Red eyes, watery eyes, or your cat squinting can be signs of eye inflammation in cats. However, the same symptoms can be caused by a corneal ulcer, inflammation inside the eye, or increased pressure. It is not possible to determine the severity of the condition based on the appearance of the eye.
If your cat is squinting, their cornea looks cloudy or bluish, or they have sudden vision loss, contact your veterinarian immediately. The same applies in case of eye injury or if the eyeball has come out of its normal position. In case of chemicals in the eye: immediately start rinsing carefully with plenty of lukewarm water or sterile saline, and contact a veterinarian at the same time. Do not use old eye drops or human medications without the veterinarian's advice. Call 33 13 98 40 for emergency care at A-VetOutside opening hours: contact the veterinary on duty.
When does the cat need to be examined urgently?
Call your veterinarian immediately if your cat:
- squints or keeps the eye closed
- has obvious pain or becomes very light-headed
- gets a cloudy, grayish-white or bluish cornea
- have unequal pupil size or a suddenly dilated pupil
- suddenly sees worse or bumps into things
- has had an injury, chemicals, or a foreign object stuck in the eye
- has an eye that bulges abnormally or has come out of the eye socket
If there is new redness, tearing or pus without obvious pain, you should contact your veterinarian the same day to clarify when the cat should be examined. Cats hide discomfort well, and an eye that looks mildly affected can be painful.
Glaucoma and corneal ulcers can resemble eye inflammation
By glaucoma the pressure inside the eye rises. In cats, the condition is almost always secondary, and the most common cause is long-term inflammation inside the eye. Tumors in the eye also occur, but less frequently. The eye may become red and painful, the cornea bluish, and the pupil dilated. Rapid pressure-lowering treatment is important to try to preserve vision. If the eye is blind and painful despite treatment, removal of the eye may be what gives the cat the best quality of life.
Corneal ulcer causes itching, tearing and pain. In cats, herpes virus is a common cause. A deep wound can develop into a hole through the cornea and require emergency surgery. The depth of the wound cannot be assessed at home.
What is eye inflammation in cats?
Inflammation is the tissue's response to irritation, injury, or disease. An infection is caused by microorganisms. The terms do not mean the same thing, and a red eye does not require antibiotics.
Conjunctivitis, often called conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the mucous membrane on the inside of the eyelids and over parts of the eyeball. It is the most common form in cats. Inflammation can also occur deeper, inside the eye itself – this is called uveitis, and requires a different assessment and treatment.
Symptoms of eye problems in cats
Common signs are:
- redness in the eye or on the inside of the eyelids
- increased tearing or mucousy, yellow, or green discharge
- swelling of the eyelids
- frequent blinking, squinting, or squinting
- the cat rubbing its eye with its paw or against furniture
- sneezing and runny nose at the same time
- light shyness and the cat withdrawing
Symptoms may start in one eye and later spread to the other. The color of the discharge alone does not tell what the cause is. Cloudy cornea, pain, and vision changes are warning signs that require prompt evaluation.
What could be the cause?
Feline herpesvirus
Feline herpesvirus is the most common infectious cause of eye inflammation in cats. The virus remains latent in the body after the initial infection and can flare up again during stress, illness or a weakened immune system. Herpes often causes recurring problems, and can also cause ulcers on the cornea.
Klamydia
Chlamydia felis is a bacterium that causes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eye, often in both eyes and usually in young cats or in environments with many cats. The condition is treated with antibiotics, and there is a vaccine that is considered individually. Read more about vaccination of cats.
Inflammation inside the eye
Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye and can be associated with diseases elsewhere in the body, including feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and toxoplasmosis. Uveitis can cause glaucoma over time, and requires examination beyond the eye itself.
External causes
Dust, tobacco smoke, cleaning products and other irritants can cause watery and red eyes, as can injuries from fights with other cats, foreign objects, reduced tear production and eyelids or hair rubbing against the eye.
Is eye inflammation in cats contagious?
Several of the causes are contagious between cats, especially herpes virus and chlamydia. If you have more than one cat, you should mention this to your veterinarian. Transmission to humans is very rare, but has been described for chlamydia. Wash your hands after treating the eye.
What can you do before the vet visit?
Prevent your cat from rubbing the eye. Gently wipe away any discharge around the eye with clean, lukewarm water and a soft cloth – one cloth per eye. Avoid applying pressure to the eye, and do not try to remove anything that is stuck.
Sterile saline eyewash can be used to flush out loose debris. It does not treat the cause and should not delay a visit to the vet.
Do not use leftover eye drops.
Do not start treatment with eye drops from a previous case, another animal or the human pharmacy. This applies especially to cats: eye drops with cortisone can significantly worsen a herpes-induced corneal ulcer, and herpes is the most common infectious cause in cats. The cornea must be examined before such treatment is considered.
Other eye diseases in cats
In cataracts, the lens gradually turns white or gray, and vision is impaired. In cats, it often occurs after long-term inflammation inside the eye or after injury. Cataracts cannot be treated with medication, but the lens can be operated on in some cases. The underlying cause must be investigated in any case.
A bluish cornea is not a cataract, but fluid in the cornea – and a sign that should be evaluated quickly.
How is the cat examined and treated?
The veterinarian examines the eye and eyelids and assesses visual function. Relevant tests may include measuring tear production, staining the cornea to reveal ulcers, and measuring eye pressure. If uveitis is suspected, blood tests may be appropriate.
Treatment is directed at the cause. Antibiotics help against bacteria, but not against viruses. Some cats need eye drops or ointment, others need surgery. Read about cat eye examination.
Eye examination at A-Vet in Larvik
At A-Vet Pet Clinic we examine and treat eye problems in cats and dogs. See also the article about eye inflammation in dogs
