The cat has dark discharge from the eyes. Cat has black discharge from eyes

A cat is a neat and clean animal compared to other species, so it manages to “wash itself” in a timely manner in the morning before the owner finds in the corners of its eyes the consequences of a night’s sleep in the form of small dryish crusts, the presence of which is considered normal. But the presence is notdry discharge from the animal's eyes, which are observed throughout the dayand has been going on for several days now, may be a sign of danger, s forcing you to draw attention to yourself.

E If a cat's eyes fester, what to treat? When can the procedures be done?independently, and in which cases you should contact a veterinary clinic? We'll tell you about the main reasons for outflows from cats' eyes, so our readers were able to distinguish complex pathologies from less dangerous ones, and we will also describe, how to wash your eyes correctly, How can you carry out this procedure at home?Let's take a closer look at this problem in kittens.

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Types of discharge from the eyes

IN cat owners should have a general understanding ofthe nature of eye discharge. It is on this basis that less dangerous diseases can be distinguished nia from more complex ones and say Does it have anything to do with etiology?pathogenic microflora.

Distinguish three main types discharge (exudate) from the eyes of cats:

• Serous discharge. In the icey exudate is usually transparent th, straw color, sometimes pinkish. In the vast majority of cases, serous inflammation serves as the beginning of more complex pathological reactions, and may also be associated o with availability viral infection, allergies and impact aggressive environments– cigarette smoke, chemicals and others.

• Mucous exudate. Mucoid viscous e expiration of lightcolors without significant odoroften a sign of chronic exposure to irritants, allergens, or dry eyes due to pathology of the lacrimal glands or cornea. Launched injuries can also cause mucous inflammation, which turns into a purulent form.

• Mucopurulente expiration most often p appear due to development bacterial infections. Liquid is released dark yellow to green colors with the presence of a characteristic ichorous odor.

Additional symptoms in an animal

Except about obvious Although there are signs of ocular discharge, many pathological conditions are characterized by additional symptoms, which can also be used to preliminarily assess the cause of the disorder:

• . The cat increasingly tries to scratch the eye area with its paw or rub its muzzle against surrounding objects. Itching is a classic symptom of allergies and many viral infections that develop in the eye area.

• Frequent blinking.

• Chronic mucous membranes and slimy -purulent discharge often causes the formation of dense crusts that dry to the eyelids.This condition makes it much more difficult to fully open the palpebral fissure.

• Sneezing and discharge from the nasal cavity are symptoms of the development of a viral infection. In cats it is most often viral rhinotracheitis , the main pathogen which I eat there is herpes virus type 1 and calicivirus.

• N bloodshot eyesand redness of the third eyelid is a characteristic symptom of all pathological processes in the eye area.

• Pain in the periocular tissues is often associated leads to bacterial infections and injuries.

• Puffy appearance of eyelids.

• Sensitivity to light (photophobia). Appears with the development of a pathological process on the cornea.

Among other things, with the generalization of a bacterial infectionand the development of viral diseasesthe cat may havehave a low-grade fever. ABOUT however, this phenomenon can be found in animals with severely weakened immune systems m.

Why do my cat's eyes fester?

It’s worth emphasizing right away that the presence of foreign bodies in a cat’s eye can cause characteristic discharge, or flowing as the pathological process becomes more complicated. Routinely, the causes of eye discharge in a cat can be:

• Blepharitis - inflammation of the eyelids. Etiology: bacterial infection, allergies and congenital anomalies.
• – open wound, like s, viral x, fungal x or bacterial x infections, dryness and eye, structural x anomalies and foreign bodies.

• D acriocystitis – inflammation of the lacrimal sacand mucous membrane of the tear ducts, leading to complete obstruction (pathological narrowing of the lumen) the latter. Mostprone to this pathologybrachycephalic breeds of cats, for example, Persians.

• felines or cat flu - acute respiratory infection of the upper respiratory tract with the transition of the pathological process to the eye area.
• – inflammation of the conjunctiva – mucous membrane, which covers the front eyes . P Richin conjunctivitis at there may be a variety of symptoms, including infections, allergies, foreign object, injury atism and syndrome keratoconjunctivitis a (dry eye a).
• Allergies can causeinfection and, as a rule, serousdischarge from the eyes. Common allergens for cats include pollen, whitefishrocket smoke, chemicals.
• Uveitis – inflammation of the iris(choroid) of the eye and ciliary body. The etiology includes infections, diabetes mellitus, highsome blood pressure, tumors, and also in cats are often noted idiopathic uveitis (no known reason).
• Epiphora – tear duct blockageany pathological agents.
• Trichias – incorrect growth of eyelashes towards the eyeball with the development of corresponding problems. Trichias – a rare phenomenon among cats and occurs mainly among highly purebred animals.
• Dry eye (dry keratoconjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome) – inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva because of abnormal decline in production tears.

U cat's eye is festering: What should the owner do?

In any case, progressive discharge from the eyes of the animal, noticeably passing from a simplerserous form into a more complex one mucous or slimy -purulent, require mandatory intervention by a veterinarian. The cornea and conjunctiva are extremely delicate tissues that, with prolonged exposure to a pathological agent, can succumb to the development of irreversible dystrophic degeneration. This, in turn, will lead to visual impairment in the animal.

So, if a cat has a purulent eye, there is simple algorithm of actions host:

• Pay attention to the frequency of expirations. If their presence is observed 2- 3 days , and the formation of crusts is also noticeable - it is necessary to examine the condition of the animal’s eyes in more detail.
• Visually determine the presence of injuries in the eye area and the presence of a foreign body. Perhaps these are the only conditions that the owner can “cure” at home on his own.

• If present beforeadditional allergy symptomsremember what could have changed in the environmentenvironment for the cat. Maybe, This change of food, flowering phase of indoor plants, and so on.

Perhaps this is all that a cat owner can do to independently “diagnose” the disease, the symptom of which is eye discharge. In all other cases, it is highly recommended to contact a veterinary clinic.

What to treat, e if your cat's eyes are festering

After removing a foreign object, or when a consequence is detected th In case of eye injury, the animal should be thoroughly washed by deleting all expirations , including dried crusts. Please note that this procedure should be carried out daily., right up until clinical signs completely disappear.

As a washing liquid, it can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy.cial drugs, as well asmake them yourself.How to wash a cat's eyesat home:

• A solution of table salt in distilled water. Per liter liquid dissolve half a teaspoon and salt and bring to a boil. Cool before use. Treatment is indicated for any type of expirations, with the exception of those arising from allergic etiology. In this case, no salt is added to the water.
• Strong fresh tea infusion. Only loose leaf tea should be brewed, ideally with distilled water. In addition to its excellent disinfectant properties, tea leaves, thanks to caffeine, constrict blood vessels, which reduces allergy symptoms.

When it becomes necessary to wipe your cat’s eyes with home remedies, you need to remember that the prepared washing liquid should be divided into two equal halves, where each is applied to its own eye. You also need to use separate swabs or wipes for each eye. Before removing crusts, they should be pre-soaked. Forced separation is not permitted.

In kittens, all procedures are carried out similarly to adult animals.

