Cats Eyes and Serious Problems

Further to my previous post, there are other, more serious problems which your cat may suffer from.

Progressive retinal atrophy or “PRA” is a condition where the retina deteriorates over time and eventually results in blindness. Unfortunately, PRA cannot be treated, and your cat will have to adapt as his sight begins to fail. Try to make his life a little easier by not moving furniture around the home, and keep his belongings, such as his bed and feeding bowl in the same place all the time.

As cats age, or if a cat suffers from diabetes, he may develop cataracts, which is a condition where the eye becomes opaque and cloudy. If left untreated, cataracts effectively result in blindness. However, if treated early enough with surgery, your cat may still enjoy the benefit of his sight for years to come.

Glaucoma occurs when there is an excessive amount of fluid in the eye resulting in pressure upon the retina. A cat with glaucoma will suffer a certain amount of pain due to this pressure, and like cataracts, if left untreated may result in blindness. Your vet may recommend medication in the form of eye drops and/or pills, or in some cases, surgery.  

Cats Eyes and Common Problems

Cats’ eyes are incredible. Their perfect design and function allow cats to see well in the dark and enjoy nocturnal life to the full, be it hunting and chasing prey or defending their territory. 

Cats need far less light to function than we humans do – only about one sixth of what we require. They have a third eyelid which helps to protect the eye, and can also change their range of vision very quickly, to adapt to their changing circumstances.

Unfortunately, some cats suffer with eye problems, impairing their natural abilities and independence. Watch for signs of the following conditions, and if you see any such symptoms, then take your cat to see your vet (whether he wants to go to the vet or not).

A half closed eye; the third eyelid being visible or coming across the eye, or redness of the inner eyelid; tear staining or discharges; cloudiness of the eyeball. As is the nature of cats, they will get into fights, and may be on the receiving end of painful injuries. If your cat suffers a scratch across his eye he will probably keep it half closed, and it may discharge fluid. Take your cat to the vet immediately, as potentially, your cat may suffer the loss of his eye. Scratches may also cause less immediate problems such as ulcers on the eye surface.

If you notice signs of inflammation or irritation of the pink tissue around the eye, this may be a sign of conjunctivitis, perhaps as a result of an infection or an allergy. Conjunctivitis can be treated with eye drops and antibiotics from your vet.

More serious cat eye problems include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and glaucoma.

Happy Cats are Healthy Cats

Image by http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicsuzor/

Something else which makes me happy is animals, in particular, cats. In the main, cats are tactile creatures and most enjoy being stroked and caressed. In turn, cat owners enjoy contentment from spending time with their cats.

As with many pet owners, we are concerned about the health and well being of our animals. I have set out below a list of common ailments and conditions to be aware of in your feline friend, so that you can give him the best care.

Sickness and Diarrhea

Whilst not diseases in their own right, these are two symptoms which often occur together and which may be indications of something more serious. Your cat may have some sort of digestive disorder, or may simply have eaten something which disagreed with him. If symptoms persist and certainly if there is any blood in your cat’s “productions”, then take him to see the vet straight away for a professional diagnosis.

Worms

At some point, most cats get worms. These may be hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms or heartworms. Symptoms to be aware of include significant weight loss, a swollen abdomen, loss of fur or vomiting. Contact your vet for a course of worming tablets, and attempt to get your cat to swallow said tablets. If you can manage to get the medication into your cat, usually by breaking it up into his food, then his symptoms should clear up within a short period of time.

Fleas

Just as many cats come into contact with worms, likewise fleas can be a common problem. Whilst not usually life-threatening, if your pet has fleas he will probably be quite uncomfortable and will spend time scratching himself in an effort to relieve the discomfort of fleas feeding on his blood. Some cats may also suffer an allergic reaction to flea saliva, and will quite likely scratch to the point of self-harm.

Kidney Disease

As cats age, they can become more susceptible to kidney disease. It is thought that feeding your cat predominantly dry cat food may contribute to kidney disease. As such, it may be worth examining the quality and kind of food you are feeding your feline. If your cat seems to drink more water than usual, this may also be an indication of kidney disease, and should prompt a visit to the vet.

Stress

Unfortunately, stress is also common in the animal kingdom, with some cats being more prone to the condition than others. Watch your cat for signs of unusual behaviour, such as hiding under the bed, pulling out his fur or trembling, loss of appetite, and some cats which are usually quiet may begin to meow. If your usually docile pet begins to exhibit this behaviour, he may be suffering from stress and you ought to seek professional assistance from your vet in order to treat him successfully, and restore him to the calm, adoring cat you know and love.