Understanding Watery Eyes In Cats

Watery eyes may not sound serious, but the condition can be an indicator of an underlying health problem affecting your cat. An overproduction of tears can usually be treated once the cause is established, but can leave your cat in unnecessary discomfort if left untreated. Here's what you need to know about watery eyes in cats:

Causes

Watery eyes can be caused by the following:

• The eyelashes or eyelids turning in
• Sinusitis, which can cause inflammation and prevent your cat's tears from draining efficiently
• Trauma or a foreign body in the eye such as a small stone or parasite
• Eye tumour
• Conjunctivitis, which may be caused by a bacterial or viral infection

Symptoms

Aside from an obvious overflow of tears, your cat may display the following symptoms:

• Loosening of the skin around their eyes
• Redness and a murky discharge
• Squinting
• Pain or irritation, which may present as pawing at the eyes and loss of interest in food and play

Diagnosis

Your vet will examine your cat's eyes and take details of their symptoms and health history. They may use a fluorescein stain, which is a type of dye that allows them to detect abrasions and see your cat's eyes in more detail. Your vet will also take blood samples and a sample of the watery discharge from your cat's eyes to check for the presence of inflammation, bacteria and parasites. Diagnostic imaging may be used to determine if your cat has a tumour or a foreign object lodged behind their eye.

Treatment

Treatment for watery eyes will depend on the established cause, but can include the following:

• Ointments - Your vet can prescribe an antibiotic or corticosteroid ointment to treat an infection and reduce inflammation. You'll need to apply this to your cat's eyes daily, and the vet will show you how to do this.
• Oral Medication - There are a number of oral medications that may be suitable for your cat such as antibiotics, anti-parasitic drugs and anti-inflammatories. Oral medication will typically be recommended when sinusitis or conjunctivitis is present.
• Surgery - Tumours and deeply embedded foreign objects will be surgically removed, and eyelids that are turning in will be tacked in place until they readjust and settle in a normal position. If your cat's tear drainage system remains blocked after conservative treatment, your vet may place a small catheter in their tear duct to promote drainage.

If you're concerned about the health of your cat's eyes, schedule an appointment with a veterinary clinic like Ivanhoe Veterinary Clinic as soon as possible.