One Or Both Eyes Of A Cat Or Cat Are Watering: Why, What To Do And How To Treat A Kitten And An Adult Animal At Home

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

Cat tears: causes of watery eyes in cats

If the cat is “crying” - it’s not from offense. You should carefully examine her eyes, as well as the cat itself, since lacrimation in cats can occur in various situations, including being a symptom of the disease.

Content

• 1 How lacrimation manifests itself in cats

• 2 Lachrymation in healthy cats

  • 2.1 Breeds prone to watery eyes

    2.1.1 Cat breeds prone to watery eyes:

• 3 Lachrymation as a sign of disease

  • 3.1 Photo gallery: eye diseases of cats, accompanied by lacrimation
  • 3.2 Photo gallery: systemic diseases of cats, manifested by lacrimation

  • 3.3 For what symptoms do you need an urgent visit to the veterinarian?

    3.3.1 Video: Causes of watery eyes in pets

• 4 Features of the treatment of lacrimation in pregnant cats and kittens
• 5 Prevention of lacrimation
• 6 Expert advice

How lacrimation manifests itself in cats

Lachrymation (epiphora) in cats is persistent, unregulated lacrimation.

On average, up to 2 ml of tear fluid is produced in a cat's eye, which moisturizes and nourishes the conjunctiva and cornea, and also cleans them of small particles accidentally caught in the eye.

The tear film consists of 3 layers:

• the layer of mucus, which is produced by the mucous cells of the conjunctiva, is adjacent to the layer of epithelial cells of the conjunctiva and cornea and contributes to the retention of tear fluid on their surface;
• the top layer consists of an oily substance that is produced by the tarsal glands located on the eyelids. It slows down the evaporation of tear fluid from the surface of the eye;
• the intermediate layer is represented by a secret produced by the lacrimal glands located in the upper and third eyelids.

Usually, after washing the eyeball, the lacrimal fluid accumulates in the area of the inner corner of the eye, where the lacrimal lake is located. Then, passing through the lacrimal points, it reaches the lacrimal sac through the lacrimal ducts, and from it flows through the nasolacrimal canal into the nasal cavity. Some cats have additional tear ducts, through which the outflow of tear fluid into the nasopharynx.

Epiphora in cats is manifested:

• the outflow of tear fluid from the eyes with the formation of wet smudges on the fur of the muzzle;
• Whitish discharge at the corners of a cat's eyes, damp or dry
• reddish or brown smudges on the coat of light-colored pets, resulting from the decomposition of tear enzymes in chronic lacrimation;

• symptoms of dermatitis, which can develop with chronic lacrimation and is manifested by:

  • the hair in the area of the eyes and muzzle is thinned;
  • itchy skin and scratching;
  • skin irritation.

With watery eyes, the fur under the eyes gets wet

Lachrymation develops for the following general reasons:

• increased formation of tear fluid - associated with irritation of the eye receptors, caused by:

  • foreign bodies in the eye;
  • inhalation or direct eye contact with corrosive substances;
  • inflammatory processes.

• violation of the outflow of tear fluid - in these conditions, the production of tear fluid is not increased, but, since its outflow is impaired, it pours over the edges of the eyelid, moistening the fur on the cat's face. Occurs when:

  • narrowing of lacrimal points;
  • blockade of lacrimal points with volvulus of the lower eyelid;
  • dacryocystitis - inflammation of the lacrimal sac;
  • compression of the lacrimal tubules with edema during inflammation;
  • narrowing of the lacrimal tubules;
  • curvature of the lacrimal tubules.

• features of the anatomical structure:

  • reducing the volume of the lacrimal lake;
  • the presence of hair in the inner corner of the eye, which contributes to the flow of tear fluid from the eye to the muzzle. Usually occurs in cats with thick and long hair.

