But can pets' eye colors change? More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dogs vision the way cataracts do. 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. Diagnosis involves visual inspection of the eye with an ophthalmoscope to check for visible tears and injuries. Nuclear sclerosis There are other diseases which can lead to eyes changing color. White spots on the eyes. It rarely significantly affects the dog's vision It often gives the eyes a cloudy, bluish colour, rather than white While visual changes are common in aging pups, its important to monitor, track, and report these changes to your veterinarian. This condition is painful, and very high intraocular (inside the eyes) pressure is considered a veterinary emergency, as it can lead to permanent damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. The entire front of the eye does become cloudy with a blue look to it due to edema and fluid buildup. Cataracts and lenticular sclerosis are two of the most common eye problems seen in dogs over the age of nine. Below, Ive outlined five common conditions that can cause blue or cloudy eyes whilesome are benign, others are very serious and can lead to total blindness. 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. It is caused by the same virus that causes infectioushepatitis," according to WebMD. This layer is not see-through and can completely block light from entering the eye leading to blindness. In scleritis, the white part of the eye becomes bloodshot and the blood vessels become engorged, making the eyes red in appearance. Here are some of the most common causes of eye cloudiness, and what to do: Injuries to the eye encompass a wide variety of signs and symptoms, such as bulging, visible wounds, proptosis (bulging), and cloudiness. As the condition worsens and pressure increases, the pupil can dilate and the cornea becomes cloudy. This is another serious condition that threatens your canine kids vision. 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 These can cause minor problems or major ones. Injury to the eye, and bacterial infections can also cause inflammation as a secondary symptom to the initial cause. This is an inherited, progressive condition that typically affects both eyes, causing the most damage to the cornea. The opacity is often more dramatic when viewed from the side rather than from the front. Yes. Do not give possible diagnoses that could explain the symptoms described by OP. Eye cloudiness may appear as a blurry discoloration or hazy film covering the cornea or within the eye, affecting one or both eyes. A dog develops a cataract when the lens of the eye clouds, which is caused by changes in the water balance in the lens or changes to the proteins within the lens. Severe cases of dry eye can lead to corneal ulceration and scarring, which falls into the second category. She also says that cats naturally will get a "cobwebby" appearance to their irises as they age. Eye irritation/redness, discharge or blinking. This happens when there is increased pressure within the eye. Inflammation 7. Vision does not appear to be significantly affected in dogs diagnosed with lenticular sclerosis. Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. Heterochromia is described as having two eyes of different colors. This is usually accompanied by scleritis, conjunctivitis, and excessive tear production depending on the severity of the trauma. Are your dogs eyes turning cloudy or blue? My number one rule out would be corneal edema (swelling of the surface of the dog's eye). The sooner you get your dog in for care, the better the chances of keeping the eye intact for a full recovery. It's important to know this is a natural process and not a sign of disease. This article is purely informative. Read on to learn the most common causes of cloudy eyes in dogs, and when you should worry. The only way to get them comfortable again is to remove the diseased eye. 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. Still, it can. Not all dogs achieve the same eye color. Its also important to note that there are different types of cataracts and its possible for dogs to develop them at an early age. While Dr. Scarlett mentions most dogs experience an eye color change to dark brown, some dog breeds have different eye colors. Your comment will be removed, and you may be banned. ASK THE VET: Should I be worried my dogs eyes are completely blue? With these diseases, the eyes are not likely to turn blue. Unlike nuclear sclerosis, cataracts in dogs cause vision impairment which can lead to total blindness if not managed properly. Cataracts cloud the eye lens and can cause either partial or complete loss of vision. Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. Discharge and debris forming around the eye and in the tear ducts can also indicate an issue. My Dog Keeps Licking Her Private Area - All Possible Reasons, My Dog's Poop Starts Solid Then Goes Soft. We should state that the first reason your dog has blue eyes might not be a discoloration. This condition usually does not lead to compromised vision. Thanks for signing up. 