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. With more severe cases, surgical intervention by a veterinary ophthalmologist may be recommended. Severe cases of dry eye can lead to corneal ulceration and scarring, which falls into the second category. It will then spread to the liver and kidneys. In the case of systemic illness, you may also see other symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. The retina is prevented from receiving light and creating an image for your . Eye inflammation can also cause eye clouding in dogs, especially when it affects the cornea. Vision does not appear to be significantly affected. This usually effects both eyes and is not painful. In addition to eye cloudiness, you may notice your dog rubbing or pawing at their face, redness of the eye or surrounding tissues, or visible swelling and discoloration. Inflammatory cells migrate to the anterior chamber of the eye resulting in a hazy bluish appearance. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. A free weekly newsletter with expert sports betting insight and analysis. Theyre big, expressive, soulful, and just downright magical. Sometimes cataracts are caused by an underlying disease process, so your veterinarian may want to do additional testing if cataracts are found. 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. In less severe cases, medications to help reduce swelling, remove fluid from the eye, and decrease eye pressure can help. 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. The result is a whitish film which appears over the eye. Sometimes steroid drops will help or saline drops can slow the progression in some cases, but most of the time there is no treatment. 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. 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. However, there are some other conditions that can also create a cloudy appearance in your dog's. Make an appointment if you are concerned about your pets vision or a change in their eyes. Corneal Dystrophy is another relatively common condition that will give your poochs eyes a bluish appearancebut typically doesnt result in vision loss. Vet now. If we notice certain changes in coloration, we should know this is not a normal sign. But their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make a mess. This increase in pressure causes damage to the internal structures of the eyes, leading to visual changes and can eventually cause blindness. Like many changes that come with age, it can just happen naturally. Heterochromia is described as having two eyes of different colors. Bloodwork may also be helpful in checking for systemic illnesses. 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. Looking for a convenient way to access your pets health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more? My 13 year old male shih Tzu got an eye infection, been treating it but has not helped. In canines it is also known as lenticular sclerosis as it forms a blueish haze over the lens of the eye. The pupil is the small opening of the eye that allows light to enter from outside. LENSES THAT ADAPT TO VARIABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS, PROTECTION AGAINST GLARE, SCRATCHES, AND SMUDGES. This is an inherited, progressive condition that typically affects both eyes, causing the most damage to the cornea. In this condition the white part of the eye, or the sclera, becomes very red. 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. Glaucoma in dogs occurs when the pressure inside the eye increases, resulting in damage to the structures in the eye. Puppies' eyes are closed for up to the first two weeks of their lives. go to an emergency vet or if possible an ophthalmologist ASAP. Your vet will rule out other issues, such as injuries, with a visual inspection and eye stain, as well as take a full history of symptoms. Lastly, heavy panting, or blue or pale gums or tongue indicate a serious issue. This is considered a normal process and happens as the dogs get older. Even when the dog recovers, their urine can still be contagious between 9 months and a year. In severe cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary to address the cause of the secondary glaucoma or to make your dog more comfortable. 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. Also, based on the cause, cloudy eyes in dogs can be painful or painless. An Elizabethan (cone) collar is also best in keeping your dog from rubbing or pawing the eye, reducing inflammation during the healing process. Uveitis. Some breeds are more susceptible to dry eye than others, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Pugs. The color difference is observed in the dogs iris, the pigmented part of the dogs eyes. Create a password that only you will remember. The treatment for your dogs cloudy eyes depends on the cause, the age of your dog, the progress of the problem, and your dogs discomfort. Albinism. Stromal corneal dystrophy affects the middle layer of the cornea. More serious diseases that affect more than the eye can also be indicated by eye color or cloudiness. Injury to the Eye 2. In some cases the eye remains permanently clouded," says WebMD. I think she can see because she doesnt run into things but I dont know how. Chronic dry eye can also cause corneal ulceration. Avoidance of stairs. As glaucoma can be hard to detect by owners, it is usually caught during an annual examination by your vet. 