There is a surgical solution for cataracts, but it is best to do this as early in their formation as possible, says Dr. Klein. Press J to jump to the feed. Dry Eye Can Cause Your Dogs Eyes To Turn Cloudy 2. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. As they progress, they may appear bluish, reddish, or just as a haze on the surface of your dogs eye. Most cases of dry eye result from an abnormal reaction of the bodys immune system. ASK THE VET: Should I be worried my dogs eyes are completely blue? Areas of injury will glow brightly. The only way to get them comfortable again is to remove the diseased eye. Like many changes that come with age, it can just happen naturally. For nuclear sclerosis, we need to be sure of the correct diagnosis in case it is a treatable condition. They said they did blood work and other samples. Vet now. Cataracts develop as result of an increased amount of protein accumulated in the eye. Eye ointments such as a steroid or antibiotics, as well as oral pain medications will help until the eye is fully healed. Some dogs will not even display symptoms, others can die in a matter of hours. Glaucoma 6. Video call a licensed vet to get expert advice. Puppies may be born with blue eyes but experience a color change a few weeks later. Tears are necessary for lubrication and overall eye health, as the aqueous solution is how your dogs eyes receive necessary nutrients. It is caused by the same virus that causes infectioushepatitis," according to WebMD. If you look closely, you can often see the flecks of color appear gradually. There are surgical remedies for these pets which include removing or replacing the lens to restore vision and it is very successful. A sudden reluctance to climb stairs or jump on furniture. You will receive an email with your results soon. Cataracts are characterized as white and opaque. A free weekly newsletter with expert sports betting insight and analysis. With these diseases, the eyes are not likely to turn blue. Fluorescein stains are the top diagnostic tool for corneal injuries. 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. Lenticular sclerosis can affect vision, but only if the lens grows very dense, something not common in dogs. Eye Infections 3. This is considered a normal process and happens as the dogs get older. Our puppy still had blue eyes at 8 weeks old. White spots on the eyes. Their eye will look swollen and protrude farther from their face. Cloudy eyes can be a symptom of a variety of eye problems, and some can be painful for your dog. 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. There are other symptoms of dry eye besides cloudy eyes. The blue discoloration that you describe affecting your dog's eye could be a result of any of a number of problems. 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. It will depend on the acuteness of the symptoms and the progression of the infection. Its also important to note that there are different types of cataracts and its possible for dogs to develop them at an early age. The two conditions look different when your veterinarian examines your dogs eyes with an ophthalmoscope. While the exact mechanism is poorly understood, it appears that the lens gradually becomes harder with age. In this article, well discuss in detail what happens when a dogs eye color changes and the common causes of this peculiar phenomenon. AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. They include cataracts, corneal dystrophy, glaucoma or uveitis. Why Does My Cat Push Out His Penis and Lick It? More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dogs vision the way cataracts do. Cataracts progress through four stages of maturity: incipient, immature, mature, and hypermature. If you notice any changes to your dogs eyes, contact your vet immediately for a proper diagnosis and, if needed, treatment. However, once it has progressed to blindness, you may notice your dog bumping into objects, or becoming unusually clingy. The main reason it is not widespread is due to the hard work of canine vaccination strategists. All rights reserved. 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. What Pet Parents Need To Know! Individual dogs respond in various ways, depending on a number of factors. Does she have cataracts or something? I cant see the black part in the middle anymore. This means it is a normal consequence of age. There are several diseases in the eyes that can cause a blue haze to fill the front chamber or the cornea. Sometimes steroid drops will help or saline drops can slow the progression in some cases, but most of the time there is no treatment. Some breeds of dog are more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others. If you see a rapid change in your pets eyes, please see your veterinarian immediately for further evaluation. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. 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. Depending on the type of foreign body, removal can vary. Please make sure you have provided a valid email address. While not a specific cause of cloudy eyes, emergencies do warrant their own mention. They are: There are other diseases which can lead to eyes changing color. For one, dogs eyes have a third eyelid for additional protection. When the light hits their eyes they look blue. This usually effects both eyes and is not painful. 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. Set up your myVCA account today. 2023 Dog Health Guide. Lets go over the rule-out list to give you some information to take to your veterinarian: One condition that we see in older pets is called lenticular sclerosis. Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds are genetically predisposed. Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. Thanks for signing up. Breeds most prone include German Shepherds, Collies, Huskies, and related breeds. In severe cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary to address the cause of the secondary glaucoma or to make your dog more comfortable. Your comment will be removed, and you may be banned. Already have a myVCA account? The look is quite similar to that of the beginning of a cataract, but it is imperative we distinguish between the two. If you notice your dog has cloudy eyes, and is experiencing the symptoms of an emergency, it is best to seek out veterinary care from your vet or an emergency clinic right away. Pet eye colors may have to do with age. 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. Simply click here to return to Eye Infection. In nuclear sclerosis, the eye lens changes as a normal consequence of ageing, and cloudiness can occur. 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. All these parts can be affected by different eye conditions which can result in compromised visual function. Good luck. As mentioned, there are situations where eye color change is considered a normal process, but most cases are due to specific eye problems. There are two reasons a dog's eyes look blue: Cataracts or Nuclear Sclerosis. Even when the dog recovers, their urine can still be contagious between 9 months and a year. It's easy to do. The sooner you get your dog in for care, the better the chances of keeping the eye intact for a full recovery. 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. Choose wisely! This is usually accompanied by scleritis, conjunctivitis, and excessive tear production depending on the severity of the trauma. They cause a white layer inside the eye. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. The change in color of the eye is due to edema, i.e. Nuclear Sclerosis is a hardening of the eyes lenses and is common in older dogs. This site accepts advertising and other forms of compensation for products mentioned. Sunshine and a few clouds. Lenticular sclerosis or nuclear sclerosis is the medical term for a bluish transparent haze that develops in the lens of the eye in middle-aged to senior dogs. Cloudy eyes in dogs can be a concerning, but not always severe issue. Common Eye Conditions that Cause Color Changes in Dogs. Sometimes cataracts are caused by an underlying disease process, so your veterinarian may want to do additional testing if cataracts are found. Image: http://veterinariacamicaza.blogspot.com, Click to attach a photo related to your comment, get the vaccnation it was talking abt DUH, My Dog Has Blue Eyes - Causes and Treatment, My Dog Has Dandruff - Causes and Treatment, My Rabbit Has Diarrhea - Causes and Treatment, My Cat Has a White Nose - Causes and What to Do, My Cat Has a Hernia - Types, Causes and Treatment, My Dog Has a Nail Infection - Causes and Treatment. 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. This site also receives a small commission from affiliate links and third-party advertising. Nuclear sclerosis usually gives your dogs eyes a cloudy, bluish discoloration, unlike cataracts, which are white and opaque. 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. This condition, called nuclear sclerosis, doesn't put a dog's vision in as much danger as cataracts might, and treatment isn't usually recommended," according to WebMD.