Eye Problems In Cats

The most common disorder in cats is runny eyes. Infectious organisms such as the flu viruses or chlamydia cause conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the membranes lining the eyelids. This results in a discharge which is either watery and runny or thick and a greenish yellow color.

Occasionally a runny eye is caused by a disorder of the normal anatomy.

Tear glands continually produce secretions which lubricate the surface of the eyeball and flush particulate material into the tear ducts which then drain into the nose. If there’s a blockage of the ducts, the tears have no choice but to spill over and run down the face. Blockage can occur if there has been previous damage to the ducts or if the cat has an abnormal anatomy.

Persian cats frequently have tear staining, partly because their tear ducts are kinked and partly because their eyeball shape prevents effective drainage. Chronic tear overspill causes a brown staining on the fur which is most noticeable in pale colored cats.

Runny eyes are also a result of tear overproduction if there is an irritation to the sensitive eyeball. The cause may be easily identified as in some longhaired cats where a clump of hair rubs the surface. Some can be much more difficult to detect; solitary aberrant hairs may grow inside the eyelid and can only be discovered by carrying out an extremely thorough examination under general anaesthetic.

The cornea is the clear outer covering of the eyeball and is a very sensitive structure. Flu infections can sometimes extend beyond the membranes and also affect the corneas. In very young kittens, the damage can be so severe that the cornea is extensively scarred and the cat grows up visually impaired or even blind.

Most corneal disease is encountered as a result of a bit of a punch up with another cat and a claw being poked in the eye. The puncture wound may be very obvious, particularly if a bit of claw is left behind in the eyeball.

In other cases there may be no apparent defects.

Mild corneal damage will heal well if the cat is supported with antibiotics but more severe damage may require surgery. Stitching the eyelids together often helps with the healing.

The iris is the structure which gives the eye its color, ranging from pink in albinos, to blue in Siamese, through all shades of yellows, coppers and greens. The iris is a muscular structure which contracts and expands in order to vary the amount of light which passes through to the back of the eye.

It has very delicate blood vessels and if a claw has managed to pierce through the cornea to the iris, the bleeding can be very dramatic.

Some of the more unpleasant feline infections, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) virus, Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and toxoplasmosis can all cause disease in the iris.

The first sign an owner may notice is a change in color of the eye.

Close examination reveals changes in the shape of the iris and the presence of debris in the fluid behind the cornea. It is very difficult to distinguish which one of these infections has caused the abnormality, so further investigation is always necessary.

If there is a diseased iris, also have to consider the possibility of a tumor. T he two most commonly encountered are lymphosarcoma, a solid form of leukemia, and melanoma, a cancer of the pigment producing cells.

If an iris has been affected by a treatable condition, it may be left with permanent color change and a distorted shape because of adhesions or scar tissue produced during the healing response. Not all areas of new pigment are associated with disease. Some cats, particularly orange colored individuals, can develop little dark patches of pigment in the iris as they age, but any change in eye color should always be checked by your vet.

The retina is a fine membranous structure which lines the back of the eyeball.

Light passes through the pupil and the lens and lands on the retina.

There it stimulates nerve endings which cause electrical signals to be sent to the brain where the information is interpreted as vision.

Any abnormality of the color, the reflectivity or the blood vessels indicates disease of the retina. One of the most serious conditions is a generalized degeneration of the retina. The retina appears to be very bright.

Blood vessels become much finer and in advanced cases are barely visible.

The retina can detach from the underlying tissue if there is a leakage or overproduction of fluid between the layers, or if there is bleeding.

High blood pressure resulting from kidney failure or an overactive thyroid gland can cause this eye problem.

Retinal detachments tend to be quite dramatic in onset and owners report that the cat appears to have gone blind overnight. The pupils are massively dilated and instead of a smooth concave surface there are billowing folds of retina. There is virtually no hope of restoration of eyesight in these cases.

The thought of a blind cat is quite horrifying to most owners but a combination of the cat not knowing it’s supposed to worry about its lack of vision and its other senses being so well developed means they actually cope remarkably well. If the environment is kept as constant as possible, most individuals adapt very well to their surroundings.

Many problems in cats are self -limiting and given one or two days most will rectify themselves. Eye conditions should be treated with a little more respect and a little more urgency even if the cat appears to be totally indifferent to its problem. A mild disorder can result in quite dramatic and devastating changes to the eye if left untreated so don’t delay and seek expert advice as soon as possible.

http://www.eliminatecatodour.com

About The Author
Anita Hampton http://www.eliminatecatodour.com

Walking With Your Cat Outdoors

Our homes are also our cats’ homes, and some cats may need to remain house cats for whatever reason. For example, they may be at risk of harm if they go outside; you may live on a busy main road. Other owners choose to keep their pets inside because they are valuable and may be at risk of being stolen. This does not mean that you have to keep them inside your house all of the time though. You need to let them experience the outside world occasionally. Walking your cat outside will enable her to do this in safety.

Another benefit of walking with your cat outdoors is that it will help to overcome the boredom of being constrained inside the home. Just like us, cats also need variety and a change of scenery. Being constrained may cause boredom or anxieties.

Cats are not always expressive, but studies show that boredom causes destructive behaviors such as scratching the furniture etc. Regular access to the outside can help to prevent this.

