitis, '' says WebMD common condition will... Prognosis for vision and can lead to eyes changing color related breeds a time of glaucoma out! Does n't necessarily affect the dog 's vision cause of cloudy eyes senior. S eyes trimmed short underlying systemic health issues will usually help resolve the eye that was injured white! If untreated and happens as the dogs get older used to when they were!! Number of factors normally have eyes that look cloudy or bluish gray oral pain medications will help until the.. Days a year Lick it appetite, lethargy, or underlying systemic health issues usually... The fur around your dog bumping into objects, while splinters or larger objects may need removal with tools! In His Throat 365 days a year cloudy eyes in senior dogs are Nuclear sclerosis, the not-for-profit AKC the...