Keratitis in dogs: symptoms and treatment of all types

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and protects the eyeball. This is one of the most common eye diseases in cats of all ages. Both adult animals and kittens in the first weeks of life are susceptible to it. Conjunctivitis only in a limited number of cases develops as an independent disease and most often is one of the symptoms of other health disorders.

The cat owner should be responsible for the signs of inflammation of the conjunctiva in their pet in order to take timely measures and prevent complications.

Common signs of eye disease in cats

Since cats actively communicate with their owner, establishing visual contact with him, an attentive owner will easily notice the beginning of a pathological process in the eyes of his pet.

The first warning sign will be excessive lacrimation. In the morning, a large accumulation of mucus appears in the corners of the cat's eyes.

Sometimes there is so much discharge that it leaves behind brown tear tracks that stretch up to the chin.

As the disease progresses, the mucus becomes thicker and acquires a greenish-yellow tint. In advanced cases, it dries out, the eyelids stick together, and the resulting crusts completely deprive the cat of vision. The animal experiences severe itching; it rubs its muzzle on the carpet and upholstered furniture, trying to alleviate its condition.

The owner should be alerted to any redness of the eyeball or skin on the eyelids. Most often this is accompanied by frequent blinking or squinting of the cat. Of particular concern to the animal is the swelling that develops in the skin around the eyes. In such situations, the pet hides from the light in the dark corners of the apartment and reacts sharply to any touch on the head.

Sudden strabismus may indicate the onset of cataract development. This is a chronic pathology that is typical for older animals. However, now more and more young cats are losing their sight for this reason.

Bacterial keratitis

Keratitis can be caused by a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, primarily cocci (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Gonococcus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A rare and very dangerous infection, even resulting in blindness, is acanthamoeba infection (named after the causative agent Acanthamoeba), which can exist, in particular, in the gap between the contact lens and the surface of the cornea. With the development of the so-called creeping corneal ulcers caused by gonococcal, tuberculosis, syphilitic and other bacterial infections, the risk of rapid and irreversible loss of vision is also very high.

When you need urgent veterinary help

Immediate contact with a veterinarian is required in cases where the pupil or cornea of ​​the eye has changed color, shape, size, or the eyeball has hardened. In addition, you should not delay your trip to the clinic if your cat has severe pain in the eye area.

This is not difficult to understand: the pet reacts to even a light touch with a loud meow, hides from the owner, and shows aggression to any attempt to pick itself up.

Such conditions indicate severe ophthalmological pathology and require urgent assistance from a specialist.

Diagnostics

You can identify eye disease yourself using the above signs, but only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. For this purpose, the clinic conducts the following studies:

• visual inspection;
• Schirmer test (examination of tear fluid);
• analysis of the eye condition after fluorescein instillation;
• establishing the sensitivity of the eye shell.

During diagnosis, anesthesia is required, which helps the animal undergo all procedures absolutely painlessly. Based on the examination results, the veterinarian makes a diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment.

Types of diseases and their treatment

Visible clinical signs do not always allow an accurate diagnosis to be made at home, since there can be many causes of eye disease with the same symptoms. Effective treatment requires consultation with a veterinarian with some diagnostic measures.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common ophthalmic diseases in pets. It is expressed in acute inflammation of the conjunctiva - the thin mucous membrane lining the eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelids.

The main symptoms of conjunctivitis:

• lacrimation;
• swelling, hyperemia of the eyelids;
• photophobia;
• change in the shade of the “iris”, its cloudiness;
• eversion of the eyelid;
• discoordination of pupil movements.

Conjunctivitis begins to develop from the catarrhal stage, at which the eyes become red, swollen, and abundant clear tears are released. The body temperature remains normal, however, if the disease has become a complication of a cold, the cat may become febrile.

Conjunctivitis in animals | Causes of conjunctivitis | Symptoms and treatment of the disease | Veterinarian Advice

At the next stage, the discharge becomes purulent in nature. After a long sleep, the eyes become covered with yellow-green crusts, which indicate the need for urgent treatment. In its absence, the cat develops keratitis, panophthalmitis, and blindness.

Purulent conjunctivitis can turn into phlegmonous, when pus penetrates not only outside, but also into the inner subepithelial layer of the eye mucosa. This requires complex long-term therapy and constant attention from the owner.

If the disease takes on a follicular form, it means that the inflammatory process has affected the lymphatic follicles in the third eyelid. The pathology is chronic, and treatment is often associated with surgery.

Keratitis

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea.

It develops due to the following reasons:

• mechanical damage;
• complication of conjunctivitis, calicivirus, adenovirus, herpes;
• thermal or chemical burn of the eyes;
• allergy;
• autoimmune processes;
• breed characteristics;
• vitamin deficiency.

