This is an inherited, progressive condition that typically affects both eyes, causing the most damage to the cornea. But their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make a mess. Treating any primary conditions such as bacterial or fungal infections, or underlying systemic health issues will usually help resolve the eye inflammation. This is another eye condition that causes changes in the color of the dogs eye but is considered normal. This is an age-related change where the lens in each eye becomes less clear and cloudy. Dogs develop cataracts just like people do. Interstitial means the inflammation is occurring between the cells of the cornea. Dogs are good at compensating for loss of vision in one eye by relying on the other eye, so it is often difficult to detect. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. 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 |. Eye color changes in dogs or cats can also indicate an infection of the iris or cornea conditions according to Dr. Scarlett. Both dogs and cats can experience eye color changes in their lifetimes. A dogs eyes are one of its most striking features. With nuclear sclerosis, the haze over the eye doesn't necessarily affect the dog's vision. With these diseases, the eyes are not likely to turn blue. In chronic cases of dry eye, the surface can scar, creating a cloudy, dull appearance. Keeping the eye clean, dry, and free of debris can also help to reduce symptoms and speed up healing. Hesitation when navigating obstacles such as stairs or when in new places. The disease usually enters through the mouth or nostrils. While glaucoma is relatively rare in dogs, there are some breeds more predisposed. The best course of action is to ensure their general well-being to give them the best chance at slowing the degeneration. With interstitial keratitis in dogs, you will see the dog developing the white film over their eye. No she went in for a regular check up. Some eye conditions are hereditary, so its good to be aware of those common to your dogs breed. Dogs who recover can shed the virus for up to 9 months in their urine. Nuclear sclerosis (also known as lenticular sclerosis) is a normal aging change of the lens within the eye. In the case of an eye that is severely damaged or infected, removal is generally the best course of action. Are your dogs eyes turning cloudy or blue? Your dog may also have changes in behavior such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or increased/decreased urinary and bowel habits. With cataracts, this can occur and surgical intervention may be required. How? Inherited glaucoma affects many breeds of dogs, tear-stimulating medications and topical antibiotics, Active Shooter & Mass Attack Safety Resources. The main reason it is not widespread is due to the hard work of canine vaccination strategists. 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. So there are lots of reasons for blue eyes in dogs. It does, however, affect the dogs ability to focus light and images. Depending on the underlying cause, the dog's vision can be impaired or normal. Uveitis happens when theres inflammation or a significant injury to the eye, either due to an infection or deep corneal ulceration. In some cases, cataracts progress slowly over a few years, while, other times, blindness can occur within just a few days or weeks. 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. In rarer cases, fungal infections and viruses such as hepatitis can cause eye inflammation. Three innovative technologies combine for our ultimate in vision, clarity, and protection in a single lens. Trauma to the globe, bacterial infection, ulcers and systemic diseases can all result in anterior uveitis. If your dog develops nuclear sclerosis, your vet will want to conduct regular check-ups to look for cataracts.. Theyre big, expressive, soulful, and just downright magical. The anterior chamber has aqueous humor that provides nourishment for the other parts. Bumping into things. Injury is the most common cause of abrasion and injury to the cornea, however, bacterial infections can also lead to corneal ulcers if left untreated, and may take hold as a secondary infection in traumatic injuries. The lens is made up of water and protein. How? For one, dogs eyes have a third eyelid for additional protection. These white, milky changes to your dogs lens are the result of abnormal lens metabolism. This means that not all pets with lenticular sclerosis will develop cataracts. Trying to distinguish between what is normal and what is a problem can be tricky. Epithelial corneal dystrophy affects the superficial layers of the cornea. 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. 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. The result is a whitish film which appears over the eye. Depending on the type of foreign body, removal can vary. The two conditions look different when your veterinarian examines your dogs eyes with an ophthalmoscope. Puppies' eyesight matures within about 3-4 weeks so they begin . She also says that cats naturally will get a "cobwebby" appearance to their irises as they age. Causes of Dog Eye Infections As in humans, there are many causes of dog eye infections. 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. Evening headlines from the Charleston Gazette-Mail, The latest in travel and recreation around West Virginia, The daily opinion newsletter from the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Ulcers can form, and in severe cases lead to perforation of the eye itself. Individual dogs respond in various ways, depending on a number of factors. Lenticular sclerosis is the term for a bluish transparent haze that develops in the lens of the eye in middle-aged to senior dogs. It is caused by the same virus that causes infectioushepatitis," according to WebMD. By acting quickly you just might save her vision and keep those beautiful eyes sparkling again. 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. When the eye is examined with an ophthalmoscope, the retina and fundus (back of the eye) can still be seen through the sclerotic lens. The entire front of the eye does become cloudy with a blue look to it due to edema and fluid buildup. Nuclear sclerosis results in a hazy, gray, or bluish appearance which can be easily be confused with cataracts. My Dog Keeps Licking Her Private Area - All Possible Reasons, My Dog's Poop Starts Solid Then Goes Soft. This is the reason why its concerning for dog owners if they see any changes appearing in their dogs eyes. Infectious Diseases. Uveitis. Read on to learn the most common causes of cloudy eyes in dogs, and when you should worry. Discharge and debris forming around the eye and in the tear ducts can also indicate an issue. You should always discuss treatment of medical conditions with your veterinarian before using any alternative therapies, natural supplements, or vitamins. In some cases the eye remains permanently clouded," says WebMD. One physical change that can occur in a dogs eye is a change in color. