Another cause of white eyes in dogs is cataracts. 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. You may also notice that the white of the eye is red and irritated, or that there is a bulge to the eye, a blue or red tint to the cloudiness, increased discharge, squinting, a dilated pupil, and most alarmingly, loss of vision. 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. This condition can be uncomfortable, and Shetland Sheepdogs appear to be the most susceptible breed. While not a specific cause of cloudy eyes, emergencies do warrant their own mention. 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. What Pet Parents Need To Know! Before AnimalWised brings you more information, we want to highlight the importance of vaccination in both adult and puppy dogs. Some breeds of dog are more susceptible to hereditary cataracts than others. Anxiety when in new environments. Damage to any of these eye components can result in color changes, either on the surface of the eye or in the structures inside. 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. Dogs who recover can shed the virus for up to 9 months in their urine. This is due to fluid build-up and debris forming behind it. A sudden reluctance to climb stairs or jump on furniture. This occurs when the protein component of the lens clumps together and forms a cloud-like substance, preventing light from entering the eyes. 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. Get the Dog Health Guide Newsletter for Exclusive Content! 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. Other issues, such as seizures, may also cause changes to the eye, giving them a cloudy, faraway look. 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. The disease usually enters through the mouth or nostrils. Glaucoma is hard to prevent, especially as it can be very slow to progress and hard for owners to detect. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. It is also seen in both eyes typically and is non-painful. 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 |. More important, nuclear sclerosis (also called lenticular sclerosis) does not significantly diminish your dogs vision the way cataracts do. Regular visits to your vet can help catch the early stages of glaucoma which can respond better to conservative treatment. Your dog can still see through their old lens fibers just maybe not as good as they used to when they were younger! However, there are some other conditions that can also create a cloudy appearance in your dog's. Nuclear sclerosis (also known as lenticular sclerosis) is a normal aging change of the lens within the eye. The eyes can be given a whitish coloration, but the eye turning blue can also occur. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. There are many causes for clouding of the eyes, including aging-related health issues, injuries, and more. This sites content is for informational and educational purposes only. There is a surgical solution for cataracts, but it is best to do this as early in their formation as possible, says Dr. Klein. Low 56F. With interstitial keratitis in dogs, you will see the dog developing the white film over their eye. An eye infection can be secondary to an initial injury, but may also be a result of bacteria or inflammation of the eye. Out of curiosity, did she have anything done at her recent check up? Cataracts are characterized by the increase in the opacity of the lenses of the dogs eyes. Eye injuries can occur for several reasons, including trauma to the eye from a bite, scratches from foreign objects, or inflammation due to underlying illness leading to swelling and bulging. This clouding affects your dogs ability to see by blocking visible light to the retina. Instead, they will grow cloudy or achieve a whitish hue. Another condition that is seen is true cataracts. 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. More commonly, the blue color will disappear afer a few days of its own accord. This is considered a normal process and happens as the dogs get older. I cant see the black part in the middle anymore. 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. Glaucoma, or an increase in eye pressure, can also cause clouding of the eyes. They are placed into the eye and then a special lamp is used to highlight areas that are torn or ulcerated. 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. Fluorescein stains are the top diagnostic tool for corneal injuries. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Puppies are more susceptible to infection than adults due to their juvenile immune system. In severe cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary to address the cause of the secondary glaucoma or to make your dog more comfortable. Such compensation does not influence the information or recommendations made. This is an inherited, progressive condition that typically affects both eyes, causing the most damage to the cornea. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Prevention is difficult in the case of infections, but regular monitoring of the eyes and keeping them free from dirt and debris can help. 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. Eye inflammation can also cause eye clouding in dogs, especially when it affects the cornea. Dog eye problems are fairly common, and can be caused by something as simple as getting grass or grit under the lid, or by something as serious as cancer. We have merged with BetterVet! Ulcers are sores on your dogs cornea (the membrane on the front of the eye). The most common causes of cloudy eyes in senior dogs are nuclear sclerosis and cataracts. Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds are genetically predisposed. Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. It is believed that, as the central lens is compressed by new fibers deposited on the outer rings of the lens, the compression leads to hardening and lens becomes opaque. Dr Karie is a companion animal & equine veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. Cataracts can appear in one or both eyes and it can progress at varying rates. There are several diseases in the eyes that can cause a blue haze to fill the front chamber or the cornea. Glaucoma in dogs is considered an emergency and immediate veterinary intervention is warranted. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then it is no wonder we get worried when we notice cloudy eyes in dogs. Most cataracts in dogs develop as a complication to an underlying condition, such as diabetes mellitus. It usually develops in both eyes at the same time and the eyes gradually take on a cloudy, bluish-grey appearance. They are: Interstitial keratitis caused by infectious canine hepatitis. The treatment for your dogs cloudy eyes depends on the cause, the age of your dog, the progress of the problem, and your dogs discomfort. It might not be something you see occurring immediately, often progressing over time. Because of the build-up of aqueous humor, the anterior chamber becomes hazy and bluish in appearance. Sudden symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, or drooling are also signs of an emergency. 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. Vision does not appear to be significantly affected. Many dogs do develop age-related cataracts after having lenticular sclerosis. If a cataract develops, it can be surgically corrected, and this procedure should be pursued early in the course of the disease for best results. Cataracts 4. In some cases, toxic ingestion of substances can cause the pupils to dilate, making them look cloudy. While the two seem related, there does not appear to be a causal relationship. You may notice your dog bumping into things more often, or other changes in their behavior, as well as an opaque film over the eyes. Cataracts in Dogs: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment. A bluish tinge to the globe can indicate increased pressure within the eyeball, which is glaucoma. You should start receiving emails soon. The appearance of cloudy eyes may continue. Some of them can be resolved even without Book a video consultation with an experienced veterinarian within minutes. Emergency This could lead to blindness very quickly. Depending on the type of foreign body, removal can vary. After all, we dont want our dogs to lose their vision or be uncomfortable. This is why it is highly contagious, especially in dogs which spend a lot of time together. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Make an appointment if you are concerned about your pets vision or a change in their eyes. Proper vaccinations schedules will best prevent conditions related to blue eyes in dogs. However, once it has progressed to blindness, you may notice your dog bumping into objects, or becoming unusually clingy. Cataracts cloud the eye lens and can cause either partial or complete loss of vision. Hesitation when navigating obstacles such as stairs or when in new places. 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. These white, milky changes to your dogs lens are the result of abnormal lens metabolism. For clouding of the eyes gradually take on a cloudy, faraway look while the two seem related, does. Often progressing over time intervention is warranted, making them look cloudy important, nuclear sclerosis cataracts... Cataracts in dogs, especially as it can be secondary to an underlying condition, such as seizures, also. Age-Related cataracts after having lenticular sclerosis ) does not appear to be the damage! 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