How to wash a cat's eyes when inflammation bacterial in nature

If there are signs of bacterial infection in any of theThese washing solutions can dissolve the dry antibiotic powder. Well suited for these purposes"B icillin-3" or "B icillin-5" at the rate of one bottle of powder per liter of water.

H eat to treat the cat's eye for injuries

Usually in this case the owner’s first thought is about iodine or brilliant green. Similar wound treatment is acceptable, howeverit should be carried out exclusively by a veterinarian, since even minimal exposure of such irritating media to the conjunctiva will cause not only suffering in the animal and danger from its adequate defense reaction, but also the development of irreversible processes.

How wash the cat's eyes Right

Beforeany manipulations should be taken care ofworry about your own safety. For this animal must o be recorded. Betterwrap the cat tightly in a towel, leaving only the head outside.Help from a second person will be very helpful.As already noted, it is not recommended to rinse both eyes from the same container, with the same tampons or napkins.

We hope that we fully respondanswered the question from our readers,how to treat and what to do if at the cat's eyes fester. In conclusion, it is worth emphasizing once again that if there are additional symptoms, it is necessary to contact a veterinary clinic in order to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment. his treatment.

Cats and dogs are the friendliest animals. Everyone loves them, both children and adults. But often living together with pets causes a lot of trouble. And this concerns their health. Often, owners notice discharge from the eyes of a dog or cat, but do not know what to do or who to run to. Whether such discharge is a pathology or not and whether it needs to be treated, we will talk now.

General information

The structure of the eyes of dogs and cats differs significantly from human eyes. But they have one thing in common - the surface of the eyeball is covered with a mucous membrane, which performs protective functions. It protects the organs of vision from dust and dirt, which can cause irritation and inflammation.

This mucous membrane is constantly moistened and this happens due to the glands that produce a special secretion. The eye has one large gland, called the lacrimal gland, and many small ones that are located along the edge of the eyelid, where the cilia grow. In cats and dogs, these glands work more actively than in humans, and therefore quite often in such animals one can observe dried crusts in the corners of the eyes, which are the same secretion. These crusts can be of different colors - yellow and brown, completely transparent, and also have a whitish color.

If the animal's eyes periodically water, but there are no extraneous symptoms, then the owners have nothing to worry about. This is considered a completely normal physiological phenomenon that does not require special treatment.

But if a cat or dog begins to ooze pus from its eyes or the animal blinks frequently, its eyelids swell or its eyes itch, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. The appearance of such symptoms indicates the development of various diseases, the untreated of which can lead to deterioration or complete loss of vision. And since dogs and cats are different animals, we will consider the causes of discharge from their eyes separately.

As practice shows, pathological secretions from the eyes are observed in dogs much more often than in cats. And the reason for this is the love of cleanliness inherent in cats. But even if the owners carefully monitor the dog’s hygiene, they may also encounter this problem. This is especially true for purebred dogs. They quite often have allergic reactions to various irritants, for example, pollen or shampoos with which they are bathed.

Allergies in animals manifest themselves in the same way as in humans - redness of the eyes, increased tearing, sneezing and itching. In this case, it is imperative to identify what exactly caused such a reaction in the dog, and only then treat it.

However, it is not recommended to do this yourself, since, for example, a Yorkie or a pug may have an allergic reaction to the drugs used, which will only worsen the dog’s condition. Therefore, it is best to take him to the vet immediately. As a rule, when a Yorkie or any other breed of dog appears, antihistamine eye drops are used. They must be used strictly according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor.

The appearance of purulent discharge in a dog indicates the development of a disease such as conjunctivitis. Its main symptoms are:

• Frequent blinking.
• Redness of the eyeball.
• Swelling of the eyelids.
• Frequent rubbing of eyes with paws.
• Clumping of eyelashes.

At the same time, the dog's behavior changes greatly. Since the disease causes discomfort that the animal cannot talk about, it becomes irritable and aggressive or, conversely, constantly sleeps and refuses to eat.

It should be noted that conjunctivitis in dogs can have a different nature of origin - bacterial, viral and allergic. Therefore, its treatment should also occur only after examination by a veterinarian. Antibacterial eye drops are most often used as therapy, but antiviral or antihistamine drugs can also be prescribed.

A Yorkie or any other purebred dog may have a disease called epiphora. This condition is characterized by excessive tearing and the appearance of crusts near the eyes. The cause of the development of this disease can be various factors (inflammatory processes, ulcerative lesions, tumors, etc.), on which, in fact, the treatment of epiphora depends.

In case of purulent vaginal secretion, it is also necessary to conduct an examination of the cornea. The thing is that its inflammation is also accompanied by a similar symptom. Inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) in dogs often occurs due to head or eye trauma, as well as unsuccessful surgical interventions in which the tear duct was damaged.

It is very important to promptly determine the cause of the development of keratitis and begin its treatment, otherwise the animal may become completely blind. Therapy for this disease consists of washing the eyes with aseptic solutions, using eye drops and antimicrobial drugs. In the event that a pet’s keratitis is a consequence of the development of autoimmune pathologies, then special immunosuppressants for dogs are used.

Features of dog treatment

Speaking about methods of treating discharge, it should be noted that self-medication in this case is simply unacceptable. As soon as yellow or brown liquid begins to leak from the animal’s eyes, it should be immediately shown to a veterinarian. And if you can’t get to him quickly and an appointment is possible only after a few days, then at this time you can resort to certain actions that can alleviate the dog’s condition when he develops ophthalmological diseases. These include:

1. Tetracycline ointment and antiseptic solutions. They can be used to treat the organs of vision if there are clear signs of inflammatory processes.
2. When there are no special eye drops at hand, you can use aseptic solutions (for example, Miramistin) or strong black tea to treat the eye. Remember that you need to take separate gauze pads or cotton pads to treat each eye. If you wipe both eyes with the same napkin, this will lead to the transfer of infection from one organ of vision to another.
3. Both eyes need to be treated at once, even if the other one seems healthy.
4. Protect your pet from strong winds, dust and dirt.

All these measures will help avoid further progression of the disease in the dog. But this does not mean that he does not need to be taken to the veterinarian. Remember, only he will be able to determine the exact reason why the dog’s eyes are watery and prescribe treatment that will quickly and effectively deal with this problem.

Cats are clean animals that constantly “wash themselves” and take care of their fur. But even they sometimes have health problems, in which many owners notice their watery eyes.

There are also a lot of reasons for the appearance of discharge in a kitten or adult cat. They are also susceptible to conjunctivitis and keratitis. The symptoms and treatment of these diseases occur in the same way as in dogs, so we will not describe them.

Speaking about why a cat’s eyes are running, it should be said that these representatives of the animal world are characterized by such pathologies as:

1. Dacryocystitis. It is characterized by inflammation of the lacrimal sac, as a result of which the lumen of the tear ducts narrows. As it develops, the discharge from the eye acquires a yellowish or brownish tint.
2. Rhinotracheitis (cat flu). It is a disease in which an infection of the upper respiratory tract occurs. Brown discharge is a complication in this case.
3. Allergy. When it develops, the cat may experience serous discharge, swelling of the eyelids, etc. The main factors that provoke allergies in cats are cigarette smoke, chemicals, dust and pollen.
4. Uveitis. It is characterized by inflammation of the iris and often develops against the background of diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. With the development of uveitis, brown discharge is mainly observed, which dries out, forming dark crusts in the corners of the organs of vision.
5. Trichiasis. Another pathology that may be accompanied by discharge in a cat. It is characterized by abnormal growth of eyelashes towards the eyeball. The cilia irritate it, causing inflammatory processes on the mucous membranes, which causes this symptom to appear.
6. Dry eye. This condition is also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca and dry eye syndrome. As this disease develops, there is an abnormal decrease in tear production, which causes inflammation and irritation of the cornea and conjunctiva.
7. Tumor. Oncological diseases are also typical for animals and can affect various organs, including the eyes. As they develop, they experience red discharge from their eyes, sometimes dark brown.

