I see a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel daily on my walks with my boy and over the months I've noticed the dogs eyes have changed colour and have a blue tinge. Today I commented about his eyes as the blue tinge colour was very - very prominent and looked very odd. The owner said that sometimes when CKCS are old eyes can change colour and that it was nothing to worry about unless the eyes irritated the dog. I do know the dog suffered from dry eyes last year and it cleared up and that the dog is only 6 years old, I certainly do not think that's old.  I tried to explain to the owner eye colour changing can be a serious condition and to ere on the side of caution that she should take him to the vet but she took offence and walked away all huffy :( I didn't mean to offend and feel terrible now for commenting, I will have to apologise the next time I see her.

Has anyone come across this blue eye tinge before?

Many old dogs (& people) develop cataract when elderly and that is what the blue tinge is the beginnings of a cataract. No treatment is needed unless they start to cause a problem when they can (like people) be removed.

Having said that I am suprised that the dog is only 6 as that is young, do not know if the CKCS is prone to early onset catarat but have a feeling that they are, agree also that the dog should see a vet if only to make sure there is nothing else going on.

Some cataracts are hereditary so that might be what he has.

Although my mum rushed her dogs down to the vet as she noticed their eyes had a slight bluey hue to them, the vet said it wasn't cataracts but that it was the protective film on their eyeballs, because the dogs have dry eyes you could see it more, but it was nothing to worry about.  I am still thinking of taking them to an opthalmic vet though just to be sure.  They still have brown eyes.  Sounds like the cav does have cataracts though if the eye has actually changed colour.

Sounds like the cornea is damaged due to the Dry Eye....and no......  6 is not old for a CKCS.

It could be damage from the dry eye but one would think the dog had been treated for that, whatever the cause I think a vet visit should take place.

> Some cataracts are hereditary so that might be what he has.
>
> Although my mum rushed her dogs down to the vet as she noticed their eyes had a slight bluey hue to them, the vet said it wasn't cataracts but that it was the protective film on their eyeballs, because the dogs have dry eyes you could see it more, but it was nothing to worry about.  I am still thinking of taking them to an opthalmic vet though just to be sure.  They still have brown eyes.  Sounds like the cav does have cataracts though if the eye has actually changed colour.

Granitecitygirl for peace of mind I think I would do the same and get a second opinion,  I hope all goes well with your mums dogs

This dogs eyes you can no longer see that they were brown :(

Thank you everyone for the information.

I havent seen the owner due to the holiday period but I purchased her a nice box of chocolates to say sorry. When I see her next I will give her the chocolates and try to explain again why I commented on his eyes. She is a lovely caring person maybe I just opened my mouth at the wrong time, hopefully she wont get upset again and maybe she may question his eye colour change and take little one for a check up.

Cavaliers eyes do not naturally change colour, if they go opaque than they should be looked at by at least a GP vet, if not a BVA specialist. It could be keratitis due to the age & breed of dog