Learning more about cat eye care with Creekside Animal Hospital
How can you tell there's an eye infection in cats?
Cats typically have eyes that, when you look straight ahead, in the corners, you may see an accumulation. Sometimes it'll be green or yellow, which might indicate a bacterial infection. Oftentimes, it is clear, which can just be an overabundance of tears, either because they are producing too many or the tear ducts are too small to accommodate getting rid of them. Commonly, what we see is the brown staining in the corner. When you look at the eye, and you see Kirby has just a tiny bit of brown right there, that is actually the tear having pigment in it. When the sunlight hits it, it will turn brown, so the brown in the corners is not an infection and is often confused as such. I'm looking for green discharge, yellow discharge, and inflammation in the eyes. When I pull down that lower eyelid, you can see it's really inflamed in there. When I lift up that eyelid and you look at the whites of the eyes, if those are really inflamed, then we may have an infection or irritation. That's generally what I tell people to look for.
How should an owner administer eye medications to their cat?
Some cats are more cooperative than others. To put drops in the eyes, sometimes we'll wrap the cat in a towel so it's not pawing away. I try to keep the tip as sterile as possible, avoiding contamination by keeping it off the eyeball itself. I'll put the edge of my hand on top of their head while holding the drops. This way, if they jerk, the whole thing jerks away, reducing the risk of poking them in the eye. I lift the head slightly, open the eyelid, have them look up, and with my hand on the edge of their face, I put a drop in. If you have an ointment, it's thicker. You could do the same or pull down the lower eyelid, and just squirt it in the pocket that the lower eyelid creates. It's important to follow the instructions for the eye drops, as they may need to be administered twice a day or have other special precautions.
How concerned should owners be about eye issues in their cat?
Typically, eye issues can be minor, like dust in the eye that we just need to flush out with eyewash or sterile saline, which is safe for a cat's eyes. However, it could be something more serious, like an eye infection or a viral flare-up, such as the herpes virus, causing irritation and leaky eyes. Viral infections might not be helped by antibiotics, but they can lead to secondary infections. Fungal infections can cause drainage, and toxoplasmosis can cause eye issues. If the issue persists beyond a couple of days, especially with colored discharge or if the cat is squinting or rubbing the eye, a visit to the veterinarian is advised for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Are watery eyes normal for cats?
If it's unusual for a cat to have watery eyes and they suddenly develop them, it could indicate an issue. However, as long as there is no yellow or green discharge or thick consistency, generally, just watery eyes don't concern me too much.
Are cloudy eyes normal for cats?
Cloudy eyes could indicate several issues. A common reason for cloudy eyes is an ulcer on the cornea. The cornea is like a car's windshield, very clear, and once injured, the body grows vessels there. White blood cells come in to heal it, which causes some cloudiness along with edema within the cornea. If you notice a cloudy eye, it's a reason to visit your vet right away.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (765) 737-2742, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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