Features of treatment

If you notice that your cat's eye is running, it is advisable to take her to the vet immediately. If this is not possible, then you can also help your pet with simple measures. For example, festering eyes can be washed with saline solution. It is prepared like this: take 1 liter of water, dilute with ½ tsp. table salt, after which the solution is boiled and cooled to room temperature. It is recommended to wash the eyes of kittens and adult cats every 2 hours.

Important! If the discharge appears due to allergic reactions, you cannot use a saline solution. It is also not recommended to use it if the animal experiences bleeding from the eyes, as it occurs either due to injuries or tumors. And in both cases, a saline solution can only do harm.

In addition to saline, you can also use aseptic solutions, strong tea, chamomile decoction or string. However, if the treatment does not give positive results within several days, the animal must be shown to a veterinarian. He may need special treatment, which will include the use of antibacterial or anti-inflammatory drugs.

A small amount of clear discharge is normal, but if a cat has brown discharge from the eyes, then this is an alarming signal that may indicate the development of some pathology. If dark discharge appears from a cat’s eyes and does not go away for several days, you should carefully observe the animal’s behavior, evaluate possible provoking factors, and seek help from a specialist.

A cat's vision is much sharper than a human's. It helps her navigate space, hunt, quickly get acquainted with new surroundings and see in the dark.

It is normal for cats to secrete a small amount of clear fluid from their eyes. The discharge is odorless and almost colorless. Its quantity is quite scanty and has a semi-liquid consistency. It helps to cleanse the organs of vision from dust, foreign bodies (crumbs, tiny debris) and other contaminants.

In some cases, increased fluid separation is characteristic of certain breeds. For example, this is typical for Persian cats, in which the normal functioning of the nasolacrimal duct is genetically impaired.

It is also common for your pet to experience excessive tearing after sleep. The result may be an accumulation of so-called “sour marks” in the corners of the eyes, which the cat will remove on its own during hygiene procedures.

Causes

When a cat develops dark purulent discharge from the eyes, this indicates the development of some disease. Pathology can affect various organs and systems, and manifest itself with a similar symptom. Thus, dark discharge is a consequence of disruption of the body.

The most common causes of non-infectious discharge from the eye in a cat are:

• head or eye injuries;
• a foreign body caught on the cornea or in the lacrimal canal;
• allergy;
• pathologically narrow lumens of the lacrimal canals, which impedes the normal flow of fluid through them;
• dacryocystitis (obstruction of the lacrimal duct caused by congenital anomalies or an inflammatory process);
• congenital disorder of eyelash growth, which causes constant irritation of the cornea;
• benign and malignant neoplasms that mechanically affect the tear ducts, squeezing their lumen.

Dark and even black discharge from a cat’s eyes can occur as a result of infectious diseases:

• conjunctivitis;
• keratoconjunctivitis;
• blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids);
• uveitis (inflammation of the membrane of the eyeball);
• iridocyclitis (impaired functioning of the eye vessels);
• viral diseases.

In addition, dark discharge may appear as a result of glaucoma, which developed after a long-term inflammatory disease, surgery or degenerative disease of the visual organs.

Important! Glaucoma is a very dangerous condition that can lead to the removal of the entire eyeball.

Symptoms of pathology

The nature of the discharge will help determine which disorder contributed to the appearance of the pathological discharge:

• purulent exudate of light brown, yellow or greenish color may indicate bacterial conjunctivitis, keratitis, viral infection and various eye diseases of bacterial origin;
• thick, cloudy mucus: various viral diseases (no discharge of pus is observed);
• milky exudate: cat flu;
• brown discharge: the most common cause is epiphora, which develops as a result of obstruction of the lacrimal ducts (accompanied by dermatitis, hair loss in the eye sockets, itching);
• profuse lacrimation, accompanied by reddening of the whites, frequent blinking, photophobia: allergic reaction, penetration of a foreign body, trauma;
• red liquid: usually this also means brown discharge, but it has a reddish tint in animals of light or white color;
• clear, watery, odorless liquid: normal if lacrimation goes away after a short period of time.

Important! Additional signs of an infectious disease in an animal will be loss of appetite, lethargy, and a dry nose.

Treatment

If your pet shows signs of pathology, the best option is to take it to the veterinarian. However, this is not always possible, so you can do your own rinsing at home.

The procedure is carried out using an antiseptic solution that does not contain alcohol. This can be a decoction of chamomile or oak bark, or a solution of furatsilin. To perform the manipulation as efficiently and safely as possible, you should adhere to the recommendations presented below:

1. Before and after the procedure, you must treat your hands with an antiseptic.
2. It is better to carry out the manipulation together to securely fix the pet so that it does not harm either itself or the person.
3. The eyes should be treated with gauze or a cosmetic swab that does not leave lint.
4. The rinsing solution should be warm and weak.
5. If the animal's eyelids or eyelashes are stuck together, you can briefly apply a well-moistened swab to this area.
6. Treatment is carried out in the direction from the bridge of the nose to the outer corners.
7. Along with the eyes, it is necessary to wipe the cheeks, nose and eyebrows.

How to wash your cat's eyes: video

Important! You should not delay home treatment if dark or black discharge does not go away after 1-2 days. A progressive disease can lead to blindness of the pet.

To treat pathological discharge, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment to eliminate the very cause of this phenomenon. It may be necessary to carry out diagnostics, including scraping from the cornea, a blood test and more complex examination methods (PCR reaction, ELISA, X-ray, etc.).

Depending on the pathology, the doctor will prescribe medications and give recommendations for their use. These can be antimicrobial, antibacterial agents that are applied topically, orally or by injection. Obstruction of the nasolacrimal ducts, entropion of the eyelids, and tumor growths are eliminated surgically.

Prevention

Normally, the animal takes care of its own hygiene. However, if, due to individual characteristics, the pet cannot clean the eye area, then it is recommended to use special lotions that prevent the development of infection.

To protect your cat from pathological discharge, it is enough to follow measures to maintain his general health:

• provide high-quality balanced nutrition;
• get immunized on time;
• keep active;
• protect from contact with sick animals.

Cats are one of the most beautiful and most cunning animals. It was not a person who chose a cat as a friend and lodger, but a cat who chose him as a source of warmth, affection and, of course, food. In this way, this cute predator made its life easier and ensured its existence for many years. Cats even meow purely for the sake of us, people, because they know how their pitiful “meow” affects a person. We understand this perfectly well, but it’s so hard to be angry with a gentle fluffy ball for such little things. Moreover, the health of a pet is on the owner’s priority list. Is this why we get so worried when we notice unusual discharge from the eyes of cats, even if the animal itself is not worried about it at all? Isn’t this the reason that makes us google the query, what is the reason for such discharges and what should be done when they appear?

