What to do if my puppy’s eyes suddenly get cloudy

There are many conditions that can lead to a puppy having cloudy eyes. While it’s usually not associated with a life-threatening condition, sudden eye cloudiness warrants prompt veterinary attention to help prevent vision loss and permanent eye damage. If you have a puppy, read on to learn:

• What eye cloudiness can look like in puppies
• How changes to the lens and cornea are diagnosed and treated
• What causes a puppy to have cloudy eyes
• What to do if your puppy’s eyes appear cloudy

Eye infections, corneal ulcers and scratches, and various other eye diseases can cause cloudy eyes in young dogs. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, with common options including antibiotic eye drops, artificial tears, oral medications, or surgery.

A cloudy eye may be due to a problem in various structures of the eye. The lens is a soft, transparent tissue that sits behind the iris(the colored part of the eye), and the cornea is a clear dome on the surface of the eye in front of the iris. Eye cloudiness usually occurs due to changes in the lens or the cornea. A clouded lens will cause white, blue, or gray discoloration over the iris and pupil, while corneal diseases will look like a cloudy film over the entire surface of the eye.

Conditions that cause eyes to have a cloudy or hazy appearance vary in severity. Signs of these eye issues can be minor at first and are easily overlooked by pet owners. Cloudy eyes are often associated with aging in dogs, but puppies can also have medical conditions that cause the symptom.

Cloudy eyes in puppies may be accompanied by additional symptoms, depending on the underlying cause. Symptoms may include:

• Excessive blinking, squinting, or holding the eye closed
• Rubbing or pawing at the eye
• Signs of vision impairment, such as bumping into furniture
• Swelling or redness of tissue around the eyes
• Red or bloodshot eyes
• Abnormal eye discharge or increased tear production
• Elevated third eyelid
• Constricted or unequal pupil sizes

It’s important to note that signs of vision impairment are usually only present when both eyes are affected. Listing any additional symptoms observed at home can help a veterinarian have a better understanding of what’s going on with your puppy.

Eyes with a cloudy appearance are a common symptom with many potential causes. When a puppy presents with cloudy eyes, veterinarians use a physical examination, eye exam, and diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause. Testing may include:

• Examining the eyes with a light and magnifying lens in a dark room
• Checking various eye reflexes
• Schirmer tear test
• Fluorescein stain to check for corneal ulcers and scratches
• Intraocular pressure test (tonometry)
• Bacterial or fungal culture
• Bloodwork
• Cytology
• Diagnostic imaging

A definitive diagnosis is necessary to form an effective treatment plan because there are so many conditions that can cause cloudy eyes and each requires a different treatment method. Depending on the underlying health condition causing the symptom, medical treatment may involve:

• Eye drops containing antibiotics, antifungals, or anti-inflammatories
• Oral medications
• Surgery

Depending on the underlying issue, puppies may be referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist for a definitive diagnosis and treatment. The prognosis of eye damage and loss of vision varies depending on what is causing the visible haze on the puppy’s eyes.

Cloudy eyes without the presence of additional symptoms aren’t usually associated with life-threatening conditions. Emergency veterinary attention is warranted if cloudy eyes are accompanied by:

• Labored breathing
• Pale gums
• Collapse
• Severe injury

Any change in your puppy’s eye health warrants prompt medical attention from a vet. Getting your puppy examined by a veterinarian as quickly as possible is the best way to:

• Help your puppy feel better
• Get an accurate diagnosis
• Start appropriate treatment
• Avoid complications such as permanent damage to the eye, loss of vision, or loss of the eye

Cloudy eyes in young dogs are usually due to the following:

• Inflammation and swelling of the cornea from injury or infection
• Changes within the lens such as injury, illness, inflammation, or infection

Eye injury, inflammation, or infection

Eye infections, injuries, and inflammation of the cornea or lens can lead to eye cloudiness and are common in puppies. The cornea is normally transparent, but when it swells in response to inflammation, it becomes cloudy. This is called corneal edema. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Corneal ulceration or scratches, especially from eyelid and eyelash disorders
• Conjunctivitis
• Uveitis
• Fungal, protozoal, or bacterial infection

Foreign bodies and environmental irritants can also damage the eye, leading to cloudiness and other eye symptoms.

Other eye conditions

Several canine eye conditions that usually occur in older dogs can sometimes affect puppies, such as:

• Dry eye
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Lens luxation
• Pannus
• Mucopolysaccharidosis (very rare)

“In some cases, even if the puppy was born with an inherited ocular disease, the symptoms may not develop until the puppy is older,” states Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on Vetster. Eye conditions vary in severity and require different treatment options.

Talk to a veterinarian right away any time you notice changes in your puppy’s eye health, including a sudden cloudy, hazy, or filmy appearance. If you’re unsure if your puppy’s eye symptoms need emergency attention, an online veterinary professional can help triage your pet’s symptoms.

While waiting to see a vet, it may be helpful to:

• Observe closely for any other symptoms
• Apply warm compresses to clean away any eye discharge from the fur
• Help your puppy be as clean, dry, and comfortable as possible

If your puppy has any eye or nasal discharge, cleaning it from their face before it hardens and accumulates in the fur can help prevent any skin irritation. Do not administer any human medications, including eye drops or artificial tears, without instruction from a veterinarian.

If you need to talk to a veterinary professional about your puppy’s symptoms, or if you need help giving your puppy eye medications, you can connect with a vet through an online virtual care appointment.

Why are my puppy’s eyes cloudy?

Puppies can have many eye conditions and injuries that lead to their eyes appearing cloudy. Eye infections, corneal injuries, and a variety of eye diseases can occur in puppies, causing cloudiness in the lens or cornea, often along with other eye symptoms. Talk to a vet to get an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

What should a puppy’s eyes look like?

A puppy’s eyes should be bright, clear, and alert, with minimal discharge or discoloration. Pupils should be the same size in both eyes, and a puppy should not be squinting, excessively blinking, or holding either of their eyes closed.

Can puppies get cataracts?

While uncommon, puppies can get cataracts. Hereditary cataracts can be present at birth. There are many other eye conditions that cause similar symptoms, so it’s important to talk to a vet and get an accurate diagnosis.