Last Updated on December 29, 2021 by Griselda M.
Are you dealing with dog cloudy eyes suddenly and without warning? Go through our feature to understand possible causes and warning signs.
There’s no doubt that few things are as worrying for dog parents as their furball’s health being affected in any way. That’s why seeing your pet’s eyes getting cloudy can only result in anxiety.
Cloudy eyes in dogs can develop for many reasons, and the change can be rapid or develop over some time. The tricky bit is telling the difference between what’s serious and what can be cured easily. If you’re trying to learn more about dogs eyes turning white and the potential causes – this feature can help you out.
Reasons Your Dog’s Eyes Turn Cloudy Suddenly
If your internet search history includes the term – dog cloudy eyes suddenly – you’re not alone in your worries. Just like humans developing eye infections, your canine can develop a number of ophthalmic issues. Canine eye diseases need to be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian. It’s not something pet parents can (or should) try and handle at home.
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Here is a list of potential causes that can be an answer to the question – why is my dogs eye cloudy. Reading about these causes and symptoms might help you gain some idea about what’s troubling your pet.
1. Dry Eye Can Cause Your Dogs Eyes To Turn Cloudy
Dry eye (aka Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS) can cause the tear glands of your pet’s eyes to dry out. When that happens, a canine’s eyes don’t produce enough liquid to keep the eyes lubricated or moist enough. In the beginning, dry eyes can cause your furball’s eyes to appear a little glassy. But, if left untreated, the condition can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring, and in extreme cases, blindness. What’s more, dry eye can be quite painful.
Symptoms of KCS include redness inside the eyes, swelling on the eyelids and surface of the eyes, and mucous discharge. It can also cause canines to blink excessively.
Dry eye can develop due to several reasons. That’s why your vet will identify the cause behind the condition before deciding on any treatment. Mostly, dry eye will develop due to an autoimmune disorder, in which case the canine will have to take the appropriate medication throughout its life.
2. Cataracts
You likely know that humans develop cataracts. But, canines are susceptible to the condition, too, and it can cause your pet’s eye to turn cloudy due to abnormal metabolism of the lens. The lens of your dog’s eyes helps the light reach the retina. That’s where the brain steps in to take in the information received by the eyes and makes sense of it.
The problem starts when the proteins the lens is made of start clustering together because of trauma or age. When this happens, the protein creates a type of veil that clouds the lens.
That’s what makes it difficult for your pet to see and can lead to complete loss of sight in extreme cases. Symptoms of cataracts can include difficulty seeing in low-light settings, rubbing of the eyes, change in eye color or pupil shape and size.
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Certain canine breeds are more susceptible to developing cataracts than others. These include Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, Huskies, and others. More often than not, cataracts are seen in senior canines but can also result due to diabetes, trauma, or genetics.
It’s essential to get your pet immediate help if you think it’s suffering from cataracts because the condition can also lead to glaucoma. Treatment of cataracts will often involve surgery to rid of the cataract formation as soon as possible.
3. Uveitis As A Cause For Suddenly Cloudy Eyes In Dogs
Uveitis involves inflammation of one or all the parts that make up the uvea in the eye. The uvea includes the choroid (middle layer of the eye that contains blood vessels), the iris, and the tissue in front of your pet’s eye (aka the ciliary body). While the description of the condition may not sound like much, it’s not a condition to be taken lightly.
Uveitis is a pretty painful condition for canines, and its signs can include swelling, excessive tear production, redness, changed pupil size, and others.
It also causes a dog cloudy eye overnight because it can develop due to fungal, bacterial, or viral infections. Other causes of Uveitis also include trauma, cancer, parasites, or an autoimmune disorder. Treatment of uveitis may vary depending on the cause and can consist of ointments, eyes drops, or oral medication.
Helping Your Dog When It Develops Cloudy Eyes
Most times, when dog owners search for the term – dog cloudy eyes suddenly or my dogs eye is cloudy, they’re also looking for pointers to help their furbaby feel more comfortable. As we said initially, if your dog’s eyes are turning cloudy, the first order of business is a trip to the vet. Your veterinarian will not only diagnose the underlying cause but will also advise on the best possible treatment.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t adopt certain measures to help your pet feel more comfortable. Here’s are some ways you can make your pet’s life easier when its vision isn’t 20/20.
- Dogs can have difficulty seeing when their eyes turn cloudy – that’s why it’s best to ensure you change nothing about the layout they’re familiar with. For instance, don’t change the setting of your furniture while your pet is receiving treatment for its eye condition. Doing so may cause it to bump into things and hurt itself.
- Another tip is to ensure you set up your pet’s bed near you until its vision is back to normal. If that’s not possible, set up your pet’s couch in an open space that doesn’t have too many obstructions. It’s also best to leave the light outside your room on at night so that your canine can find its way to you if there’s a need.
- Try keeping your dog’s water and food bowl near its bed or any place your pet prefers to spend its time. This way, your dog won’t have to trudge across rooms to hydrate or eat something if it wants to.
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Conclusion
Seeing your canine in pain or suffering through any health condition isn’t easy. However, it’s best to remember that your doggo relies on you for care and help at such times. That means becoming anxious or nervous isn’t an option. Instead, book an appointment with your veterinarian at the earliest to ensure your dog gets the help it deserves.
