Causes Of Eye Discharge
There are a number of things that can cause your cats eye to water. Tears can overflow due to inflammation, infection, or swelling that blocks the cats tear duct. Excessive cat eye watering can be caused by allergies, a foreign body in the eye, or even the shape of the cats face.
To evaluate the causes, ask yourself this series of questions:
What If I See A Flat Or Swollen Area Of Pink Flesh In My Cats Eye
Cats have three eyelids. The third eyelid resides at the innermost corner of the eye and is normally not visible. Sometimes, it can be seen with infections or certain parasites. Other times, the eyelid may pop out of its normal position and swell due to lack of blood circulation. This is known as a cherry eye. This swelling can alter normal tear drainage, causing tears to run down the face instead. An appointment should be scheduled with your vet for treatments, but these conditions are not emergencies.
Cat Eyes Watering: Possible Causes
Like runny noses in humans, watery eyes are a common symptom of many different conditions that a cat may be suffering from. And when our furry friends are experiencing discomfort and difficult symptoms, its easy to get worried and feel overwhelmed. To get a better gauge of what your pet might be experiencing, read through the list of possible causes below.
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Is It Bad If My Cat’s Eye Is Watering
This depends on how long and what type of discharge your cat has. If it’s temporary and not associated with pain or other signs then it’s most likely nothing to worry about. If, however, you notice that your cat develops a yellow, thick discharge, seems painful, has other signs or the discharge persists then you need to make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your kitty checked out.
My Cat Has Watery Eyes Is This Normal
After a long day, looking into your sweet little kittys bright eyes can instantly put a smile on your face. But if his eyes are watery, goopy, or squinty it could be cause for concern. Recognizing common cat eye problems will help you keep your kitty healthy and happy.
Healthy eyes allow your cat to navigate his world. When illness or injury affects your cats eye, his quality of life may suffer. Luckily, many eye issues will heal on their own. Others, however, are more serious and may require eye medication. Whenever your cat is showing signs of sickness or injury its highly advised to take them in for further examination by your local veterinarian. Just like if your cat was vomiting or having an allergic reaction to his cat litter, you wouldnt wait to seek help from a professional. Understanding feline eye problems can help you determine when your cat needs to see a vet.
Here are a few of the most common causes of cat eye problems.
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Is A Cat Water Fountain Better Than A Bowl
A water fountain is harder to dump over, as it is going to be much heavier and harder for your cat to move, but as far as a better option, that is going to depend on your cat.
A lot of cats do like the consistent cycling of the water, so cats do tend to prefer the running water option that you get with a fountain, but ultimately this may vary from cat to cat.
When To See A Vet
If this is the first time your cat has watery eyes and the tearing is excessive, check in with your veterinarian to get it diagnosed. Other symptoms that require a vet visit include squinting or blinking, pawing or rubbing the eye, red or inflamed eyes, a cloudy eye, thick mucus, or a yellow- or green-colored discharge.
Your veterinarian will check your pets eyes for damage inside and out, measure the pressure inside the eye, and determine whether the flow of tears is normal. They will look for the underlying cause and work with you to relieve your cats discomfort.
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How Is Epiphora Treated
If the nasolacrimal duct is suspected of being blocked, your cat will be anesthetized and a special instrument will be inserted into the duct to flush out the contents. In some cases, the lacrimal puncta or opening may have failed to open during your cat’s development, and if this is the case, it can be surgically opened during this procedure. If chronic infections or allergies have caused the ducts to become narrowed, flushing may help widen them.
If the cause is related to another eye condition, treatment will be directed at the primary cause which may include surgery.
Types Of Cat Eye Discharge And What They Mean
Types Of Cat Eye Discharge And What They Mean. Healthy cats eyes are bright and clear. The pupils should be about the same size, with the surrounding area a pure white. Also, the eyelid should be a healthy shade of pink.
When your cat starts rubbing their eyes with paws, or against the furniture, its an indication that something is wrong. Accompanied by cats eyes watering this could be a simple cold. Or something more serious. Look at the types of cat eye discharge and what they mean here
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Should I Worry About My Cat Drinking A Lot Of Water
Cats dont usually drink very much, so they tend to keep their hydration at an absolute minimum. Theres some recent evidence to suggest that increasing their water intake might keep their kidneys healthy for longer. Remember, you can encourage your cat to drink more using running water like taps or water fountains.
If your cat suddenly starts drinking substantially more, it could indicate a health problem. Excessive thirst can vary depending on your cat’s previous behavior. So, it might mean your cat suddenly spends all their time at the water bowl.
