Cataracts bring a worse prognosis for vision and can lead to complete vision loss if untreated. Cloudy eyes can be a symptom of a variety of eye problems, and some can be painful for your dog. 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 dogs have blue eyes for life, such as the Siberian Husky. Teach your dog commands such as "watch," as observed by the nonprofit Best Friends, to make him aware he's approaching a hindrance. The two conditions look different when your veterinarian examines your dogs eyes with an ophthalmoscope. The cause is the infectious canine hepatitis virus, something we will discuss further in the next section. Download this e-book to get the explanations behind some of the strangest canine behaviors. A veterinarian should examine any dog with cloudy eyes to diagnose the cause and prescribe prompt treatment, if necessary. Generally, there are two reason why your dog's eyes have turned blue. Some dogs develop a condition called corneal dystrophy, which gives their cornea an opaque, cloudy appearance. LENSES THAT ADAPT TO VARIABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS, PROTECTION AGAINST GLARE, SCRATCHES, AND SMUDGES. It will then spread to the liver and kidneys. Rubbing or scratching of the eyes. However, in most cases, treatment of glaucoma is lifelong. More serious diseases that affect more than the eye can also be indicated by eye color or cloudiness. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. A cloudy eye is not the only symptom of glaucoma. If diagnosed early, treated consistently, and monitored regularly by a veterinarian, dogs who have dry eye can be pain-free, reports Dr. Klein. Vision does not appear to be significantly affected. With more severe cases, surgical intervention by a veterinary ophthalmologist may be recommended. Please book all appointments on our new website: Booking Link. Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. You have permission to edit this article. It might not be something you see occurring immediately, often progressing over time. 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). There are several diseases in the eyes that can cause a blue haze to fill the front chamber or the . Prevention can be difficult in the case of sudden punctures from bites or foreign objects. This usually happens in response to corneal injury or irritation on the surface of the eye. Cataracts 4. In the case of an eye that is severely damaged or infected, removal is generally the best course of action. Prevention is difficult in the case of infections, but regular monitoring of the eyes and keeping them free from dirt and debris can help. "Be aware, though, that it's natural for a dog's lens to become cloudy, or gray, with age. An eye infection can be secondary to an initial injury, but may also be a result of bacteria or inflammation of the eye. Our puppy still had blue eyes at 8 weeks old. Glaucoma is also something we see in animals. Already have a myVCA account? While visual changes are common in aging pups, its important to monitor, track, and report these changes to your veterinarian. It does progress with age, but is not a big deal. 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. Do not give OP specific treatment instructions, including instructions on meds and dosages. Nuclear sclerosis results in a hazy, gray, or bluish appearance which can be easily be confused with cataracts. Still, it can. It does, however, affect the dogs ability to focus light and images. Once the virus is in the dog's system, it reproduces within the body's tissues. A fluorescein stain can also be used to check for injuries to the cornea. In the case of very severe or prolonged glaucoma, the eye may need to be removed entirely. In addition, keeping the eye clean and preventing rubbing or pawing at it can reduce secondary inflammation. Since the eyes will continue to produce fluid, failure of proper drainage leads to an increased pressure within the eyes. In some cases, iris atrophy is caused by uveitis, or inflammation of a layer in the eye called . Try giving your dog an antibiotic-free nutritional supplement that reduces tear staining. 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. As glaucoma can be hard to detect by owners, it is usually caught during an annual examination by your vet. This is likely due to their facial conformation and genetic factors. Cataracts are characterized by the increase in the opacity of the lenses of the dogs eyes. While some changes may be painless and benign, others can lead to permanent eye damage and blindness. Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. 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. go to an emergency vet or if possible an ophthalmologist ASAP. This condition is most common in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs, such as Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs. Treating any primary conditions such as bacterial or fungal infections, or underlying systemic health issues will usually help resolve the eye inflammation. 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. 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. 