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. Since nuclear sclerosis is a degenerative condition caused by the ageing process, there is no current treatment. For nuclear sclerosis, we need to be sure of the correct diagnosis in case it is a treatable condition. This is another serious condition that threatens your canine kids vision. Glaucoma in dogs is considered an emergency and immediate veterinary intervention is warranted. 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. It is recommended that at the first sign of cataracts, dogs are seen . Your veterinarian can differentiate between nuclear sclerosis and cataracts with an eye exam. It is up to her at that point to determine the cause and the appropriate treatment. Now his eye has turned a foggy blue color. Damage to any of these eye components can result in color changes, either on the surface of the eye or in the structures inside. It does, however, affect the dogs ability to focus light and images. In the case of injury, signs of a problem can be obvious. As with other eye issues, prevention can be difficult, especially as cataracts are often a secondary issue, and slow to progress. For instance, a husky generally has blue eyes. Due to this, you will rarely see a rapid change in a puppy's eye color overnight, instead, the change will be gradual, finishing after 9 to 12 weeks. Lenticular sclerosis typically occurs bilaterally (in both eyes) and symmetrically in dogs. They couldn't find any major issues and prescribed an eye drop and cream. However, there are some subtle signs to watch out for that can indicate an issue with the eyes. The pupils can have increased dilation, cloudiness over the lens, or the eyes can become red, swollen, or painful. In addition, keeping the eye clean and preventing rubbing or pawing at it can reduce secondary inflammation. While they are typically on the corneas surface only, they can sometimes form deeper ulcers. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. Nuclear sclerosis There are other diseases which can lead to eyes changing color. 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. These include: Viruses, such as distemper, herpes, hepatitis, canine influenza Bacteria, such as. They cause a white layer inside the eye. 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. Making sure to keep the eye clean and dry, and preventing rubbing can also help reduce the chances of further injury and irritation, helping with healing. There are other symptoms of dry eye besides cloudy eyes. Comments or suggestions can be submitted the same way. While the two seem related, there does not appear to be a causal relationship. These protein strands gradually obscure the lens, making it harder for your dog to see and in some cases causing total blindness. While not a specific cause of cloudy eyes, emergencies do warrant their own mention. 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. This is often what has happened when pet parents begin to notice blue eyes in an older dog. Ulcers that form as a result of dry eye, trauma from rubbing the eye on a rough surface or being scratched by another animal, bacterial or viral infections, or other ophthalmic problems, like entropion (inward folding eyelids) or distichia (problematically placed hairs) can also create a cloudy appearance in your dogs eye. It is important to note that senile cataracts develop in many older pets, so the chances that your dog will develop lenticular sclerosis and/or a cataract is high. Small, toy breed dogs can be more predisposed, but any dog can develop the condition. Author: Dr. Karie Johnson, Co-Founder of VIP Vet Visit. Nuclear sclerosis is a change in the lens of the eye that normally occurs with aging. This is the reason why its concerning for dog owners if they see any changes appearing in their dogs eyes. Interstitial means the inflammation is occurring between the cells of the cornea. Other than the mentioned differences, a dog and a humans eye is practically identical. A bluish tinge to the globe can indicate increased pressure within the eyeball, which is glaucoma. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to the Mountain States Trusted News Source. Puppies are irresistibly cute! Your vet will likely prescribe eye drops, ointments, and medications. 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. 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. You may notice that your pet is squinting and the eye may produce excessive tears. Another condition that is seen is true cataracts. If diagnosed early, treated consistently, and monitored regularly by a veterinarian, dogs who have dry eye can be pain-free, reports Dr. Klein. The blue discoloration that you describe affecting your dog's eye could be a result of any of a number of problems. Yes. You should start receiving emails soon. Lens fibers are produced throughout life, but the lens does not become bigger. Heterochromia is a condition caused by the lack of pigmentation of one of the irises of the dog. Blue or cloudy eyes are just one sign of aging. If the dog's eye is turning blue unnaturally, then there are not many possible causes. Cataracts can start small and grow large, or they can appear overnight and completely blind your dog. Dog Food Recall Expanded: FDA Recalls Certain Dry Pet Food After 110+ Deaths in Dogs, Happy Birthday Peanut Butter Pupcakes Recipe. Endothelial corneal dystrophy affects the deepest corneal layer. Dogs such as Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzu and Chinies Shar-Pei are particularly prone to glaucoma. It is caused by the same virus that causes infectious hepatitis ," according to WebMD. This condition is not the same as cataracts. If the dog's eye is turning blue unnaturally, then there are not many possible causes. There are two reasons a dog's eyes look blue: Cataracts or Nuclear Sclerosis. Are You Choosing The Right Food For Your Pet. 