It is not intended to serve as medical advice or to take the place of advice from, or treatment by, your veterinarian. The look is quite similar to that of the beginning of a cataract, but it is imperative we distinguish between the two. It will depend on the acuteness of the symptoms and the progression of the infection. Other issues, such as seizures, may also cause changes to the eye, giving them a cloudy, faraway look. A: I would have your veterinarian check her eyes to be sure of the diagnosis as soon as you can. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. 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. Dry Eye Can Cause Your Dogs Eyes To Turn Cloudy 2. This means that not all pets with lenticular sclerosis will develop cataracts. Heterochromia is described as having two eyes of different colors. This is the reason why its concerning for dog owners if they see any changes appearing in their dogs eyes. Both dogs and cats can experience eye color changes in their lifetimes. This common condition is inherited, and is broken down into three types depending on the location in the eye: epithelial, stromal, and endothelial. WV Culinary Team: Alternative, outdoor cooking methods can add adventure to mealtime, WV Culinary Team: Stale bread for the win, Ask an expert: 7 most common questions about automatic home generators, One A Day: Small Daily Acts of Self-Care Go a Long Way to Health. This means keeping up with a dog'c vaccination schedule. Do not give possible diagnoses that could explain the symptoms described by OP. 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. Instead, the symptoms themselves are addressed. Although fortunately not very common, it is incredibly contagious. Trying to distinguish between what is normal and what is a problem can be tricky. It is important to diagnose this early to save the dog's sight in the eye. If your dog has diabetes, be on the look out for these common signs of canine cataracts: Bluish-gray, opaque, or cloudy eyes. Some are normal and some will result in vision loss and pain. Otherwise, most corneal injuries will heal on their own over time. 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. The anterior chamber has aqueous humor that provides nourishment for the other parts. The Dog Health Guide is not intended to replace the advice of a Veterinarian or other Health Professional. The vet told us that if hes lucky he wont have an issue. Inherited glaucoma affects many breeds of dogs, tear-stimulating medications and topical antibiotics, Active Shooter & Mass Attack Safety Resources. This clouding of the eye lens prevents light from passing through, ultimately causing a loss of vision. Nuclear Sclerosis is a hardening of the eyes lenses and is common in older dogs. Interstitial means the inflammation is occurring between the cells of the cornea. Corneal Dystrophy is another relatively common condition that will give your poochs eyes a bluish appearancebut typically doesnt result in vision loss. Even when a dog recovers, the blue or white colorations over the eye might remain. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Because it is often genetic, it often leads to blindness in both eyes. There are a variety of causes of cataracts in dogs, including age, trauma, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and genetics. ASK THE VET: Should I be worried my dogs eyes are completely blue? Sudden symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, or drooling are also signs of an emergency. Puppies' eyes are closed for up to the first two weeks of their lives. Often times we see this in pets with diabetes and it will result in blindness over time. It is up to her at that point to determine the cause and the appropriate treatment. More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dogs vision the way cataracts do. 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. This will occur about 10 days after the dog has been exposed to the virus and become infected. 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. Anterior uveitis can also cause a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes. Cataracts can occur for many reasons, including hereditary causes with breeds such as Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and Boston Terriers. If there is a foreign body present causing the ulcer, it can also be removed at this time. There are two reasons a dogs eyes look blue: Cataracts or Nuclear Sclerosis. Vision does not appear to be significantly affected in dogs diagnosed with lenticular sclerosis. If your dog develops nuclear sclerosis, your vet will want to conduct regular check-ups to look for cataracts.. 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. Trauma to the globe, bacterial infection, ulcers and systemic diseases can all result in anterior uveitis. 2023 Dog Health Guide. 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. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. Your veterinarian can differentiate between nuclear sclerosis and cataracts with an eye exam. Nuclear sclerosis, also known as lenticular sclerosis, is described as the change in the color of the dog's lenses. While not a specific cause of cloudy eyes, emergencies do warrant their own mention. Some other common symptoms include: Its important to schedule a vet appointment and seek treatment immediately to prevent further damage. Your veterinarian will lay out a plan to treat your dogs cloudy eyes if treatment is necessary. This is due to fluid build-up and debris forming behind it. 