What do husky eyes look like? Originally from Siberia, a snow-covered region of Russia, huskies evolved with blue or brown eyes. The eyes can be a mixture of the two colors, with equal amounts of either blue or brown blending together. They can also be swirled together. Only five percent of huskies have such eyes, which is extremely rare. Here are some interesting facts about husky eyes and their history.
Bi-eyed huskies
Compared to other huskies, bi-eyed huskies have a distinct advantage in racing. This is because they have two distinct colors in their eyes: blue and brown. In addition, they have the advantage of having brown eyes. If you are considering breeding a husky, you might want to know about its genetics first. Breeders are more knowledgeable about these matters than the average pet owner.
Though bi-eyed huskies are a rare breed, the condition is perfectly normal and doesn’t affect eyesight. While 5% of Huskies are born with one brown eye and one blue eye, the AKC recognizes both types of eyes. These parti-colored eyes are caused by a condition known as sectoral heterochromia, in which the iris is unevenly pigmented. As a result, the two colored spots are usually blended close to one another.
However, there are some things to remember when buying a bi-eyed husky. First of all, bi-eyed huskies have two different eye colors. The blue eye is usually the most dominant, which means it is more likely to cause problems with vision. The lighter eye is more sensitive to light, so keeping your dog indoors or in an enclosed area should alleviate this problem. In addition, you should also provide your husky with sunglasses or goggles to protect its eyes.
The iris of bi-eyed huskies is irregularly shaped, and it is caused by a melanin deficiency in their eyes. Although the condition does affect pigmentation, it’s not harmful. As long as your dog is not affected by the condition, bi-eyed huskies are as purebred as other Huskies. This fact alone makes them a desirable pet.
Blue eyes
The genes responsible for blue eyes in huskies have a similar origin as those found in humans. The blue eyes are caused by a genetic duplication on canine chromosome 18, which is located near the ALX4 gene, which controls eye pigmentation in mammals. Humans and mice do not have this gene. However, future studies of this gene could lead to the discovery of a new pathway for blue eyes in other mammals.
Huskies have high melanin content in their eyes. Due to this lack of the merle gene, their eyes can be either blue or brown. This is referred to as parti-colored eyes. The AKC recognizes huskies with both blue and brown eyes. These are hereditary, and the resulting pigmentation is due to the concentration and distribution of melanin. There are about five percent of huskies with a blue eye.
The blue eyes in huskies are a distinctive feature that sets them apart from other breeds. In most dogs, blue eyes are a sign of a sick dog, but the genetic mutation in Husky dogs causes these pups to develop the pigment in their eyes to a lower level. The resulting absence of pigment in the eyes makes the eyes appear blue. While most huskies will have a blue eye at birth, some will not have the color until they are about six months old.
Fortunately, brown-eyed huskies are just as common as blue-eyed ones. In fact, 40 percent of all huskies will have both blue and brown eyes. This type of eye color is quite common, though some people think these dogs do not meet the purebred standard. However, the AKC recognizes brown-eyed huskies as part of the breed standard. There are many reasons why a husky can have brown eyes, and a genetic trait is no excuse to have a dog with one.
Cataracts
There are several genetic disorders that can affect the eyes of Siberian Huskies, including cataracts and corneal dystrophy. Although many believe that blue-eyed Huskies are more susceptible to eye problems, this is not true. Cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy are all caused by recessive genes that affect different parts of the eye. Juvenile cataracts can develop as early as three months and are caused by the buildup of protein in the eyeball and blocking the lens.
While cataracts do not impair vision in dogs until they affect more than 30 percent of the lens, those that affect more than 60 percent of the lens are quite serious and will cause a significant reduction in vision. A 100 percent opacity will leave a dog completely blind in that eye. The amount of time it takes to develop cataracts will vary and depends on the type of cataract, breed, and other risk factors.
Early detection is crucial, since cataracts are easy to detect by the cloudy pupil. Many dog owners assume that cataracts will simply happen as their dogs age, but the fact is that early diagnosis and treatment of cataracts is essential to a dog’s overall health and quality of life. Cataract treatment is a viable option for many dogs with this type of disease, and can help to improve your dog’s quality of life.
While there is no specific medical treatment for cataracts in husky eyes, veterinarians may prescribe medication and eye drops for your pet. While medications may not stop the progression of the disease, veterinary surgeons can remove the cataract and restore vision to normal. Unlike in humans, surgery is not recommended for inflammation-caused cataracts. Veterinary ophthalmologists can perform the surgery under general anesthesia.
Corneal dystrophy
When your pet experiences husky eyes, this disease may be the culprit. There are several treatments, such as medication, surgery, or a combination of all of them. Surgical treatment is only effective when the condition is advanced. A full blood work panel is recommended to assess internal organ function and test for cholesterol and fat levels. A thyroid test may also be needed to detect underlying metabolic problems. If the disease is affecting your pet’s eyesight, a doctor can prescribe topical acids to help your pet maintain a healthy cornea.
Fortunately, corneal dystrophy is treatable and is rarely painful. Although treatment for advanced cases is necessary, in most cases the disease does not require surgery. Medications, prescription eye drops, and even surgery can cure corneal dystrophy in dogs. Despite its severe effects, most dogs do not need treatment for corneal dystrophy. Treatment options vary greatly, and some dogs may even be able to lead normal lives with the condition.
A breeder should be aware of this disease’s risks and treatment. A dog should never be bred with another affected dog. Breeders can also exclude dogs with a history of corneal dystrophy. Moreover, lesions may not be visible until later in life. For more information, consult Eye Care for Animals. So, what causes husky eyes? There are several possible causes.
Symptoms of this disease include increased tear production and squinting. Your pet may also exhibit increased tearing and rubbing of the eye. Although most of the time, the condition is not life-threatening, it may require surgical intervention. If your dog is suffering from corneal dystrophy, contact an eye specialist. If you can’t determine the exact cause of the condition, you can use topical eye ointments to protect the corneal tissues.
Other eye conditions that affect husky eyes
Cataracts are the most common eye disease in huskies, affecting both eyes equally. While these eye problems can be treated through eye drops and other preventative measures, they do not cure the condition. Instead, the best course of treatment is to replace the lens of the eye with a new one. Other eye conditions that affect huskies include corneal dystrophy, a rare but potentially serious eye problem that causes a fatty film to build on the cornea. This eye condition rarely affects a dog’s vision, and is more prevalent in female Huskies.
Other eye conditions that affect husky eyes include hereditary cataracts. These can develop in the eye at a young age or in older dogs. Cataracts can cause blindness or cloudy vision, and are caused by an inherited gene. Most huskies with this condition progress slowly and will not be bred. However, dogs that have the gene that causes progressive retinal atrophy should not be bred.
While other eye conditions affect husky eyes, you should not be too concerned if your dog has green or brown eyes. These rare eye conditions are not cause for concern. Siberian huskies are known for their unique eye colors. These colors can even be caused by the eye’s genetic makeup. If you see a husky with blue eyes, it might be a sign of eye disease or an abnormality.
Another common condition that affects huskies is conjunctivitis. This eye disease causes the lower eyelid to roll inward. This condition is often caused by bacteria, but it can also be contracted by tick bites or soil. In such cases, treatment involves antibiotics and topical antibiotics. If the condition does not respond to treatment, a husky may need surgery. In some cases, however, the husky may need to have the eye removed.
