A cat’s eyes are very sensitive. Healthy eyes will be clear and shiny. It is very important to take care of the eyes as well as other parts of the body because the eyes are easily infected with bacteria from dirt.
Cat eye diseases require immediate consultation with a veterinarian, as the animal can lose sight in many cases. And even if other organs are fully functional, blindness will greatly reduce the pet’s quality of life.
What are the diseases of the organs of vision in cats, and what symptoms require consultation with a specialist – more about that later.
Below symptoms indicate eye problems in cats:
- Frequent flashing;
- Photophobia – the animal does not tolerate bright light,
- hides in dark places;
- increased lacrimation;
- Pain in the eyes – does not allow the cat to touch, breaks;
- redness of the mucous membrane;
- Swollen, red, swollen eyelids;
- Fertilizer discharge;
- Itching An unnatural and/or differently shaped eye;
- Closing eyes after waking up;
- cloudy eyes;
- The animal behaves as if it has no sight;
- Pupils of different sizes.
With some pathologies, there may be an increase in temperature, weakness, and thirst. If the cat has pus and fever at the same time, if it has an eye injury, for example, due to a burn or wound, then you should see a doctor regardless of the time of day.
Causes of eye disease in cats
Among the factors that provoke eye diseases in cats, it is possible to note:
- Viruses and bacteria;
- Traumatic neoplasm;
- Allergies (food, drugs, care products, household chemicals);
- Congenital pathologies;
- Heredity
The risk group includes, for example, “Persians”, among whom increased lacrimation is a genetically determined phenomenon. Because of this, an infection can enter the tear duct.
Diseases of the eyelids
Eyelids perform a protective function, so the negative effects of the environment primarily affect their condition.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids and surrounding skin. It can develop in one or both eyes and appear independently or together with inflammatory processes in other parts of the visual organ.
It is characterized by the presence of pus, lacrimation, redness, swelling, itching/itching, and ulceration of the affected area.
Main reason:
- Allergic eyelid neoplasm;
- Traumatic conjunctivitis;
- Eyelid pathology.
Blepharitis requires a comprehensive diagnosis. Treatment is based on the cause. For example, in case of allergies, pets are given antihistamines, and antiparasitic drugs, in case of tumors or eyelids, surgical intervention is indicated, and the infectious nature of the disease requires taking antibiotics.
Entropion (ocular vertigo)
With this pathology, the eyelid does not adhere to the eyeball, but rolls inward, hitting the cornea with eyelashes and hair. It is often seen from below, but both eyelids may turn.
Entropion leads to profuse tearing, photophobia, and the appearance of pus (in case of infection). Constant rubbing of the cornea provokes the development of deep damage, the formation of ulcers, and panophthalmitis.
The risk group includes animals with genetic predisposition: British, Scottish, Persian, Siamese cats, Maine Coon, and Sphynx. Pathology can also be the result of a birth defect or age-related changes.
Among secondary factors:
- serious inflammatory diseases, for example, blepharitis;
- injury
- Scars that remain after a previous disease;
- Improperly performed surgical operations.
If the cornea is severely damaged, microsurgery is performed to restore its integrity.
Another option is blepharoplasty with hyaluronic acid. This treatment is suitable for cats for which the use of general anesthesia is contraindicated.
Third eyelid prolapse
The third eyelid in cats is a transparent membrane, a fold of conjunctiva that provides protection and moisture to the eye.
Its damage results in profuse tearing and wrinkling of the eyelids, and purulent or mucous discharge. The eyelid itself may become red and swollen.
Causes of a drooping third eyelid in a cat include:
- Allergic reactions;
- infection;
- enlargement of the lacrimal gland;
- worm infestation;
- inflammatory process;
- Violation of nerve conduction in eye muscles;
- hit a foreign object;
Diagnosis of neoplasms is complicated. Sometimes surgery is indicated.
Cornea and Conjunctiva Cat Eye Diseases
The cornea is a light-reflecting medium, a transparent membrane that does not contain blood vessels. The conjunctiva of the organ of visionor the mucous membrane serves a protective function. The cornea and conjunctiva are extremely vulnerable organs to external factors
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the conjunctiva. It is often found in kittens because the protective properties of the shell are not yet fully formed, as well as in cats in old age due to weak immunity.
