Blepharitis in cats: symptoms and home treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

By nature, a cat's eyes are endowed with magical beauty. But unfortunately, they are often subject to ophthalmic ailments that cause suffering not only to an affectionate pet, but also to its owner - it is always hard to watch your friend suffer, especially when you don’t know how to help him.

One of the most common eye diseases in cats is blepharitis. It is insidious in that its symptoms are very similar to those of conjunctivitis - this not only makes it difficult to diagnose, but also, accordingly, affects the correct choice of treatment.

Inflammation is concentrated on the eyelids of the animal. In this material, we will describe to you in as much detail as possible what constitutes blepharitis in cats. About the symptoms and treatment, diagnosis, causes and consequences of the disease, preventive measures, read on.

What is blepharitis?

Unfortunately, eye diseases in cats are not uncommon. Blepharitis is one of the most common and dangerous ailments. Knowing what the symptoms of the disease are and the first signs of an incipient disease, the owner will be able to provide first aid in time,show your pet to a specialist, start timely treatment.

Blepharitis is a condition in which the edges of the eyelids become inflamed, hardened and thickened. There are several varieties of this pathology, differing in symptoms and the course of the inflammatory process. An inexperienced pet owner will easily confuse the symptoms of blepharitis in cats with signs of conjunctivitis - in both cases, the animal's eyelids swell, there are various discharges from the eyes. It is very dangerous when the owners are simply too lazy to seek advice from the clinic, which dooms the pet to prolonged suffering.

If in some forms of conjunctivitis the owner still has a chance to cure the animal by washing, then in the case of blepharitis this chance is absent - every day the pet's suffering will only increase.

Symptoms of blepharitis

Conjunctivitis and blepharitis in cats (we posted a photo of sick pets in the article) can occur both simultaneously, and be a consequence and complication of each other. However, there are symptoms that are specific only to blepharitis. This pathology has several varieties (we will talk about this below), but there are a number of signs that are characteristic of all types of blepharitis.

The animal experiences severe itching in the eyes, they have profuse lacrimation. At the same time, the eyelids turn red and swell. In an effort to relieve itching, the cat tries to scratch the eye with its paw, and in this case, injuries cannot be avoided. Severe inflammation reduces the incision of the eyes, the animal's viewing angle is significantly narrowed, against the background of blepharitis may developconjunctivitis.

Causes of disease

Causes of blepharitis in cats vary:

• pathogenic microflora - viruses, streptococci and staphylococci penetrate the body;
• parasitic lesions that also affect the eyelids (most often the culprit of the disease is a subcutaneous tick);
• fungal agent, causative agent of lichen;
• allergic reactions (sometimes it is difficult to determine which food is an allergen for your pet);
• injury causing infection;
• seborrhea, characterized by dysfunction of the sebaceous glands and the appearance of dandruff, including the eyelids;
• autoimmune diseases causing eye complications;
• endocrine disorders.

In addition, congenital cystic formations in cats can be the cause of the disease. In some breeds (Burmese, Himalayan cats, Persians), the disease often develops against the background of such a hereditary disease as complete closure of the eyelids. This can cause meibomian blepharitis.

Varieties of blepharitis: simple (scaly)

Inexperienced owners may not pay attention to this form of the disease for a long time, believing that the animal scratched its eye during a fight with fellow tribesmen or stumbled upon some sharp object. Be more attentive to your pets - if a cat has a swollen eye, this does not mean at all that she has received a banal injury that will heal by itself, without your participation.

The edges of the eyelids thicken because the vesselsundergo hyperemia. At the roots of the eyelashes, grayish scales (crusts) are clearly visible, which eventually disappear along with the eyelashes. Often, along with scaly blepharitis, a cat is also diagnosed with conjunctivitis. In the absence of proper treatment, the eyelids of the animal will become covered with ulcers, and the disease will move to the next stage.

Ulcerative blepharitis

Over time, the crusts of scaly blepharitis in cats turn yellow from suppuration underneath. An ulcer is a moist wound that infections can easily enter. Such a pathogenic agent significantly complicates the course of the disease, destroying the cat's body as a whole through sore eyes. Sometimes ulcerative surfaces can heal, but as a result, the thin and delicate skin of the eyelids tightens in such a way that a torsion forms.

