Eye Injury in Cats
Eye Injury in Cats
The difficulty about an eye injury is detecting it before it is too late. Specially, cats with sensitive eyes react strongly, sometimes leading to permanent loss of sight. In any case, once the injury is detected, take the cat to the veterinarian immediately.
Causes of eye injury: Almost all injuries happen to cats outside the house although some could also happen inside a well protected environment. Injuries when undetected often become infectious.
Some common causes:
Wounds and scratches: The most common injury to the cat's eye is caused by scratching. It could be by:
- The cat itself
- Any other animal
- A foreign object
- A direct hit on the eye mostly in a vehicle accident
- Running into twigs, bushes or any sharp object
Once the cat has been injured in the eye, it might bleed. In that case, the best solution is to administer initial first aid and rush to the vet. Initial first aid steps are:
- Clean the eye with salt or saline water to get the blood out put a ball of cotton with saline or salt water over the injured eye
- Prevent the cat from rubbing the eye
Prolapsed eye: A prolapsed eye occurs when the eye ball is pushed outside the eyelids. It happens mostly due to a head trauma, like when the cat is hit by an automobile. Breeds with large and protruding eyes are more susceptible to this. If you administer veterinary treatment at the earliest, you can save your pet's eye.
Till you reach the vet, make sure that the cat's eye is kept moistened. Soak a cotton pad with saline or salt water and dab it over the eye. Bandage the pad lightly, to keep it in place and stop the cat from trying to rub the eye.
Foreign objects in the eye: By and large, foreign objects that cause injury to the eye are plant materials like twigs, undergrowths, leaves, grass, seed, etc and grit such as sand, gravel and dirt.
The particles of plants and grit can be of any size. While it is easier to detect and remove the larger ones, you could need professional help with the smaller ones. If the cat rubs or paws his eyes constantly, check it before further any damage takes place. Other symptoms could be: squinting, spasm of eyelids, discharge, pus formation, etc.
To check his eye, tilt the cat's head upwards and open the eye gently. Softly, draw the lids apart and try to remove the object. If it cannot be removed, rinse the eye with clean salt water or saline. This will wash out the foreign object. In case the object doesn't get dislodged, seek veterinary help.
Burns: The most common cause for a burn in the eye is splashing of chemicals into the eye. Wash the eye properly with cold water for almost 20 minutes and bar the cat from rubbing the eye. In case the redness persists, consult a vet.
Always remember that the veterinarian is the best judge of the injury. During the treatment hold the agitated cat firmly, lest it scratches the vet or you. Calm its growling and hissings by speaking to him gently and softly.