Other causes of inflammation include viral and bacterial infections, trauma (including self-injury), getting toxic substances into the eyes, and allergies.
The clinical picture of conjunctivitis is characterized by:
- Swelling of eyelids, and mucosa;
- redness of the eyes;
- lacrimation;
- Pus emissions, emissions of various shades and volumes;
- Itching, burning – the animal often “washes”, and rubs the eyes with its paws.
Diagnosis is complicated, in some cases laboratory tests are indicated. Treatment is conservative in the form of systemic or local medications.
Keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea of a cat’s eye or keratitis is observed with bacterial and viral infections. At the same time, the mucous membrane turns red, and the cornea acquires a cloudy gray or blue shade, can change its shape, and become uneven.
Symptoms of keratitis in cats:
- photophobia;
- eye pain;
- Discomfort – the cat constantly rubs its eyes with its paws;
- lacrimation;
- Allocate purulent, mucous secretions.
Among the factors / that lead to the development of keratitis, the most common are considered: infection (more often – herpes virus), injury, and eyelid pathologies. In addition, some feline pathologies have a genetic predisposition. Among them: are Persians, British, and foreigners.
Diagnosis is made by considering the clinical picture, examination, and microscopy. Treatment is conservative with local or systemic drugs, or operative – corneal replacement. In advanced cases, a laser correction of the pathology is possible.
Uveitis
Uveitis is an inflammatory process that occurs inside the animal’s eye, in the choroid. For cat blindness, 25% reason for uveitis. Pathology does not depend on the age or breed of the pet.
Symptoms include:
- swelling and redness of the iris;
- lacrimation;
- photophobia;
- eye pain;
- change in pupil size;
Decreased or complete loss of vision – the cat finds it difficult to navigate in space, hitting objects.
At the same time, the following symptoms may occur fever, weakness, apathy, refusal to eat, and constant rubbing of eyes with paws.
Treatment depends on the damaged structure, degree of pathology, and existing symptoms. Treatment methods include local (eye drops, ointments) and systemic (tablets, injections) drugs of various groups – antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, hormonal, and others.
If uveitis has caused irreversible damage to the eyeball, surgery to remove the eye is indicated.
Diseases of the lens, fundus
Fundus and lens provide visual acuity. As a result of this disease of the structure of the eye, the vision becomes blurred, the acuity decreases or fluctuates, and dystrophic changes, up to complete blindness.
Cataract
With cataracts, the lens loses its clarity and becomes cloudy, which disrupts its function (refraction of light). At the same time, the pupil and iris become cloudy.
Among the symptoms of the disease can be mentioned (as the pathology develops):
- Slight changes in pupil shading (blue, gray), space orientation is preserved;
- The lens becomes cloudy in the center, the animal cannot distinguish the form of the object;
- The lens is completely clouded, and the pet is confused in space;
- Complete loss of vision, white lens, its displacement are
The main causes of cataracts in cats are trauma, eye diseases, and disorders of the endocrine system, such as diabetes. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to the development of pathology: Persians, Bengals, Scots, exotics.
Cataract treatment in cats is carried out only by surgery: replacing the lens with an artificial one or obliterating it.
Glaucoma
A chronic disease caused by an increased amount of fluid inside the eye and increased intraocular pressure.
Symptoms of Glaucoma:
- enlarged pupils and eyeballs;
- great discomfort;
- tortuosity of the vessels of the sclera of the eye;
- redness of the mucous membrane;
- turbidity of the cornea;
- Pain in the organs of vision – does not allow to touch the cat;
- disorientation of pets in space;
- Photophobia
Inflammatory processes of the eye, frequent and uncontrolled consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs, injuries, and heredity lead to the development of pathology.
You will not be able to make a diagnosis on your own, it is a comprehensive examination of the animal needs to be managed. A veterinarian may prescribe an examination of the fundus, intraocular pressure, and biomicroscopy.