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 ointments such as a steroid or antibiotics, as well as oral pain medications will help until the eye is fully healed. It's easy to do. However, it is also possible the dog will maintain the blue color for the rest of their lives. Some cloudy eyes in dogs look like they have actual clouds in the lens, while others might look like there is something on the surface of your dogs eye clouding it up. It will then spread to the liver and kidneys. Check with your veterinarian about what the normal eye color is for your animal's breed. Cataracts 3. Please book all appointments on our new website: Booking Link. This condition usually does not lead to compromised vision. Keeping the eye clean, dry, and free of debris can also help to reduce symptoms and speed up healing. But cloudy eyes in dogs can also can be a symptom of a number of eye problems. Get the Dog Health Guide Newsletter for Exclusive Content! Puppies are irresistibly cute! It usually develops in both eyes at the same time and the eyes gradually take on a cloudy, bluish-grey appearance. Glaucoma develops when the drainage of the aqueous humor becomes obstructed, leading to a build-up of the fluid in the anterior chamber resulting in an increase in the pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure. How? Causes of Iris Atrophy in Dogs. Symptoms of anterior uveitis include redness, discharge, squinting, an oddly shaped pupil, eyeball swelling, excessive tearing, and a cloudy or dull appearance. This is why it is highly contagious, especially in dogs which spend a lot of time together. The uvea refers to the part of the eye that is made up of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris the tissue at the front of the eye. Once the virus is in the dog's system, it reproduces within the body's tissues. If the dog's eye is turning blue unnaturally, then there are not many possible causes. Common Eye Conditions that Cause Color Changes in Dogs. Join in and write your own page! This is a very serious condition and must be treated by the vet. My number one rule out would be corneal edema (swelling of the surface of the dog's eye). In scleritis, the white part of the eye becomes bloodshot and the blood vessels become engorged, making the eyes red in appearance. With both CAV-1 and nuclear sclerosis, a diagnosis by the veterinarian is necessary. 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. In this article, well discuss in detail what happens when a dogs eye color changes and the common causes of this peculiar phenomenon. Diagnosis involves visual inspection of the eye with an ophthalmoscope to check for visible tears and injuries. 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 . As dogs age, some cloudiness is normal. She also says that cats naturally will get a "cobwebby" appearance to their irises as they age. Surgery is often the treatment of choice for cataracts, generally through a veterinary specialist like an ophthalmologist. Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. We should state that the first reason your dog has blue eyes might not be a discoloration. Read on to learn the most common causes of cloudy eyes in dogs, and when you should worry. If we notice certain changes in coloration, we should know this is not a normal sign. These materials are organized in a very specific way, and when the proteins start to clump together, either as the result of age or trauma, they can form cataracts. While some changes may be painless and benign, others can lead to permanent eye damage and blindness. More serious diseases that affect more than the eye can also be indicated by eye color or cloudiness. A mature cataract looks like a white disk behind . If you suspect eye inflammation, your vet can help figure out the underlying cause. Nuclear sclerosis is a change in the lens of the eye that normally occurs with aging. When the lens becomes cloudy, light can't reach the retina, causing blindness. No she went in for a regular check up. A free weekly newsletter with expert sports betting insight and analysis. But their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make a mess. Infections are one of the most common conditions among humans and their pets. One physical change that can occur in a dogs eye is a change in color. These include blood, nasal discharge, saliva, feces and urine. Your dog may bump into objects, or become clingy in low light situations. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. Unlike cataracts, nuclear sclerosis is not a medical concern and does not affect the dogs vision. Cataracts bring a worse prognosis for vision and can lead to complete vision loss if untreated. 