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Cat with swollen eye: the causes
Cat with swollen eye: the causes
Anonim

If a cat has a swollen eye this will cause him pain and discomfort, and it is therefore advisable to provide relief as soon as possible. The swelling can be unilateral or bilateral: that is, it can occur in only one eye or in both. The causes of this problem are many, and we will examine them in this article.

infected cat eye close-up
infected cat eye close-up

The diseases that cause the development of eye swelling, sometimes so severe as to totally prevent it from opening, are the following:

  • Conjunctivitis: inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane surrounding the eye and the inside of the eyelid; it is a very painful disease for the animal and is often accompanied by tearing or loss of pus from the eye.
  • Keratitis: inflammation of the cornea;
  • Blepharitis: inflammation of the eyelid.
cat with half closed eye
cat with half closed eye

These, especially conjunctivitis, can be caused by:

  • Abnormalities of the eyelid;
  • Viral infections such as rhinotracheitis and calicivirosis (which generally cause upper respiratory infections and symptoms such as sneezing and excessive tearing);
  • Bacterial infections such as those from Streptococcus and Staphylococcus;
  • Uveitis, an inflammation of the vascular lining of the eye (uvea);
  • Entropion, a particular type of irritation of the cornea caused by a folding of the eyelid inwards, which forces part of the lashes to rub against the eye. It can be primary (seen in short-nosed breeds such as Persian and Exotic) or secondary (due to itching and rubbing of the eyes). Surgery is the most suitable treatment for this disorder;
  • Allergies: some substances present in the environment such as pollen, smoke, dust are among the most common allergens. The best way to treat them is to remove them wherever possible; a specific test will be needed to recognize them all;
  • Haw syndrome: disorder in which the cat's third eyelid is constantly visible;
  • Trauma or presence of foreign bodies in the eye: even a blade of grass or a scratch caused by a fight with other animals can cause localized swelling, as well as a lot of discomfort in the animal; if you notice a residue present in your cat's eye, DO NOT remove it yourself but contact a veterinarian immediately;
  • Tumor to the eye or eyelid: surgery is often the only remedy for this ugly ailment;
  • Sting of insects: fortunately it tends to resolve itself over time;
  • Sty: an infection of the sebaceous gland present in the eyelid. Treatment consists of cold packs and administration of antibiotics.
cat with highlighted third eyelid
cat with highlighted third eyelid

Diagnosis

The veterinarian will carry out a thorough examination of your cat after a careful examination anamnesis. If no trauma is found, further tests will be performed. In this regard, the symptoms that accompany swelling will give a more precise idea of the possible cause: for example, if the cat shows symptoms of a respiratory infection, it is likely that it is rhinotracheitis or calicivirus. So watch carefully appearance and behavior of your cat and note any other clinical signs.

cat eyes close-up
cat eyes close-up

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