The conditions of the body, which affect the nerves that supply the eyes and the face muscles, may actually lead to various signs known as the Horner’s syndrome. This particular condition is actually characterized by an eyelid, which is protruding from the eyes, drooping eye, or an austerely constricted eye pupil. Any spinal or brain injury might cause this particular syndrome, and it’s also been in association
Droopy Eye in Cats: What is this feline malady?
If the cat has symptoms of droopy eye, you need to schedule an appointment with a vet. After they get to determine the primary cause of the condition, they’ll be starting the proper care or recommend a specialist for the cat. Before you get to visit the vet, you need to prepare –you must know what to answer regarding the cat’s medical history.
Moreover, droopy eye in cats, eye sagging, constricted pupil or protruding eyelid often are in connection with each other. The causes or origins of this condition may vary. They may actually range from brain damage to the inner ear infections. As result, the treatment is not always so simple.
Causes of Cat Droopy Eyes
The causes of droopy eye in cats may differ. Getting to know the causal source for this condition is the first job of the vet. Nonetheless, it is also the hardest, as no cat is immune to it. Further, almost half of the reported cases spontaneously arise even for no apparent reason. Here are some of the most common triggers of the droopy eye in cats:
- Idiopathic cases, wherein a veterinarian finds no cause or source for droopy eyes.
- Eye or ear infections that spur on the buildup of substance, thus displacing the eye mechanisms. The eye sockets and eyelids get inflame, thus causing the enlargement.
- Brain tumor, trauma or injury, which impacts the neurons. As an outcome, the signals associated to the eye movement or positioning will fail.
- Lesions in the spinal cord near the eye nerves, which affect its ability to function properly or at all.
Symptoms of Cat Droopy Eye
The symptoms of the droopy eye in cats may manifest on their outward presence. One or even both of the eyes look abnormal. They may also have inflammation all over the ears. Here are some of the most common symptoms of cat droopy eye:
- Sunken eyes or eye sockets
- Elevated internal eyelid, right above the cornea
- Miosis or the contraction of the eye pupil
- Sagging of the upper eyelid
The cats with symptoms of droopy eye may need an immediate care. You should not wait to take the cat to the vet. This is because the instigation of the condition might be associated to a more serious illness, at times, the early detection is important to a full recovery.
Prognosis of Cat Droopy Eye
Identifying whether a cat has the condition is not actually hard. The presence of it is visual to various spectator. However, detecting the main cause stays as a challenge for the vets. Therefore, the diagnosis of droopy eye in cats may involve some steps.
- Disclosing the medical history of the cat. In order to find the main cause of the condition, the vet might ask for the complete medical history of the cat, as well as the possible events that may lead to the condition.
- Completion of the blood profile. In order to isolate any disease or infection in the cat’s body, the veterinarian may order a series of blood tests. They will display the number of red blood cells in the system together with the abnormalities.
- Urine sampling. The veterinarian may test the urine of the cat to assess if there are maladies, which affect the pH levels, kidneys, and proteins.
- Radiography performance. This particular imaging technique uses an electromagnetic radiation in examining the spinal cord and brain lesions.
- Ordering a CT-scan. This particular imaging technique uses a radiation, in order to spot cancer in the chest cavities, lungs, and bones.
- Requesting an MRI. This particular imaging technique doesn’t use radiation, yet detects tumors and lesions of the spinal cord and brain.
- CSF collection. Using a long needle, the vet will draw cerebrospinal fluid from the spine and analyzes this liquid for any disease later on.
Treatments for Cat Droopy Eye
The droopy eye in cats itself does not need any particular treatment, even though the cat may need to be cured for the primary causes, which lead to the symptoms of the condition. The medications, as well as the treatment protocol may depend on the primary cause. In case of ear infection or bite wound, the treatment is necessary for a complete recovery, and eye medication may be prescribed in relieving the clinical symptoms.
