What is heterochromia? Why does it occur and who has it? Is heterochromia dangerous to health? Let’s answer these questions in our article.
Heterochromia is a difference in the color of the eyes, skin, or hair due to a lack or excess melanin.
Heterochromia of the Eyes May Be
- complete: when the iris of one eye is different in color from the other. For example, one eye is brown, the other is blue;
- partial, sector: when the iris is colored differently. For example, when the iris is brown, there are blue spots.
This feature is found in humans and animals and can be congenital or acquired.
Different eye color gives a special zest to the appearance, its charm. Heterochromia has helped many famous people to gain popularity, and ‘different eyes’ cats and dogs are very much appreciated in the world of pets!
In animals, complete heterochromia is more common, with one eye blue.
Husky, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Collie, and Sheltie are the most controversial dogs. It is also found in other dogs (including non-breeds) but less commonly.
Is Heterochromia Dangerous?
Congenital heterochromia is not dangerous in most cases and does not affect visual acuity in any way. It is a trait that is inherited by many breeds.
However, there are cases where the color of an animal’s eyes has suddenly changed, for example, due to an injury or illness. In such cases, your pet will need treatment.
We recommend you to show a pet with different eyes to a vet. He will determine the cause of the heterochromia and give appropriate instructions. Don’t worry: care for pets with different eyes is usually standard.
What do you think about pets with different eyes? Have you ever met one of them?