Eyelashes do not grow because hair follicles are damaged. The cat cannot close its eye completely, suffering from profuse lacrimation and terrible itching.

Meibomian blepharitis

If you've had problems with barley at least once in your life, then you know where the meibomian gland is located. It contains a focus of inflammation. There is such a gland in cats, and when the infection gets to it, the disease passes into a new form - meibomian. The affected gland begins to actively produce a secret, pus enters the mucous membrane of the eye. An extensive inflammatory process develops.

Fungal blepharitis in cats

This variety is caused by dermatophytoses:

• Microsporum canis (much less commonMicrosporum gypseum);
• Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Lesions on the eyelids can be round, oval, or irregular. Diagnosis is based on the results of microscopy of hair from the affected area. The treatment is complex, including the external and systemic use of antifungal drugs.

Demodectic blepharitis

This form of pathology develops against the background of the activity of the mite of the genus Demodex. It lives on the cat's skin and feeds on desquamated epithelium. Demodex actively multiplies when the immune system of the animal is weakened and causes inflammation. This form is difficult to treat and requires special attention from an ophthalmologist.

Allergic blepharitis

And this is one of the most common forms of blepharitis in cats. The process is very acute - the sclera turn red, photophobia appears, the animal experiences severe itching, there are abundant watery discharge from the eyes, low-grade fever. Cats are extremely restless, rubbing their faces against furniture and other objects.

Diagnosis

An accurate diagnosis can only be established in a clinical setting. The veterinarian examines with a slit lamp. Then a blood test is prescribed to assess the general condition of the animal, additional studies to determine the nature of the pathology, and a biopsy of the eyelid tissue.

Treatment of blepharitis in cats

We told you about the signs of this disease, about its nature, you saw rather unpleasant photos of sick animals. Maybe someone thought it wasthe disease is incurable, and someone is at a loss - how to treat blepharitis in cats? And is it possible to cure an animal at home?

I would like to reassure you: blepharitis in cats is curable. But successful treatment will require the active participation of the owner, the animal must feel your love and care. A sick pet will need a serious examination and competent, comprehensive treatment.

Blepharitis, which has developed due to the activity of microorganisms, requires a course of treatment with antibiotics and immunostimulants. The subcutaneous tick is so tenacious that it will take several months to get rid of it.

Fungal infections veterinarians try to treat with three vaccinations and fungicides (ointments, creams). In addition, the animal is prescribed drugs for instillation and eyewash (ointments, drops, gels, emulsions and antibacterial suspensions).

The edges of the eyelids are disinfected with alcohol-ether, a solution of brilliant green. One percent oletriin, synthomycin, gentomycin, 10% methyluracil suspension is injected into the conjunctival sac. Scales and crusts are softened with saline, vaseline ointment, after which they are removed with sterile cotton-gauze swabs.

The eyes of the animal are instilled with hydrocortisone drops, using Sofradex. Antibiotic treatment involves the use of not only injections, but also ointments. The use of eye drops "Iris" is recommended. The dosage is prescribed by the veterinarian, but usually 1-3 drops are dripped depending on the weight.animal; "Conjunctive" (2 drops, 3 times a day for 10 days). To prevent the cat from scratching its eyes, it is advisable to wear a protective collar.

It is important to know that not all medical procedures the owner can perform on their own. For example, you can hardly carry out the introduction of antibacterial agents into the conjunctival area without the help of a specialist. It is important to carry out complex treatment in order not only to get rid of blepharitis in cats, but also to prevent complications.

Disease prevention

Chinese blepharitis often doesn't work with traditional preventive measures. The fact is that vaccines that are administered to cats can only protect the pet from certain viruses. They cannot protect your furry friend from subcutaneous mites and bacteria. The only thing the owner can do in this situation is to protect the cat from stray and unhe althy animals.

Shoes and outerwear should always be in the closet so that the pet does not rub against the shoes, which can become a source of many unpleasant diseases. Of course, you should regularly conduct preventive examinations in a veterinary clinic, which will save your pet from many diseases, the beginning of which the owner may not notice.