Purulent discharge from the eyes is only a symptom of the underlying disease. There are a number of possible reasons why cat owners are faced with this unpleasant situation. It can be a chronic disease, or a temporary lesion of one or two eyes at once.
Anything from a simple cold to a serious illness can cause a discharge from the cat's eye. Why does a cat's eyes fester? We will deal with possible causes and treatment.
Why do cats fester eyes: reasons
Many causes of purulent discharge from the eyes are caused by inflammation, infection, trauma, or an allergic reaction.
· Blepharitis - inflammation of the eyelids, due to bacterial infection, allergies and congenital malformations.
Corneal ulcers - open sores on the cornea. The appearance of ulcers can cause structural abnormalities, foreign bodies, scratches, infections (viral, fungal or bacterial), injuries, dry eyes.
· Dacryocystitis - blocked lacrimal ducts.
· Inflammation of the lacrimal sac. Brachycephalic cat breeds, such as Persians and exotic cats, are more prone to this disease. The most common cause is a foreign body, most often of plant origin, such as pollen, which enter the nasolabial system, leading to inflammation and infection.
· Feline Upper Respiratory Infections (feline flu) caused by a virus (herpes, calicivirus, feline reovirus), the symptoms are similar to those of a cold or flu in people with eye and nasal secretions, sneezing and fever.
· Conjunctivitis - inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane that covers the front of the eyeball). There are several causes of conjunctivitis: infection, allergies, foreign objects, injuries, and keratoconjunctivitis (dry eyes).
· Allergy may cause irritation and purulent discharge from the eyes. The most common allergens are pollen, cigarette smoke, chemicals, dust, and mold.
· Uveitis - inflammation of the iris. It has many causes, including infection (bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal), diabetes, high blood pressure, tumors, and idiopathic (unknown causes).
· Epiphora - increased uncontrolled lacrimation.
· Trichiasis - the growth of eyelashes in the wrong direction, which leads to irritation of the cornea.
· Sty (barley) - infection and inflammation of the sebaceous glands.
· Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sikka or keratitis) - inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva due to a decrease in the production of tears.
Why do cats fester eyes: types of secretions
A small amount of eye discharge is considered absolutely normal. But it’s still worth watching them. There are several types of selections:
· Watery discharge most often occurs due to viral infections, allergies, uveitis and irritants (cigarette smoke, chemicals, etc.),
Mucous discharge is most often caused by allergies or dry eyes.
Yellow or green mucus is usually associated with a bacterial infection.
Cat's eyes are festering - associated symptoms
Obviously, the main symptom is purulent discharge from one or both eyes.
Other symptoms will vary depending on the underlying cause and may include the following:
Itching
· Frequent blinking.
Difficult opening of the eye due to copious drying pus.
Sneezing
Nasal discharge.
Redness of the eyes.
· Drop-out third eyelid.
· Pain in the eyes.
· Change in the appearance of the eye: opacification, swelling, bulging.
Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
Why do cats fester eyes: diagnosis
It is important to consult a doctor for abnormal purulent discharge from the eyes. Otherwise, the situation may lead to blindness or loss of vision. Diagnostics by a veterinarian usually include:
A complete physical examination of the cat, including a thorough examination of the eye and observation of other symptoms that the owner might not have noticed, such as pain in the eye.
· Survey of the owner: when purulent discharge began, whether they occur at a certain time of the day or year, associated symptoms. Concomitant symptoms can help the veterinarian narrow down the list of possible causes of discharge from the eyes.
· Various tests that will depend on the alleged cause of the discharge: a biochemical blood test and urine test (to check the general health of the cat), a test with fluorescein (to detect ulcers), blood pressure measurement, analysis of the secretions to determine bacteria.
Cat's eyes are festering: treatment
Treatment for eye discharge depends on the cause, but may include:
· Topical antibiotics for treating bacterial infections.
· Antiviral medications if your cat has a viral infection, such as feline herpes.
Atropine treatment is a medicine that is used to treat corneal ulcers and relieve pain.
Corticosteroid drops or ointment to reduce inflammation.
· Medicines to stimulate the lacrimal glands, if this does not work, artificial tears to provide moisture and lubrication to the eyes.
· A possible operation to correct eyelid abnormalities with blepharitis.
· Removal of any foreign body.
· Supportive care for upper respiratory tract infections. May include oral antibiotics, intravenous fluids to correct dehydration.
The cat's eyes are festering: folk remedies
Cats are susceptible to various eye infections. While veterinary treatment is an important part, there are some improvised remedies and simple procedures that you can apply at home to make it easier for your pet to recover.
· Apply a warm compress. Use a soft towel, cloth, or gauze soaked in warm water. Gently apply a warm, damp cloth to your cat's eye and hold it there for up to five minutes. Remove the compress and discard the used cloth. Repeat the compress every hour.
· Remove pus. Wipe your eyes with a cloth dampened in water (you can use the same as for the compress) and remove the secretions.
· Flush eyes. Natural medicines without harsh chemical ingredients are available to everyone. It is recommended to wash the cat’s eyes with green tea, chamomile or calendula.
It is important not to ignore changes in the health of the pet, then the treatment will be easy and quick. Health to your cat!
