Content
- My cat has red eyes - Conjunctivitis
- My cat has a red closed eye - Corneal ulcer
- Red eyes in cats due to allergy
- Red, watery eyes in cats due to foreign bodies
- My cat closes one eye - Uveitis
In this article by Animal Expert we will review the most common causes that may explain why the cat has red eyes. This is an easily detectable condition for caregivers. Although it is not serious and resolves quickly, a visit to the veterinary center is mandatory, as we will see that in some cases the eye disorder originates from systemic problems that must be detected and treated by the specialist.
My cat has red eyes - Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis in cats is inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyes and is the likely cause that may explain why our cat has red eyes. It can be caused by different factors. We will identify this inflammation when the cat have red and buggy eyes. Also, if the cat has red eyes from conjunctivitis, it is likely to be the result of a viral infection. caused by the herpes virus which can be complicated by the presence of opportunistic bacteria. It can affect only one eye, however, as it is very contagious among cats, it is normal for both eyes to show symptoms.
If they suffer from conjunctivitis from a viral infection, the cat will have red, swollen eyes, closed and with an abundant purulent and sticky secretion that dries to form crusts leaving the lashes stuck together. This type of infection is the same that affects puppies that have not opened their eyes, that is, with less than 8 to 10 days. In them, we will see the eyes swollen, and if they start to open, the secretion will emerge through this opening. Other times the cat has very red eyes due to conjunctivitis caused by an allergy, as we will see below. This disease requires cleaning and antibiotic treatment that should always be prescribed by the veterinarian. If left untreated, it can cause ulcers, especially in kittens, which can result in loss of the eye. We will look at the cases of ulcers in the next section.
My cat has a red closed eye - Corneal ulcer
THE corneal ulcer it is a wound that occurs on the cornea, sometimes as an evolution of untreated conjunctivitis. Herpesvirus causes the typical dendritic ulcers. Ulcers are classified according to their depth, size, origin, etc., so it is necessary to go to the specialist to determine their type. It is important to note that, in more severe cases, a perforation occurs, a fact that requires even more the need for care by a veterinarian and the treatment will depend on the factors indicated.
An ulcer may explain why our cat has red eyes and, moreover, presents pain, tearing, purulent discharge and keeps the eye closed. Corneal changes, such as roughness or pigmentation, can also be seen. To confirm the diagnosis, the veterinarian will apply a few drops of fluorescein to the eye. If there is an ulcer, it will be stained green.
In addition to untreated conjunctivitis, ulcers can to becaused by trauma from a scratch or by a foreign body, which we'll discuss in another section. It can also form when the eye is exposed as in cases of masses or abscesses that occupy space in the eye socket. Chemical or thermal burns can also cause ulcers. The more superficial ones usually respond well to the antibiotic treatment. In that case, if the cat tries to touch the eye, we'll have to put on an Elizabethan collar to prevent further damage. If the ulcer does not resolve using medicine it will be necessary to resort to surgery. Finally, it should be noted that a perforated ulcer is a surgical emergency.
Red eyes in cats due to allergy
The reason your cat has red eyes can be seen as a result of a allergic conjunctivitis. We know that cats can react to different allergens and present symptoms such as alopecia, erosions, miliary dermatitis, eosinophilic complex, itching, cough that persists over time, sneezing, breathing noises and, as we said, conjunctivitis. Before any of these symptoms, we must take our cat to the veterinary clinic so that it can be diagnosed and treated. they are usually cats under 3 years old. Ideally, avoid allergen exposure, but this is not always possible, so you will need to treat the symptoms.
For more information, see our article on "Cat Allergy - Symptoms and Treatment".
Red, watery eyes in cats due to foreign bodies
As we've already said, conjunctivitis is often the cause of why a cat has red eyes and this can be caused by the introduction of foreign bodies into the eye. We will see that the cat has red, watery eyes and rubs to try to remove the object, or we can see that the cat has something in his eye. This object could be a splinter, plant fragments, dust, etc.
If we can get the cat to calm down and the foreign body is clearly visible, we can try to extract it, we same. First, we can try pour serum, soak a gauze and squeeze it over the eye or directly from the serum dosing nozzle, if we have this format. If we don't have a serum, we can use cold water. If the object does not come out but is visible, we can move it to the outside with the tip of a gauze pad or a cotton swab soaked in saline or water.
On the contrary, if we are not able to see the foreign body or appear stuck in the eyes, we must go immediately to the vet. An object inside the eye can cause significant damage, such as the ulcers we've seen and infections.
My cat closes one eye - Uveitis
This eye change that consists of uveal inflammation Its main characteristic is usually caused by serious systemic diseases, although it can also occur after some traumas such as those caused by a fight or being run over. There are different types of uveitis in cats depending on the affected area. It is an inflammation that causes pain, edema, decreased intraocular pressure, pupil contraction, red and closed eyes, tearing, eyeball retraction, third eyelid protrusion, etc. Of course, it must be diagnosed and treated by the veterinarian.
Between the diseases that can cause uveitis they are toxoplasmosis, feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency, infectious peritonitis, some mycoses, bartonellosis or herpes viruses.Untreated uveitis can cause cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, or blindness.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.