Cats usually have beautiful crystal clear, brightly colored eyes ranging in ranges of greens, grays, yellows and even shocking shades of blue. But on occasion, they may have health problems that will be reflected in their eyes. This is the case of red eyes in cats, which can be a warning sign.
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In any case, in the presence of abnormal symptoms in your cat, it is best to go to the veterinarian, who will be able to recommend what to do in any circumstance.
Why a cat may have red eyes
Red eyes in cats can be signs of various health disorders. Among them, the most frequent may be:
- Conjunctivitis. It is a fairly common condition in cats and will cause red eyes in your kitty. The tissue around the eye is often affected. The cornea can also be affected by this viral disease. In general, conjunctivitis in cats is not contagious to humans, but they can infect other cats.
- Keratitis. It is an inflammation of the cornea. It can be caused by injuries, infections, allergies and others. It includes redness, tearing, pain and swelling.
- Injuries. Red eyes in cats are often caused by different injuries such as blows or the presence of dust in the eyes. A healthy cat’s eye is clear and transparent, while an injured eye may have varying levels of redness.
- Less common causes. Allergies may be a less common cause of red eyes in cats. They can also be a reaction to irritants present in the home such as perfumes or candles.
Detect problems
When we see something abnormal in our feline pet, it is ideal to consult a veterinarian. But there are also some things you can do to detect the severity of your kitten’s eye problem.
- Your cat can’t open its eyes? If you are not able to open your eyes, the problem can be quite serious.
- Are both eyes affected? In general, lesions usually affect only one eye, whereas viral and bacterial infections may affect both eyes.
- Where is the redness? Sometimes the membranes around the eye, called conjunctivae, are so inflamed that the eye cannot be seen. In other cases, the inflammation may be in the whites of the eyes, making the cat’s eyes look bloodshot.
- Does the entire eyeball look swollen? In cases where the entire eyeball is swollen, it may be a cause for further alarm.
- Are there downloads? The discharges may be of different colors that will give some details about the nature of the condition. When the discharge is yellow or green, it is most likely an eye infection. If there is discharge from your cat’s eyes and it is bloody, it may be a symptom of a more serious condition.
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