Causes of eye discharge in cats

A domestic cat doesn’t just live next to a person. In a short time, an animal brought into the house literally becomes a member of the family. He is fed, surrounded with love, affection and care in almost the same way as a small child. Any changes in the behavior, well-being or appearance of a kitten or adult cat cause concern among the owners.

We are accustomed to the fact that a cat’s nose should be wet and her eyes dry (it’s not for nothing that the saying “the cat cried”) appeared. And as soon as we see the opposite situation, we immediately begin to worry. A hot, dry nose in a cat that has long since woken up usually indicates the animal’s ill health, an increase in temperature, and intoxication. What do wet eyes mean in this case, and is it worth worrying about?

Many people believe that a healthy cat cannot have discharge from the eyes, because animals do not tend to cry. In fact, the animal's eye is washed with tears, preventing the cornea from drying out, just like a human eye. The liquid that washes the eye is drained through the lacrimal canal into the nasal passages, so no traces of it remain on the outside.

But under the influence of irritating factors such as dust, smoke, pungent odor, pungent taste and even bright light. The number of tears may increase, and we will see moist eyes and wet streaks under them. Usually, after the effect of the irritant stops, the functioning of the lacrimal glands normalizes and the discharge stops.

But a foreign object can also serve as an irritant to the eye. After its removal, lacrimation stops quite quickly, especially if the cornea has not been injured. Otherwise, watering from the injured eye may continue for several hours or days until the ulcer or scratch on the cornea heals.

The irritant can also be your own eyelid, eyelash or its rudiment. Lacrimation in an animal (epiphora) can be caused by:

• inversion or inversion of the eyelid,
• improper eyelash growth (if it is turned inward, it can constantly scratch the eye),
• a congenital defect, when a cat has not one, but two rows of eyelashes,
• incorrect location of the hair follicle in the conjunctiva.

In some cases, the cat owner may notice wet eyes and fur around them in animals that have just woken up. This phenomenon is usually noted after sleep in the Persian breed.

The flat muzzle and snub-nosed, flattened nose that we admire so much create some problems for the animal, disrupting the outflow of tear fluid due to the narrowing of the lacrimal openings, which are the entrance to the lacrimal canaliculi. These animals also have a strong adherence to the eyeball of the lower eyelid, which can often turn inward, creating additional irritation for the eyes.

For all these reasons, you can often see wet eyes in a Persian cat, which is not at all a pathology. Rather, this is a feature of the breed.

What is considered normal for a Persian cat may be pathological for other breeds. What congenital or acquired pathologies can cause increased lacrimation:

• reduction in the lumen of the lacrimal canals due to the inflammatory process, blockage of them with purulent discharge,
• congenital stenosis of the lacrimal openings or narrow lacrimal canaliculi, unable to remove all the accumulated fluid into the nasal cavity (in isolated cases, at the birth of a kitten, lacrimal openings may be absent altogether),
• entry of small foreign particles into the lumen of the lacrimal canaliculi, resulting in blockage of the lacrimal ducts,
• compression of lacrimal canaliculi by tumor formations,
• eye injuries resulting in disruption of the lacrimal drainage system,
• reaction to an allergen (yes, animals can also be allergic to certain substances, and if the allergen is not removed, lacrimation will torment the animal regularly),
• poor hygiene.

Regarding the last point, you need to understand that animals are not able to properly wash their eyes on their own when a viscous secretion, consisting of a small amount of tear fluid and dust particles settled on it, accumulates in the corners of the eyes. This composition can cause blockage of the tear ducts and cause inflammatory pathologies.

In small kittens, lacrimation is caused by an insufficiently developed immune system. If they are near the mother in the early period, she monitors the hygiene of the baby’s eyes and regularly licks them. If such a baby is taken from its mother, the owner will have to monitor the hygiene of its eyes.

In adult cats, risk factors are considered: irritation of the mucous membrane, defects in the structure and functioning of the eyelids, conjunctiva, lacrimal ducts, eye injuries, as well as inflammatory and infectious-inflammatory diseases of the eyes, which are no less common in animals than in humans.

Before sounding the alarm, you need to observe what the nature of the discharge is and how long it lasts. If the discharge is colorless (transparent) and the lacrimation does not last long, there is no cause for concern.

Symptoms of eye discharge in cats

An animal is not a person, and cannot tell its owner in detail about its well-being. A cat, like a small child who cannot speak, will show anxiety, meow pitifully, perhaps scratch its eye with its claws, or not react to the problem at all, depending on its feelings, about which we know nothing. It is these moments that the cat owner should pay attention to.

What else should attract the attention of a caring owner is the volume and nature of discharge from the eyes of cats. If the inner corners of the eyes are slightly moist, the discharge is transparent and liquid (semi-liquid), and the animal does not show concern about this, then the person has no reason to worry. These are normal physiological secretions caused by the need to moisturize the eyes and cleanse them of dust and other irritants that cause tearing.

Most often, owners notice brown stripes on the animal’s fur under the eyes where tears flow. This is usually very noticeable on animals that are white or simply light in color. In a dark-colored cat, this eye discharge will appear black.

But brown discharge from the eyes of cats can also be non-pathological. In this case, they are most likely associated with improper feeding. Natural luxury and premium cat food usually does not cause the appearance of pigment in the tear fluid, which cannot be said about budget food and dishes from the owner’s table that are not entirely suitable for the animal. Improper nutrition, when a cat is given food that is unsuitable for it, causes digestive and metabolic disorders, the body's microflora suffers, and problems with stool and urination appear. And it would not be surprising if other physiological secretions also change their appearance.

The situation becomes even more complicated if you mix 2 types of feed. Many owners like to add inexpensive dry food to homemade soup, which the cat eats without much pleasure, not realizing that special animal food and food from our table are incompatible. Now the plate will be empty, but cat tears can change color to brown, and even red due to metabolic disorders. So if a cat has red discharge from the eyes, the cause is not necessarily an injury with bleeding, which sometimes happens after cat fights. There is a high probability that the discharge was colored due to the influence of food. On white fur, brown discharge may appear pink or red.

Purulent discharge from the eyes of a cat indicates a bacterial disease (conjunctivitis, blepharitis, etc.) and cannot but disturb the owner. Quite often, initially, a clear, colorless or slightly brown liquid flows abundantly from the animal’s eyes, indicating a violation of the outflow of tears, but subsequently the discharge changes color to yellowish or greenish, becomes cloudy and thicker. This indicates the addition of an infection. That is, initially the inflammation could have been non-infectious in nature, as in the case of dacryocystitis, but due to stagnation in the secretions accumulating in the cavity of the lacrimal tubules, pathogenic microflora began to multiply, which caused a complication of the disease.

White discharge from the eyes of cats is not such a common occurrence, which, of course, will raise a lot of questions. But here the choice of options is not so great. With such discharge, doctors usually suspect cat flu. With a viral infection, discharge from a cat's eyes may be clear or cloudy with a whitish tint. In this case, you need to pay attention to other symptoms, such as:

• loss of appetite or complete refusal to eat,
• weight loss,
• lethargy, drowsiness, lack of response to toys in a previously active and inquisitive cat,
• change in breathing pattern,
• the appearance of nasal discharge,
• the presence of a rash on the oral mucosa,
• Excessive salivation for no reason.

