The pupils dilate or contract depending on the amount of ambient lighting, as well as the cat's emotions and fears, but both must do so with the same intensity, not existing a different size between them to simple view. When this difference in size occurs if both pupils are stimulated with the same light, there is a problem that must be diagnosed and solved in our little feline.
Through this article on our site you can learn more about the symptoms of anisocoria in cats, its causes and treatment, so If you are wondering what to do if my cat has anisocoria, continue reading this article where we will also talk about the diagnosis of this problem in the feline species.
What is anisocoria in cats?
Anisocoria is a medical term that defines the asymmetry in the diameter of the cat's pupils The pupils are the black part of the eye that It is located in the center of the iris, the part that gives color to the eyes. In other words, anisocoria occurs when does not match the size of both pupils in the same cat.
You must identify which of the two pupils is abnormal and find the cause that is producing it. It should be noted that the causes are not always ophthalmic but can also have a neurological origin.
Anisocoria in cats can be of two types:
- Dynamic anisocoria: when, after stimulation by a direct light source, the contraction of the stimulated pupil is greater than that of the other pupil not stimulated, this being normal in cats without problems.
- Static anisocoria: when there is a difference in pupil size even though both pupils receive the same illumination, this type of anisocoria being totally abnormal.
Symptoms of anisocoria in cats
The indisputable symptom of anisocoria in cats is the difference in the size or diameter of the pupils in a cat under the same conditions of luminosity, and may be larger or dilated (greater mydriasis) or greater contraction (greater miosis).
In addition to this, you should check if your cat has:
- Some alteration more in the ocular structures: such as the position or shape of the eyelids, the color of the eye may become more bluish or grayish, inflammation of the conjunctiva or mucous or purulent secretions. You may be interested in taking a look at the following post on our site about Conjunctivitis in cats: causes, symptoms and treatment.
- Pain or looks bad: he is clumsier and feels collides with objects.
- Sleep.
- Depression.
Causes of anisocoria in cats
At this point you are probably wondering what causes anisocoria in cats. Anisocoria in cats can be due to various types of problems or diseases.
The diseases that most frequently cause anisocoria in cats are the following:
- Horner's syndrome: consists of the set of symptoms resulting from some disease or problem and that derive from a lack of sympathetic irrigation and which manifests itself with sunken eyes, one in mydriasis and the other in miosis, that is, anisocoria as well as other symptoms such as prolapse of the third eyelid or difference in eye size. If you want to know more about Horner's Syndrome in cats: causes and treatment, read this article that we suggest.
- Cornea injuries: Damage to the superficial layer of the eye can cause ulcers and, in turn, a difference in the size of pupils due to changes in the affected eye.
- Glaucoma: the increase in intraocular pressure or glaucoma causes the affected eye to be slightly more dilated, which will cause one of the your cat's pupils is larger than the other. To learn more about Glaucoma in cats: causes, symptoms and treatment, do not hesitate to consult this post.
- Feline Leukemia: The feline leukemia retrovirus can produce different symptoms and blood disorders in affected cats, among the clinical signs that may appear we can find the difference in pupil diameter as well as others such as anemia, oral disorders or gingivitis, fever, lethargy, weight loss or infections. We tell you more about Feline Leukemia: symptoms, treatment and contagion in the following article on our site.
Other causes that our cat has anisochoric pupils are:
- Traumatisms.
- Uveitis or inflammation of the uvea of the eye.
- Ocular tumors.
- Iris degenerations.
- Other ocular problems: such as synechiae, blepharospasm, drooping eyelids or irritations.
Diagnosis of anisocoria in cats
The diagnosis of anisocoria in cats is simple, by observing the difference in size between the pupils you will know that your cat is suffering from this clinical sign. However, it is more complicated to determine the origin of this anisocoria and be able to treat it as soon as possible.
Among the tests that your veterinarian should perform to find the cause of anisocoria in your cat we find:
- General examination and anamnesis to the owner.
- The comprehensive eye examination.
- The evaluation of reflexes and the sensitivity of the pupils to light.
- The production of tears.
- The use of dyes to assess the presence of ulcers or other damage to the cornea.
Image diagnostic techniques may also be necessary, such as MRIs, tomography, ultrasound and X-rays A blood and urine analysis should also be perform to assess the general state of he alth of the cat and a feline leukemia/immunodeficiency test and/or CRP.
Treatment of anisocoria in cats
Once the cause of the anisocoria has been established, your veterinarian will proceed to apply the best treatment for your cat to recover or at least maintain a good quality of life. Treatments will vary from the use of topical and/or systemic drugs to the use of surgical techniques or chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy in some cases.
You should know that some problems such as feline leukemia are chronic, your cat will not recover from this disease, it will have it latent and it may reactivate in the face of states of immunosuppression such as some diseases or stress.
Prognosis of anisocoria in cats
Anisocoria in cats is a symptom of very diverse diseases, not only ophthalmic, so the final prognosis will depend on the specific disease that is affecting your cat.
While small infections or eye disorders have a very good prognosis in a short time with the right treatment, tumors or systemic diseases such as feline leukemia have a more guarded prognosis, it all depends on the extent and severity of the picture as well as the state of your cat's he alth.
We'll tell you more about eye diseases in cats, here.