However, for other cats, you might just see your cat drinking, where you never saw them drinking before. If you notice any change in your cats thirst, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Why Is My Cat Throwing Up White Foamy Liquid
Your cat probably has an issue with its gastrointestinal tract.
The GI tract consists of the mouth, teeth, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. If any part of the GI tract becomes inflamed or infected, your cat may throw up a foamy white substance.
If your cats vomiting up white foam, your vet may diagnose gastritis or gastroenteritis. These broadly mean that a part of your cats GI tract has become inflamed or infected.
- Gastritis This refers to an inflammation or infection of the stomach.
- Gastroenteritis This refers to an inflammation or infection of the stomach and intestines.
GI problems can be acute or chronic . This means some instances of vomiting can be cleared up quickly, whereas others may require long-term care and prevention.
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My Cat Is Drinking A Lot Of Water And Peeing Outside Their Litter Tray
If your cat is drinking more and peeing outside of the litter tray, there are a variety of health conditions that could be causing the symptoms. After all, every condition that makes your cat need to drink more will also make them need to pee more often. In addition to diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and kidney and liver problems, it could also be caused by infection or inflammation of the urinary tract.
Promote Cat Eye Health With Vetericyns Preventative Products
It can happen to even the most responsible pet parents: Youre lounging on the couch, watching your furry friend play with their favorite toy, when all of a sudden you realize, My cats eye is watering!
Luckily, most causes of cats eyes watering are common and treatable. A few days after a trip to the vet, your cat will be back to normal. But, prevention is the best medicine, and treating your cat with Vetericyns slate of antimicrobial products can protect their eyes from future irritation.
At Vetericyn, we want to help keep your pets comfortable, healthy, and happy. Thats why our products wont sting or burn, and are safe to ingest . Check out our products in-store and online to protect your cats health and wellness and keep those eyes tear-free.
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Does Your Cat Have An Allergy
If the watery eyes tend to show up at the same time each year or after using a new product, you might suspect an allergy. Cats are allergic to the same environmental contaminants that might irritate your own eyes and nose:
- Pollen
- Medicines
- Perfumes
If you suspect that your cat has an allergy, consult your vet. Your veterinarian will verify whether your cat has an allergy and recommend the best treatments.
What Can I Do To Make My Cat More Comfortable
You can make your cat more comfortable by cleaning any goopy discharge from his eyes as needed. Try to keep the face clean and dry. Donât forget to clean facial folds if your cat has them. You can pour some saline on a cotton ball to carefully wipe each eye from the inside corner to the outside. Make sure to use a fresh cotton ball to clean each eye. Avoid any over the counter washes or solutions unless your veterinarian has approved them for your pet. If you clean your catâs eyes before visiting your vet, make sure to take a photo to document the severity of the symptoms.
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Diagnosis Of Watery Eyes In Cats
Any information regarding your cats medical history and behavior that you can provide the veterinarian can aid him or her in the diagnosis. To better pinpoint the cause of your cats watery eyes, the veterinarian may also perform:
- A physical examination
- An allergy test to rule out allergies as the cause
- A fluorescein stain test to view trauma the eye that are not easily seen. This is a non-invasive test that will not cause pain to your cat. The veterinarian simply stains the eyeball and shines a blue light into the eye for viewing purposes.
- The Schirmer tear test, a test using small strips to evaluate tear levels of the eye.
- A tonometry test, performed to evaluate the intraocular pressure or fluid within the eye. This test is commonly performed to rule out or diagnose glaucoma.
- Radiographs, an MRI, or a CT to check for internal abnormalities within the skull.
- Laboratory analysis of cultured discharged from the eye.
- Cytology of the cells of the eye
What Causes Watery Cat Eyes And Do You Need To Visit A Vet
If you wake up one morning and notice that one of your cats eyes looks a little odd, you might wonder if its something that requires a veterinary visit. What does it mean if your cat has watery eyes or teary eyes, or if your cat is squinting or pawing at her eye? Weve got the scoop on how to handle watery cat eyes.
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Tear Staining In Flat Faced Breeds
Tear stained fur is a common problem in flat faced breeds such as Persians. As well as being born with flat-faces, these breeds often have large eyeballs in small eye sockets, meaning their tears cant drain away properly. If your cat has tear staining due to the shape of his/her face, there are a couple of things you can do to help keep them more comfortable:
- Keep them well-groomed. Brush the fur on your cats face regularly to keep their fur away from their eyes and prevent tears building up.
