Cat's cloudy eye: why and what to do?

Cats are famous for their ability to see in the dark, this is not surprising, since mustachioed friends are predators by nature. If you do not contact your veterinarian in a timely manner, there is a chance of complete loss of vision in the four-legged pet. Today we will analyze the causes of this phenomenon, and also highlight the possible therapeutic methods and diagnostic methods.

Causes of blurred eyes

If we consider the issue from a veterinary point of view, experts share all the reasons into several groups. They may be congenital, acquired or temporary. The last option is the most gentle, but often the cat needs to be taken to the veterinarian immediately.

1. The eye cornea can be damaged if the animal has recently had an infection or has been exposed to mechanical stress. The eye becomes cloudy due to degenerative phenomena, the presence of scarring.
2. Problems with the visual organs arise due to impaired fluid metabolism in the eyeball cavity. Typically, this is observed during or immediately after infection in an animal. Difficulty is caused by impaired metabolism, poisoning with toxins or food, as well as treatment of a cat with medications not prescribed by a doctor.
3. In the process of cataract formation, the lens bleaches or becomes cloudy. This disease must be treated at the stage of occurrence.
4. When ulcers appear on the cornea, the eyeball becomes cloudy. These ulcers appear due to a recent infection, the recent poisoning of an animal with toxins or rat poison, and other chemicals. Any irritating substance that causes intoxication can negatively affect the health of the eyes.
5. It cannot be excluded from the potential and underlying causes of vitreous disease. When pathogens develop in the cavity or fluid balance is disturbed, the eyes become cloudy.
6. In veterinary medicine, there are more common causes of what is happening. In practice, cats have a clouding of the eyeball due to defects in the eyelids, both congenital and acquired. Perhaps the pets had a fight with their brothers or have already been born with such an ailment.
7. If a relatively recent surgical intervention was performed, that is, an operation was performed on the eyes of an animal, then complications are possible. They develop when during the operation the lacrimal canal was damaged or an infection was introduced. This reason comes from the inexperience of the surgeon.
8. Clouding is caused by inflammatory processes of the cornea, that is, keratitis in its various manifestations. Since with such a disease, the protective layer of the eye is destroyed.
9. If the animal has a slowed metabolism, as well as an infectious disease, then lipids can accumulate in the tissues of the cornea. This will lead to turbidity. Cancer diseases associated with the eyes cannot be ruled out.
10. Discussed deterioration of the visual organ depends on the age of the animal. Elderly pets with detected glaucoma, as well as premature aging of the cornea and surgery for conjunctivitis - all this can lead to complications. If after the surgery the “veil” does not leave the eyes, but only becomes more pronounced, consult a surgeon.

Diagnostic Methods

The above reasons are not a complete list of why four-legged friends have a cloudy eye. In fact, when you only noticed changes in the state of the visual organs, you had to immediately take the animal to the veterinarian. Only diagnostics will help establish the root cause.The examination applies to the lens, cornea, eyelids, vitreous body. To this end, doctors resort to the following diagnostic options:

1. First, a specialist will take a sample of Schirmer to identify the volume of tears. It is important to compare the obtained value with the optimal indicators. The procedure is carried out, relatively speaking, as follows: paper is applied to the corner of the cat's eye. As she gets wet, the doctor determines how much a tear is produced.
2. In order to determine erosion or hidden ulcers on the cornea, ultraviolet lamps are used. The eye cornea is treated with a special tool, subsequently using the apparatus. If there is damage, they will be detected by this lamp.
3. Without fail, a specialist prescribes tests in order to detect feline viruses. Toxoplasmosis tests are also being given.
4. The doctor measures the pressure of the eyeball. This is necessary for the timely diagnosis of glaucoma or its first signs. There is an opportunity to eliminate the disease in time.
5. To exclude an infectious disease, a cat is taken for analysis as a fundamental reason.
6. If all of the above methods for identifying the causes of blurred eyes did not give a reliable result, then there is a need for additional research. An electroretinography is done to determine how the eye retina works. Usually they resort to electroretinography when it is necessary to identify serious eye pathologies.
7. In a mustachioed pet, corneal cells are examined to find out what could be the reason for the clouding. The specialist conducts an ultrasound examination if other methods of determination have not yielded results.
8. Do feline friends and paracentesis, that is, take samples of the vitreous body. Again, this is a complex procedure that is resorted to in advanced cases with a final blurred eye.
9. In situations where it is established that these violations were caused by viruses, a course of special drugs is prescribed. If the disease is caused by cat viruses, after diagnosis, the specialist prescribes treatment.

Therapy

1. Treatment of the disease will be carried out only after the diagnosis. A sufficient number of reasons for the opacity of the surface of the eyeball may be. It can be assumed that a similar problem was formed due to an infectious disease.
2. As soon as the specialist examines the animal and establishes an accurate diagnosis, appropriate measures will be taken. The veterinarian in this case, as a rule, will prescribe shock doses of strong antibiotics. Such drugs have a wide range of effects.
3. In addition, drugs with an antibacterial effect will be additionally prescribed. If a specialist diagnosed glaucoma, similar diseases or corneal ulcers, then surgical intervention is indispensable.
4. It is worth noting that the treatment of glaucoma requires cardinal interventions. You should be mentally prepared for the fact that the animal is most likely to have to remove the affected eye. If this is not done on time, the cat may become completely blind.
5. If a pet has been diagnosed with corneal ulcers, then this is extremely rare before eye removal. In such cases, a special surgical operation to remove the affected tissue quite often helps.
6. It is important to understand that minor scars will remain on the cornea. Visual acuity may suffer, but the cat will be able to fully see. Nevertheless, this option is considered the best, in contrast to complete loss of vision.
7. Infectious diseases are often treated with nonsteroidal drugs. Such formulations have excellent anti-inflammatory effects. Keep in mind that with such medications special care should be taken.
8. The problem is that non-steroidal drugs negatively affect the state of the whole organism.For this reason, long-term treatment with such agents is strictly contraindicated. Otherwise, there will be many side effects.
9. In any case, in case of eye disease, the animal needs to put various antiseptic ointments in the conjunctival sac or drip drops. Such formulations perfectly moisturize the affected eye. Means prevent the development of pathogens.
10. Keep in mind that it is important for a sick animal to ensure complete rest. In addition, special meals are prescribed. The products should have a high concentration of retinol and tocopherol. Such vitamins effectively repair damaged epithelial layers of the cornea.

Preventative procedures

1. Keep in mind that if the cat already has inflammatory processes in the eyes, the animal must be carefully monitored. Inspect your pet at least 2 times a day. If you notice a sharp appearance of redness of the mucous membrane of the eye, immediately go to the veterinarian.
2. This is direct evidence of an inflammatory reaction. In addition, an increase in the volume of secretions can be observed. The animal may experience pain and visual impairment. In no case do not hesitate. Everything can get much worse.
3. To prevent this from happening, on your part it is necessary to minimize all stress factors. It is such circumstances that can provoke a deterioration in the condition of the animal. Keep in mind that if the pet has severely impaired vision, interior items and chairs should be removed from the room where the cat is located. The problem is that the animal can hit hard and suffer.

If you see an eye clouding in an animal, do not treat it yourself. Do not wait, in the hope that everything will pass. Call your veterinarian immediately. The faster you react, the more likely it is to save the animal’s vision.

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