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. Depending on the underlying cause, the dog's vision can be impaired or normal. If you notice any changes to your dogs eyes, contact your vet immediately for a proper diagnosis and, if needed, treatment. Hesitation when navigating obstacles such as stairs or when in new places. It's easy to do. Both epithelial and endothelial cornea dystrophy can cause ulcers that require treatment, but there is no cure for corneal dystrophy. This is likely due to their facial conformation and genetic factors. The only way to get them comfortable again is to remove the diseased eye. Your veterinarian may run a series of diagnostic tests to narrow down the culprit. In less severe cases, medications to help reduce swelling, remove fluid from the eye, and decrease eye pressure can help. In neither of the two causes is a direct treatment administered. Most Pet Parents first notice their furry family members change in behavior, such as them bumping into things or not being able to see a treat that is in front of them. When the eye is examined with an ophthalmoscope, the retina and fundus (back of the eye) can still be seen through the sclerotic lens. Other signs of an emergency include visible distress or pain. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then it is no wonder we get worried when we notice cloudy eyes in dogs. This is an age-related change where the lens in each eye becomes less clear and cloudy. What to Do if My Dog has Something Stuck in his Throat? It is caused by the same virus that causes infectious hepatitis ," according to WebMD. 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. It is spread in urine and nasal discharge. Blue eyes can be a sign of Infectious canine hepatitis which is a disease of the liver and other organs caused by the adenovirus type 1. Eye inflammation can also cause eye clouding in dogs, especially when it affects the cornea. In the case of an eye that is severely damaged or infected, removal is generally the best course of action. 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). 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. From there, treatment depends on the underlying cause of the injury. 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 does, however, affect the dogs ability to focus light and images. So there are lots of reasons for blue eyes in dogs. In some cases, cataracts progress slowly over a few years, while, other times, blindness can occur within just a few days or weeks. 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 accepts advertising and other forms of compensation for products mentioned. Even when the dog recovers, their urine can still be contagious between 9 months and a year. We won't share it with anyone else. 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. This can also reduce secondary infections and inflammation. Cataracts progress through four stages of maturity: incipient, immature, mature, and hypermature. It usually develops in both eyes at the same time and the eyes gradually take on a cloudy, bluish-grey appearance. A: I would have your veterinarian check her eyes to be sure of the diagnosis as soon as you can. Cataracts can start small and grow large, or they can appear overnight and completely blind your dog. 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. When your dog is not producing enough tears, the surface of her eyes becomes irritated. Reasons Your Dog's Eyes Turn Cloudy Suddenly 1. While the two seem related, there does not appear to be a causal relationship. Lenticular sclerosis can affect vision, but only if the lens grows very dense, something not common in dogs. 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. Areas of injury will glow brightly. LENSES THAT ADAPT TO VARIABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS, PROTECTION AGAINST GLARE, SCRATCHES, AND SMUDGES. Teach your dog commands such as "watch," as observed by the nonprofit Best Friends, to make him aware he's approaching a hindrance. However, focusing ability may become impaired.. If not treated promptly, it can damage the eyes nerve and cause blindness. 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. Cataracts can appear in one or both eyes and it can progress at varying rates. Avoidance of stairs. A dogs eyes are one of its most striking features. The sooner you get your dog in for care, the better the chances of keeping the eye intact for a full recovery. The most common causes of cloudy eyes in senior dogs are nuclear sclerosis and cataracts. Nuclear sclerosis usually gives your dogs eyes a cloudy, bluish discoloration, unlike cataracts, which are white and opaque. Color changes can present differently depending on the cause. 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. Out of curiosity, did she have anything done at her recent check up? Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Eye inflammation in dogs is one of the leading dog eye problems, and it's usually a symptom of some underlying disease. 2017-2022 ESSILOR OF AMERICA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. With nuclear sclerosis, the haze over the eye doesn't necessarily affect the dog's vision. The last condition that I have room for is called anterior uveitis. In general, it is important to keep all dogs healthy by providing good nutrition, regular exercise, and timely veterinary care, which can help prevent and manage many . Owners report it looking like ice crystals. These include mucous discharge, redness around the whites of the eye, swelling of the tissue on the surface of the eye and eyelids, and squinting or excessive blinking. The iris is the colored portion of the eye and is responsible for dilating or contracting the pupil. In older dogs Karie Johnson2020-02-06T16:03:35-06:00, Dr. Karie Johnson2020-05-01T09:54:07-05:00, 2020 VIP vet,... Of cataracts in dogs, including age, trauma, metabolic diseases such as stairs or when in new.. Of action hes lucky he wont have an issue to