The most striking symptoms of keratitis are:

• clouding of the cornea and a rough appearance of its surface;
• speckling of the cornea with blood vessels;
• swelling of the eye due to the accumulation of fluid inside the cornea;
• lacrimation;
• scar formation, blindness;
• severe photophobia.

To relieve symptoms and alleviate the animal’s condition, hormonal and antimicrobial drugs are used. However, if the cause of the pathology is not eliminated, keratitis can become chronic with frequent relapses.

Third eyelid

Every cat has a third eyelid. This is a crescent-shaped fold of the conjunctiva that protects the eye from infections and injuries during hunting, distributes tear fluid, and collects dust and other small particles from the eyeball. Normally, the third eyelid in cats only protrudes slightly from the inner corner of the eye, but for some reasons it can fall out, causing considerable discomfort to the animal.

This condition is not an independent disease, but a symptom of other pathologies, including:

• gastrointestinal diseases;
• dehydration;
• chronic renal failure;
• parasitic diseases;
• allergic conjunctivitis;
• eye injuries;
• viral infections;
• third eyelid adenoma;
• prolapse caused by breed (“British”, “Persians”, “Scottish”, etc.).

The third eyelid of a cat. Acute keratitis. Herpes virus infection. Treatment

The symptoms of the disease are:

• complete or partial closure of the eye with film;
• frequent blinking, photophobia;
• excessive lacrimation, redness of the eyes;
• constriction of the pupil, drooping eyelid;
• the formation of a creeping ulcer.

Treatment for third eyelid prolapse can be conservative (with medication) or surgical.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a dangerous disease that can lead to complete blindness. It is expressed in acute inflammation of the marginal surface of the eyelid.

The most common reasons are:

• demodicosis;
• blockage of the sebaceous glands;
• endocrine disorders;
• autoimmune diseases.

Blepharitis is often accompanied by redness, swelling of the eyelids, and profuse lacrimation. Discharge from the eyes may be purulent. The cat has severe itching, which she tries to relieve by constantly scratching with her paw or against furniture.

As inflammation develops, the eye shape gradually decreases and the viewing angle narrows. With fungal blepharitis, eyelashes fall out and bald spots appear on the body. In the autoimmune form of the disease, blisters with clear liquid may swell on the skin, which must be regularly treated with special solutions. If the cause of the disease is an infection, the cat will experience fever, depression, lethargy, and apathy.

The treatment regimen for blepharitis includes medications to eliminate the cause of the disease and relieve symptoms. In most cases, it is possible to manage with conservative methods, but in advanced situations, surgical intervention may be required.

Panophthalmitis

Panophthalmitis is an acute purulent inflammation of all membranes and tissues of the eye. According to veterinarians, this is the most severe complication of perforated eyeball injuries in cats.

The process of disease development is as follows:

1. Due to external reasons, the animal injures the eye. The objects of injury can be metal, stone, nail, wire, dirty wood.
2. Through the wound canal, infections enter the eye: pneumococcus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.
3. Pathogenic microflora of the conjunctival sac is associated with intraocular infection.
4. 2-4 days after injury, the first signs of the disease appear. Symptoms are rapidly increasing.

The main signs of the disease are:

• sharp pain in the eye area;
• lacrimation;
• photophobia;
• uncontrolled closing of the eyelids;
• swelling and hyperemia of the eyelids;
• pinching of the eye by the eyelids.

The pus quickly destroys the “iris”, and the eye hurts. With bilateral damage, the animal becomes completely blind. Most often, treatment for panophthalmitis involves surgical removal of the diseased eye.

Cataract

Cataract is an eye pathology in which the lens becomes cloudy, visual acuity decreases until complete blindness.

The causes of the disease are:

• old age of the cat;
• injury;
• metabolic disorders;
• inflammatory eye diseases.

Cataracts are often hereditary or congenital.

In the initial stages, the development of the disease can be stopped using conservative methods. First of all, they are aimed at restoring metabolic processes inside the crystal. However, medications are not able to restore an already clouded pupil.

A radical and effective method of treating cataracts is surgery, during which the doctor replaces the affected lens with an artificial lens. After this, the cat’s vision is fully restored.

Viral keratitis

Keratitis caused by viruses is often accompanied by a blistering rash. The pathogenic agent can be almost any aggressive virus (measles, chickenpox, adenoviruses), but most often it is the herpes virus. As is known, over 95% of the population is infected with herpes infection, and in most cases, herpes occurs latently, in an asymptomatic form, and is activated only when immune resources are weakened, general exhaustion of the body and other unfavorable conditions. In this case, inflammation of the cornea is usually preceded by typical herpetic symptoms - rashes on the lips or other mucous membranes. With herpetic keratitis, as a rule, swelling and the appearance of fuzzy, vague infiltrates predominate.

Inflammation of the nasolacrimal ducts

Epiphora is a disease of the nasolacrimal ducts, which is expressed in their blockage and inflammation.