With chronic lacrimation, dark streaks form on the fur of the muzzle due to the decomposition of lacrimal fluid enzymes

Lachrymation in healthy cats

The appearance of lacrimation in situations not associated with diseases:

• exposure to wind and low temperatures - they irritate the receptors of the conjunctiva, which leads to an increase in the production of tear fluid. With the normalization of external conditions, lacrimation stops;
• foreign objects caught in the eye - lacrimation is one-sided and accompanied by the restless behavior of the pet. The cat rubs its eyes with its paws, the palpebral fissure is narrowed, the conjunctiva is reddened. It is necessary to examine the cat's eye in good light, alternately raising the eyelids, examine the upper and lower conjunctival pockets. If a foreign object is found, it should be washed out of the eye with a stream of saline directed from a syringe. If a foreign body is sharp, only a veterinarian can remove it; no independent attempts should be made to remove it, as this will result in eye injury. After removal of the foreign body, eye drops, for example, Diamond Eye, are instilled;
• inhalation of harsh odors and the ingress of caustic substances into the eye - lacrimation also occurs with a protective purpose - to remove molecules of caustic substances from the eyes; in some cases, if lacrimation does not stop, and the pet is trying to comb his eyes, they should be rinsed;
• immediately after sleep - immediately after waking up, there is some excess of tears. Traces of dried tear fluid are usually eliminated by the cat itself when caring for itself;
• lacrimation in kittens - kittens produce more tear fluid than adult cats, and they also do not yet have developed self-care skills, therefore, kittens more often than adult cats have dried discharge in the corners of the eyes, especially kittens, early taken away from the mother cat. Until kittens learn to take care of themselves on their own, the hygiene of their eyes is the owner's concern. To rinse a kitten's eyes, you will need hygienic lotion or a decoction of medicinal herbs, such as chamomile or sage, and a non-woven napkin that does not leave fibers. Wipe only the kitten's eyelids with gentle movements, without touching the surface of the eye. If the baby's eyelids are stuck together, a well-moistened napkin should be applied to them for a couple of minutes to soften the dried discharge, after which the eye will open. An attempt to open the stuck eyelids of a kitten in another way will result in their injury;
• lacrimation in older pets - in older cats, discharge from the eyes is also common, since they can no longer take good care of themselves, and they also need the help of the owner.

In kittens, eyelids may stick together; to open the eye, a napkin with chamomile solution is applied to it for a couple of minutes

Breeds prone to watery eyes

Brachycephalic breeds of cats are prone to lacrimation - with a shortened or flattened muzzle. These include:

• Persian cat;
• Himalayan cat;
• British cat;
• Scottish cat;
• exotic shorthair cat.

In these cat breeds, due to genetic changes in the structure of the skull, narrowed or curved nasolacrimal canals are often found, which impedes the flow of tears and leads to lacrimation. Lacrimation is especially pronounced in kittens of these breeds, decreasing by the time the pet reaches the age of 10-12 months, this is due to the end of the formation of the bones of the facial skull and the pathways for the outflow of tear fluid, but in some cats, pronounced lacrimation persists in adulthood. In addition, in cats of these breeds, an increase in the size of the eyeball is observed in comparison with the size of the orbit, which leads to a decrease in the capacity of the lacrimal lake, and the lacrimal fluid immediately after washing the eyeball appears on the cat's face. The eyeball in brachycephalic cats is less immersed in the orbit protecting it than in cats with a normal skull structure,therefore, it is more susceptible to wind, frost, and foreign bodies.

Cat breeds prone to watery eyes:

The eyes of a Persian cat are large and fit closer to the eyelids than in cats with a normal skull structure, which reduces the capacity of the lacrimal lake and predisposes to lacrimation

The eyes of an exotic cat are less protected by the orbit than those of cats with a normal skull structure, so they are more affected by unfavorable external factors - wind and frost, causing lacrimation

The British cat is also a brachycephalic breed, and therefore tends to develop lacrimation.

Due to the shortening of the bones of the facial skull in Scottish cats, narrowing or curvature of the lacrimal tubules is possible, which provokes lacrimation

Lachrymation in Persian cats is due to the structural features of the bones of the facial skull

Lachrymation as a sign of disease

Lachrymation can be a symptom of both an eye disease and a general disease.

