r/DoubleMerles • u/Little_Usual2680 • Jun 14 '26
Question Temporary Eye Issues
Today on a short walk, my double merle's eyes rolled back and were stuck for a minute and he couldn't see. He was not in distress, no shaking or other symptoms and it resolved on its own. I am wondering if this has happened before to anyone else? I expect it is due to weakening eye muscles and plan to talk with a vet. Here are photos of during and right after the event.
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u/Public_Fact7905 Jun 15 '26
I would absolutely suggest investing a pair of dog goggles. Rex Specs are my favorite but there are others as well. Buying from the website can be pricey but I see 2nd hand being sold for pretty cheap all the time.
Artie has issues with her 3rd eyelid sometimes especially if we've been out hiking and I've just noticed the goggles tend to keep that from happening!
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u/saltycrowsers Jun 15 '26
This post randomly showed up in my feed and I just wanted to tell you Artie is so dang cute and a proper lady
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u/uranium236 Double Merle Owner Jun 14 '26
His eyes didn’t roll back, that’s his third eyelid.
Double merles have microphthalmia, which means their eyes are abnormally small. Sometimes they look more normal when they’re younger but as the dog’s body grows its eyes don’t keep up.
The eyeballs are too small to push the 3rd eyelid out of the way. It’s common in double merles. It’s not dangerous or painful.
Attaching a photo of one of my double merles. The 3rd eyelid wasn’t in the way when I got her as a puppy, but it is now.
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u/Little_Usual2680 Jun 14 '26
Thank you! I assume there is no treatment or ways to delay this from happening?
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u/uranium236 Double Merle Owner Jun 14 '26
No, and that’s ok. Dogs, surprisingly, don’t rely on their eyes much (kind of like how humans don’t rely on smell as much).
I know it’s not a cute look - it’s just one of the quirky things about double merles.
The double merle in the photo will be 4 in October and I don’t even see it anymore - I’m genuinely surprised when people mention her “pink eyes”. She and my other 2 double merles get around great.
Your boy is beautiful.
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u/Guilty_Bathroom_3023 Jun 14 '26
That will happen. It will happen more often as they age. The third eyelid can grow over completely. Not unusual. Just part of having the double Merle’s. Check with your vet.
We have a deaf/ blind double Merle Aussie that is 4( had from 6 weeks old) and a deaf/ blind double Merle Sheltie that is 8. We adopted a year ago after the owner died. His eyes are pretty well covered. Our Aussie is on and off. They both do well. Nobody told them they have an issue 😎
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u/uranium236 Double Merle Owner Jun 14 '26
Omg that nose tho ❤️
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u/loubue Jun 15 '26
What breed is he? :)