The reasons lie in:

• breed predisposition (Scottish, Persian, exotic cats);
• congenital absence or anatomical narrowness of the neck and mouth of the nasolacrimal ducts;
• injury;
• viral, bacterial, chlamydial infections;
• dacryocystitis;
• canaliculitis.

Inflammation of the nasolacrimal ducts can be diagnosed using a fluorescein test. Before it is performed, the eyes are washed with an antibiotic solution, removing all purulent discharge. Then 1-2 drops of a special composition are instilled into the eye, and the cat’s head is tilted forward. After 2 minutes, the oral cavity of a healthy animal will turn green. If there is partial blockage, coloring will occur within 5-10 minutes. In case of complete obstruction, the natural shade of the mucous membrane will remain unchanged.

Treatment of inflammation of the nasolacrimal ducts is carried out with the help of antibacterial agents, antiseptics and antihistamines. If a cat has a complete blockage of the canals, the veterinarian may resort to surgical bougienage followed by eye hygiene.

Wounds of the eyelids

Wounds to the eyelids are most common in cats that are kept free-range and interact with their cats. Fights for territory and hierarchical fights often end in deep wounds, complicated by infections and street dirt. Untreated wounds in the eye area are accompanied by swelling, hyperemia, and suppuration.

They can be superficial, deep and through. It is enough to clean the superficial wound from dirt and treat it with an antiseptic composition. A deep wound can be recognized by uneven, swollen edges, extensive tissue tears, and copious discharge in the form of ichor or pus. Self-medication of such injuries leads to scar formation and loss of vision.

The veterinarian should examine the patient and determine the extent of tissue damage. Only after this can you choose an effective scheme for restoring cat eyes.

Turn of the century

Entropion (or entropion) is one of the most common ophthalmic diseases in cats. It lies in the abnormal position of the eyelid relative to other structures of the eye.

Entropion can be:

• one-sided or two-sided;
• bottom or top.

The development of pathology is due to the weakness of the connective tissue on the inner lining of the eyelid.

Risk factors include:

• panophthalmitis, uveitis and other inflammations;
• injuries;
• microblepharon (an animal’s inability to close its eyelids tightly, which in winter leads to thermal damage to the cornea);
• corneal syndrome (formation of ulcers on the cornea with copious purulent discharge);
• age-related loss of muscle tone;
• oncological neoplasms.

In the initial stages, the disease manifests itself in frequent blinking, photophobia, and severe pain. As the pathology develops, the discharge becomes cloudy, strabismus appears, the eyelids swell, and the body temperature rises. Transition to the chronic form threatens the cat with complete blindness.

In some cases, conservative treatment is acceptable, but most often doctors recommend surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease associated with atrophy of the optic nerve and a regular increase in intraocular pressure.

The most common causes of glaucoma are:

• trauma and inflammation of the lens;
• getting particles into the eye;
• chronic purulent inflammation of the eyes;
• changes in the cornea.

The main symptoms of the disease are:

• enlargement and hardening of the eyeball;
• pupil enlargement;
• swelling of the mucous membranes;
• cloudiness and loss of sensitivity of the cornea;
• dark red eye color.

The initial stages of glaucoma are treated with conservative methods using diuretics and antibacterial drugs. When the disease is advanced, cats are operated on.

Causes of pathology and breed predisposition

The causes of inflammation are divided into main and provoking factors. The first include:

1. Infections

   . The most common pathogens are viruses and bacteria.

2. Eye damage

   . In addition to mechanical, resulting from injury and irritation, this includes chemical (contact with poisons) and thermal (sunburn).

3. Other
   ophthalmological diseases
   . Keratitis does not always develop on its own. It can be a complication of entropion (entropion), trichiasis (ingrown eyelashes), blepharitis and conjunctivitis.
4. Allergies

   . The development of the disease is often provoked by allergens: pollen, household chemicals, tobacco smoke, food products.

The likelihood of developing pathology increases with decreased immunity. A sudden failure occurs due to the following factors:

• various endocrine disorders affecting metabolism;
• avitaminosis;
• recent surgery or illness.

The risk group includes puppies and older dogs, as well as animals with a hereditary or breed predisposition. The latter include brachycephalic dogs, shepherd dogs, greyhounds, huskies, huskies, collies, dachshunds and Dalmatians.

Treatments

Both special veterinary drugs and medications developed for humans are used to treat cats. Therapy with traditional methods also shows good results.

