Cats' Tears Not Sadness: Causes & Medication Tips Unvei

Oh, you hear that meowing all day long? Don't assume your feline friend is just feeling blue.

Contrary to what you might think, cats don't cry from sadness. If your cat is frequently shedding tears, and you notice redness, swelling, pain, or excessive discharge in its eyes, these symptoms are often a sign of an underlying condition. This could be anything from conjunctivitis, allergies, foreign objects in the eye, or even respiratory infections.

1. What Causes a Cat to Cry with Tears?

• Eye Infections: If your cat's tears are accompanied by red, swollen eyes, excessive discharge, and frequent blinking, it might be a sign of conjunctivitis caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

• Irritants: Dust, grass seeds, or irritant smoke can刺激 the eyes and lead to excessive tearing.

• Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: Tears normally flow from the conjunctiva into the lacrimal sac, then through the lacrimal canals and into the nasal cavity. If your cat's nasolacrimal duct is blocked, tears can't drain properly and end up oozing out of the corners of its eyes.

• Entropion: Entropion occurs when a cat's upper or lower eyelids roll inward, causing eyelashes to irritate the eye. This condition often requires surgical correction.

• Genetic Factors: Some cat breeds, like Persians, are more prone to excessive tearing due to their facial structure.

2. Medications for Cat Eye Tears

Here are some common treatments for the causes of your cat's tears:

• Antibiotic Eye Drops or Ointments: Medications like ofloxacin, tobramycin, Baytril (neomycin sulfate eye drops), and erythromycin ointment can treat conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and mild keratitis caused by bacterial infections.

• Antiviral Medications: Eye drops and oral medications containing ganciclovir, valacyclovir, or ribavirin can target conjunctivitis and keratitis caused by herpesvirus infections. If your cat shows signs of eye tearing, redness, nasal discharge, and sneezing, consider the possibility of a herpesvirus infection.

If home remedies don't improve your cat's condition, it's crucial to seek veterinary care promptly. Additionally, for entropion/ectropion or severe nasolacrimal duct obstruction, surgical intervention may be necessary, and selfmedication is not recommended.

3. How to Administer Eye Drops to Your Cat

• Make sure your hands are clean or wear clean gloves to prevent contamination of the medication and reduce the risk of crossinfection.

• Hold your cat's head steady and position its eyes upwards.

• Hold the bottle about 23 centimeters from your cat's eye and gently squeeze the drops into the eye.

• After administering the drops, gently close your cat's eyes and gently massage the eyelids to help the medication spread evenly.

• Wipe away any excess medication around the eyes with a tissue or cotton ball to maintain hygiene.

4. Home Care Tips

Beyond following your veterinarian's advice on medication, daily home care is essential:

• Keep the eyes clean: Regularly wipe your cat's eye area with a cotton ball soaked in saline solution to prevent bacterial growth.

• Improve the environment: Reduce dust and smoke in your home, as these can irritate your cat's eyes.

• Monitor diet: Ensure your cat eats a balanced diet and receives adequate vitamins to boost its immune system.

In summary, there are many reasons why a cat might have watery eyes, and correctly identifying and addressing these issues is vital for their health. As a pet owner, it's important to be vigilant about your cat's behavior and seek professional veterinary help when necessary.