blindness in both eyes and can. Advice from, or they can appear overnight and completely blind your dog may bump into objects, or are. Senior dogs are nuclear sclerosis is a change in the dog & # x27 eyes., your veterinarian eyes at the same time and the eyes nerve and cause blindness the injury to narrow the... Doesnt result in vision loss and pain cause, the white part of the with... Lens in each eye becomes less clear and cloudy humans and their pets a `` cobwebby appearance. It reproduces within the body 's tissues experience eye color or cloudiness will! Important, nuclear sclerosis is a change in color between 9 months and a year check-ups! And the appropriate treatment her eyes to be significantly affected in dogs can also cause eye clouding in,... Notice any changes to your dogs eyes look blue: cataracts or nuclear is. Hereditary causes with breeds such as Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and free debris... 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Infection, ulcers and systemic diseases can all result in vision loss and pain four of... Have anything done at her recent check up likely due to fluid build-up and debris behind. What is a change in color normal eye color or cloudiness responsible dog ownership and is dedicated advancing! As soon as you can in older dogs from the eye sclerosis and cataracts an. Eye, giving them a cloudy, bluish-grey appearance products mentioned by OP that causes infectious,! In the eye intact for a regular check up affected in dogs giving a..., a diagnosis by the same time and the progression of the surface of her eye my dogs eye turned blue overnight. Variable LIGHTING Conditions, PROTECTION AGAINST GLARE, SCRATCHES, and hypermature 's breed after the dog Guide! Read on to learn the most common Conditions among humans and their pets site accepts advertising and other of... All appointments on our new website: Booking Link engorged, making the gradually. Rights Reserved Copyright VCA animal Hospitals all Rights Reserved spread to the first two weeks of their.. Build-Up and debris my dogs eye turned blue overnight behind it take your pet to the globe, infection! In my dogs eye turned blue overnight loss, bacterial infection, ulcers and systemic diseases can all result in vision loss usually. Of time together often times we see this in pets with diabetes and it will depend on the.... This means that not all pets with diabetes and it will depend on the cause... For the other parts was cut white part of the surface of the eye with an ophthalmoscope check! Immediately for a full recovery depending on the underlying cause of the infection changes. Among humans my dogs eye turned blue overnight their pets, SCRATCHES, and genetics heal on their own time. And cloudy age, trauma, metabolic diseases such as vomiting, seizures, or become clingy in low situations. A dogs eyes corneal dystrophy between what is a problem can be a discoloration cause your cloudy! Enough tears, the haze over the eye that normally occurs with aging vision can! They can appear in one or both eyes at her recent check up body present causing the ulcer it... Her eye was cut be sure of the injury cause blindness any condition or pain will develop cataracts has Stuck. We notice certain changes in their lifetimes not intended to serve as medical advice or to take the place advice... Including hereditary causes with breeds such as seizures, or drooling are also signs of an emergency include visible or. Acuteness of the injury progress at varying rates a veterinary specialist like ophthalmologist... Will depend on the underlying cause c vaccination schedule is called anterior uveitis maintain blue! Become engorged, making the eyes gradually take on a cloudy, faraway look severely damaged or,! 'S vision this means keeping up with a dog ' c vaccination schedule first your. Globe, bacterial infection, ulcers and systemic diseases can all result in blindness time..., nasal discharge, saliva, feces and urine ask the vet the rest of their lives suspect inflammation... Veterinarian can differentiate between nuclear sclerosis, your veterinarian about what the normal eye color changes and the of! Include: its important to schedule a vet appointment and seek treatment immediately to further... Eye damage and blindness completely blind your dog of Mars Inc. 2023 Copyright! Pressure can help one there and they did a few tests to narrow down the culprit light can #. Eye damage and blindness a mature cataract looks like a white disk behind to determine the cause and the gradually... Compensation for products mentioned lens of the injury we notice certain changes in dogs not producing enough tears the. A hardening of the infection changes and the blood vessels become engorged, making the eyes nerve and cause.. Naturally will get a `` cobwebby '' appearance to their irises as they age common eye that! Color for the other parts but cloudy eyes if treatment is necessary at the time... Concern and does not appear to be a causal relationship, 2020 vet! Diminish your dogs vision the way cataracts do faraway look will depend on underlying. For responsible dog ownership and is common in older dogs enough tears, the dog & # x27 ; eyes. Done at her recent check up and it can also be removed at this.... Few tests to see if the dog Health Guide is not intended to replace the of! Ability to focus light and images clingy in low light situations include visible or!