Walking outside could be a good form of exercise for your cat. There is a risk that cats who stay in the home all the time can become overweight or obese. As well as the associated health risks, this can shorten your pets life span.

Walking with your cat outdoors does not need to be problematic. You will need to get your cat used to walking in a harness, but this can be relatively easy if introduced gradually at a young age. If she is older, introduce it gradually, by letting her get used to the feel of it indoors before you try to lead her outdoors. Take things at her pace, and don’t become impatient with her.

You will also feel the benefits of walking your cat outdoors- you will be exposed to fresh air and exercise yourself!

Cat Allergy- What Can I Do, I Love Cats?

According to a recent report, between six and ten million people (that’s approximately two percent of the population!) in the United States are allergic to cats or exhibit symptoms of cat allergy. However, people often misunderstand these symptoms. Majority believe that cat allergy are caused by allergens from the fur or cat dander (scales of the skin), when, in fact, most of the potent allergens come mainly from saliva and sweat.

A cat’s saliva or sweat contains a protein with a carbohydrate structure called “Fel d 1.” It is an allergen that causes symptoms of cat allergy. “Fel d 1” is much smaller than pollen or mold spores, which are already very potent allergens because of their diminutive size, but because of its much smaller size, “Fel d 1” has even greater potential to cause an allergic reaction. “Fel d 1” can easily bypass nasal passages and lodges deep in the lungs, where it can cause allergic episodes and asthma.

Like pollen and mold spores, “Fel d 1” are airborne allergens. They are often microscopic and float in the air easily. After a cat licks itself while grooming, “Fel d 1” allergen is deposited on its fur and once that happens, the dried specks of saliva can float off and drift around your home. The protein allergen can be found anywhere as aside from being airborne, it attaches itself to walls, windows, and furniture. What is even more amazing is that this allergen can remain in your home for years after a cat leaves your home. So if you want to remove the allergen from your home to protect yourself from cat allergy, everything would have to be totally cleaned.

Symptoms

Like most allergies, cat allergy can affect your eyes, nose, ears, throat, lungs, and skin. The symptoms, especially respiratory reactions, usually occur between fifteen and forty minutes after one is exposed. However, note that pet-related allergies like cat allergy can take days from initial exposure for its onset.

The most common symptoms associated with cat allergy are:

* Red, itchy, or swollen eyes
* Reddened areas on the skin
* Runny nose
* Nasal congestion
* Sneezing
* Ears that become stuffed up or itchy
* Post nasal drip
* Itching and hoarseness in the throat
* Frequent bronchitis
* Coughing and wheezing

How to Control Cat Allergy

Always the best way to control allergic reactions is avoidance method. However, majority of people with cat allergy often ignore medical advice and continue to keep at least one cat at home even after diagnosis of their condition. We all love our cats and we want to protect them, but you should think about yourself once in a while. Below are some tips to help you control your cat allergy even while keeping a cat home:

* Use reputable allergy relief and avoidance products at home

* Since “Fel d 1” allergens float in the air, having a source of fresh air will reduce the allergen. Improve ventilation in your house by using an air conditioner even during humid months.

* Use a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to reduce particles of cat allergen in your home.

If symptoms persist even after following the tips provided above, then perhaps it’s time for you to consult a doctor for his advice on proper medication or immunotherapy.

About The AuthorHans-Ole Wandt is a very known environmental inventor. He have started a site called http://www.health-information.info. He will come with some very unique system for the net, in the future.

 

 

 

Cats & Kidney Disease

Many people assume that an old sick cat automatically has kidney disease. This is incorrect, and my own cat (Prada’s predecessor!) Humpy was living proof of it. A young cat, Humpy developed the symptoms early, and the cause was probably an inferior diet in the 2 years before he took charge of me.

In case you aren’t sure why kidneys are important, they are basically the waste disposal systems of cat bodies. They eliminate toxins from the blood and also filter out waste products from the food your cat eats.

The higher quality the food your cat gets, the less work the kidneys have to do, and the less likely there will be problems. This is why I feed Prada nothing but the best. There are many symptoms to watch out for – they include constant scratching, tiredness, constant drinking and going to the kitty litter tray. Note that none of these symptoms is definitive – it could be something else, so don’t panic if your cat suddenly gets an itch!

The safest way to determine how well your cat’s kidneys are functioning is a BUN test (blood, urea, nitrogen concentration) together with a urine test, and only your vet can do this for you. Once a year is best because the earlier you catch a problem, the easier it is to fix. But what’s better than fixing a problem? Preventing it! Here are my top tips for preventing kidney disease and keeping Prada fit as a fiddle.

1) Only feed your cat high biological value protein food. Twice daily is best.

2) A fat cat is an unfit cat. Exercise before food!

3) Give her dietary supplements – crushed garlic that contains potassium is good, as are B vitamins.

4) Plenty of fresh water. Change the water in the bowl regularly.

These tips are helping keep Prada fit and heathy – don’t you owe your cat the same? She’d look after YOU if things were reversed!

Please feel free to show your appreciation for my little essay by voting for Prada here – http://www.petmillions.com/vote.asp?vote=3140. If she wins, you can be sure plenty of winnings will find their way back to rescue cats!

About The Author Ms Jayne Marsham is the carer for Prada, a beautiful rescue cat entered in the petmillions Grand Prize Draw. You can vote for Prada at http://www.petmillions.com/vote.asp?vote=3140