Cat squint is a disease that is usually caused by several factors. People often wonder about the cause of this. The term for the disease is the third eyelid or cat’s eyes covered by a white membrane.
Causes of Cat Squint
Cat Squint eye is a symptom of a secondary problem. It may have occurred in some cats without the knowledge of the pet owner. So what are the causes?
1. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a condition where a white membrane has covered the cat’s eye, either one side or both sides. The main cause is infection. Not only that the infection also causes other problems such as lacrimation, swollen eyeballs, and so on.
2. Dehydration
The next cause of squinting is a state of very severe thirst or dehydration. This can trigger the appearance of palpebral tertia membranes in cats. Therefore, when this problem does not receive special attention it will occur more severely.
3. Wounds
When a cat is traumatized, for example from a very severe blow, it can trigger a squint. Usually, the first sign is the appearance of a white membrane in the eye. However, this problem will heal itself when the trauma has ended.
4. Entry of Foreign Objects
Without realizing it, cats usually enter foreign objects into their eyes can be dirt such as dust, or others can trigger the appearance of white membranes. Actually, this membrane has the function to protect the eyes so that dirt does not go deeper.
There are times when the entry of foreign objects carries bacteria at the same time, so it makes an eye booger on the cat’s eye.
5. Cancer
The next thing you should be aware of because of the white membrane on the cat’s eye is cancer. But to treat this, you should consult a veterinarian. Because if left unchecked it can lead to more serious problems.
6. Haw Syndrome
Haw syndrome is a disease that attacks the intestines of cats, the main cause is the presence of parasites. The main symptoms are the onset of severe diarrhea and white membranes in the eyes. If you don’t treat the white membrane immediately, it will swell and become more serious.
Squinting Eye Symptoms in Cats
To explain more about squinting eyes, recognize the symptoms below:
- One or both eyes facing in an abnormal direction
- Nystagmus (rapid and involuntary eye movements)
- Poorly coordinated eye movements
- Lack of movement in one eye
- The difference in pupil size of both eyes
- Head tilt
- Difficulty walking
- Frequent lethargy
- Occasional convulsive seizures
- Slowly losing appetite
How to Treat a Squint Eye on Cat
To treat your cat’s crossed eyes, you can do some of the following:
1. Wash It With Warm Water
This trick of washing the eyes with conjunctivitis is a natural treatment, for how is as follows:
- Take a clean soft cloth, or use a tissue.
- Provide warm water in a container, which can be a basin.
- Dip the cloth and squeeze it slightly, leaving a little water behind.
- Apply to the cat’s eye that has the white membrane disorder.
2. Heartleaf Leaf Concoction
If you often do natural medicine, know that Heartleaf maderavine madevine or Anredera cordifolia leaves are among the leaves that are quite powerful for eye treatment.
Its efficacy has been tested for generations from ancestors.
3. Give Eye Drops
For the first treatment, you can try to go to a pharmacy or veterinarian to ask for cat eye drops. Thank goodness it can heal by just using these eye drops.
4. Antibiotics
You may need antibiotics if a bacterial infection has affected the vestibular system. Use a doctor’s prescription to find the right antibiotic.
Antibiotics are also usually given after surgery. This is to prevent the disease from growing again.
5. Surgery
If trauma due to injury has caused damage to the eye muscles, then the most appropriate way to treat it is surgery.
The process of eye surgery needs to be done to correct the length or strength of the eye muscles that have been abnormal. This can help realign the eye. General anesthesia is required for this procedure.
6. Surgical removal
If the cause of squint is due to a tumor, then you should have the tumor surgically removed. This is necessary to prevent the tumor from spreading to the cat.
It may be best to consult a doctor first for the best treatment. The cost of cat surgery is not small. Enough to drain your pocket.
Thus a review of the causes of squinting cat eyes, hopefully, this review will benefit and add a sense of vigilance regarding the causes of cat disease.
