Glaucoma in dogs occurs when the pressure inside the eye increases, resulting in damage to the structures in the eye. If they become infected, they can lead to severe damage and even perforation. In neither of the two causes is a direct treatment administered. Nuclear sclerosis in dogs is a physiological degeneration which can occur in all mammals, including human beings. Ulcers are sores on your dogs cornea (the membrane on the front of the eye). 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. More commonly, the blue color will disappear afer a few days of its own accord. It is recommended that at the first sign of cataracts, dogs are seen . Although fortunately not very common, it is incredibly contagious. While Dr. Scarlett mentions most dogs experience an eye color change to dark brown, some dog breeds have different eye colors. Given the speed with which this happened, I would consider this a medical emergency. We always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences. This is due to fluid build-up and debris forming behind it. Avoidance of stairs. The disease usually enters through the mouth or nostrils. It tends to affect both eyes at the same time. Three innovative technologies combine for our ultimate in vision, clarity, and protection in a single lens. Instead, they will grow cloudy or achieve a whitish hue. 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. In rarer cases, fungal infections and viruses such as hepatitis can cause eye inflammation. Tears are necessary for lubrication and overall eye health, as the aqueous solution is how your dogs eyes receive necessary nutrients. Some eye conditions are hereditary, so its good to be aware of those common to your dogs breed. This means that not all pets with lenticular sclerosis will develop cataracts. Puppies are more susceptible to infection than adults due to their juvenile immune system. It is also seen in both eyes typically and is non-painful. Its crucial to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss an appropriate treatment plan with your vet. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores. Now his eye has turned a foggy blue color. Your dog's eyes have water and proteins in them. It is not intended to serve as medical advice or to take the place of advice from, or treatment by, your veterinarian. While some changes in the dogs eyes are considered normal, especially as they get older, most physical changes are indications of possible eye problems. Inherited glaucoma affects many breeds of dogs, tear-stimulating medications and topical antibiotics, Active Shooter & Mass Attack Safety Resources. These protein strands gradually obscure the lens, making it harder for your dog to see and in some cases causing total blindness. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. Eye Infections 3. Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, veterinarian and San Francisco SPCA representative, toldKCBS radio"most puppies are born with amber or yellow eyes but those will change to a dark brown by about eight weeks of age." When your dog is not producing enough tears, the surface of her eyes becomes irritated. White spots on the eyes. There is an interesting condition especially prevalent in Boston Terriers called corneal dystrophy that you may want to discuss with your veterinarian. Nuclear sclerosis There are other diseases which can lead to eyes changing color. 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. Another curious fact about blue eyes in dogs is that many puppies will have blue eyes when they first open them. There are certain circumstances which can lead to blue eyes in dogs. Yes. They cause a white layer inside the eye. Cataracts can start small and grow large, or they can appear overnight and completely blind your dog. 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. Treatment generally involves medicated eye drops or ointments such as Terramycin, but may also include an oral antibiotic or pain medication depending on severity. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. In the case of injury, signs of a problem can be obvious. Don't wait, go to an emergency vet now. Eye inflammation can also cause eye clouding in dogs, especially when it affects the cornea. I think she can see because she doesnt run into things but I dont know how. R.A. This means keeping up with a dog'c vaccination schedule. A mature cataract looks like a white disk behind . The look is quite similar to that of the beginning of a cataract, but it is imperative we distinguish between the two. Just as with humans, a dog with cataracts will have difficulty seeing at night and experience sensitivity to strong light and glare. Try giving your dog an antibiotic-free nutritional supplement that reduces tear staining. If the dog's eye is turning blue unnaturally, then there are not many possible causes. 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 . Anxiety when in new environments. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. This results in symptoms involving pain, pawing of the eyes, lethargy, and decreased appetite. This is another serious condition that threatens your canine kids vision. Cloudy eyes can be a symptom of a variety of eye problems, and some can be painful for your dog. But their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make a mess. The main reason it is not widespread is due to the hard work of canine vaccination strategists. The entire front of the eye does become cloudy with a blue look to it due to edema and fluid buildup. But for a dog that doesn't naturally have blue eyes, a blue eye could indicate a disease called interstitial keratitis, "a corneal inflammation in which a bluish-white film appears over the clear window of the eye. Dogs develop cataracts just like people do. A place where you can ask veterinary medicine related questions and get advice from veterinary professionals. When you see dogs with cloudy eyes, it may be a natural part of the aging process. Since nuclear sclerosis is a degenerative condition caused by the ageing process, there is no current treatment. Vision does not appear to be significantly affected. In cases where medication fails, your veterinarian may recommend laser therapy, eye removal, implants to facilitate drainage, gentamicin (an antibiotic) injections, and cyclocryotherapy (a procedure used to reduce the production of intraocular fluid.) Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. 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. It's easy to do. This will occur about 10 days after the dog has been exposed to the virus and become infected. It is caused by the same virus that causes infectious hepatitis ," according to WebMD. With these diseases, the eyes are not likely to turn blue. While not a specific cause of cloudy eyes, emergencies do warrant their own mention. Senile cataracts form when the aging lens fibers degenerate. 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. If you notice any changes to your dogs eyes, contact your vet immediately for a proper diagnosis and, if needed, treatment. Cataracts can obscure your dogs vision. This article is purely informative. 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. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. However, once it has progressed to blindness, you may notice your dog bumping into objects, or becoming unusually clingy. 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. There is a specialty animal eye practice near by that we will schedule her for tomorrow. In this condition the white part of the eye, or the sclera, becomes very red. This condition is very painful and usually only affects one eye at a time. Instead, the symptoms themselves are addressed. Sudden symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, or drooling are also signs of an emergency. If you look closely, you can often see the flecks of color appear gradually. Bumping into things. There are several diseases in the eyes that can cause a blue haze to fill the front chamber or the . 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. Albinism. Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. This can be in one eye or in both. This then changed as they age into adolescence, becoming their natural color in a few months time. More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dogs vision the way cataracts do. 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 . 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. 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.). Cataracts are white and opaque and represent a change in the ability of light to penetrate to the retina. This is considered a normal process and happens as the dogs get older. Sometimes cataracts are caused by an underlying disease process, so your veterinarian may want to do additional testing if cataracts are found. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Clumsiness. Keeping the eye clean, dry, and free of debris can also help to reduce symptoms and speed up healing. The lenses are mostly made of gel proteins, which become harder and change in color as the dog gets older. Both conditions cause the lens to appear cloudy, but there are a few differences. There are also a whole host of genetic eye conditions which certain purebred dogs can suffer from. Hesitation when navigating obstacles such as stairs or when in new places. However, the most important action is prevention. 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. 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. Because it is often genetic, it often leads to blindness in both eyes. Not all dogs achieve the same eye color. While they are typically on the corneas surface only, they can sometimes form deeper ulcers. A veterinarian should examine any dog with cloudy eyes to diagnose the cause and prescribe prompt treatment, if necessary. It's easy to do. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. She also says that cats naturally will get a "cobwebby" appearance to their irises as they age. When the eye is examined with an ophthalmoscope, the retina and fundus (back of the eye) can still be seen through the sclerotic lens. Injury to the eye, and bacterial infections can also cause inflammation as a secondary symptom to the initial cause. Heterochromia is described as having two eyes of different colors. Eye ointments such as a steroid or antibiotics, as well as oral pain medications will help until the eye is fully healed. And even though their vision is gone, the pain and pressure remain. 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 infectious diseases in dogs can also result in eye issues. If the foreign body can be removed, your vet will likely recommend sedation. 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. What Pet Parents Need To Know! This is considered a normal change in the lens associated with aging, and is observed as a cloudiness or bluish discoloration on the pupil. Comments or suggestions can be submitted the same way. Clouding of the eye refers to a cloudy, opaque film covering its surface. For instance, a husky generally has blue eyes. This painful condition can have a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, cancer, trauma, metabolic disease, parasites, and fungal, viral, and bacterial infections. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. 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