Cats: Causes of One Eye流泪 - Possible Reasons Explained

When a cat has tears streaming from just one eye, it can be due to a variety of factors, ranging from infections and irritations to more complex issues like nasal duct obstructions or dietary problems. It's important to first observe if your feline friend is displaying any additional symptoms, such as swelling, increased discharge, or even coughing and sneezing, which might indicate a respiratory infection or another underlying condition.

Understanding the Common Causes of a Single Eye's Tear in Cats

There are several potential reasons why a cat might have tears streaming from just one eye. Here are some of the most common scenarios:

● Eye Diseases: Conditions like conjunctivitis, keratitis, and dacryocystitis, which are often caused by bacterial or viral infections, can lead to inflammation and result in redness, excessive discharge, and tears. These issues can be quite uncomfortable for your cat.

● Nasal Duct Obstruction: This is a common cause of tear overflow in cats. When the nasal ducts are blocked, tears can't drain properly, causing them to leak from the eye. This problem is more prevalent in certain breeds, such as Persians and Himalayans, due to their facial structure that can lead to narrow or blocked tear ducts.

● Foreign Body Irritation: Small particles like dust or sand can accidentally enter a cat's eye, causing irritation and prompting tears. Cats may scratch at their eyes or blink frequently in an attempt to remove the irritant.

● Eye Trauma: Even minor eye injuries, such as being poked by a plant or accidentally scratched during play, can lead to excessive tears as a protective mechanism.

● Other Causes: Although less common, allergies, fungal infections, eye mites, eyelashes that grow inward (trichiasis), and other issues can also cause a cat to have tears in one eye. Treatment often requires a thorough investigation.

Initial Steps to Take

1. Inspect your cat's eye. If it's just watering without signs of redness, inflammation, or pain, you can gently wash it with sterile saline solution or a petspecific eye care product to remove any discharge or foreign objects. Then, apply a few drops of antibiotic eye drops, such as chloramphenicol, tobromycin, or neomycin, to prevent infection.

2. If your cat continues to have excessive tearing, or if you notice redness of the conjunctiva, increased eye discharge (either serous or purulent), or difficulty opening the eye, it's essential to clean the eye with saline solution daily and use Baytril (neomycin sulfate eye drops) three to five times a day, one to two drops per application.

3. If home treatment doesn't improve the situation, or if your cat shows other symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, or lethargy, it's advisable to take them to a veterinarian to rule out infections like herpesvirus.

Remember to put an Elizabethan collar on your cat while they are being treated to prevent them from scratching their eyes. Also, maintain a clean environment by regularly washing your cat's bedding and toys to prevent bacterial growth that could worsen eye infections.