Eye diseases in cats, or when squinting is not just due to a "draft".
Cats' eyes are not only an important sensory organ, but also a sensitive indicator of their
overall health. Eye problems can arise from infections or injuries, but they can also be
a manifestation of serious systemic, metabolic or oncological problems. Early
Recognizing symptoms and getting proper treatment are key to maintaining good vision and well-being.
cats.
In this article, we will talk a little more about the most common infectious diseases that affect
eyes of feline patients, how to diagnose them, treat them and especially how to prevent them.
Surely every cat owner has come across the term "cat flu" more than once. Did you know that
Does this disease have much in common with the classic flu? Among breeders and owners
This is the name given to a complex of respiratory infections in cats, the causative agents of which are
The most common are feline herpes virus (FHV) and calicivirus (FCV). These are commonly found
diseases that mainly affect younger animals. Both viral infections are transmitted
direct contact between a healthy and an infectious cat via droplet transmission
infections. In addition to the respiratory tract, both viruses also attack the eyes and make cats very uncomfortable.
the entire course of the infection. In the case of an eye infection with herpesvirus, patients develop higher
risk of serious problems. This infection often causes ulcers on the cornea.
This is a very painful condition that can lead to the loss of an eye in affected cats. After
After overcoming a herpesvirus infection, the eye may be permanently damaged. In kittens, it can
until the formation of the so-called symblepharon. This is the overgrowth of the conjunctival mucosa over the eyeball. In layman's terms
In other words, the conjunctiva grows over the eye, significantly limiting the cat's vision. This medical condition
Unfortunately, the problem cannot be solved, many kittens lose their sight completely, only their eyesight remains.
perception of light and darkness. Attempts to surgically remove such overgrown conjunctiva are common,
However, even after surgical correction, the conjunctiva will grow back and cause vision loss.
This happens because FHV damages the cells that in a healthy eye regulate how much light can pass through it.
conjunctiva to extend. Therefore, even surgical removal of symblepharon will not solve the problem permanently.
We diagnose both FHV and FCV using PCR testing. We use swabs from the conjunctiva, nose, and throat as samples. The collection is not problematic for patients and they tolerate it well. The correct timing of the collections is also important, because both viruses have the ability to enter a latent asymptomatic phase, when they are not excreted from the patient's body, and PCR can therefore be negative despite infections. We therefore mainly test patients in whom we actively observe clinical manifestations of the disease. When diagnosing these diseases, we also use special ophthalmological dyes to determine the presence of corneal damage and its extent.
You can read more about viral infections and their manifestations on our website:
Although viral diseases are the most common cause of infectious eye diseases in cats, we can also encounter bacterial infections in our feline patients. The most common causes are infections with the bacteria Chlamydia spp. and Mycoplasma spp. These most often cause bacterial conjunctivitis - inflammation of the conjunctiva. Both bacteria are very unique in their structure and the way they attack the host. Despite the fact that they are bacteria, we cannot use regular bacterial cultivation to identify them. Therefore, in diagnostics, we again resort to PCR examination to identify pathogens.
You can read more about chlamydia in our blog: https://www.catvet.sk/post/chlamydióza
Whether it is a viral or bacterial infection, these health problems have similar clinical manifestations in the eyes of patients. We often observe:
● Squint,
● Discharge from the eyes,
● Eye redness,
● Shyness,
● Retraction of the third eyelid and its redness,
● Swelling of the conjunctiva and eyelids.
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your cat, it is very important not to delay a visit to the veterinary clinic. Eye diseases are painful for cats and most of them can be effectively treated by administering local antibiotic or antiviral therapy, supportive and symptomatic therapy. In the case of infection caused by FHV, we can also administer systemic antivirals. By starting therapy early, we also reduce the occurrence of serious complications that can lead to loss of vision or the entire eye.
Many infections can be prevented very well by vaccinating cats. Vaccines are available on the market against herpesvirus and calicivirus, as well as against chlamydia infections. Since Mycoplasma is a bacterium that is a natural microflora of the mucous membranes of the eye and respiratory system, there is no vaccine against it. It only starts to cause problems when it overgrows on mucous surfaces. This often happens, for example, secondary to a decrease in immunity or viral infections. Vaccination of cats therefore remains the gold standard of preventive medicine in cats.
If you are interested in the topic of ophthalmological problems in cats, we are also preparing other articles for you in which we will discuss developmental, metabolic, or oncological problems that can affect cat eyes.
MVDr., Mgr. Petra Adamcová
CatVet - The First Cat Clinic
Triblavinska 47, Chorvátsky Grob
0948 443 243