From there, treatment depends on the underlying cause of the injury. While visual changes are common in aging pups, its important to monitor, track, and report these changes to your veterinarian. Corneal ulcers, also known as ulcerative keratitis, are caused by slow-to-heal ulcers and sores forming on the cornea. If there is a foreign body present causing the ulcer, it can also be removed at this time. Like many changes that come with age, it can just happen naturally. Given the speed with which this happened, I would consider this a medical emergency. After all, we dont want our dogs to lose their vision or be uncomfortable. Some are normal and some will result in vision loss and pain. However, there are some other conditions that can also create a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes that require immediate veterinary attention. These include blood, nasal discharge, saliva, feces and urine. Eye Infections 3. Anterior Uveitis is inflammation of the iris and ciliary body within the uvea of the eye. This variation of hepatitis strain is caused by a virus, specifically by the canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1). As mentioned, there are situations where eye color change is considered a normal process, but most cases are due to specific eye problems. Inherited glaucoma affects many breeds of dogs, including Beagles, Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels, Chow Chows, Basset Hounds, Russell Terriers, Chinese Shar-Pei, and Arctic Circle breeds such as the Siberian Husky and the Norwegian Elkhound. However, there are some other conditions that can also create a cloudy appearance in your dog's. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. This site accepts advertising and other forms of compensation for products mentioned. Clumsiness. This is considered a normal process and happens as the dogs get older. The appearance of cloudy eyes may continue. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. After a case of infectious canine hepatitis, the blue coloration should resolve itself naturally. Join in and write your own page! With more severe cases, surgical intervention by a veterinary ophthalmologist may be recommended. 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." A place where you can ask veterinary medicine related questions and get advice from veterinary professionals. We should state that the first reason your dog has blue eyes might not be a discoloration. This is a sub for professional veterinary advice, and as such we follow strict rules for participating. Both dogs and cats can experience eye color changes in their lifetimes. Some breeds are more susceptible to dry eye than others, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Pugs. A mature cataract looks like a white disk behind . Do not give possible diagnoses that could explain the symptoms described by OP. Download this e-book to get the explanations behind some of the strangest canine behaviors. It is easy to confuse cataracts and nuclear sclerosis. Proper vaccinations schedules will best prevent conditions related to blue eyes in dogs. Simply click here to return to Eye Infection. Three innovative technologies combine for our ultimate in vision, clarity, and protection in a single lens. go to an emergency vet or if possible an ophthalmologist ASAP. 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.). It's important to know this is a natural process and not a sign of disease. It changes the color of the lenses from transparent to almost white in severe cases. Glaucoma is also something we see in animals. Rubbing or scratching of the eyes. Get the Dog Health Guide Newsletter for Exclusive Content! Infections are one of the most common conditions among humans and their pets. 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. Owners report it looking like ice crystals. There is no treatment needed because the condition does not cause serious problems, but it might be a good idea to discuss your dogs aging eyes with your veterinarian, so that you know what to expect as your dog grows older. Nuclear Sclerosis is a hardening of the eyes' lenses and is common in older dogs. Chance of rain 100%. The cause is the infectious canine hepatitis virus, something we will discuss further in the next section. They can still see, but again, not as well. Reasons Your Dog's Eyes Turn Cloudy Suddenly 1. Bumping into things. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With both CAV-1 and nuclear sclerosis, a diagnosis by the veterinarian is necessary. Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. Bloodwork may also be helpful in checking for systemic illnesses. It is recommended that at the first sign of cataracts, dogs are seen . Once your dog is awake, your vet will likely prescribe medications. But cloudy eyes in dogs can also can be a symptom of a number of eye problems. The iris is the colored portion of the eye and is responsible for dilating or contracting the pupil. This will occur about 10 days after the dog has been exposed to the virus and become infected. Press J to jump to the feed. Some humans have hazel eyes that may change color throughout their lives, possibly achieving two completely different colors during the same day. 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. Proper and prompt examination is also important because a dog with glaucoma in one eye is at high risk for getting glaucoma in the other eye.. 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. They include cataracts, corneal dystrophy, glaucoma or uveitis. General Signs to Watch Out For Cloudy Eyes in Dogs Causes 1. In scleritis, the white part of the eye becomes bloodshot and the blood vessels become engorged, making the eyes red in appearance. Not all dogs achieve the same eye color. If we notice certain changes in coloration, we should know this is not a normal sign. Tea Mathews: How much does it mean to you? In this condition the white part of the eye, or the sclera, becomes very red. This usually effects both eyes and is not painful. However, in most cases, treatment of glaucoma is lifelong. It usually develops in both eyes at the same time and the eyes gradually take on a cloudy, bluish-grey appearance. Areas of injury will glow brightly. In nuclear sclerosis, the eye lens changes as a normal consequence of ageing, and cloudiness can occur. Send questions for Dr. Allison Dascoli to Ask the Vet, Charleston Daily Mail, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301 or email them to
