How to Care for a Cat With a Blown Pupil

A cat that has a blown pupil or unequal pupil size is called feline amisocoria. The pupil is the circular opening in the middle of the eye that lets light pass through; it expands and contracts when light is present or absent. There are many causes for the condition, such as glaucoma, infection, hereditary defects or possibly even head injury. If your cat has a blown pupil, take your pet to the vet immediately for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

  1. Eye Drops

    • Give your cat some vet administered eye drops to clear up the feline amisocoria. Cats are often susceptible to eye infections and most can be treated with vet prescribed drops or ointment. Apply the ointment or drops under your cat̵7;s top lid to help heal the infection.

    Pain Medicine

    • Administer prescribed medicine to your cat to help reduce pain. Use a medicine dropper to give the prescribed dose on the label at the same time each day. It may be helpful to wrap your cat up in a blanket or towel so he will not be able to move during the administering process.

    Remove Discharge

    • Clean your cat̵7;s eye several times a day to remove any discharge from the infection. Dampen a soft wash cloth with warm water and gently wipe it close to your cat̵7;s eyes. Work from the inside corner of the eye to the outside. Repeat with another clean cloth if necessary.

    Trim Long Hairs

    • Keep long hairs out of your cat's eyes. Long hairs can scratch your cat's corneas and cause infection or blown-out pupils. Trim the hair around your cat's eyes and face with a pair of scissors, staying parallel to the cat's face as you snip. Trim at least once a month to keep long hairs away from your cat's eyes.

    Check on Your Cat Often

    • Watch your pet closely to make sure his condition is not getting worse. Common signs your cat may display that indicate his condition is worsening are changes in the shape of the eyelid opening, inflammation of the eye and eye color change. If you notice any of these signs in your pet or if he is not getting better after several days, see your vet.