We love our best friends like they are all we have, and when we notice something odd about their eyes, it should raise our concern. Our dogs should have big, bright eyes when they gaze at us, and they shouldn’t have any cataracts in their eyes or cloudy looking eyes. Other reasons mean that cataracts are not always the cause for dark eyes, but any sign of cloudy eyes should raise concern to the owner.
The dog’s eyes should always be taken seriously. This is not only because the dog’s eyes are the key to his soul, but it is also the windows to his health. If his eyes are cloudy, it means his health isn’t right.
Things That Mean If Your Dog Has Cloudy Eyes:
Dog owners think that cloudy eyes mean that the dog has gotten cataracts. However, a dark reflection in the dog’s eyes is a sign of lenticular sclerosis. The lens of the eyes helps the dog to have a clear vision. The lens will have new layers added to the glass, and this will change the dog’s lens structure as the dog ages. The pupils of the dog’s eyes will appear cloudy or hazy as a result of the change of the layer of the lens on the dog’s eyes. That is why lenticular sclerosis is sometimes mistaken for cataracts. However, this only occurs in older dogs, so it doesn’t hamper down his vision unless the dog is super old. Young dogs should not have lenticular sclerosis, so if your young dog has poor eyesight, it shouldn’t be this case. Other symptoms include:
How Lenticular Sclerosis Is Diagnosed In Dogs
To diagnose lenticular sclerosis, there should be an eye examination conducted by the veterinarian. The vet has to evaluate the eye structure to decide whether the dog has cataracts or not.
When it comes to treatment, there is no available medication. However, there is no pain involved when a dog suffers from this condition.
The vet will give you the necessary steps to adapt to the dog’s needs if the dog is diagnosed as lenticular sclerosis. You might need to assist the dog up the stairs.
Dry Eyes
Next, we have dry eyes. Dry eyes are a condition that comes along with cloudy eyes. It is called “Keratoconjunctivitis sicca” and is called KCS in short. This condition results from the inability of the dog’s eyes to produce sufficient tear film. This will leave the eyes dry, so they aren’t adequately moisturized.
If the condition is left untreated, it will cause blindness, and it is painful for the dog too.
There are a few causes of KCS. There might be an underlying autoimmune disease as well, but thankfully, it can be treated with medication. You will need to treat it as long as the dog lives.
Pannus
Pannus is also called chronic superficial keratitis. Just like KCS, it is caused by some immune system illness. It is common in German Shepherds and other breeds that are close to it. This condition affects the eye cornea.
Cloudy eyes are one of the signs of pannus. The cloudiness is caused by a mass of substance growing on the cornea.
Sometimes it affects both eyes. Pannus also occur in older dogs, and it is a hereditary condition. It is commonly found in German shepherds, and it also affects other dog breeds. Other things that can lead to pannus is more exposure to ultraviolet light. Smoke can also have the dog developing pannus.
There are drugs used to treat pannus. Pannus can develop into another condition and antibiotics are also given for this disease.
Corneal Ulcer
The cornea of the dog is made out of three layers of skin cells. A corneal ulcer occurs when the thickness of the cornea erode. The fluid in the eyes will melt into the stroma of the dog’s tears and turn into an abscess. This makes the eyes appear cloudy.
The leading cause of corneal ulcer is trauma. Maybe the dog rubbed his eyes on the carpet or accidentally had sharp objects in contact with his eyes.
The corneal ulcer is usually painful, so the dog will keep crying for loud. The vet will get some antibiotics and treatment for the dog’s eyes.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is caused by insufficient fluid in the eyes. The poor drainage is the eyes caused by the pressure applied inside the eyes.
Glaucoma also leads to permanent damage to the optic nerve. If it is not treated, it can blind the dog. This disease affects all dogs, but it affects poodles more.
Symptoms include:
A cloudy appearance in the dog eyes.
Dilated dog pupils
Eye blinking
Eyeball enlargement
Glaucoma is treatable, and the vet will send out drugs that lower the pressure in the dog’s eyes.
Uveitis
Uveitis means inflammation of the uveal tract of the dog’s eye. This leads to iris inflammation and the other parts of the eye. Many signs come with uveitis, and the symptoms are eye redness and eye cloudiness.
There are a few things that cause uveitis. Things that cause uveitis are usually infectious by nature. Cancer can also cause uveitis in dogs. Another sign of uveitis is eye cloudiness and eye redness that comes along with severe pain. Some of these symptoms are the same as glaucoma. The treatment is aimed at giving the dog some relief and reduce his eyes’ inflammation. Eye drops and ointments are applied to the eye to reduce swelling.
What You Should Do If Your Dog Has Cloudy Eyes
It is normal to worry about your dog. If the dog has dark eyes, then some action has to be taken.
Don’t share eye drops with your dog, if you notice cloudy eyes make sure to consult the vet immediately.
Check the dog eyes twice daily, and usually, it isn’t severe. Bring to the vet after inspecting your dog.
Author Bio:
Tony is the owner of Petpetbuy.com, the pet-parent of two dogs, and he is also an active animal rescuer. He works with multiple non-governmental organisations which work towards providing aid to homeless dogs and cats.