Are There Health Issues If a Dog Has Blue Eyes?

When you think of classic and irresistible "puppy dog" eyes, you probably envision large, limpid peepers that are dark. After all, lots of canines out there have lovely chocolate brown eyes. In spite of that, not all canines are brown-eyed. Some of them are noted for their baby blues.

  1. Blue Eyes and Health

    • Blue eyes in no way signify a health problem in canines. The color indicates, in many cases, nothing more than the irises' reduced pigment levels. Blue eyes are abundant, and totally OK, in certain dog breeds like Australian shepherds and Siberian huskies. Despite that, blue isn't the sole eye color displayed by individuals of these two breeds. These shepherds and huskies frequently boast brown and golden eyes, too. Some of them mix it up with their eyes -- think one brown eye and one blue eye, for example. If your dog has blue eyes and anything about them worries you, don't hesitate to get him to the veterinarian.

    Deafness

    • Although blue eyes in dogs often aren't associated with any health issues, they are, in some breeds, prevalent in dogs who have hearing problems. English cocker spaniels, English setters and Dalmatians with blue eyes often are deaf, for example. However, no known correlation exists between blue eyes and vision impairment in the doggie world.

    Health Considerations

    • A bluish tinge to the eyes -- rather than an actual eye shade -- can sometimes be an hint of medical issues in dogs. If you notice a pale blue layer over your pooch's eye, it could be a sign of interstitial keratitis, which is a corneal inflammatory disorder that results from a virus. "Blue eye" is a common name for the ailment. Another cause of pupils developing a bluish and hazy look is nuclear sclerosis, prevalent in elderly specimens and usually innocuous. If you suspect any of these issues in your pet, call the veterinarian for an appointment as soon as possible.

    Puppies and Blue Eyes

    • If you have a newborn puppy in your care, don't be surprised if he has blue eyes. Neonatal puppies all have deep blue eyes. However, the coloration rapidly changes into a different permanent color for most puppies, often starting around the time they're 4 weeks old. Although you might start seeing your pet's eye color change from blue to something else at this point, the full transformation could take until age 4 months.