[email protected]. Cataracts are characterized as white and opaque. Make an appointment if you are concerned about your pets vision or a change in their eyes. This is usually accompanied by scleritis, conjunctivitis, and excessive tear production depending on the severity of the trauma. Vision does not appear to be significantly affected in dogs diagnosed with lenticular sclerosis. Luckily, dry eye can usually be treated with tear-stimulating medications and topical antibiotics, and in severe cases there are surgical options available to help promote increased tear production. Once the virus is in the dog's system, it reproduces within the body's tissues. Some dogs will not even display symptoms, others can die in a matter of hours. It is caused by the same virus that causes infectious hepatitis ," according to WebMD. Join in and write your own page! 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. The veterinarian will use a microscope with a bright light to identify the type of corneal dystrophy your dog has, as well as a fluorescein stain to examine the details of the eye, and may prescribe antibiotic eye medications. This is often what has happened when pet parents begin to notice blue eyes in an older dog. Cataracts progress through four stages of maturity: incipient, immature, mature, and hypermature. The result is a whitish film which appears over the eye. Small, toy breed dogs can be more predisposed, but any dog can develop the condition. If the foreign body can be removed, your vet will likely recommend sedation. This is considered a normal process and happens as the dogs get older. 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. It has a clear outer protective barrier called the cornea and a white fleshy part called the sclera. Eye color change in animals, especially when not due to age, is very serious. 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. More commonly, the blue color will disappear afer a few days of its own accord. Keep the fur around your dog's eyes trimmed short. Both epithelial and endothelial cornea dystrophy can cause ulcers that require treatment, but there is no cure for corneal dystrophy. You have questions, we have answers. Generally, there are two reason why your dog's eyes have turned blue. 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. Consider "step" as well, to teach him when a . 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. If your dog's eyes are bloodshot and bulging, it may have glaucoma. Since the eyes will continue to produce fluid, failure of proper drainage leads to an increased pressure within the eyes. 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. All rights reserved. Individual dogs respond in various ways, depending on a number of factors. 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. In less severe cases, medications to help reduce swelling, remove fluid from the eye, and decrease eye pressure can help. If your dog develops nuclear sclerosis, your vet will want to conduct regular check-ups to look for cataracts.. Don't wait, go to an emergency vet now. We won't share it with anyone else. This site also receives a small commission from affiliate links and third-party advertising. Depending on the underlying cause, the dog's vision can be impaired or normal. As they progress, they may appear bluish, reddish, or just as a haze on the surface of your dogs eye. Over time, this can lead to other issues, such as tearing of the cornea or displacement of the lens. The two chambers are separated by the iris, pupil, and lens. This is due to edema in the eye. Whatever the case, you must take your pet to be seen as soon as you notice any changes in the eyes. Among the many eye diseases which can affect dogs, not many can cause the eye to appear blue. Click here to see the top 12 signs your pooch is entering his senior years. Nuclear sclerosis is a change in the lens of the eye that normally occurs with aging. Trauma to the globe, bacterial infection, ulcers and systemic diseases can all result in anterior uveitis. Cataracts are characterized by the increase in the opacity of the lenses of the dogs eyes. There is no specific treatment for lenticular sclerosis, nor is treatment necessary. 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. 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. 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. 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.) Some breeds of dog are more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others. There are many causes for clouding of the eyes, including aging-related health issues, injuries, and more. They said they did blood work and other samples. The blue discoloration that you describe affecting your dog's eye could be a result of any of a number of problems. 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. 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