Vet Speak By Alison Laurie-Chalmers: Keep a look out for problems with your cat’s eyes
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Aurelia was a beautiful, two-year-old, female, red tabby, Maine Coon cat with the most amazing, distinctive, golden eyes.
She was brought into the surgery as her owner had noted she had a consistent weeping from her left eye, and she was often seen rubbing it and holding it shut. Drops that were dispensed for her initially seemed to transiently alleviate the problem. However, the symptoms had recurred.
Further examinations revealed that Aurelia had an entropion of her lower left eyelid, which would need surgical correction, as this was causing some rubbing and irritation to the other eye structures.
Entropion is a rolling-in of the eyelids, and can involve the upper or lower eyelids, and both in some cases, and it can involve one or both eyes. It causes discomfort due to the eyelid lashes rubbing on the cornea. In some cases, corneal inflammation, ulcerations, perforations, and scarring can occur, if the entropion is not corrected surgically.
Eyes are delicate, precious organs, and any problems should always be taken seriously to prevent a long-term loss of vision.
Cats have three eyelids: the upper lid, lower lid, and a third eyelid in the inside corner of the eye.
Problems with eyes can present themselves in many ways. Injuries, infections, pressure changes, eyelid problems, and even disease processes in another part of the body for example diabetes, or an acute infection seated elsewhere.
To prevent loss of vision, they should always be taken seriously and dealt with quickly. If you notice any change in your cat’s eyes, contact your vet. If your cat seems to be in any pain, contact your vet immediately.
Some signs of eye problems are: excessive weeping or eye discharge, which can be watery, yellow, green, crusty; any redness or swelling; Inflammation of the inner lining of the eyelids the conjunctivae; cloudiness on the front of the eye (the cornea); blinking and discomfort; keeping the eye partially or completely closed; the third eyelid showing and raised; any lumps in or around the eye; cuts or tears to the eyelids; apparent loss of vision; blood noted within the eye; bulging of the eye; changes in the shape of the eye or pupil.
Eye problems can be due to various causes: eye infections caused by bacteria or viruses causing inflammation of the conjunctivae and eye discharge. Fights and accidents are the most common sources of eye injuries in cats, wounds on the surface of the eye can lead to corneal ulceration.
Corneal ulcers need treatment to help them heal and can lead to loss of an eye if neglected.
Retinal detachment is where the thin tissue layer of the retina separates from the back of the eye causing a loss of vision. Retinal detachment is often due to high blood pressure, and this is common in cats with hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney disease.
It is important to regularly check cat eye health to ensure that any eye problems, or any other health problems, are dealt with quickly.
The beautiful Aurelia was referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist to have a surgical correction of her entropion. Her surgery was successful, and she now has regular check-ups to ensure that her eyes stay healthy.
• Alison Laurie-Chalmers is a senior consultant at Crown Vets in Inverness.