For example, a viral disease in animals, such as calcivirosis, occurs with a decrease in activity and appetite in the animal, intense transparent discharge from the eyes and nose, the appearance of small red ulcers in the mouth, salivation, heavy breathing, and sneezing.

Discharge from the eyes and nose in cats can also be caused by simple sinusitis, just like in humans. Moreover, depending on the nature of the disease, the discharge will be transparent mucous (viral) or purulent (bacterial). Although often one does not exclude the other. A common characteristic symptom in this case will be sneezing due to irritation of the nasal mucosa. But you need to understand that such a symptom, along with lacrimation and runny nose, can also be caused by allergens.

As you can see, it is quite difficult for a non-specialist to independently determine the cause of discharge from the eyes of cats. Moreover, even an experienced veterinarian cannot always immediately say what is causing the animal’s lacrimation. During an online consultation, even with a detailed description of all the symptoms, veterinarians do not undertake to make a diagnosis, but only make certain assumptions and insist on a face-to-face consultation and examination of the animal. Do we, lay people, have the right to diagnose an animal at random, treat it at our own discretion and expose it to the risk of all sorts of complications?

Complications and consequences

Some owners, based on the claim that cat saliva has unique healing (antiviral and antibacterial) properties, are in no hurry to take serious steps. They hope that by licking its paw and rubbing its eyes, the animal will be able to heal itself, just as it heals scratches on the body and limbs. But we could just as easily lick our wounds ourselves without resorting to drug treatment.

The point is not at all in the composition of the animal’s saliva, but in its quantity and quality of treatment of the diseased eye. A mother cat is quite capable of curing conjunctivitis in her baby by regularly licking his eyes. In principle, this procedure is similar to washing the eyes with antiseptics. And the furry mother carries it out several times a day, while simultaneously strengthening the kitten’s immunity with mother’s milk. The kitten itself is not able to take care of itself, and if the baby is not treated, there is a risk that he will lose his sight. But very often such kittens simply die.

One should not think that an adult cat, who so carefully monitors the hygiene of its fur, face, paws and private parts, will be able to help itself in case of illness. The saliva on the paw will not be enough to thoroughly wash the eyes, and the cat will not be able to thoroughly clean the discharge in the very corners of the eye. By the way, in case of a viral pathology, licking the eyes will not contribute to their rapid cure, because viral particles are also contained in the animal’s saliva.

Moreover, if the disease causes pain or itching, an agitated animal may even harm itself by scratching the sore spot with its claws. This is fraught with eye injury and infection, causing a complicated course of the inflammatory process and the appearance of purulent discharge from the eyes of cats.

You can’t ignore heavy discharge from your cat’s eyes, but you also don’t need to self-medicate. Acting at random, without knowing the cause of the disease, is the same as wandering in the dark until you break your forehead. It’s good if the problem turns out to be not serious and washing with antiseptics will solve the problem. But there is a danger of making things worse if you wash your eyes incorrectly or use the wrong medications. In this case, cure does not occur, and the inflammatory process is delayed, and sometimes even spreads to nearby areas of the eye (for example, from the mucous membrane of the eyelids to the cornea and further in depth).

In most cases, inflammatory eye disease that is not cured in time is complicated by the addition of a bacterial infection that requires treatment with antibiotics. Otherwise, there is a risk of infection spreading inside the body and damaging internal organs in the same way as in humans.

In addition, long-term inflammation in the eye area is fraught with a decrease in the function of the organ of vision. The same cataracts and glaucoma can become consequences of inflammatory processes, both in humans and in animals. And don’t think that if a cat has sensitive whiskers, then vision means little to him.

Diagnosis of eye discharge in cats

After we have understood the dangers of self-diagnosis and self-medication, it’s time to figure out how diagnostics are carried out by specialists from veterinary clinics, who should be contacted in case of an animal’s illness. But increased lacrimation is a symptom of one of the diseases of the eyes or even the whole body. But even an experienced veterinarian is not so easy to understand the causes of discharge from an animal’s eyes without the help of the cat owner.

The owner is the first to notice suspicious discharge from the cat’s eyes. And how quickly and accurately the diagnosis will be made largely depends on his attentiveness. After all, the animal is unable to talk about its grief and feelings. In addition, communication with a veterinarian represents a certain mental trauma for him, so the animal’s behavior will in no way contribute to facilitating the diagnosis.

The first thing a veterinarian will want to know when examining an animal is how long ago the discharge appeared, what preceded it, what character and color the “tears” were initially, and whether the animal’s behavior changed after the discharge appeared. Also, the doctor will definitely want to clarify how the animal eats and what foods are present in its diet, whether its appetite is good and whether it has changed recently.

• examination of the cat's organ of vision using a head-mounted microscope,

• taking tests and smears for bacterial culture (if infection is suspected),
• ultrasound diagnostics (if infections, oncological pathologies, eye damage, cataracts are suspected),
• radiography of the eye (if a foreign body is suspected in the eye or lacrimal duct, eye injury, tumor processes),
• measurement of intraocular pressure (if glaucoma is suspected),
• test for patency of lacrimal canaliculi with fluorescein and other studies

What kind of tests and studies will be prescribed for the animal is decided by the doctor who carries out diagnostic measures. It all depends on the expected diagnosis and the equipment of the veterinary clinic.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis plays a very important role in examining a furry patient. If the appearance of discharge was preceded by an eye injury, which the cat’s owner reports, everything is more or less clear here, and all that remains is to figure out the location of the damage (for example, a scratch can be on the eyelid, in the area of ​​the conjunctival sac, or on the cornea) and its depth. In this case, for some time after the incident, the cat may experience pink discharge from the eyes due to blood.

But the color of the discharge in this case is not an indicator, and if there was no injury, then the cause may be non-infectious inflammation, mixing of food from different brands and categories, and allergies. And sometimes even a bacterial infection manifests itself this way. One should not exclude the possibility of a foreign body entering the eye or the lumen of the lacrimal canaliculus, which causes severe irritation and minor hemorrhages, which affect the color of the secretion released from the eyes.

If all the symptoms, and in particular purulent discharge from the eyes of cats, indicate a bacterial infection, it is important not only to verify its fact, but also to identify the causative agent of the disease in order to prescribe effective antibacterial drugs.

The situation is not easy with transparent, colorless or brown discharge from the eyes. Even if this symptom is accompanied by redness of the eyes, nasal discharge, sneezing, decreased activity and appetite in the animal, it is impossible without special research and information about the circumstances of the onset of the disease to say what we are dealing with: a viral infection or a simple allergy. But this question needs to be clarified, because the treatment in both cases will be different.

In this situation, it is worth paying attention to the nature of the discharge. Liquid discharge in the form of tears is more characteristic of allergies, and with a viral infection it becomes more viscous, similar to mucus

What other diseases may be accompanied by clear or brown discharge from the eyes and require careful examination by a doctor:

• damage to eye tissue by foreign particles entering it,

• inversion of the eyelids with subsequent irritation of the eye tissues,
• trichiasis, which is characterized by an atypical location of hair follicles in the eyelash growth area,
• catarrhal conjunctivitis or non-infectious inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye (with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis, the discharge looks like yellowish or greenish thick mucus).
• uevitis, characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels of the eye,
• keratitis, or inflammation of the stratum corneum of the organ of vision,
• iridocyclitis, when inflammation spreads to the iris of the eye.