- Wipe their eyes. Wipe your cats eyes twice daily to remove any tears and crusty discharge. Cotton wool pads dipped in lukewarm water are perfect for this. Never use a wipe that isnt meant for use on a cats eyes.
You may need to wipe your cat’s eyes to keep them clear.
Why Do Cats Eyes Water Causes & Solutions
Has your cat demonstrated that he might have a difficult time seeing? Maybe he is squinting more often than usual, rubs his face on the couch, or youve spotted the watery discharge coming from his eyes.
This is a common occurrence for some cat owners, but it leaves them wondering: Why do cats eyes water?
You wont have to wonder anymore why your cats eyes are prone to tears. Check out a few of these reasons why your cat may have more watery eyes than usual.
In this article:
- Medical reasons why my cats eyes water
- Epiphora
- What to do when my cats eyes water
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Objects Stuck In Cats Eye
We start our list with the most negligible cause of cat runny eyes. There are no worrying infections here. It may just be a foreign object that happens to stay in your cats eye for a long time. Cats are curious animals. They like to explore their surroundings and bury their heads into dark places looking for food or a getaway spot. This creates many chances for foreign objects to get stuck in cats eyes.
Besides tear discharge, your cat would paw a lot at its eye, rub face on the floor or other objects and squint constantly if there is something nasty stuck there. Though this is the mildest eye problem, you have to treat it right if you want to remove the object.
The only way to do this is flushing your cats eye using a saline solution. As you flush, the foreign object should be washed out. But this is often not possible if the cat is in pain and does not let you. The use of fingers or tweezers is not recommended at all. You will most certainly cause further damage by pushing the object deeper into the eye.
A trip to the vet is a must if your cats eye gets swollen. The longer you sit on the problem, the more complications your cat will suffer from.
Reasons Why Cat Eyes Watering
Watery eyes can be a result of several factors, which include some of the following.
1. Eye Allergies
Just as with people, cats can suffer from allergies too, and allergies are often a common issue for felines. Allergies can cause eye irritation and inflammation, which in turn can result in excessive tearing and watery discharge. Common allergens include mold, household cleaning products, pollen, and dust. If you think that your cat is allergic to a certain substance, try eliminating that trigger and see if your cats condition improves. If you are unable to determine the cause of your cats watery eyes, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will be able to rule out any health issues and recommend a treatment regimen.
2. Ulcers
Ulcers and abrasions on the eye can also cause watery discharge. These conditions are diagnosed by your veterinarian. During an exam, your veterinarian can apply a stain to the eye that sticks to scratches and ulcers on the cornea of the eye. If there is an ulcer, the area will look bright green. Most often ulcers can be treated with eye drops or ointments, but if the ulcer is serious, your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist.
3. Foreign Body
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4. Feline Conjunctivitis
5. Tear-Duct Abnormalities
6. Upper Respiratory Infection
7. Calicivirus and Herpesvirus
8. Eye Infection
9. Entropion
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Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Water And White Foam
Your cat bringing up white, foamy vomit can be an alarming sight. So, its important to determine if your cat is purging its stomach constantly or occasionally. Other related symptoms are also key to an accurate diagnosis.
White foam usually occurs because the cats stomach or intestines are inflamed. Furballs, parasites, and food allergies are common causes of inflammation. Occasionally, foamy cat vomit is linked to problems with other organs, such as the pancreas, namely pancreatitis.
To prevent your cat from vomiting white fluid, improve its gastrointestinal health . Well explore why most cases of foam vomiting in cats occur, what to do, and how to support a cats GI health.
Why Are My Cat’s Eyes Watery
The moist outer layer on your cat’s eye protects it by washing away dirt and debris. If your kitty’s eyes have started to water excessively, or if your feline friend is squinting, it could be a sign that there is a more serious issue. Today, our Gaithersburg vets explain a few reasons why cats’ eyes might water.
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Why Does My Cat Spill His Water Before Drinking
Cats dont always splash water as a means of acting out. One reason that cats will do this is so that they can check the water level in the bowl. If your cat has a fairly large bowl and you notice them pawing at it on occasion, then this is most likely the case.
Watch to see if it looks like your cat is trying to completely knock it over or if they rather seem to be only splashing out a small amount. In the latter case, your cat is simply using the ripples to see what level the water is currently at and you might be able to avoid this by simply getting a smaller or less-shiny bowl.
Keep in mind, however, that theres one other option your cat might simply be playing with the shiny water!