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933231 tn?1244595446

Eye Color Change?

I have a one year old Australian Shepherd.  She is a red merle, with amber colored eyes. In the last month or so, I have noticed a "color change" in her right eye.  Most people dont even notice it, but I see the upper part of her iris changing color.  Its as if it is fading away, or turning a pale blue or whitish color.  The pupils of her eyes look normal to me, and I see nothing abnormal on her left eye. Could this be anything normal?? She was seen by a vet 5 months ago, and has been a healthy girl since we got her 10 months ago.
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441382 tn?1452810569
I took a look at the pic on your profile page and she is just BEAUTIFUL!  She reminds me very much of my red merle Aussie except mine didn't have the white blaze on the face, her whole face was merled.

The blue spot on her eye is simply the result of her merling.  It will probably change several times during her lifetime.  It may get bigger, it may get smaller, but it will change during her lifetime.  It's nothing at all to worry about, however.  It is TOTALLY normal.

Ghilly
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765775 tn?1366024691
You can upload pictures from your profile page.
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933231 tn?1244595446
Thank you for your comments Red and Ghilly! I am hoping it is something normal! I just wasnt aware that eyes could change color once they got a bit older. I have seen in a pic (my profile pic here actually) that a small blue-ish dot appears on that eye, and she was 3 months old then.  But its definitely bigger now. : (  I cant figure out how to post pics on here, so I will add some to my profile!
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441382 tn?1452810569
This is VERY common in Aussies, and actually in any breed that has merles.  Sometimes part of the eye is blue and part of it is another color, and these colors can change as the dog ages.  It's nothing to worry about.  I love the red merles.  My heart dog was a red merle Aussie that I had for almost 17 years.  Sometimes I see a lot of her in my Collie, even though they are not, of course, related in any way.  I was so lucky to have had her in my life.  Aussies are great dogs!

Ghilly
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765775 tn?1366024691
I meant "so that we MAY take a look at it".  It is time for bed.
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765775 tn?1366024691
If you have an updated picture you could post please do so that we make take a look and see if we can spot it?
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765775 tn?1366024691
I would have the eye checked by your Vet, or by Veterinary Ophthalmologist if needed, to ensure that there is not a problem. There are malignancies like melanomas, that can be responsible for pigmentary changes, but sometimes the pigmentary changes may be benign and nothing to worry about.

Usually, their eyes will change color prior to six months of age.

Better safe than sorry.

Please post back and let us know how you make out.
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