Medications

Among the medications for the treatment and prevention of ophthalmic drugs in cats, the most effective ones have proven themselves:

1. "Bars" - washing for injuries, treatment and prevention of keratitis, conjunctivitis, blepharitis.
2. “Iris” - acute and chronic inflammation of the cornea and anterior segment of the eye.
3. "Tsiprovet" - therapy and prevention of infectious inflammation of all ocular structures.
4. Decta-2 - treatment of allergic and infectious conjunctivitis.
5. Lakrikan - hygienic treatment and treatment of inflammatory processes.
6. Neoconjunctivitis - treatment of advanced forms of conjunctivitis.
7. Sofradex is an antibacterial drug for the treatment of inflammation of the eyes and ears.

ethnoscience

Traditional medicine suggests treating eye pathologies in cats using the following herbs:

• chamomile;
• calendula;
• green tea;
• St. John's wort;
• sage.

All of them have some anti-inflammatory effect and are used for therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of the eyelids and eyeball.

Possible complications

Mild forms of pathology often go away on their own, but this is not a reason to refuse diagnosis and treatment. The thing is that self-examination can lead to false conclusions. This will put your pet at serious risk and the following complications:

• perforation and scarring of the cornea, affecting visual acuity;
• cataract;
• glaucoma;
• panophthalmitis;
• perforated ulcer;
• blindness.

Due to the high likelihood of scarring, it is better to prepare for this moment in advance. Depending on the severity of the disease, the following formations may remain on the eye:

• nubecula (grayish cloudiness);
• spots on the macula (central part of the retina);
• thorn.

The first formation can be seen only with the help of special equipment and has virtually no effect on vision. The second spot is noticeable in bright light and slightly reduces visual function. The third option is the largest and most dangerous. With such education, blindness often develops.

Rules for carrying out medical procedures at home

At home, the owner can independently perform ophthalmological procedures.

First of all, this is eye washing, which is carried out in the following way:

1. An antiseptic solution, a decoction of a medicinal plant, or special drops are applied to a cotton pad or piece of gauze. With a light and smooth movement from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner, secretions are removed.
2. A napkin generously moistened with an antiseptic is applied to the stuck eyelids of an adult animal or kitten and held for 2-3 minutes. After this, the eyes open randomly, and the softened pus from the fur is removed with the same napkin.
3. The eyeball is washed using a syringe without a needle.
4. Also, the owner can independently instill a medicinal solution into the lower conjunctival pocket. To do this, he must pull back the cat's lower eyelid, carefully introduce the drug with a pipette, and then close the animal's eyelids. In a similar way, you can put medicinal ointment behind the eyelid.

Features of the disease and similarities with other pathologies

Keratitis is an inflammation of the uppermost (outer) layer of the eye - the cornea. With pathology, the transparent surface turns red and becomes covered with a cloudy film. Turbidity occurs within a couple of hours or days, so it is recommended to focus on this sign first. With a longer course, the color of the cornea changes to gray or blue, and in the presence of pus - to yellowish.

The disease is very often confused with a mild allergic reaction, accompanied by similar redness and tearing. Conjunctivitis and iritis also have similar symptoms.

The first disease affects the conjunctiva, and the second - the iris. It is almost impossible to distinguish them from each other without special tests, so veterinarians strongly recommend not to engage in self-diagnosis.

Caring for cats with eye diseases

Since ophthalmic problems are often accompanied by severe itching, an Elizabethan collar, which you can purchase at a pet store or make yourself, will help prevent scratching.

To ensure a quick recovery, your cat needs to be provided with comfortable conditions:

• a quiet and darkened room where the pet can sleep peacefully and recuperate;
• light semi-liquid nutrition with the exclusion of all allergenic foods;
• drinking plenty of water;
• attention and care of the owner in moments when the cat itself wants to communicate;
• isolation from other animals if the disease is contagious.

Eye Diseases in Cats - Causes and Treatment // Network of Veterinary Clinics BIO-VET

Prevention measures

Prevention of ophthalmic diseases in cats involves daily eye care. In the morning, the owner must carefully examine the animal and, using a napkin moistened with a special lotion, remove the discharge that has accumulated during the night.

It is better to feed your cat ready-made super-premium food that contains all the necessary nutrients and microelements. This will avoid the development of allergies, which often leads to chronic inflammation of the eyes.

You also need to carefully monitor the cat’s communication with its relatives, if possible, exclude self-walking, and isolate it from aggressive animals that can injure the eyes in a fight.

Do not neglect vaccinating your pet. Annual vaccination protects against many viral diseases that lead to partial or complete loss of vision.

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How does Reparin-Helper® work?

The drug acts in several directions.

1. The drug has a local immunomodulatory effect due to the fact that it attracts immune cells (macrophages) to the site of damage.
2. Normalizes the inflammatory reaction, which alleviates the animal’s condition and promotes recovery.
3. Stimulates regeneration and collagen production, attracting and activating fibroblasts, which significantly accelerates the healing and rehabilitation of the eye. This is very important for eliminating ulcers, clouding, and also for restoring the cornea.
4. Restores the transparency of the cornea and prevents the appearance of a scar (cataract).