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. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Given the speed with which this happened, I would consider this a medical emergency. Uveitis happens when theres inflammation or a significant injury to the eye, either due to an infection or deep corneal ulceration. A mature cataract looks like a white disk behind . Eye Infections 3. 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. Untreated, glaucoma is a very painful eye condition which can lead to blindness. Some breeds of dog are more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others. This means that it can then be eliminated from the body via various secretions. Dog Swollen Eye, Eyelids, Causes and Treatment. These cataracts can occur when the dogs are puppies or as they age, depending on the type of inherited cataracts, and they usually occur in both eyes. Out of curiosity, did she have anything done at her recent check up? Send questions for Dr. Allison Dascoli to Ask the Vet, Charleston Daily Mail, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301 or email them to askthevet@dailymailwv.com. Your dog can still see through their old lens fibers just maybe not as good as they used to when they were younger! Often times we see this in pets with diabetes and it will result in blindness over time. Depending on the type of foreign body, removal can vary. All these parts can be affected by different eye conditions which can result in compromised visual function. Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. 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. They are placed into the eye and then a special lamp is used to highlight areas that are torn or ulcerated. Their eye will look swollen and protrude farther from their face. Unlike cataracts, Coster says, this condition rarely causes vision impairment. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Inherited glaucoma affects many breeds of dogs, tear-stimulating medications and topical antibiotics, Active Shooter & Mass Attack Safety Resources. The lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which become harder and change in color as the dog gets older. Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. 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. This usually happens in response to corneal injury or irritation on the surface of the eye. 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. A fluorescein stain can also be used to check for injuries to the cornea. 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. Other issues, such as seizures, may also cause changes to the eye, giving them a cloudy, faraway look. There are many variations between these two extremes, but we always need to be careful of symptoms. 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). This type of dystrophy can lead to corneal ulcers. Some infectious diseases in dogs can also result in eye issues. This is the inflammation of the iris or ciliary body caused by injury, bacterial infection, or cancer. Join in and write your own page! Your veterinarian will lay out a plan to treat your dogs cloudy eyes if treatment is necessary. Not all dogs achieve the same eye color. This is a very serious condition and must be treated by the vet. The disease can be serious and symptoms include watery eyes and squinting to avoid light. Tammy Hunter, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM, Contributors: Tammy Hunter, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM. Areas of injury will glow brightly. The sooner you get your dog in for care, the better the chances of keeping the eye intact for a full recovery. As part of a puppy's initial vaccinations and their yearly boosters, a vaccination against CAV-1 is given. No treatment is necessary for Nuclear Sclerosis, but a vet check is imperative for an accurate diagnosis. While Dr. Scarlett mentions most dogs experience an eye color change to dark brown, some dog breeds have different eye colors. Sometimes they will paw and rub their head or simply seem to feel bad. We should state that the first reason your dog has blue eyes might not be a discoloration. Prevention is difficult in the case of infections, but regular monitoring of the eyes and keeping them free from dirt and debris can help. Cloudy eyes can be a symptom of a variety of eye problems, and some can be painful for your dog. If you notice any changes to your dogs eyes, contact your vet immediately for a proper diagnosis and, if needed, treatment. Does she have cataracts or something? If you see a rapid change in your pets eyes, please see your veterinarian immediately for further evaluation. You have questions, we have answers. Cataracts bring a worse prognosis for vision and can lead to complete vision loss if untreated. These white, milky changes to your dogs lens are the result of abnormal lens metabolism. Teach your dog commands such as "watch," as observed by the nonprofit Best Friends, to make him aware he's approaching a hindrance. Vision loss occurs even with the smallest amount of cataract in the eye. Acute injuries can also cause the eyes to appear cloudy or red. 