(Imagevia Wikimedia Commons /Joel Mills(CC BY-SA 3.0.). New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. Often an issue in senior dogs, cataracts affect the lens of the eye. Clumsiness. This is due to edema in the eye. Cataracts in Dogs: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment. In the case of systemic illness leading to cloudy eyes, you may also see changes in overall behavior, appetite, or energy levels. But their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make a mess. Visual examination by your vet as well as staining the eye to check for abrasions is the best diagnostic tool if the foreign body isnt readily visible. 2017-2022 ESSILOR OF AMERICA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This sites content is for informational and educational purposes only. Infections are one of the most common conditions among humans and their pets. Infectious Diseases. Nothing came of it. Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. Some dogs develop a condition called corneal dystrophy, which gives their cornea an opaque, cloudy appearance. NUCLEAR SCLEROSIS Nuclear sclerosis (also known as lenticular sclerosis) is a normal aging change of the lens within the eye. If not treated promptly, it can damage the eyes nerve and cause blindness. But cloudy eyes in dogs can also can be a symptom of a number of eye problems. Some breeds can also have a special type of eye inflammation caused by a disease called Pannus. Areas of injury will glow brightly. 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 . Prevention is difficult in the case of infections, but regular monitoring of the eyes and keeping them free from dirt and debris can help. As glaucoma can be hard to detect by owners, it is usually caught during an annual examination by your vet. 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. When the lens becomes cloudy, light can't reach the retina, causing blindness. With these diseases, the eyes are not likely to turn blue. Cataracts are white and opaque and represent a change in the ability of light to penetrate to the retina. Generally, there are two reason why your dog's eyes have turned blue. In less severe cases, medications to help reduce swelling, remove fluid from the eye, and decrease eye pressure can help. After all, we dont want our dogs to lose their vision or be uncomfortable. Cataracts progress through four stages of maturity: incipient, immature, mature, and hypermature. This is likely due to their facial conformation and genetic factors. From what i've read on the internet it could be wither nuclear sclerosis or cataracts. Cataracts can occur for many reasons, including hereditary causes with breeds such as Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and Boston Terriers. You have questions, we have answers. Cloudy eyes can be scary when spotted, but treatment can help your dog remain healthy and happy. In chronic cases of dry eye, the surface can scar, creating a cloudy, dull appearance. They can still see, but again, not as well. 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. 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. Many dogs do develop age-related cataracts after having lenticular sclerosis. 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. This condition usually does not lead to compromised vision. Inflammation of the outer part of the eye, called scleritis, or the inner structures, called uveitis, leads to color changes. It is important to diagnose this early to save the dog's sight in the eye. 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. Senile cataracts form when the aging lens fibers degenerate. Heterochromia is described as having two eyes of different colors. Unfortunately they didn't have one there and they did a few tests to see if the top layer of her eye was cut. If you suspect eye inflammation, your vet can help figure out the underlying cause. For nuclear sclerosis, we need to be sure of the correct diagnosis in case it is a treatable condition. It is often common for dogs who have nuclear sclerosis to also develop cataracts, says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer. Puppies' eyesight matures within about 3-4 weeks so they begin . 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. Sometimes cataracts are caused by an underlying disease process, so your veterinarian may want to do additional testing if cataracts are found. This is considered a normal change in the lens associated with aging, and is observed as a cloudiness or bluish discoloration on the pupil. Glaucoma is also something we see in animals. Dogs who recover can shed the virus for up to 9 months in their urine. Because of the build-up of aqueous humor, the anterior chamber becomes hazy and bluish in appearance. What Are Cloudy Eyes in dogs? Dog Swollen Eye, Eyelids, Causes and Treatment. Occasionally, cataracts can occur practically overnight. However, there are some subtle signs to watch out for that can indicate an issue with the eyes. Simply click here to return to Eye Infection. While the exact mechanism is poorly understood, it appears that the lens gradually becomes harder with age. 