Lachrymation as a symptom of ocular pathology occurs when:

• trauma of the eye and eyelids - there is a narrowing of the palpebral fissure of the injured eye, reddening of its mucous membranes, the appearance of secretions of a different nature: from bloody mucous membranes with a fresh injury to purulent ones, if the eye has been injured for a long time. A cat with an eye injury should be brought to a doctor for diagnosis of the type of damage and appropriate therapy;

• inflammatory diseases of the eye and its adnexa, can be one- or two-sided:

  • conjunctivitis - inflammation of the conjunctiva. It appears in:

    • redness and swelling of the conjunctiva;
    • photophobia;
    • the third eyelid may fall out;
    • possible narrowing of the palpebral fissure;
    • the presence of mucous or mucopurulent discharge.

  • blepharitis - inflammation of the eyelids. Manifestations:

    • redness and swelling of the eyelids;
    • difficulty opening the eye;
    • narrowing of the palpebral fissure;
    • the appearance of ulcers or purulent plaque on the eyelids is possible;
    • loss of eyelashes.

  • uveitis - inflammation of the choroid. Symptoms:

    • redness and swelling of the eyelids;
    • photophobia;
    • loss of the third century;
    • spasm of the palpebral fissure;
    • discoloration of the iris;
    • the shape of the pupil may change.

  • keratitis - inflammation of the cornea. Symptoms:

    • severe pain syndrome;
    • blepharospasm with closing of the palpebral fissure;
    • redness of the conjunctiva and its edema;
    • opacity of the cornea;
    • mucous or purulent discharge from the eye.

  • dacryocystitis - inflammation of the lacrimal sac. Manifestations:

    • the presence of swelling on top in the area of the outer corner of the eye, painful on palpation;
    • mucous or purulent discharge from the eye;
    • pronounced swelling of the upper eyelid. For eye diseases in a cat, a veterinarian's consultation and an ophthalmological examination are required. Eye diseases have many common symptoms, but their treatment differs, and only a doctor can correctly prescribe it.
  • twist of the eyelid - while the surface of the eyeball is injured by the eyelashes and the edges of the eyelid, which causes an increase in the formation of tears, and blockade of the lacrimal points of the deformed eyelid is also possible, which leads to a violation of its outflow;
  • narrowing of the lacrimal canal - can be congenital in nature, and also develop due to compression by edema or the presence of mucus and adhesions in the lumen of the canal; manifests itself only in lacrimation. Eliminated by a veterinarian - the canal is restored by introducing a probe or surgical treatment is performed by a veterinarian-ophthalmologist.

Photo gallery: eye diseases of cats, accompanied by lacrimation

with conjunctivitis, the eyelids and conjunctiva swell, discharge from the eyes appears

with uveitis, the color of the eye changes

With blepharitis, the eyelids are affected: they turn red, swell, eyelashes and hair fall out

When the eyelid turns, the cornea is injured by the eyelashes of the deformed eyelid and its edge, which causes lacrimation and contributes to the formation of corneal ulcers

With keratitis, the cornea becomes cloudy

Lacrimation as a manifestation of a systemic disease:

• allergies - lacrimation is bilateral, also observed:

  • redness and swelling of the eyelids and conjunctiva;
  • itching and burning sensation;
  • sneezing;
  • there may be a cough;
  • rash on the skin is possible.

• helminthiasis - with helminthiasis, an allergic restructuring of the immune system and a decrease in the immune status occur, which leads to the appearance of lacrimation; additional symptoms are:

  • losing weight;
  • unstable appetite;
  • unstable stools: diarrhea alternating with constipation;
  • possible admixture of blood in the stool;
  • dull coat;
  • violation of general well-being: lethargy, apathy.