If the disease is practically asymptomatic, and only discharge from the animal’s eyes indicates it, it is time to suspect a violation of the outflow of tears. But again, it may have several reasons, which will need to be sorted out with the help of instrumental studies. Sometimes the cause of the disorder can be an inflammatory process, which can be controlled with medications, and in other cases a defect is detected that can only be eliminated surgically.

An alarming factor for suspected oncology can be a sharp decrease in the animal’s weight against the background of preserved or slightly reduced appetite. If there is a disturbance in the outflow of tear fluid, there is a high probability of detecting a tumor in the area of ​​the lacrimal canaliculi.

The localization of the affected area also provides some clues during diagnosis. If one eye is watering, then most likely we are dealing with injury, foreign body entry, or bacterial inflammation (although there is a risk of it spreading to the other eye). With viral diseases, both eyes most often become watery, as well as with allergies, irritation from smoke or a strong odor.

As you can see, diagnosing discharge from the eyes of a cat is quite a troublesome task, but it depends on the correctness of the diagnosis whether the prescribed treatment will be effective or will turn out to be useless and even dangerous.

Treatment of eye discharge in cats

Treatment of eye discharge in cats should be based on the diagnosis. The goal of any treatment is to eliminate the cause of a suspicious symptom, regardless of how dangerous it is. After all, the same allergy, a foreign body in the eye or defects in the structure of the lacrimal drainage system bring anxiety to the animal and prevent it from living a happy life.

In addition, where moisture accumulates, dust and dirt settle, microbes quickly accumulate and multiply, which can be carried inside the eye with their paws, causing inflammation. For this reason, you should not refuse an operation that will help relieve eye irritation caused by the entry of a foreign body into the lumen of the lacrimal ducts or improper growth of eyelashes, or will restore the function of lacrimal openings and canaliculi, even if excessive lacrimation does not bother the pet.

If we are talking about the influence of allergens, dust microparticles that have entered the animal’s eye, then the only effective way to combat them is eye washing. Doctors recommend using purified or boiled water, saline solution, herbal infusions, and tea leaves as a rinsing liquid. As for medicinal herbs, it is better to brew chamomile, because it has a good anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect, which is necessary for irritation.

As an antiseptic, you can use solutions of furatsilin, potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), and boric acid. For half a glass of water you need to take 1 tsp. with a pile of boric acid powder or 1 tablet of furatsilin. As for potassium permanganate, special care is needed with it. The solution should be light pink in color with no grains floating in it. Manganese solution can be used only after the powder has completely dissolved.

Do not use cold or too hot liquid. Ideally, the rinse solution should be warm. For the procedure, it would be good to stock up on cotton pads or prepare thick cotton swabs, but you should not touch the animal’s eyes with dry cotton wool, so as not to damage the eye cells due to sticking. Although cotton swabs seem more convenient, they can easily injure the eye of a twitching animal, so using them to treat the eyes is not recommended.

Since we are talking about washing the eyes to remove an irritant and possible infection, we don’t just wipe the animal’s eyes, but squeeze liquid from a moistened swab onto the eyeball and give it the opportunity to wash the cornea, the area behind the eyelids, and the conjunctiva. If we are not talking about a serious pathology, this will be enough.

If the discharge is thick and sticky or there is discharge of pus from the eyes, we carry out slightly different medical and hygienic procedures using antiseptics and anti-inflammatory solutions. If the eyelashes are stuck together, use a cotton swab soaked in the solution to easily wipe the cat’s eye without pressure along the eyelash growth line, starting from the nose several times until the sticky crust is removed, then rinse the eye completely.

If not only the eyelashes are stuck together, but also the eyelids, which happens with blepharitis or severe souring of the eyes, there is no need to try to forcibly open the animal’s eyes. You need to drop a warm antiseptic solution on the closed eye or hold a moistened cotton swab on the eye so that the dried discharge becomes sour and the cat can open the eye on its own. After this, we wipe and rinse the eye from mucus and pus.

When wiping a cat’s eyes, we try to use a separate swab for each eye, or it is better to prepare several swabs for each eye to avoid the spread of infection to healthy tissue.

You need to understand that the washing procedure, like other medical procedures, is unlikely to please your pet. In addition, many cats do not love water and are afraid of even the simplest water procedures. You can explain your good intentions to your furry pet for an endlessly long time, but he still won’t sit at attention during washing; he will have to be held tightly by the paws or even swaddled so that the animal does not injure itself and others.

If the animal is calm, there is a chance to cope on your own. Otherwise, it is better to call on other family members for help or carry out manipulations in a veterinary clinic.

It is not difficult to guess that in case of an eye infection, wiping and washing are not the main procedures and do not provide a complete cure for the cat. They are carried out to prepare the diseased eye for the administration of the medicine. These can be anti-inflammatory, regenerating and antibacterial ointments and solutions in the form of drops, which are prescribed by a veterinarian after examining the microflora. In severe cases, if the infection has gone inside the body, systemic treatment may be prescribed: oral medications and antibiotic injections.

Some tips for using external products:

• It is most convenient to instill drops into the pet’s eye using a pipette, lifting the cat’s head up and aiming at the eyeball.
• The slightly warmed ointment is placed behind the lower eyelid. To make it spread better, you can lightly massage the animal’s eyelids, but do not put your fingers into the eye.
• Even if the animal understands that you wish it well and are trying to treat it, it will be difficult for it to control itself and patiently endure the torment. Therefore, it is also better to carry out any medical procedures together, so that one person holds the animal, and the second treats it.

Another important point is maintaining personal hygiene. Procedures must be carried out with cleanly washed hands. But at the same time, you should try not to touch the animal’s inflamed eye with your bare hand. You should also not touch your face and eyes at this time, because infectious diseases are very contagious and can easily spread to humans. At the end of the treatment procedures, you need to wash your hands with soap and wipe with an antiseptic.

If a cat’s eye is watering due to an insect or other small, but not sharp particle that has gotten under the eyelid, the cat’s owner can remove it using a rolled-up cotton pad and antiseptic solutions. This must be done carefully so as not to harm the animal. If the owner is not confident in his abilities or the removal of the foreign body does not bring relief to the animal (the eye continues to water, turns red, hurts and the animal is worried), it is necessary to seek help from a doctor.

Prevention

The eyes are an organ that allows animals and people to navigate well in space. A person knows how important it is to take care of his organ of vision, but he is not able to convey this knowledge to an animal. Cats, on an instinctive level, also try to avoid damaging their eyes, but they are predators, and the excitement of the hunt sometimes leaves no room for caution. We cannot fight this, but we can try to prevent many eye diseases in cats.

For example, washing the eyes can be considered not only a therapeutic, but also a preventive procedure that helps cleanse the mucous membranes of dust and allergens and prevents the proliferation of bacterial or viral infections. This procedure is especially important for breeds with flattened faces that have problems with the outflow of tear fluid. For example, handsome Persians, who, due to the characteristics of the breed, really like to “cry,” need to wipe their eyes regularly as a morning wash. In the mornings, they experience the most active lacrimation.

