The cat has watery eyes

The content of the article

• Discharge from the eyes of cats
• When is a vet needed?
• Why are cat’s eyes watering
• A special form of the structure of the muzzle and eyes
• Age
• Cat Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal inflammation
• Obstruction of the lacrimal canal
• Allergy
• Injury
• Cat Lacrimation Treatment

Tearing is one of the common problems in cats. These animals do not cry, so any discharge should alert the owner. If the cat has watery eyes, you need to pay attention to other changes in the behavior and condition of the pet. Only veterinarian can determine the exact cause of lacrimation.

Discharge from the eyes of cats

During the day, the lacrimal canals produce a clear liquid. It moisturizes the mucous membrane, nourishes it with the necessary substances, protects against small debris or bacteria. When irritated, tears are produced more than usual. They accumulate in the corners of the eyes. Surplus flow out or sour, indicating deviations.

Lacrimation is not a separate disease. Sometimes this is a way to clean the mucosa from pollution. Excessive secretion of tear fluid may be a physiological feature or symptom of health problems. A cat can have watery eyes for various reasons – from dust to serious pathology..

The type of discharge depends on the nature of the disease, the condition of the pet:

• Profuse lacrimation – watery fluid indicates conjunctivitis. It is caused by a virus or bacterial infection, and provokes dust or dirt..
• Brownish pinkish liquid – observed with trichiasis. This is the wrong eyelash growth that irritates the eyeball..
• Yellow or green mucus – indicates a bacterial infection.
• Brown discharge – a sign of disruption of the lacrimal canal. Causes – Trauma, Allergy, or Non-Infectious Irritation.

When is a vet needed?

1. Foreign object in the cat’s eye.
2. Bleeding injury.
3. Purulent discharge with a crust.
4. Runny nose complicated by runny nose.
5. Lethargy, lack of appetite.

Dangerous symptoms:

• redness and inflammation of the organ of vision;
• the cat rubs his eyes or hides from the light;
• ulcers or sagging skin around the affected organ;
• the animal refuses food and meows plaintively.

Why are cat’s eyes watering

The causes of copious discharge are classified into 2 groups. The first includes pathologies that block the normal activity of the lacrimal ducts. To the second are diseases that increase the amount of fluid released.

Groups of reasons:

• anatomical features of some cat breeds;
• diseases of the organs of vision;
• the age of the animal;
• respiratory tract infections;
• injury, allergy.

A special form of the structure of the muzzle and eyes

At risk are brachycephalic breeds with a short facial part of the skull – Persians, British, Exotics, Himalayan. Their genetic feature is a flat, slightly upturned nose, large bulging eyes. In these rocks, an epiphora is often observed – excessive production of tear fluid. Tears flow due to the specific structure of the muzzle and nasolacrimal canal..

A small amount of a clear, colorless liquid is considered the norm for a Persian cat and other brachycephalic breeds; it does not require a visit to a doctor. In order to prevent irritation or infection, you need to rinse the pet’s eyes daily and treat the hair around.

Age

In the first month of life, kittens have watery eyes. This is a physiological developmental feature that protects the organ from bacteria, dirt, viruses. The baby’s immunity has not yet been strengthened to fight diseases, so the tear fluid flushes dust and microorganisms from the eyeball. If the discharge is insignificant and observed in the morning, there is no cause for concern either. It is worth worrying when lacrimation is profuse, persistent, accompanied by alarming symptoms..

Cat Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Sticky milky, yellow, or green discharge indicates a serious problem. This is an upper respiratory tract infection. It is accompanied by sneezing, the flow of fluid from the animal’s nose.

Causes of infection:

• Parasites and microorganisms. Protozoa, chlamydia affect the cat’s organs, causing dangerous symptoms, including lacrimation.
• Calicivirosis. Viral disease is accompanied by fever, profuse lacrimation, runny nose.
• Rhinotracheitis. The defeat of the herpes virus provokes the release of fluid from the eyes and nose.
• Pneumonia. Inflammation of the lungs is characterized by leakage of fluid on the background of the development of infection.

Conjunctivitis

Tearing from the eyes of a cat can be caused by inflammation of the internal or external mucosa. Conjunctivitis is more often a symptom of another pathology, rather than a separate disease. The causes of the condition are infection of any origin, allergy, irritation. The color of the discharge depends on what caused the conjunctivitis. The disease can be accompanied by a runny nose, sneezing and shortness of breath. The first symptom is redness, swelling of the organs of vision.

Corneal inflammation

If the cat blinks often, squints, her eyes become cloudy, fluid flows abundantly from them, this indicates an injury or inflammation of the cornea – the membrane that protects the front of the eyeball. As a result of infection, head trauma or exposure to chemicals on the cornea, ulcers form. They can cause blindness in an animal.

Obstruction of the lacrimal canal

If the cat’s eyes turn sour and watery, or both, this may indicate a violation of the fluid excretion system. The exception is exotic breeds, Persians, in which the nasolacrimal canals are narrowed due to the specific structure of the muzzle. Obstruction is rarely congenital. Violation occurs due to chronic inflammation, trauma, dirt.

A dangerous consequence of obstruction is glaucoma. It occurs due to the accumulation of excess fluid, which presses on the eyeball. Signs of glaucoma – the organs of vision are cloudy, redness of the mucosa is observed. The cat’s eyes are constantly watery, the animal squints and rubs its paw, suffers from pain.

Allergy

Often the cause of the discharge is an allergic reaction of the body after contact with an irritant. Allergies often affect young animals. Symptoms: tears flow heavily, runny nose, cat often sneezes, it is difficult to breathe.

The main allergens:

• feed, plants or wool of other pets;
• flea bites;
• medicines, household chemicals, care products;
• poor ecology – exhaust fumes, cinder, pesticides;
• tobacco smoke mold.

Injury

Increased lacrimation is a normal reaction of the body that is trying to get rid of a foreign body. Domestic cats, free-range animals are most at risk of injury. Tears flow not only with severe damage, but also after a slight scratch.

How to distinguish the degree of injury:

• Easy – the cat has watery eyes, but she is calm. This condition does not require a visit to the veterinarian.
• Average – The eye closes, red or swollen. Animal restless or lethargic, yellow or transparent tears.
• Heavy – the eye bulges outward, a foreign object sticks out of it. There is bleeding, the pupil is distorted, the cornea is damaged.

Cat Lacrimation Treatment

The methods of treatment depend on the cause of the problem. The doctor examines the animal, makes a diagnosis, prescribes treatment. Self-help attempts can lead to serious complications..

The main areas of treatment for lacrimation:

• Visual or respiratory tract infections – require the appointment of antibiotics, antiviral agents. Use drops for external use, injections or tablets – inside.
• Injuries – Lungs and mediums can be treated at home, washing the wound with saline or water. Severe injuries require medical attention.
• Allergy – apply antihistamines. A prerequisite for effectiveness is the identification and elimination of the allergen..
• Obstruction of the lacrimal canal – flushing or expansion using special probes. Procedures increase the lumen of the tubules, after which the fluid drains into the nasal cavity, as it should be normal.
• Age – the current eye of the kitten should be instilled with saline, cleaned with a cotton pad. Additionally strengthen the immune system with vitamins.
• Corneal Disease – anti-inflammatory drops, healing ointments, compliance with cleanliness. With severe lesions, cauterization or surgery is required.