If your dog or cat suddenly develops a red, cloudy, or painful eye, it can be concerning—and for good reason. These symptoms can be caused by several different eye conditions, including uveitis, a painful inflammation that occurs inside the eye.

Uveitis can affect both dogs and cats and may have many different causes. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important because untreated inflammation can damage delicate structures within the eye and may ultimately affect your pet’s vision.

At Animal Eye Center in Rocklin, CA, our veterinary ophthalmology team evaluates and treats uveitis and other diseases affecting the eyes of dogs and cats.

What Is Uveitis in Dogs and Cats?

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. The uvea includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid—structures that play important roles in maintaining normal eye function.

In dogs and cats, uveitis can affect one or both eyes. It may develop suddenly or become a chronic or recurring problem.

Because inflammation inside the eye can be painful and may lead to complications, a pet with suspected uveitis should be examined by a veterinarian promptly.

What Causes Uveitis in Dogs?

There are many possible causes of uveitis in dogs. These can include:

• Trauma or injury to the eye

• Infections

• Immune-mediated or inflammatory diseases

• Lens-related problems

• Cancer

• Systemic diseases affecting other parts of the body

• Certain infectious diseases

Determining why a dog has uveitis can be an important part of developing an appropriate treatment plan. Your veterinary ophthalmologist will likely recommend additional diagnostic testing.

What Causes Uveitis in Cats?

Cats can develop uveitis for many of the same reasons as dogs, although certain infectious and systemic diseases are particularly important considerations in feline patients.

Potential causes include:

• Infectious diseases

• Trauma

• Immune-mediated inflammation

• Lens disease

• Cancer

• Other systemic illnesses

• Idiopathic uveitis, when an underlying cause cannot be identified

Feline uveitis is typically associated with disease elsewhere in the body, so your veterinary ophthalmologist will likely recommend blood work or other testing in addition to a detailed eye examination.

Common Symptoms of Uveitis in Pets

Recognizing the signs of eye inflammation early can help your pet receive appropriate care sooner.

Common signs of uveitis include:

• Pain

• Redness of the eye

• Squinting or holding the eye closed

• Excessive tearing

• Light sensitivity

• A cloudy or hazy appearance to the eye

• Changes in pupil size or shape

• Changes in the appearance or color of the iris

• Rubbing or pawing at the eye

• Signs of discomfort or pain

• Changes in vision

• Decreased appetite or activity in some pets

Some pets may show only subtle signs. A dog or cat that suddenly begins squinting or avoiding bright light may be experiencing significant ocular discomfort even if the eye does not appear severely abnormal.

Pets may not always cry out or otherwise make their discomfort obvious. Instead, they may squint, keep the eye partially closed, hide, become less active, or rub at their face.

If your pet’s eye suddenly becomes red, cloudy, painful, or otherwise abnormal, prompt veterinary evaluation is recommended.

How Is Uveitis Diagnosed?

A veterinary ophthalmologist will perform a detailed eye examination to determine whether inflammation is present and to look for its possible cause.

Diagnostic testing may include:

• Measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP)

• Examination of the cornea and anterior chamber

• Evaluation of the iris and lens

• Examination of the retina and other internal structures

• Tear testing when appropriate

• Corneal staining when indicated

• Blood tests or infectious disease testing

• Additional diagnostic imaging or testing when necessary

One particularly important measurement is intraocular pressure.

Uveitis is often associated with decreased pressure within the eye, while glaucoma can cause increased intraocular pressure. Both conditions can cause redness, pain, and vision problems, but they require very different treatment approaches.

Uveitis vs. Glaucoma: Why an Eye Examination Matters

A red, painful eye should not automatically be assumed to be uveitis.

Glaucoma is another potentially serious eye condition that can cause redness, pain, cloudiness, and vision loss. Elevated pressure inside the eye can damage the optic nerve and retina, sometimes resulting in rapid and irreversible vision loss.

Animal Eye Center treats both uveitis and glaucoma among the ophthalmic conditions evaluated and treated at its Rocklin practice. They are often related.

Because these conditions can have overlapping symptoms, measuring eye pressure and performing a thorough ophthalmic examination can be essential to determining the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

How Is Uveitis Treated in Dogs and Cats?

Treatment for uveitis depends on its severity, the part of the eye affected, and the underlying cause.

Treatment may include medications designed to:

• Reduce inflammation

• Control ocular pain

• Treat an underlying infection when present

• Manage complications

• Address an underlying systemic disease

All pets will require topical (eye drops) and systemic (oral) medications.

Treatment plans are individualized because the cause of uveitis can vary significantly from one patient to another.

What Happens if Uveitis Is Left Untreated?

Persistent inflammation inside the eye can result in serious complications.

Depending on the underlying cause and severity, uveitis may contribute to:

• Cataracts

• Glaucoma

• Adhesions between structures inside the eye

• Lens displacement

• Retinal complications

• Vision impairment or vision loss

Some complications can become permanent. Early recognition and treatment are therefore important parts of protecting your pet’s comfort and vision.

Can Uveitis Come Back?

Yes. Uveitis can recur, particularly when an underlying inflammatory, immune-mediated, or systemic condition remains present.

Some pets require ongoing monitoring and adjustments to their treatment plan. Follow-up examinations can help determine whether inflammation has resolved and whether complications are developing.

If your dog or cat has a history of uveitis, contact your veterinarian if you notice renewed redness, squinting, cloudiness, light sensitivity, or other changes in the eye.

Veterinary Ophthalmology in Rocklin, CA

Animal Eye Center is a veterinary ophthalmology practice in Rocklin, California, focused on diseases and surgery of the eye. The practice has served the Sacramento and Sierra Nevada foothill communities since 1993 and provides advanced ophthalmic diagnostics and medical and surgical treatment.

The Rocklin practice serves pets and families throughout the surrounding region, including Roseville, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Folsom, Auburn, and the greater Sacramento area.

Animal Eye Center’s team includes board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists and provides specialized care for dogs, cats, and a variety of other species.

Protecting Your Pet’s Eye Health

Uveitis is a potentially painful condition with many possible causes. Because several serious eye diseases can cause similar symptoms, it is important not to rely on appearance alone when determining what is wrong with your pet’s eye.

If your dog or cat develops eye redness, squinting, cloudiness, light sensitivity, or other sudden changes, prompt veterinary evaluation can help determine the cause and begin appropriate treatment.

At Animal Eye Center, our goal is to provide advanced veterinary eye care while helping pet owners understand their pet’s diagnosis and treatment options.

Schedule an Eye Examination for Your Pet

If you are concerned about your pet’s eyes or have been referred for evaluation of uveitis, contact Animal Eye Center in Rocklin, CA.

Animal Eye Center
5175 Pacific St. #A
Rocklin, CA 95677
Phone: (916) 624-4364

Our current website lists Monday–Friday hours and notes emergency appointments on weekends. Please contact the practice directly for current scheduling information.

Your pet’s vision matters. If something doesn’t look right, don’t wait to have it checked.

Frequently Asked Questions About Uveitis in Dogs and Cats

This article is provided for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for an examination or individualized veterinary advice. If your pet has a painful, red, cloudy, or suddenly abnormal eye, contact your veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist promptly.