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. Get the Dog Health Guide Newsletter for Exclusive Content! This occurs when the protein component of the lens clumps together and forms a cloud-like substance, preventing light from entering the eyes. Prevention can be difficult in the case of sudden punctures from bites or foreign objects. For one, dogs eyes have a third eyelid for additional protection. A mature cataract looks like a white disk behind . You should always discuss treatment of medical conditions with your veterinarian before using any alternative therapies, natural supplements, or vitamins. Individual dogs respond in various ways, depending on a number of factors. Join in and write your own page! Vision does not appear to be significantly affected. This type of dystrophy can lead to corneal ulcers. The most common causes of cloudy eyes in senior dogs are nuclear sclerosis and cataracts. Fluorescein stains are the top diagnostic tool for corneal injuries. Foreign bodies, when left in the eye, cause inflammation, swelling, and abrasions on the cornea, leading to its cloudy appearance. We should state that the first reason your dog has blue eyes might not be a discoloration. If your dog's eyes are bloodshot and bulging, it may have glaucoma. However, there are some other conditions that can also create a cloudy appearance in your dogs eyes that require immediate veterinary attention. There are several diseases in the eyes that can cause a blue haze to fill the front chamber or the cornea. Cataracts can obscure your dogs vision. The main reason it is not widespread is due to the hard work of canine vaccination strategists. This is a very serious condition and must be treated by the vet. Take your pets to the vet if you notice a color change. This common condition is inherited, and is broken down into three types depending on the location in the eye: epithelial, stromal, and endothelial. 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. 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. 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. However, if you travel frequently with your dog in the car with the window down, or on bikes or other locations with flying debris, pet goggles are beneficial to avoid dirt and debris from causing scratches. Albinism. In some cases, cataracts progress slowly over a few years, while, other times, blindness can occur within just a few days or weeks. This is often what has happened when pet parents begin to notice blue eyes in an older dog. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. This condition is not the same as cataracts. Three innovative technologies combine for our ultimate in vision, clarity, and protection in a single lens. Eye cloudiness may appear as a blurry discoloration or hazy film covering the cornea or within the eye, affecting one or both eyes. The blue discoloration that you describe affecting your dog's eye could be a result of any of a number of problems. Already have a myVCA account? Bumping into things. Also, based on the cause, cloudy eyes in dogs can be painful or painless. While some changes may be painless and benign, others can lead to permanent eye damage and blindness. As part of a puppy's initial vaccinations and their yearly boosters, a vaccination against CAV-1 is given. About | Contact | Podcasts | Reader Questions | Blog |Privacy Policy. Uveitis. Dr Karie is a companion animal & equine veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. The opacity is often more dramatic when viewed from the side rather than from the front. It is recommended that at the first sign of cataracts, dogs are seen . No she went in for a regular check up. A veterinarian is the best person to diagnose the cause of your dogs cloudy eyes, and your general practice doctor may refer you to a specialist in veterinary ophthalmology for further treatment. With interstitial keratitis in dogs, you will see the dog developing the white film over their eye. Dog Food Recall Expanded: FDA Recalls Certain Dry Pet Food After 110+ Deaths in Dogs, Happy Birthday Peanut Butter Pupcakes Recipe. They include cataracts, corneal dystrophy, glaucoma or uveitis. There is no known cause for primary (or geriatric) iris atrophy. Sometimes they will paw and rub their head or simply seem to feel bad. The best course of action is to ensure their general well-being to give them the best chance at slowing the degeneration. This clouding affects your dogs ability to see by blocking visible light to the retina. 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). Keep the fur around your dog's eyes trimmed short. 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. Your veterinarian will do a pressure check and if it is too low, the likely hood of uveitis is real. Before AnimalWised brings you more information, we want to highlight the importance of vaccination in both adult and puppy dogs. If you see that your dog has blue eyes, then it is important to know the causes of this discoloration and see if there are treatment options available. There is no specific treatment for lenticular sclerosis, nor is treatment necessary. 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