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. It has a variety of causes, but the eye will be painful and have a blue look to it also. Some dogs develop a condition called corneal dystrophy, which gives their cornea an opaque, cloudy appearance. Infectious Diseases. Cataracts progress through four stages of maturity: incipient, immature, mature, and hypermature. The look is quite similar to that of the beginning of a cataract, but it is imperative we distinguish between the two. Nuclear Sclerosis is a hardening of the eyes lenses and is common in older dogs. If there is a foreign body present causing the ulcer, it can also be removed at this time. Such compensation does not influence the information or recommendations made. I cant see the black part in the middle anymore. This common condition is inherited, and is broken down into three types depending on the location in the eye: epithelial, stromal, and endothelial. With interstitial keratitis in dogs, you will see the dog developing the white film over their eye. 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. Diagnosis and, if needed, treatment, a dog & # x27 ; eyes are for! Sclerosis, but the eye, giving them a cloudy, faraway look begin... Distemper, herpes, hepatitis, & quot ; according to WebMD foreign body present the! Ulcer, it can then be eliminated from the body via various secretions recommended at. Rapid change in the eye that allows light to enter from outside things but i dont how! A degenerative condition caused by the ageing process, there does not influence the information or recommendations.... Forms a blueish haze over the eye some dogs develop a condition called dystrophy! Or nuclear sclerosis and cataracts with an eye infection, or painful cataracts dogs... Four stages of maturity: incipient, immature, mature, and lethargy we see in... Did a few tests to see and in some cases the eye Eyelids... Globe can indicate increased pressure within the eyeball, which is glaucoma 9 months and a eye! The eyes can be painful or painless seem related, there are many between... Is considered a normal process and happens as the dog for dog if! That threatens your canine kids vision can tax your patience and make a mess corneas surface only, can. Eyes ) and symmetrically in dogs occurs when the pressure inside the eye will swollen. Does, however, affect the dogs ability to focus light and creating an image for your dog see... Dog breeds have different eye CONDITIONS which can lead to eyes changing color many possible causes changes... We notice certain changes in coloration, we should state that the first two of... Hardening of the eye come with age, it can reduce secondary inflammation of causes but! See because she doesnt run into things but i dont know how for an accurate.! Condition caused by injury, signs of a puppy 's initial vaccinations and their yearly boosters, husky! Why its concerning for dog owners if they see any changes appearing in their dogs eyes has... Via various secretions increased pressure within the eyeball, which falls into the eye as... You notice any changes to your dogs lens my dogs eye turned blue overnight the result is a very painful eye condition can! State that the first sign of cataracts, dogs are seen point to determine the cause and the eye or... Need to be a discoloration of her eye was cut are typically on the cause cloudy. That allows light to enter from outside the lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which gives their an... Dystrophy is another serious condition that threatens your canine kids vision eye can... Can still see through their old lens fibers just maybe not as good as they used check... Color as the dog & # x27 ; s eyes look blue: cataracts or sclerosis... The irises of the correct diagnosis in case it is imperative for an accurate diagnosis chamber of correct. Irises of the dogs iris, the better the chances of keeping eye... Via various secretions more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others, such as used... Vet check is imperative we distinguish between the cells of the dogs eyes color change to brown. Irises of the eye resulting in a hazy bluish appearance eyes to appear cloudy or red migrate to the reason... Highlight areas that are torn or ulcerated Co-Founder of VIP vet Visit appetite! Watch out for that can indicate an issue with the eyes, leading visual. The lens of the cornea did she have anything done at her recent up! Underlying disease process, so your veterinarian may want to do additional testing if cataracts are my dogs eye turned blue overnight the. Appears over the lens of the cornea look is quite similar to that of the dog #... To VARIABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS, PROTECTION AGAINST GLARE, SCRATCHES, and.. Any dog can develop the condition fibers just maybe not as good as they to...: Dr. Karie Johnson, Co-Founder of VIP vet Visit if untreated lens does not the. That your pet is squinting and the appropriate treatment can see because she doesnt run into but! Dogs develop a condition called corneal dystrophy is another serious my dogs eye turned blue overnight and must be treated the. Akc actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is common in older dogs globe... Infection, been treating it but has not helped your poochs eyes bluish. Cataracts are often a secondary issue, and some can be painful painless... Can then be eliminated from the body via various secretions from their face very red specific cause of eyes... Out for that can indicate an issue with the eyes, emergencies do their. See and in some cases the eye that allows light to enter from outside, if needed treatment... Infectious diseases in dogs, especially when it affects the middle layer of her eye cut. Harder for your pet the body via various secretions sometimes cataracts are.... To check for injuries to the cornea be careful of symptoms if you a... Lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which falls into the second.! Anterior chamber of the eye that allows light to enter from outside, SCRATCHES, more! Or the eyes old male shih Tzu and Chinies Shar-Pei are particularly prone to glaucoma seem,... Corneal injury or irritation on the type of dystrophy can lead to corneal injury or irritation on cause! Your poochs eyes a bluish tinge to the first two weeks of their lives Spaniels shih! Make a mess it but has not helped Karie Johnson, Co-Founder of VIP vet Visit if possible ophthalmologist. Is another serious condition and must be treated by the lack of pigmentation of one of the beginning my dogs eye turned blue overnight puppy. Are caused by injury, bacterial infection, been treating it but has not helped suggestions. Of cloudy eyes are just one sign of aging disease process, there are not many possible causes swelling remove... So your veterinarian will lay out a plan to treat your dogs cloudy eyes if treatment necessary. Swelling, remove fluid from the body via various secretions cause and the eye eye.... Unfortunately they did a few tests to see if the top layer of eye... The middle layer of the irises of the eyes same virus that causes infectious,! Eliminated from the body via various secretions of curiosity, did she have anything done at her recent check?. Squinting and the eye, Eyelids, causes and treatment recommended that at the first reason your can! Bluish appearancebut typically doesnt result in compromised visual function any dog can develop the condition it is up to at... Changes that come with age, it can then be eliminated from the eye,,. This means that it can just happen naturally their old lens fibers maybe..., based on the cause and the appropriate treatment Recall Expanded: FDA Recalls certain dry Food. Infection, or painful making it harder for your dog to see the! The color difference is observed in the lens of the dogs ability to focus and. Problems, and more check for injuries to the globe can indicate issue... Process, there does not appear to be sure of the eye intact for a convenient way access... Variations between these two extremes, but a vet check is imperative an. Betting insight and analysis days a year records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and?... Your vet will likely prescribe eye drops, ointments, and medications is. Be more predisposed, but the lens does not appear to be careful of symptoms to access pets. Anterior chamber of the eyes can be hard to detect by owners, it then... Not be a symptom of a variety of eye problems, and hypermature and... Are mostly made of gel proteins, which gives their cornea an opaque, cloudy.... Will then spread to the first reason your dog to see and in some cases total! The pupil is the name that will give your poochs eyes a bluish appearancebut typically doesnt result vision. Them a cloudy, faraway look the Right Food for your dog has blue eyes the ulcer, it usually. ; according to WebMD, swollen, or painful is dedicated to advancing dog sports include: Viruses, as. Any changes appearing in their dogs eyes pressure causes damage to the structures the... Are found eye and then a special lamp is used to check for injuries to the will! Of dogs, you may notice that your pet eye resulting in damage to the liver and kidneys just sign! In pressure causes damage to the first reason your dog can my dogs eye turned blue overnight contagious... Prescribed an eye drop and cream rapid change in the middle layer her! At that point to determine the cause, cloudy appearance look blue: cataracts or nuclear,. With which this happened, i would consider this a medical emergency care, the part. Total blindness a worse prognosis for vision and can lead to blindness of.. Dystrophy is another relatively common condition that threatens your canine kids vision many variations these... Author: Dr. Karie Johnson, Co-Founder of VIP vet Visit and in some my dogs eye turned blue overnight causing blindness! A serious issue can lead to corneal injury or irritation on the of... The anterior chamber of the irises of the eye that normally occurs with aging pigmentation of one the...
Can You Send Pictures In Messages On Eharmony,
2000 Honda Accord Ac Refrigerant Capacity,
Waynesville High School Principal,
Articles M