You must have seen those dried up cat eye boogers around the eyes of your feline suddenly? Although having a little bit of dried crust on the outer edges of the eyes of your cat is nothing to be actually concerned about but in case of extreme or colored drainage, you may find that it is actually an indicator that something is wrong with respect to their health.
As cat owners, we must understand that eye issues can totally alter the behavior of our pet giving them the urge to paw the eyes, squint or even close the eyes frequently. The presence of eye infections in cats may be expressed as different types of discharges including watery ones, coloured thick mucus. Notably, when your cat indicates that he is in pain by squinting, blinking a lot, or pawing at the eye, professional veterinary assistance is needed on the spot. Dr. Brad Holmberg, a veterinary ophthalmologist, validates that although it is not serious, grayish discharge as one wakes up is normal, but this discharge, however, must not be ongoing all through the day .
In this article, we will discuss all you need to know about cat eye discharge, what various types may signify in regard to health of your pet and when you need to act.
What Are The Cat Eye Boogers?
Eye boogers refer to everything that comes out of the eyes of your cat, whether a tear or a piece of debris that has been sticky or a mucus secretion and even blood [1]. All these does not just amount to random gunk, they are very important components in the ocular health system of your cat.
Normal and abnormal discharge of eyes
In case of healthy cats, dried crusty fragments around the periphery of the eyes, in small quantities, are absolutely normal. These small crusts are normally found after sleeping and their color varies between pale yellow to brownish or reddish-brown.
A majority of discharge of eyes is however abnormal. Health cat does not persistently go through the day with clear and bright in the eyes. Moreover, when you observe mucus-like (green or yellowish) swellings in high quantities, pus-like (white) matter, and bloody secretions, all these symptoms indicate the presence of a medical condition. Discharge that is abnormal may be accompanied with other symptoms consisting of redness, swelling, squint or total edema of the eyes.
The formation of the eye boogers in the form of tears and mucus How eye boogers are made
Eyes of the cats contain water, salts, protein, mucus, and fatty oils in a tear film that protects the eyes. This clear film serves as windshield wipers as your cat closes his eyes and removes the dust and other impurities on the eye surface.
In the normal course, tears flow into tear ducts (nasolacrimal ducts) which are present in the corner of the eye where the nose is, after which it flows into the sinuses and down the throat. Other times, particularly when asleep, tear constituents such as mucus crystallize and accumulate in the extremities of the eyes which is what leads to those common-looking boogers.
Whenever there is an irritation in the eyes, the production of tears intensifies to safeguard the eye. This added output along with possible clogging of the usual channels of drainage causes over discharge.
Better cousins likely to have eye boogers
There are specific breeds of cats, which by anatomical structures are predisposed to the problems with discharge in the eyes. Such brachycephalic (flat-faced) cats as Persians or Himalayans usually are unable to properly drain their tears because of the shape of their face. The squashed in their faces and big eyes often create inappropriate drainage of the tears.
Also, breeds having unusual face or eye structures are more likely prone to diseases that result in excessive drainage. Bulging eyed cats are easily prone to eye injury because more of the surface of the eyes is exposed hence more prone to irritation and consequent discharge.
These are breeds that tend to tear excessively (have epiphora) and it is more of a cosmetic problem than a health problem to them. However, you should ensure that your doctor ascertains that the discharge is also normal in your cat species and it does not signify any complications.
Ordinary Causes of Cat Eye Boogers
It is noted that knowledge concerning the cause of eye boogers into your feline friend can assist you in deciding your time of seeking veterinary attention. So what are the major causes of these eye discharges? Let us see.
Eye infections and conjunctivitis
The most frequently occurring feline eye disease is conjunctivitis, which is inflammation conjunctiva (the pinkish membrane, lining the eyelids). This membrane swells and turns red when one is infected which leads to excessive flow of eye discharge. Numerous cats will most likely have at least a temperate occurrence of conjunctivitis for the duration of their existence. This can be caused by bacterial infection, viral infection and in both instances they have the same symptoms which include redness, swelling as well as discharge that may be clear, watery all the way to thick and coloured.