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. Vision loss occurs even with the smallest amount of cataract in the eye. The lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which become harder and change in color as the dog gets older. However, the most important action is prevention. This condition is known to be painful and often leaves dogs squinting and pawing at their eyes. It is often common for dogs who have nuclear sclerosis to also develop cataracts, says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer. Emergency Causes Clouding of the eye refers to a cloudy, opaque film covering its surface. While the exact mechanism is poorly understood, it appears that the lens gradually becomes harder with age. It is spread in urine and nasal discharge. Injury to the Eye 2. If you look closely, you can often see the flecks of color appear gradually. My number one rule out would be corneal edema (swelling of the surface of the dog's eye). They are: Interstitial keratitis caused by infectious canine hepatitis. Low 56F. There is no specific treatment for lenticular sclerosis, nor is treatment necessary. Nuclear Sclerosis is a hardening of the eyes lenses and is common in older dogs. Foreign bodies, when left in the eye, cause inflammation, swelling, and abrasions on the cornea, leading to its cloudy appearance. Cataracts develop as result of an increased amount of protein accumulated in the eye. Both conditions cause the lens to appear cloudy, but there are a few differences. This is an inherited, progressive condition that typically affects both eyes, causing the most damage to the cornea. Uveitis. It's important to know this is a natural process and not a sign of disease. 2023 Dog Health Guide. Glaucoma in dogs occurs when the pressure inside the eye increases, resulting in damage to the structures in the eye. Lenticular sclerosis typically occurs bilaterally (in both eyes) and symmetrically in dogs. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. There are a variety of causes of cataracts in dogs, including age, trauma, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and genetics. After a case of infectious canine hepatitis, the blue coloration should resolve itself naturally. This clouding affects your dogs ability to see by blocking visible light to the retina. This occurs when the protein component of the lens clumps together and forms a cloud-like substance, preventing light from entering the eyes. 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. Trauma to the globe, bacterial infection, ulcers and systemic diseases can all result in anterior uveitis. Uveitis As A Cause For Suddenly Cloudy Eyes In Dogs Helping Your Dog When It Develops Cloudy Eyes Conclusion Reasons Your Dog's Eyes Turn Cloudy Suddenly It will depend on the acuteness of the symptoms and the progression of the infection. 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. You have questions, we have answers. Join in and write your own page! A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. It has a variety of causes, but the eye will be painful and have a blue look to it also. In the case of systemic illness, you may also see other symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. 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. Even when a dog recovers, the blue or white colorations over the eye might remain. After all, we dont want our dogs to lose their vision or be uncomfortable. Inflammatory cells migrate to the anterior chamber of the eye resulting in a hazy bluish appearance. 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 . Nuclear sclerosis in dogs is a physiological degeneration which can occur in all mammals, including human beings. 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. This is a sub for professional veterinary advice, and as such we follow strict rules for participating. However, always take your dog to the vet to be certain of which ailment he/she may be experiencing. Corneal Ulcer 8. 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. It can come on slowly over time (open-angle) or rapidly (closed-angle). This site also receives a small commission from affiliate links and third-party advertising. Common Eye Conditions that Cause Color Changes in Dogs. Like many changes that come with age, it can just happen naturally. While glaucoma is relatively rare in dogs, there are some breeds more predisposed. This layer is not see-through and can completely block light from entering the eye leading to blindness. 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). 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. Your vet will likely prescribe eye drops, ointments, and medications. Dr. Karie Johnson2020-02-06T16:02:24-06:00, Dr. Karie Johnson2020-02-06T16:03:35-06:00, Dr. Karie Johnson2020-05-01T09:54:07-05:00, 2020 VIP Vet Visit, Inc. | All Rights Reserved |. They include cataracts, corneal dystrophy, glaucoma or uveitis. This increase in pressure causes damage to the internal structures of the eyes, leading to visual changes and can eventually cause blindness. Occasionally, cataracts can occur practically overnight. It's easy to do. 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. Anterior uveitis is inflammation of one or all of these structures, and it is a serious condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss. Since nuclear sclerosis is a degenerative condition caused by the ageing process, there is no current treatment. Author: Dr. Karie Johnson, Co-Founder of VIP Vet Visit. Bumping into things. In neither of the two causes is a direct treatment administered. Eye color change in animals, especially when not due to age, is very serious. Simply click here to return to Eye Infection. 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. In chronic cases of dry eye, the surface can scar, creating a cloudy, dull appearance. Affects your dogs ability to see by blocking visible light to the cornea Visit Inc.! 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