Conservative treatment involves the use of antihypertensive agents until the end of the cat’s life. It also refers to the use of drugs that improve blood and eye nerve nutrition. It should be noted that glaucoma cannot be cured, but its progression can be stopped. In some cases, surgery is indicated.
Other Eye Diseases in Cats
Cats have other eye diseases. They are less common, but no less dangerous.
- Dacryocystitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory process in the lacrimal sac. It is characterized by swelling, redness, copious tear discharge, and sometimes pus. Treatment is local (washing, drops) or systemic.
- Canaliculitis is another disease of the tear ducts, caused by their blockage. Treatment includes lavage of the ducts or removal of the lacrimal sac.
- The Adenoma membrane of the third eyelid appears thick and red.
- Eyeball prolapse (exophthalmos) or depression (enophthalmos) is a consequence of some diseases. Treatment is operative.
- Panophthalmitis is a fatal disease for cats. The cause is an infection. It is difficult and poorly amenable to therapy, the pathological process covers all tissues of the organ. The animal’s eyes increase in size, become cloudy, and a lot of lacrimal fluid, and pus come out. Treatment consists of removing the eyeball.
How to treat your eyes at home?
After the doctor recommends treatment for the pet, the owner must strictly follow the recommendations, create the most comfortable conditions for the cat/cat, and possibly learn some techniques and care methods.
First of all, with eye diseases, you need to put the cat in a place where direct sunlight cannot penetrate. The darker the corner, the better the animal will feel. Secondly, sources of noise should be eliminated: do not turn on the loud TV, talk to family members so that they behave more calmly.
To prevent new injuries and avoid infection, the animal needs to cut the claws. Walking outside and contact with other animals is also not recommended.
Healthy system
This includes washing the pet’s eyes. Boiled water, a medicinal solution, an infusion, or a decoction of herbs can used for this. The last two options require a veterinarian’s approval, as some formulations may neutralize other medications or increase side effects.
It is recommended to have an assistant nearby during cat eye processing. But if the pet does not behave aggressively, does not try to escape, or does not scratch, then you can deal with the procedure alone / independently.
To wash the cat’s eyes, you need to wet a cotton pad or a piece of cotton wool in the solution, squeeze a little, and wipe the eyelids from the outer corner to the inner without applying pressure.
Another option: take the solution in a syringe (without a needle), inject it into the eye, and wipe it with a cotton ball/cotton pad. Repeat until eye sockets and lids are clean.
Eye drops and ointment
Drops and ointments are usually placed behind the lower eyelids and then massaged for even distribution. It is recommended to put a special collar on the pet so that he does not have the opportunity to rub his eyes and lick the medicine from his paws.
When prescribing several drugs, it is necessary to clarify the order of their use with the doctor, because some of them may be incompatible
Use folk methods
As monotherapy, folk remedies are rarely used to treat cats’ eyes. In addition, the risk of allergy should not be ruled out if the animal has not been subjected to similar measures before.
On the Internet, you can find a large number of recipes and methods of treating eye diseases in cats based on a variety of ingredients. The use of olive oil is especially dangerous because the film that forms on the surface of the eyeball becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.
Preventive measures
To prevent eye diseases in cats, it is necessary to eliminate the factors that provoke them, as well as to maintain the pet’s immunity in a normal state.
- It is recommended to bring the cat to the clinic for a preventive examination every year. Regular collection/passing of blood, urine, and stool tests will allow the detection of pathology in the early stages.
- Toxic, toxic chemical mixtures should be kept in places that are inaccessible to animals.
- It is not only harmful to cats to underfeed, but overfeeding. Adiposity causes many diseases including eye diseases. Excess weight disrupts the metabolism and worsens the work of the endocrine system.
- It is important to provide animals with a complete diet, which contains all the necessary nutrients, macro- and microelements, and vitamins.
- It is necessary to trim the pet’s claws promptly
- Treat the animal regularly for parasites.
- Adhere to the vaccination schedule strictly.
If your cat has signs of eye disease, don’t delay seeing a specialist.