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. This is a very serious condition and must be treated by the vet. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Nuclear sclerosis in dogs is a physiological degeneration which can occur in all mammals, including human beings. Yes this absolutely warrants an immediate ER trip. Click here to see the top 12 signs your pooch is entering his senior years. 2023 Dog Health Guide. A fluorescein stain can also be used to check for injuries to the cornea. 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. No treatment is necessary for Nuclear Sclerosis, but a vet check is imperative for an accurate diagnosis. The only way to get them comfortable again is to remove the diseased eye. This article is purely informative. This common condition is inherited, and is broken down into three types depending on the location in the eye: epithelial, stromal, and endothelial. This condition is known to be painful and often leaves dogs squinting and pawing at their eyes. There are other symptoms of dry eye besides cloudy eyes. Foreign bodies are another cause of visible eye cloudiness. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to the Mountain States Trusted News Source. Dogs such as Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzu and Chinies Shar-Pei are particularly prone to glaucoma. This painful condition can have a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, cancer, trauma, metabolic disease, parasites, and fungal, viral, and bacterial infections. The eyes can be given a whitish coloration, but the eye turning blue can also occur. Not all dogs achieve the same eye color. Such compensation does not influence the information or recommendations made. More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dogs vision the way cataracts do. While they are typically on the corneas surface only, they can sometimes form deeper ulcers. However, there are some other conditions that can also create a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes that require immediate veterinary attention. As mentioned, there are situations where eye color change is considered a normal process, but most cases are due to specific eye problems. Inflammatory cells migrate to the anterior chamber of the eye resulting in a hazy bluish appearance. Symptoms of anterior uveitis include redness, discharge, squinting, an oddly shaped pupil, eyeball swelling, excessive tearing, and a cloudy or dull appearance. This is often what has happened when pet parents begin to notice blue eyes in an older dog. The vet told us that if hes lucky he wont have an issue. Diagnosis involves visual inspection of the eye with an ophthalmoscope to check for visible tears and injuries. If the cause is due to the problem with the eye itself, or an injury to the eye, treatment such as medicated steroid eye drops, antibiotics, and pain medications can help. Invalid password or account does not exist. Infections are one of the most common conditions among humans and their pets. Cataracts can occur for many reasons, including hereditary causes with breeds such as Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and Boston Terriers. Like many changes that come with age, it can just happen naturally. Proper vaccinations schedules will best prevent conditions related to blue eyes in dogs. Thank you! Your dog can still see through their old lens fibers just maybe not as good as they used to when they were younger! Get the Dog Health Guide Newsletter for Exclusive Content! 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. Generally, there are two reason why your dog's eyes have turned blue. Lenticular sclerosis appears as an evenly gray, rounded opacity (cloudiness) in the center of the lens, and is most easily observed when the pupil is dilated. This site accepts advertising and other forms of compensation for products mentioned. If you see a rapid change in your pets eyes, please see your veterinarian immediately for further evaluation. Video call a licensed vet to get expert advice. Cataracts can obscure your dogs vision. A mature cataract looks like a white disk behind . Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. There is an interesting condition especially prevalent in Boston Terriers called corneal dystrophy that you may want to discuss with your veterinarian. It might not be something you see occurring immediately, often progressing over time. Why Does My Cat Push Out His Penis and Lick It? Q: My Boston Terriers eyes have changed to a blue color all over. This means it is a normal consequence of age. 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. As glaucoma can be hard to detect by owners, it is usually caught during an annual examination by your vet. Cataracts 4. In some cases, iris atrophy is caused by uveitis, or inflammation of a layer in the eye called . Often an issue in senior dogs, cataracts affect the lens of the eye. The cause is the infectious canine hepatitis virus, something we will discuss further in the next section. 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. It does progress with age, but is not a big deal. You have questions, we have answers. From there, treatment depends on the underlying cause of the injury. Your dog may rub at the affected eye, show pain when the eye is touched, or may have visible clouding or injury to the cornea. Treatment varies depending on the severity and underlying conditions. This type of dystrophy can lead to corneal ulcers. Glaucoma is a condition where the aqueous humor (the eyes fluid) doesnt drain properly. The lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which become harder and change in color as the dog gets older. Prevention can be difficult in the case of sudden punctures from bites or foreign objects. Even when the dog recovers, their urine can still be contagious between 9 months and a year. Low 56F. With interstitial keratitis, the cause of the color change is the inflammation of the cornea. General Signs to Watch Out For Cloudy Eyes in Dogs Causes 1. To learn the most common conditions among humans and their pets health issues will usually help resolve eye. The white film over their eye not all pets with lenticular sclerosis ) does significantly. As well as oral pain medications will help until the eye does n't necessarily affect the dogs eye is! Infections, or bluish appearance of visible eye cloudiness well as oral pain medications will help the... Visit, Inc. | all Rights Reserved when in new places during an annual examination by your vet cloudiness. 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