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When a new dog parent noticed something odd in her Alaskan Malamute puppy’s eye, she wasn’t sure whether to panic or wait for answers. So she turned to the internet. Posting under the username u/AllineCICI, the concerned owner described a thin, straight line across the surface of her young dog’s eye—something that hadn’t been obvious when she first brought him home. While the puppy seemed happy and showed no signs of discomfort, the strange marking prompted enough worry that she reached out to others for advice on Reddit’s r/dogadvice forum.
“There’s a very thin, straight line on the surface of one of his eyes. It almost looks like a tiny crack or a scratch. It doesn’t seem to be bothering him—he’s not squinting or pawing at it—but it’s definitely there,” she wrote, adding that her vet appointment was still a few days away. “I’m trying to tell myself not to panic, but it’s hard when you’re a new owner.”
The post quickly drew attention from fellow dog lovers and professionals alike. Many offered words of reassurance, suggesting a possible explanation: persistent pupillary membranes, or PPMs.
According to Dr. Eliza O’Callaghan, managing veterinarian at Small Door Vet, PPMs are leftover strands of tissue from before birth. These fetal membranes help nourish the eye while a puppy is still developing, but they usually disappear shortly after birth. When they don’t, they may remain as visible lines or filaments inside the eye.
“In simpler terms, PPMs are leftover tissue from before a puppy was born,” Dr. O’Callaghan told Newsweek. “You might see them as tiny threads or lines inside the eye. They’re relatively common, especially in certain breeds, and most of the time, they’re harmless.”
Alaskan Malamutes are one of several breeds known to carry a higher risk of PPMs, along with Basenjis, Chow Chows, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and others. Most of these cases don’t require treatment unless the tissue affects the lens or cornea, which could lead to complications like cataracts or impaired vision.
“If your puppy is under 4 months old, there’s still a chance they may fully regress,” O’Callaghan said, adding that more serious cases could call for medication, laser treatment, or surgery.
In the online discussion, other users weighed in with their own experiences. One veterinarian chimed in: “This is a persistent pupillary membrane… It’s recommended not to breed from dogs who have PPM. This isn’t an emergency.” Another shared a personal story: “I knew right away because my cat has one!… The vet that told me about it was really excited to see it in my cat!” While the original poster didn’t yet have confirmation from her vet, the community helped ease her fears while she waited.
Weird ‘crack’ or line in my new Malamute puppy’s eye – has anyone seen this?
byu/AllineCICI inDogAdvice
Due to advice, comments, and recommendations, the pet owner felt more at ease. Being a new dog-mom can be stressful. We are so grateful the community rallied together!
It’s completely normal for early signs of something unusual to cause anxiety, especially for first-time dog owners. The benefit of sharing such worries online is beneficial to gain support and knowledge prior to ‘freaking out.’ Online pet communities can be a big help! We are thankful this community pulled together to calm the Reddit user prior to the vet appointment.
In an adorable video posted by Animal Watch, a knowledgeable woman discusses Giant Alaskan Malamute Puppies and shares all you need to know about the breed. These sweet, fluffy critters are just too cute for words! The video has amassed over 5 million views, and you’ll see learn why!
