Runny or Sticky Eyes?
Eye discharge is a common problem in pets. Some types are completely normal, while others may be associated with potentially serious health concerns. In order to determine when you need to take your pet to the vet, you’ll need to understand the various types of eye discharge and what each may mean.
5 most common types of eye discharge:
• A little ‘gunk’ or crustiness – generally made out of dried tears, oil, mucus, dead cells, dust etc. Typically, clear or a slightly reddish-brown colour that accumulates at the inside corners of the eyes. Most evident in the morning and is perfectly normal, with the amount produced each day being relatively constant. It should be easily removed with a damp cloth or eye cleansing solution made for pets. The eyes shouldn’t be red and shouldn’t exhibit any signs of discomfort.
• Watery Eyes – Excessive eye watering (AKA epiphora) is associated with many different conditions that can range from being relatively minor to more serious. Below are some of the common causes of watery eyes in pets:
o Allergies
o Irritants
o Foreign body in the eye
o Anatomical abnormalities (e.g. rolled in eyelids)
o Blocked tear ducts
o Corneal wounds
o Glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
Your pet may have simply received an eyeful of pollen or dust, and the increased tearing is working to solve the problem. If eyes continue to water or your pet develops red, painful eyes or other types of eye discharge, make an appointment with your vet.
• Reddish-Brown Tear Stains – many pets, especially those with light coloured fur, develop a reddish-brown discolouration to the fur near the inner corner of their eyes. This occurs because tears contain a pigment called porphyrin that turns reddish-brown with prolonged exposure to air. In most cases tear staining is cosmetic and can be removed with eye cleansers, however, sometimes it may be due to underlying diseases causing excess tearing so it is advisable to get tear sta
Does your pet have red eyes? Your pet’s eyes are as sensitive as your own, and are just as susceptible to irritation, allergies, injury, and disease. One of the earliest signs of many eye problems is a red eye. If your pet’s eyes appear visibly red or swollen get them checked ASAP by your vet, as some causes of a red eye are not only painful but can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated (such as glaucoma). Common causes of redness:• Conjunctivitis• Allergies or irritants• Foreign object in the eye • Dry Eye• Injury • Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye) • Corneal Ulcers• Glaucoma• Cherry Eye#PetEyeHealth #nationaleyehealthawarenessweek #NEHAW #eyehealthawareness #visionmatters #eyehealth
As #PetEyeHealthAwarenessWeek continues - we take a closer look at eye irritation!
#PetEyeHealth #nationalpeteyehealthawarenessweek #NEHAW #eyehealthawareness #visionmatters #eyehealth
Did you know ⁉️
It can be stressful for your cat to visit the veterinary practice. As part of our Cat Friendly Clinics we have ways to we advise to try and reduce the level of stress you cat encounters on a visit to us.
🐈⬛ Use a traditional hard plastic or wire carrier - these give the cat enough space and don’t collapse on them when in transit.
🐈 Miminismise the time your cat is in the practice - some cats prefer to stay in the car before entering the building for their appointment.
🐈⬛ If waiting in the practice use our cat friendly stand to put your cat basket onto and cover with a towel provided to minimise the visual stresses cat have.
🐈 Use our towels provided to stop your cat having to see the visual stresses when they enter the practice
🐈⬛ We also have a pet remedy spray to apply on the towels to encourage a relaxing aroma when they are entering the practice.
Here is a staged video of what your cat sees when the are brought out of the car and into the practice. 👀
😀 No cats were actually used in this video and we were as careful on the journey into the practice as we could to demonstrate how your cat feels. 🐾 See the second video as a comparison of the same journey with the carrier covered with a towel to minimise the visual stresses 💚