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the Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus where images are formed, the retina. eyeball associated with vision. This
(FIP). In addition to these, parasites Once the lens becomes opaque, your situation is associated with other
such as Toxoplasma and yeast such cat’s vision will be affected. Cataracts concurrent illnesses such as kidney
as fungi like Cryptococcus may also can occur at any age, though it is disease and conditions of thyroid.
cause eye problems in your cat. more common in older cats due to Sometimes, your cat could also have
the process of aging. There could high blood pressure. This is a very
COMMON PROBLEMS be a lot of causes that could lead to serious condition that could result in
As a cat owner you may have faced a cataracts in cats some of which are loss of vision if left untreated.
condition where in your cat wakes up certain chemicals, toxins as well as
to runny eyes that later progress to other underlying problems such as OTHER EYE PROBLEMS
pink coloured eyes and is called pink diabetes and high blood pressure. Other causes of eye problems include
eye or conjunctivitis, quite similar trauma caused by objects or attacks
to the condition in humans. This SEVERE PROBLEMS of other cats – in case your cat goes
condition is commonly associated Severe problems of a cat eye are out – and problems associated with
with cat flu and other bacterial those that can lead to a loss of vision tumours of the eye or other parts

or viral cat infections. It is highly to varying degrees, and in some cases near the eye.
contagious among cats – and not even blindness. It is a very depressing
humans – so you will have to take thing for anyone, be it us or the cat. KEEPING YOUR CAT SAFE
extra care in case you have more Potential culprits that could lead to Many of the viral infections
than one cat at home. You have to blindness include a condition known associated with eye problems in cats
take your cat to a vet who will give as uveitis in which the middle can be prevented by kitten-hood

you medicines so that issues related area of the eye gets inflamed. This vaccination. So, as a responsible
to the eye becoming dry, and the cat condition occurs along with major pet owner, it is important that you
scratching it, are controlled. It is not a viral diseases mentioned earlier see your vet before you get a kitten;

SEVERE PROBLEMS OF A CAT EYE
ARE THOSE THAT CAN LEAD TO
A LOSS OF VISION TO VARYING
DEGREES, AND IN SOME CASES
EVEN BLINDNESS. IT IS A VERY
DEPRESSING THING FOR ANYONE,
BE IT US OR THE CAT.

very serious problem if treated early, such as FIV, FeLV and FIP. Here the familiarize yourself with what all
but if you delay showing her to a vet, onset of a permanent loss of vision vaccinations she will have to take
things may become complicated. is gradual and not sudden. Common and ensure that she gets them in
signs that could signal an impending time. Other than this, just as we
CATARACTS eye emergency include a swelling of have our checkups, have your cat’s
Cataracts are another issue of the third eyelid so that it protrudes eyes checked up once in a while,
concern for your cat’s eye health. A out of the eye, your cat may have especially, if she has diffi culty in
cataract is a condition where a cat’s a squint and sometimes her eyes navigating herself about the home or
eye lens becomes cloudy or even may appear unusually enlarged. The if she has other concurrent illnesses.
opaque. Normally, your cat’s eye second disorder that is commonly
lens would be translucent, adjusting associated with blindness in cats * The author is Associate Professor, Department of
its shape to focus light rays on the can be visualised as a detachment Veterinary and AH Extension, College of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala Veterinary
light sensitive inner lining of eyeball of the retina – the part of the and Animal Sciences University, Thrissur, Kerala

SEPTEMBER 2020 • VOL. XIII • ISSUE 7 • NOIDA | Creature Companion 35