Feline herpesvirus and upper respiratory infection
Feline herpes virus (FHV-1) is one of the main causes of cat eye discharge. The common virus is widely spread with an affinity of about 90 percent of the feline. After the first infection most of cats become carriers and the virus stays in the nervous system of the cats in an inactive form. Eye symptoms are accompanied by upper respiratory problems such as conjunctivitis, sneezing, discharges, and loss of appetite.
Impaired tear duct and facial formations
Facial structure is a major aspect of drainage of tears. Persians and Himalayans are examples of brachycephalic (flat-nosed) breeds that commonly have tear duct obstruction because of the way they are facial shaped. Further, at around the eyes long hair may keep debris hence blocking tear ducts. In cases of obstruction the tears run over the face instead of being drained into the nose.
Allergy and environmental irritants
Cats just like human beings can be allergic to other environmental elements. Repeated exposure to pollen, dust mites, spores of molds, smoke and household cleaning chemicals are often a factor in allergic conjunctivitis. Common signs and symptoms include red spots, watery eyes with pawing of eyes. The secretions in allergic reaction are most often clear as opposed to infectious-related secretions.
Offending agents or trauma
Eye injury_ is often caused by some foreign substance such as grass seeds, dirt and splinters getting trapped into the eye. Trauma-reliant discharge can cause cats to be light sensitive, squint their eyes, have clouded corneas or continue pawing at the affected eye. Serious eye injuries may also be obtained as a result of fight wounds or scratches. These are the settings which need immediate veterinary care so that the damage may not be permanent.
What Various Kinds of Eye Discharge Signify
The color of eye discharge on your cat would give a good indication of the condition of health it has. A look at the color, consistency and smell are enough to tell you as to whether your kitty needs some urgent veterinary attention.
Transparent liquid discharge
Clear, yellow fluid normally means mild problems. Such a kind of discharge is frequently caused by allergies towards dust, fungus, pollen or home products. Besides, clear discharge may indicate a tear duct block or excessive production of tears, epiphora. When the tears fail to drain, the tears will end up running over onto the face of your cat which will finally cause tear stains especially in the long run. However, it is not serious most of the time, but in some cases when both eyes experience the problem at the same time, then it may result in the development of the first signs of viral infection.
Green or yellow Mucus
Discharge may be thick and yellowish or green and that has to get attention since it is frequently the sign of bacterial infections. Veterinary scholars argue that, green or yellow mucus is an indication of bacterial infection. The type of ointment or eyedrops that contain antibiotic is likely to be applied to treat it. These infections occur as a secondary effect to other respiratory conditions or a result of a viral infection. Conjunctivitis is often accompanied by cloudy sticky discharge; yellow mucus is an indication of bacterial infections, whereas clear mucus is an indication of viral infections. This kind of discharge normally needs the attention of the veterinarian than home medicine.
Rust colored or brown crust
Tears often wet the fur beneath the eyes with crusty reddish-brown areas often forming. This will cause discoloration since tears contain porphyrins, which are molecules containing iron. It is absolutely normal to have small portions of dried crusty discharge at the edges of the eyes and especially after a sleep. However, the frequent discharge of rust color showing wetness under the eyes or skin sores may be related to incessant epiphora or maybe an infection that leads to skin irritation.
Gushing blood or stinking fluids
Discharge with a characteristic of blood or foul smell is a condition that needs direct medical assistance of a veterinarian. Bloody discharge may represent trauma, a bleeding mass, or a widespread underlying bleeding diathesis. Relative to sex, discharge that is bloody, has a foul odor or that appears abnormally colored should be professionally examined immediately. The above symptoms may be indications of serious illnesses such as ulcers in the eye, severe infections, or even tumors that need specialized attention.
