If your cat has dull eye, it could be a serious problem. There are various possible diseases with such a symptom.
The eyes are one of the most important and sensitive organs for our cat. Sometimes, however, there may be vision problems or anomalies that worry us. One of the common symptoms is the appearance of a whitish spot in the cat’s eye. What diseases can it indicate, and how to treat them?
Cat diseases related to dull eye
A clouded eye, or a dull spot in a cat’s eye, is not necessarily a disease in itself, but only a symptom of a cat disease.
If we notice that the cat has a dull eye, and we notice this kind of patina on its surface, we need to understand what the problem is and then contact the vet to treat the cat.
The main diseases related to our cat’s eyes can be:
Glaucoma ;
Cataract;
Feline chlamydia;
Feline herpesvirus.
As we have often said, this article cannot be used to diagnose or prescribe treatment for our pets.
In case we suspect a disease in our cat like those described on this page, we recommend that you book a visit to our trusted veterinarian.
Glaucoma in cats
Glaucoma is actually a set of pathologies, which cause increased ocular pressure and a progressive degeneration of the optic nerve that is affected.
Normal tearing becomes problematic, so that drainage decreases. It is uncommon in cats, but its main cause is poor tear duct drainage syndrome.
A feature of this disease is that aqueous humor accumulates in the vitreous body of the eye, pushing the lens towards the iris. This prevents the liquid from draining.
It usually affects cats of middle to advanced age, especially females. It usually manifests itself in a secondary form, with other consequent pathologies.
Noticing this disease can be difficult, because the clinical signs are initially mild and slowly worsen. The first sign is a redness of the eye, with sensitivity to light and pain.
Other symptoms arrive over time, up to the clouded, inflamed eye with the production of secretions. Only the vet can confidently diagnose this problem and treat it.
Cataract in the cat
Cataracts occur when the crystalline lens (a kind of lens of the eye, which is able to focus on what we see) partially or completely loses its transparency.
If not treated in time, it can also lead to blindness in the affected eye. It commonly occurs in older cats, several causes, including degeneration with age.
It can also be congenital or hereditary, but it is not widespread in this way. Diseases such as diabetes, ulcers, or trauma can also cause cataracts in cats.
The first symptom is a gray or whitish spot on the eye, making it easy to diagnose feline cataracts . Sometimes only one eye is affected, even without vision problems.
For a reliable examination, a complete ophthalmological examination should be performed on the cat. To treat it, the vet can use anti-inflammatories or even remove the lens.
Feline Chlamydia (or Chlamydia felis )
Another cause of our cat’s dull eye can be feline chlamydia, which is caused by a virus, Chlamydia felis. It usually affects domestic cats.
This virus can also be transmitted to humans, but it is very rare. Young cats are especially affected, living in groups, and there is no distinction between genders.
This disease presents as mild conjunctivitis, with rhinitis, fever, tears, loss of appetite. If not diagnosed in time, it can get complicated, even with ulcers and edema.
And it is precisely at the complication of conjunctivitis, that the clouded eye occurs in the cat. The diagnosis is therefore made on the basis of the suspicion that conjunctivitis hides this virus.
The treatment is actually a set of hygienic care ( daily cleansing of the eyes of secretions), an adequate diet, and the administration of antibiotics and antipyretics.
This is just one (and on rare occasions) of the human-transmissible cat diseases.
Cat herpesvirus
This disease is very common in cats, and it is chronic. This pathology arises from a virus, the feline herpesvirus type 1.
It causes alterations in the cornea of one or both eyes of the cat, often with the symptom therefore of both eyes clouded.
It initially presents as conjunctivitis, along with excessive tearing (sometimes even with eyelid problems), but it gets worse over time like any chronic condition.
Over time, white or pinkish plaques form on the cornea of the eyes. This problem can also cause painful cornea ulcers.
The diagnosis of this problem is always made by the veterinarian, even using a biopsy, or with the observation of eye lesions.
It can be treated differently, but always for long periods or even for the entire life span of the cat. Relapses are frequent, so treatment must be constant.
