Feline Eye Allergies
Allergies are quite common in cats. According to Medi-Vet.com, a healthy cat should have bright, clear eyes, and the area surrounding the eye should be white. Cats that suffer from allergies may have watery eyes or may develop conjunctivitis.
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Identification
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According to Medterms.com, an allergen is defined as a substance that is foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction. This may include substances such as chemicals, medication, pollen or mold. A cat may develop eye allergies that can lead to other conditions of the eye.
Conjunctivitis
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Medi-Vet.com states that conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye that causes a thick yellow-green discharge in the cat's eye. The most common causes of conjunctivitis in cats are allergies, fungal infections, bacterial infections or viral infections. Conjunctivitis may return in cats soon after treatment, unless exposure to the allergen is stopped. Cats that have repeated conjunctivitis should be examined by a veterinarian to be certain they do not have a herpes viral infection, which may be contagious to other cats as well as humans.
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Watery Eyes
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Feline eye allergies may cause itchy, watery eyes. Cats that have this type of allergy may appear to have eyes that constantly weep. Inhaled allergens are the most common causes of this type of eye symptom. Some examples of inhaled allergens are pollen and dust. Cats that have eyes that water frequently and not just seasonally should be examined by a veterinarian to ensure that a blocked tear duct (an inherited defect) does not exist. According to Medi-Vet.com, the symptoms of a blocked tear duct are staining of the fur around the eye and chronic weeping of the eye.
Treatment
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According to Peteducation.com, the best course of treatment for feline eye allergies is avoidance. Allergy testing may be helpful in finding out what substance the cat is allergic to, making it easier to avoid contact with the substance. For example, cats that are allergic to pollen may have a decrease in allergy symptoms if they are kept indoors during a period of high pollen. Consult your veterinarian about chronic eye allergy symptoms for proper diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Considerations
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While feline eye allergies are rarely serious, they can cause your cat to suffer some unpleasant symptoms. According to Medi-Vet.com, the symptoms of eye conditions that may be more serious than allergies may include cloudiness in the eyeball, red inner eyelids, a dull appearance to the eye's surface, the "third' eyelid being visible across the eye, an unusual discharge, excessive staining of the fur around the eye and matter in the corner of the eye.
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References
- Photo Credit Green Cat Eyes image by Vickie Cole from Fotolia.com