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. This means that it can then be eliminated from the body via various secretions. This variation of hepatitis strain is caused by a virus, specifically by the canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1). (Imagevia Wikimedia Commons /Joel Mills(CC BY-SA 3.0.). Flushing the eye out with sterile fluids works for smaller objects, while splinters or larger objects may need removal with surgical tools. Some breeds of dog are more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others. An Elizabethan (cone) collar is also best in keeping your dog from rubbing or pawing the eye, reducing inflammation during the healing process. Its crucial to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss an appropriate treatment plan with your vet. This can also reduce secondary infections and inflammation. Pawing and rubbing of the face and eyes can also indicate discomfort from swelling, pain, or itchiness. This is due to fluid build-up and debris forming behind it. It is also seen in both eyes typically and is non-painful. These include blood, nasal discharge, saliva, feces and urine. Please book all appointments on our new website: Booking Link. Before AnimalWised brings you more information, we want to highlight the importance of vaccination in both adult and puppy dogs. It will then spread to the liver and kidneys. Prevention is difficult in the case of infections, but regular monitoring of the eyes and keeping them free from dirt and debris can help. These include: Viruses, such as distemper, herpes, hepatitis, canine influenza Bacteria, such as. 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. This condition is known to be painful and often leaves dogs squinting and pawing at their eyes. Because of the build-up of aqueous humor, the anterior chamber becomes hazy and bluish in appearance. Cataracts are white and opaque and represent a change in the ability of light to penetrate to the retina. This is the inflammation of the iris or ciliary body caused by injury, bacterial infection, or cancer. Cataracts bring a worse prognosis for vision and can lead to complete vision loss if untreated. 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.). Over time, this can lead to other issues, such as tearing of the cornea or displacement of the lens. Your dog may also have changes in behavior such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or increased/decreased urinary and bowel habits. Some breeds are more susceptible to dry eye than others, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Pugs. If not treated promptly, it can damage the eyes nerve and cause blindness. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. 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 . 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. In chronic cases of dry eye, the surface can scar, creating a cloudy, dull appearance. They said they did blood work and other samples. There is no specific treatment for lenticular sclerosis, nor is treatment necessary. Now his eye has turned a foggy blue color. This is a sub for professional veterinary advice, and as such we follow strict rules for participating. If your dog has diabetes, be on the look out for these common signs of canine cataracts: Bluish-gray, opaque, or cloudy eyes. Often an issue in senior dogs, cataracts affect the lens of the eye. Cataracts can start small and grow large, or they can appear overnight and completely blind your dog. CC Image courtesy of Narisa . Their eyes also have more rods in their retinas that help process visual stimuli and help them see much better than us, especially in the dark. 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. They can range from small microscopic abrasives, such as dirt or sand, to larger objects such as sticks or in rarer cases, teeth or nails. Tea Mathews: How much does it mean to you? It is often common for dogs who have nuclear sclerosis to also develop cataracts, says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer. Chance of rain 100%. Diagnosis includes an eye exam and sometimes a test to measure the amount of tear production and moisture in the eye. We typically start to see this condition in pets over 6 years of age. When the lens becomes cloudy, light can't reach the retina, causing blindness. R.A. It has a variety of causes, but the eye will be painful and have a blue look to it also. Anterior uveitis can also cause a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes. In the case of injury, signs of a problem can be obvious. The eyes can be given a whitish coloration, but the eye turning blue can also occur. Since nuclear sclerosis is a degenerative condition caused by the ageing process, there is no current treatment. So there are lots of reasons for blue eyes in dogs. It may look like your dog has something in their eye, may cause the eye to appear gray, or may stick out further than the normal lens. This site also receives a small commission from affiliate links and third-party advertising. Their eye will look swollen and protrude farther from their face. But cloudy eyes in dogs can also can be a symptom of a number of eye problems. Cataracts can appear in one or both eyes and it can progress at varying rates. Unfortunately pets affected with glaucoma will lose their sight and go blind at some point. It is often hereditary and is passed on to the dogs offspring. While the two seem related, there does not appear to be a causal relationship. The retina is prevented from receiving light and creating an image for your . 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. Dry Eye Can Cause Your Dogs Eyes To Turn Cloudy 2. Get the Dog Health Guide Newsletter for Exclusive Content! Dry eye is often associated with an autoimmune inflammation of the tear glands and can be a chronic, lifelong condition. It is important to diagnose this early to save the dog's sight in the eye. In the case of systemic illness, you may also see other symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. This condition is not the same as cataracts. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. You should start receiving emails soon. The Dog Health Guide is not intended to replace the advice of a Veterinarian or other Health Professional. Eye Infections 3. But their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make a mess. 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. Eye inflammation in dogs is one of the leading dog eye problems, and it's usually a symptom of some underlying disease. 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