Eye Wounds in Felines

Eye injury in felines is also known as ocular trauma, and if they are severe enough or if they are left untreated, they can contribute to permanent vision loss in the cat. There are many ways that a cat can injure its eye, and by being aware of the scope of eye injury in cats as well as the treatment, you will be ready to take action if one affects your cat.

  1. Types

    • Two different types of injury might affect a cat's eye. A penetrating injury is one that does not go through the cornea, which is the transparent cover at the front of the eye, or the sclera, which is the white of the eye. A perforating injury goes through the sclera or the cornea, and is much more severe and more likely to harm the cat's vision.

    Symptoms

    • The cat may have an eye injury if it is blinking hard or producing copious tears. It may also paw at its eye. The eye may be very reddened or the cornea may seem cloudy. In cases of severe injury, the eye may seem deformed, or the cat may appear to be in severe pain. Blood in or near the eye can also be a sign of eye injury.

    Causes

    • Many things can cause eye injury in cats. According to Pet MD, fighting with other cats often results in eye injuries because cats claw at their opponent's face. A cat running through heavy vegetation can hurt its eye, and projectiles like gunshot and fireworks can also cause eye injuries.

    Diagnosis

    • In addition to a physical examination, a veterinarian can use several methods to diagnose an eye injury in a cat. An opthalmic examination which includes staining can help isolate the wound, and a neurological examination can identify further trauma as well. Skull X-rays may reveal the extent of the damage and ultrasound is an option if the eye is too opaque to allow good visual observation.

    Treatment

    • Treatment depends on the severity and the nature of the wound. Shallow penetrating injuries may be treatable with a course of antibiotics to prevent infection and by fitting the cat with an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from irritating the eye. Severe lacerations and foreign objects that are still lodged in the eye may require surgery.