If your cat’s eyes are slightly sour or brown hard crusts are stuck to the fur in the corners of the eyes, it is imperative to wipe the corners of the eyes and the areas under them with a cotton swab dipped in antiseptic as a preventive measure. There is no need to try to remove unsightly brown streaks under the eyes using improvised means. For these purposes, veterinary pharmacies provide a special lotion (for example, a product called “Beaphar Sensitiv”).

You need to understand that not all drugs used to treat people are suitable for animals. Before using medication to treat your pet, you should consult your veterinarian. Specialized pharmacies and veterinary clinics have many medications designed specifically for our little brothers. These are the drugs you should give preference to, since you have taken on the responsibility of caring for and loving the animal. We don’t buy veterinary drugs for ourselves.

To help prevent many dangerous diseases in animals, including some eye diseases, not only hygiene procedures help, but also vaccination, which must be carried out at the appointed time, especially if the cat walks on the street or comes into contact with stray animals. But even domestic animals to the core are not 100% protected from various infections and viruses that we, the owners, can easily carry from the street on clothes or shoes. This suggests that vaccinations should be given to all animals, regardless of their habitat.

Maintaining cleanliness in the house and hygiene of the organ of vision will help to avoid allergies and dust getting into the eyes of animals and people. Humidifying the air in the room will also provide a good service, which will be beneficial for both the respiratory system and the eyes.

Forecast

Speaking about the prognosis of diseases in which increased lacrimation is observed, it must be said that timely and competent treatment (medical and surgical) restores normal fluid outflow, relieves inflammation, and stops the spread of bacterial infection. Unless we are talking about a severe eye injury or advanced purulent inflammation, in almost all cases it is possible to save the cat not only the eyes, but also the vision.

The worst prognosis is for deep wounds of the eyeball, advanced forms of inflammatory diseases, especially of a bacterial nature, as well as self-medication without identifying the causes. This may seem strange to some, but the owner’s attitude towards the pet’s illness also influences the speed of the animal’s recovery. If a sick cat causes hostility and disgust in its owner, it feels it and experiences the same psychological trauma as a child rejected by its parents. It is clear that the treatment of such an animal can take a long time.

If there is more than one fluffy living in the house (may the sphinxes forgive us for throwing a pebble into their garden, but this also applies to them, like any other cats), the sick animal must be isolated from the rest. This helps prevent infection of other pets in the event of an infectious nature of the disease and protect the sick cat from obsessive caresses, excessive care or dangerous games of other apartment residents, which only aggravate the suffering of the tailed patient. But you need to understand that a sick pet will miss its friends, so it needs more love, affection and care, and not just the necessary treatment and various goodies.

In itself, discharge from the eyes of cats does not pose a particular danger to the animal, unlike diseases that may be hidden behind them. For the cat owner, they should serve as a signal of danger, unless of course we are talking about the characteristics of a breed with increased tearing. Persian cats with their wet eyes do not need to be treated or altered, they need to be loved just the way they are.

There is some kind of magical mystery in the cat's eyes. They attract with their depth and unusual pupil. Pet owners may encounter such a nuisance as cat discharge from the eyes. There may be several causes for a symptom, and in order to choose the right treatment, you need to find out what is causing the problem.

The first step is to determine if there is an underlying cause for the excess tear production. Some of the causes of increased tear production in cats include conjunctivitis, allergies, eye injuries, abnormal eyelashes, corneal ulcers, eye infections, anatomical abnormalities and glaucoma.

Once more serious causes of epiphora have been addressed, it is necessary to determine whether proper and adequate drainage of the tears is occurring. A thorough ocular examination is performed, paying particular attention to the tear ducts and nearby tissues, and looks for signs of inflammation or other abnormalities. The cat's facial anatomy may play a role in this condition. Some breeds have flat or "rolled" faces that do not allow the matted surface to blend properly. In these patients, the tear film does not penetrate the canal and simply rolls away from the face.

Causes of discharge

In a normal, healthy state, a cat will secrete a small amount of light, clear fluid from its eyes throughout the day. Increased lacrimation in animals, as in people, can be caused by external irritants: dust, strong wind, spray aerosols, bright light. As the irritant is eliminated, the tears disappear.

Copious clear discharge

In other cases, hair around the eyes physically blocks the tear ducts from entering, or debris or a foreign body forms a plug inside the duct and prevents the tears from draining. One of the simplest tests to evaluate tear production is to place a drop of fluorescein stain in the eye, hold the patient's head slightly downward, and watch for drainage into the nose. If the drainage system is working properly, an eye spot should be visible in the nose within a few minutes. Failure to observe the spot does not definitively diagnose a blocked tear duct, but it does indicate the need for further investigation.

But sometimes the cause of discharge from the eyes in cats is diseases and disruption of the tear ducts. The nature of the discharge can tell about the possible cause.

Conventionally, factors that provoke discharge can be divided into two types:

• Infectious diseases.
• Diseases and disorders of non-infectious etiology.

In some cat breeds, such as Persians, a small discharge of a dark (brown or reddish) color is considered normal. This is due to the peculiarity of the structure of the tear ducts due to the flattened muzzle.

If the tear duct is suspected of being blocked, the cat is anesthetized and a special instrument is inserted into the duct to flush out the contents. In some cases, the lacrimal puncture or opening may not have opened during the cat's development, and if so, 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 underlying cause. There are many products that have been recommended to remove or eliminate facial staining associated with excess tears. None of them have proven to be 100% effective. Some over-the-counter treatments may be harmful or harmful to the eyes. Treatments that can reduce staining in some cases include:

Purulent discharge

Purulent secretion from a cat's eyes has a characteristic white, yellow or greenish color. The symptom indicates a bacterial infection. There are quite a lot of pathogens around that cause a purulent inflammatory process in the mucous membranes. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with drops, antibiotic ointments, and rinsing with antiseptic solutions. To find out exactly which drug will have a detrimental effect on harmful microorganisms, you need to take an eye swab for a “culture tank”.

• Parsley or parsley - add a small amount to your diet.
• Low doses of doxycycline, tylosin, tetracycline, or metronidazole.

If only one eye of a cat festers, it is possible that a foreign body has entered it, which has led to an inflammatory process and the development of bacterial flora.

In any case, the pet should be shown to a veterinarian; self-treatment may worsen the situation.

Brown discharge

When an adult cat or kitten has brown discharge from the eyes, the problem is most likely non-infectious.

What is the prognosis for epiphora?

If the underlying cause cannot be found and treated, most patients with epiphora will experience recurrent episodes throughout their lives. If the cat's facial anatomy prevents adequate drainage of the tear film, it is likely that some degree of epiphora will persist despite best treatment efforts. Your veterinarian will discuss the details of your cat's condition and determine specific treatment options and prognosis for your cat.

Causes of eye discharge in cats

It is true that cats have a special appearance. Their eyes are quite large compared to other species, and in addition, they are perfectly visible in low light conditions. However, did you know that the eyes are also their weak point? Yes, they are very sensitive to eye diseases, with conjunctivitis being the most common condition among cats.