• immunodeficiency states - are nonspecific, arise under the influence of:

  • adverse environmental factors;
  • chronic diseases;

  • may be physiological in nature:

    • in small kittens - the kitten's immune system is in a state of formation and the natural resistance of the mucous membranes of the eyes is reduced, so more tear fluid is released. Constantly moist eyes in a kitten are an indicator of an immunodeficiency state;
    • in elderly pets - in older pets, the natural resistance of the mucous membranes may also decrease due to a violation of the stability of the immune system and lacrimation may occur;
    • during pregnancy - therefore, it is important to prepare the cat for pregnancy, as well as to ensure favorable conditions for its course. For pets with reduced immunity, conditions of detention, timely detection and treatment of existing diseases, the whole range of preventive and hygienic measures, including eye care, are of great importance.

• infectious diseases:

  • herpes, its symptoms:

    • redness, edema of the conjunctiva;
    • copious mucous membranes, then purulent discharge from the eyes;
    • fever;
    • general depression, apathy;
    • cough;
    • herpetic stomatitis: bubbles appear on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, after opening which small and painful erosions remain;
    • vomiting;
    • diarrhea.

  • chlamydia, manifested by:

    • at the onset of the disease, the lesion is one-sided, later the second eye joins;
    • firstly mucous, then mucopurulent;
    • pronounced edema and redness of the conjunctiva;
    • narrowing of the palpebral fissure;
    • there may be a fever;
    • runny nose;
    • in severe cases, cough, pneumonia.
    • reproductive system disorders: infertility in cats, miscarriages in cats;

  • calicivirus, manifested by:

    • fever;
    • bilateral conjunctivitis;
    • mouth ulcers;
    • runny nose;
    • cough;
    • sometimes arthritis.

Photo gallery: systemic diseases of cats, manifested by lacrimation

with allergic conjunctivitis, bilateral damage is characteristic; with a prolonged course, the phenomena of dermatitis may join

chlamydia at the onset of the disease is manifested by unilateral conjunctivitis with pronounced edema of the conjunctiva - chemosis, as well as rhinitis

At the onset of infection with the calicivirus virus, there is profuse bilateral lacrimation

For what symptoms do you need an urgent visit to the veterinarian?

A doctor should be consulted if:

• persistent lacrimation - more than a day;
• a sharp foreign object is visible in the eye;
• redness and swelling of the eyelids;
• purulent nature of the discharge;
• clouding of the cornea of the eye;
• change in the color of the iris;
• loss of the third century, both on one side and bilateral;
• blepharospasm (spasm of the eye muscles with closing the eye);
• an increase in body temperature;
• the appearance of nasal discharge;
• violation of general well-being.

Video: causes of watery eyes in pets

Features of the treatment of lacrimation in pregnant cats and kittens

Treatment of lacrimation in pregnant cats and kittens begins with finding out its cause, and is carried out taking into account the restrictions that are dictated by the state of pregnancy, as well as childhood. In both kittens and pregnant cats, in the treatment of eye diseases, preference is given to herbal preparations, as well as those that do not have a systemic effect on the body. If lacrimation is caused by a general disease, then systemic antibacterial therapy is mandatory for health reasons in both pregnant cats and small kittens.

Lacrimation prevention

To prevent lacrimation in cats, carry out:

• regular monitoring of the condition of the cat's eyes;
• if necessary, help the pet in carrying out the toilet of the eyes;
• regular prevention of the appearance of external parasites and helminths;
• balanced feeding of the cat;
• regular preventive vaccination;
• avoiding hypothermia of the cat;
• timely detection and treatment of chronic diseases;
• regular preventive examinations by a veterinarian.

Expert recommendations

Lachrymation can occur in a healthy cat when conjunctival receptors are irritated by caustic substances, low temperature, wind, and also immediately after sleep. Also, lacrimation is a symptom of eye diseases, and in some cases indicates the onset of infectious diseases. If lacrimation continues for more than a day, and is also accompanied by other symptoms of trouble both from the eyes and from the whole body, the cat must be examined by a veterinarian without fail.