In this article on our site we will review the most common causes that can explain why a cat has red eyes It is a condition easily detectable by caregivers and, although it is not usually serious and is resolved quickly, a visit to our veterinary center is mandatory, as we will see that in some cases the eye disorder will have its origin in systemic problems that must be detected and treated by our vet.
My cat has red and rheumy eyes - Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis in cats consists of inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva and is the most likely cause that can explain why our cat has red eyes. It can have different causes. We will identify it because our cat will have red and rheumy eyes Also, if our kitten has red eyes due to conjunctivitis, it is very likely the result of an infection viral caused by herpesvirus which can be complicated by the presence of opportunistic bacteria. It can affect only one eye but, as it is highly contagious between cats, it is normal for both to show symptoms.
In case of suffering conjunctivitis due to a viral infection, our cat will have red and swollen eyes, closed and with abundant purulent and sticky secretion that dries forming scabs that stick the eyelashes together. This type of infection is the same that can affect kittens that have not yet opened their eyes, that is, younger than 8-10 days. In them we will see the swollen eyes and, if they have begun to open, secretion will come out of that opening. Other times the cat has very red eyes due to conjunctivitis caused by an allergy, as we will see. This disease requires cleaning and antibiotic treatment that should always be prescribed by the veterinarian. If left untreated, it can cause ulcers, especially in kittens, which can result in loss of the eye. We will see the ulcers in the next section.
My cat has a red, closed eye - Corneal ulcer
The corneal ulcer is a wound that occurs on the cornea, sometimes as an evolution of untreated conjunctivitis. Herpesvirus causes typical dendritic ulcers. Ulcers are classified according to their depth, size, origin, etc., so it is necessary to see a specialist to determine the type. It is important to point out that in the most serious cases a perforation occurs, a fact that emphasizes even more that they should always be treated by a veterinarian and that the treatment will depend on the factors that we have indicated.
An ulcer can explain why our cat has red eyes and, in addition, He has pain, tearing, purulent discharge and keeps his eye closedYou can also see changes in the cornea such as roughness or pigmentation. To confirm the diagnosis, the veterinarian will apply a few drops of fluorescein to the eye. If there is an ulcer it will be stained green.
In addition to unhealed conjunctivitis, ulcers are often caused by trauma, such as a scratch,or a foreign body , which we will talk about in another section. It can also form when the eye is exposed as in cases of masses or abscesses that occupy the space in the eye socket. Chemical or thermal burns can also cause ulcers. The most superficial ones usually respond well to a antibiotic treatment In this sense, if the cat tries to touch its eye we will have to put an Elizabethan collar on it to prevent further damage. And if the ulcer is not solved with drugs, it will be necessary to resort to surgery. Finally, it should be noted that a perforated ulcer is a surgical emergency.
Red eyes in cats due to allergies
Why your cat's eyes are red can be explained as a consequence of allergic conjunctivitis Cats are known to they can react to different allergens and present symptoms such as alopecia, erosions, miliary dermatitis, eosinophilic complex, itching, cough that persists over time, sneezing, respiratory sounds and, as we have said, conjunctivitis. Faced with any of these symptoms, we must take our cat to the veterinary clinic so that it can be diagnosed and treated. They are usually cats under 3 years of age The ideal would be to avoid exposure to the allergen, but this is not always possible, so the symptoms will have to be treated.
For more information, see our article on "Allergies in cats, symptoms and treatment".
Red and watery eyes in cats due to foreign bodies
As we have mentioned, conjunctivitis is usually the cause that explains why a cat has red eyes and this can be caused by the introduction of foreign bodies into the eye. We will see that the cat has red and watery eyes and rubs to try to remove the object or, we can even notice that the cat has something in its eye This object it can be a splinter, vegetable fragments, dust, etc.
If we get the cat to be calm and the foreign body is clearly visible we can try to remove it ourselves. First we can try pour serum, soaking a gauze and wringing it over the eye or directly from the single-dose serum container if we have this format. If we do not have whey we can use cold water. If it doesn't come out that way and we see it, we can move it outwards with the tip of a gauze pad or a cotton swab moistened with serum or water.
If, on the other hand, we are unable to see the foreign body or it seems stuck in our eye, we should immediately go to the vet. An object inside the eye can cause significant damage such as the ulcers we have seen and infections.
My cat closes one eye - Uveitis
The main characteristic of this ocular alteration, which consists of inflammation of the uvea, is that it is usually caused by serious systemic diseases, although it can also occur after some trauma such as that caused by a fight or run over. There are different types of uveitis in cats depending on the area that is affected. It is an inflammation that causes pain, edema, decreased intraocular pressure, contraction of the pupil, red and closed eye, tearing, retraction of the eyeball, protrusion of the third eyelid, etc. Of course, it must be diagnosed and treated by the vet.
Among the diseases that can cause uveitis are toxoplasmosis, feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency, infectious peritonitis, some mycoses, bartonellosis or herpesviruses. Untreated uveitis can cause cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, or blindness.
