Cats are great at hiding illness, but eye maladies are hard to conceal.


You might notice your feline holding an eye closed or rubbing. Other symptoms of eye problems in cats can include inflammation of the tissue surrounding the eye, noticeable discharge, a raised third eyelid or cloudiness on the surface of or within the eye.

A veterinarian should evaluate any eye problem right away, no matter how minor it appears initially. Issues that seem simple can result in vision loss if left untreated.

Two of the most common eye issues in pets are eye ulcers and upper respiratory infections.

Eye ulcers are very common in cats as well as dogs.

Generally, they occur as a result of fighting, bumping into something or having a foreign object, such as a foxtail, become trapped within the eye.

An ulcer is basically a wound on the surface or cornea of the eye.

Your veterinarian will typically administer local anesthetic in an eye drop to evaluate your companion's eyes more thoroughly, and it helps make your canine or feline feel more comfortable.

If a problem is detected, depending on the severity and nature of the ulcer, your veterinarian will have you administer eye drops topically two to four times a day to treat infection. It is important to use the drops the recommended number of days and follow up if the problem is not resolving. Do not use eye medications that have been prescribed for you or over-the-counter human eye drops for your pet. These products can worsen the problem.

If the ulcer is not healing, your veterinarian may discuss deriding or rubbing away tissue at the cornea to promote healing. The third eyelid can also be sewn closed over the eye to act like a bandage to promote healing.

Some ulcers are so deep that a skin graft may be recommended. A veterinary ophthalmologist would perform this surgery. Specialists can also use contact lenses and time-release medicated disks that can be placed the eye to promote healing.

An e-collar or cone will also be recommended, even if you don't think your dog or cat will rub or paw at their eye, the cone is important prevention. Animals are not aware they could make the eye malady worse.

Upper respiratory infections often present with eye problems, even without symptoms of congestion and sneezing and are especially common in kittens.

Upper respiratory infections can be challenging. They are commonly caused by calici and herpes viruses but can also be caused by other pathogens, such as chlamydia or bordetella. They can be recurrent and are easily spread from cat to cat. It is important to isolate cats that are ill.

Daily disinfection of the pet environment, including food and water bowls, and good hand sanitation practices are pivotal in reducing spread of illness. Good pet nutrition and early vaccinations help promote health.

Treatment for upper respiratory infections vary. Topical eye drops can be used. Steam can help relieve congestion.

Time and your pet's immune system often bring about improvement.

Antiviral medications and supplements such as Lysine can also be beneficial. Oral antibiotics can be used if there is a colored nasal discharge or an infection that is not resolving.

In chronic cases, a feline respiratory polymerase chain reaction test may be run, using eye and nasal swabs, to amplify DNA as a way to identify the underlying pathogen, and then specific additional therapy can be recommended.

It is critical to treat these issues promptly for the wellness of your pets.