Treatment of and prevention Cat Eye Boogers
Proper treatment of eye boogers of your cat includes management both by yourself at home and when the issue is out of your control and needs to be professionally examined. Check out the ways to deal with those annoying eye discharges without causing any harm to you.
Safe ways of cleaning the home
At home, one begins with the right supplies to properly clean the eyes of the cat. Take sterile or boiled (cooled) water and clean cotton balls or soft washcloths. Wash your hands well before handling the eyes of your cat to prevent germs. Use cotton ball and wipe slowly outward starting with the inner edge of the eyes and each eye should be wiped with a new cotton ball to avoid cross contamination. In minor discharge, such cleaning technique may offer relief even without drugs.
Indications of applying lysine supplements
Feline herpesvirus is very prevalent and is marked by eye discharge; L-lysine supplement may be beneficial to cats with the disease. This is an essential amino acid which helps to reduce speed of replication of the virus. Scientific evidence on the subject is inconclusive, but some veterinarians advise the use of lysine to treat the symptoms of herpes involving the eyes. Various forms of supplements are available in the forms of powders, treats and gels. Before beginning any supplement routine, check with your vet concerning dosage that is acceptable to your cat size and health problem.
Veterinary infections treatment
When your vet identifies the cause of the eye boogers on your cat, proper intervention follows often in form of using eye drops or sometimes using eye ointments by directly applying the liquid or cream on the eye. Your vet may prescribe the following depending on the diagnosis:
Anti- biotic eye drops against bacterial infection
Herpesvirus Antiviral drugs
Reduction of swelling by anti-inflammatory drops
Ocular lubricants Or tear duct obstruction
Suggestions on how Pet setters can prevent eye infections in cats
To reduce boogers around eyes, keep eye check ups regular and up to date with vaccines. Moreover, maintain a clean home environment, especially the beddings and playing areas of the cat. Puppies that are brachycephalic and are prone to eye infections should be wiped around the eyes each day. Increasing the nutrition of your cat with good diet also boosts his immunity against infections.
Administration of eye medicine on a reluctant cat How to do it
To give eye drops to a cat that is unhappy about the prospect, patience and skill are important. To start with, you can put your cat inside a towel keeping their head uncovered; it is commonly referred to as the purrito technique. Catch a hold of their head, and with your non-dominant hand, pull a lower eyelid a little bit down. Put medication to the pouch formed by the lower lid without direct contact of the applicator with the eye. Then, reinforce this by an item.
Conclusion
Learning more about your cat eye boogers is the ultimate way to learn more about your cat overall health. In the course of this article, we have examined the ways in which these apparently insignificant discharges may vary between being totally normal to being potentially serious indicators. Admittedly, minor crusty crust around the area after your cat wakes up after taking a nap is not a cause of worry. Nevertheless, alteration in color, consistency, or amount requires your attention.
However, the most critical thing is that when you are aware of the distinction between usual eye discharge and uncomfortable symptoms, you become the stronger pet owner. Mucus of yellow or green color is an indication of bacterial infection, but bloody or smelly discharge is an emergency situation that must be attended by the veterinarian. Moreover, it becomes easier to know what is normal regarding your specific cat after learning its breed inclinations.
Good eye care is the combination of preventative care and when necessary prompt treatment. Frequent (however, mild) cleaning with correct methods can help to avoid the emergence of small troubles into the problems of larger scale. Mild discharge usually disappears under the influence of simple home treatment, but any persistence or exacerbation of the condition requires a visit to a specialist.
Also bear in mind that your cat might depend on you to detect changes in their well being. Since cats conceal symptoms of sickness naturally, slight alterations in the eye (as well as behavior) may be a signal that there is something wrong with cat health. Thus, keeping well-defined vet care combined with an everyday assessment allows your cat the most opportunity of having clean holes in the head.
As long as you do not ignore the health of your cat eyes, you will be able not only to avoid ugly discharge, but will also preserve their vision and health over many years.
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