The following factors can provoke brown secretion::

• Uevitis (inflammation of the blood vessels of the eye).
• Keratitis (inflammatory process in the cornea).
• Trichiasis (location of eyelash bulbs in an atypical place).
• Iridocyclitis (inflammation of the iris).
• Glaucoma.
• Turning of the eyelids.

Brown tears can occur when foreign, irritating particles enter the tear ducts, or when tumors compress the ducts. In rare cases, dark discharge is associated with a viral or bacterial infection.

What is conjunctivitis in cats and what are the symptoms?

Conjunctivitis in cats is an inflammation of the lining of the eye and is usually more common in young cats. Sometimes this infection can draw attention to the existence of a more serious condition. It's relatively easy to recognize because it's very similar to when we get it from people. We highlight these among the most important symptoms.

Discharge from eyes in cats, brown discharge from eyes in cats

They appear more legan than usual and also usually have a very distinctive greenish-yellow hue. The eyelids usually stick in these cases, and the cornea may be affected.

• There is constant tearing and redness in the eyes.
• The area usually becomes inflamed and the cat shows difficulty opening its eyes.
• Itching is also common, so try not to rub or hurt yourself.
• If the eye also produces mucous, it may be chlamydia.

Another, rare, but still possible reason why a cat has brown liquid flowing from its eye is nutrition (a mixture of natural food with cat food). It is highly recommended not to combine food from your table with food designed specifically for cats. This disrupts the animal’s intestinal microflora, impairs digestion and provokes various symptoms.

They are only beautiful when they are clean and well-groomed. In addition, the fur around the eyes cannot become sticky and dirty. Yellowing and brown streaks do not add beauty. Short-haired cats with normal toilet grooming. Persian cats should help with this.

In my opinion, even if a cat's coat is nicely brushed and groomed, with dirty eyes and stains around them, the cat looks truly neglected. Let's not forget that so neglected eyes can very quickly become infected and give us pain in the milusina. From the moment the cat came into our house, we are responsible for it! Also for proper care of his fur and eye area. It takes 3-5 minutes a day to make our pet look well-groomed and healthy. Then we can show our cat's pride to the world and be proud of ourselves.

What to do

Before treating brown discharge, you need to figure out what the cat is sick with. If the animal has uevitis or trichiasis, ordinary rinses will not help. Special medications are required, and for trichiasis, surgery is required. You should not self-medicate, it can harm your pet. The cat must be taken to a veterinary clinic and undergo an examination.

If we neglect our cat, it's quite a shame to publish his photos. Shame because we failed as its owners. The Persian cat's eyes, due to their size and protuberance, are less protected from infections and mechanical damage than other breeds. We should not underestimate the slightest signs of illness. We should not give cat drops or eye ointments without consulting a doctor. If in any doubt, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian. Healthy eyes and open tear ducts are very important.

If this is not the case, caring for the eye area will not bring the desired results. Eye care with special preparations. Proper eye care should be done using cosmetic flakes and be similar to a wash for women. If a brown scab has already formed around the eyes, we should wet the area around the eyes first. It is best to use boiled water. Remember - to avoid getting into the eyes, we must change the petal every time.

Copious clear discharge

The kitten's eyes are running, a lot of clear or cloudy fluid is released - a symptom may indicate a viral infection. Viruses do not cause suppuration, but provoke inflammation. The disease is dangerous because at first it can be easily confused with a banal eye irritation. If the virus is not treated, it can cause serious pathologies in the tear duct system.

It should be noted that there are specialized liquids for cleaning the eye area. The following products are worth trying. This medication causes the fur to lighten and prevents tears from entering, making them easier to remove. We apply the product for 15 minutes, rinse and repeat the procedure until the discoloration disappears. Do not use whitening shampoos around your eyes! However, you can use an eye curler or powder that removes discoloration. Using a swab, clean the eye area and then apply with a hair prep brush.

One of the common viral diseases in cats is calcivirus. The infection has the following symptoms:

• Clear, copious discharge from the eyes and nose.
• Increased salivation.
• Red ulcers appear on the mucous membranes in the mouth.
• The cat loses its appetite and becomes lethargic.
• There is sneezing and heavy breathing.

The pet owner often does not pay attention to the first signs, which leads to a severe form of the disease.

Treatment for a cat's eyes due to a viral infection is prescribed by a veterinarian. If treated in a timely manner, the disease responds well to treatment.

Finally

Discharge from the eyes of cats can be harmless and can be easily gotten rid of by washing with herbal infusions or antiseptic solutions. But the cause can also be quite serious diseases that threaten the animal with blindness. Don't delay visiting the veterinarian. Only a specialist can identify the etiology of the discharge and prescribe proper treatment.

Owners of domestic cats have more than once noticed that their beloved pets have watery eyes, but this does not bother them at all - the animal is mobile and looks healthy. But is this really normal, is black discharge from the eyes of a cat normal?

In fact, it is common for a kitten to have discharge from the nose or eyes, but only if the secreted substance is clear in color and the amount should also be quite scanty. The appearance of mucus in this case is associated with external irritants, such as dust, chemicals, smoke, etc. The animal looks completely natural, has a good appetite and a playful mood. When faced with this problem, the owner does not have to take any action, since with the disappearance of the irritant, the discharge will stop on its own.

A cat may also have discharge from its eyes after a long period of sleep - this is also considered normal and does not require intervention from the owner. In addition, before worrying about the health of the pet, the owner should remember that for some breeds of cats, the release of fluid from the eyes is due to nature itself, since the characteristic shape of the nose and head does not allow the nasolacrimal ducts to function normally.

In a kitten, nasal discharge may indicate the presence of an allergy, and the reaction can manifest itself both to external irritants and to incorrectly selected food. In this case, you need to identify the allergen and eliminate it.

Black discharge from the eyes of cats cannot be normal!!! Often this indicates the development of an inflammatory process. In order not to neglect it, the owner must take the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible and undergo all the necessary examinations.

Black fluid can come out of your cat's eyes for several reasons. Most often, this fact indicates the presence of a respiratory infection, so postponing a visit to the veterinarian is not recommended. At the clinic, in order to make a final diagnosis, the animal will be given eye washes and will also be prescribed the necessary procedures, thanks to which the cat will quickly recover.

In addition, black discharge from a cat's eyes may indicate the presence of herpes virus or chlamydia. Coping with these ailments is much more difficult, but the owner’s patience and normal treatment will help the animal regain its health.

As a rule, to treat pathology, a veterinarian prescribes a set of various procedures. Antibacterial drops are prescribed from medications. In addition, it is recommended to wash the eyes. For this purpose, you can use a decoction of chamomile, a solution of boric acid or furatsilin. The procedure must be carried out very carefully so as not to further harm the animal. It is best if the washing is carried out by two people, one is directly involved in the procedure, and the other is holding the animal. To carry out the procedure, you must use only warm solutions.

The prepared tampon is moistened in a medicinal solution, and then squeezed onto the eyeball. If the cat's eyelids are glued together, a medicine is also applied to them. Do not rub them with a dry swab so as not to accidentally damage the skin.

Black discharge from the eyes does not pose any particular danger; it only indicates the presence of some kind of disorder in the animal’s body. Therefore, the owner should take the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible and begin the prescribed treatment.