Feline uveitis: learn all about the causes, symptoms and treatment of the condition that affects the cat's eye

 Feline uveitis: learn all about the causes, symptoms and treatment of the condition that affects the cat's eye

Tracy Wilkins

Feline uveitis is the most common type of cat eye disease among kitties. It is an infection in the eye tissue, causing reactions such as the cat's eye watering, pain and even the cat's eye membrane appearing to bulge outwards. Although uveitis in cats is a common disease, it can also be quite serious. Delaying treatment can lead to serious sequelae in the cat's eye, such as up toTherefore, it is very important to understand how this disease affects the feline eye and how it manifests itself. O Patas da Casa explains everything about feline uveitis, from the possible causes to the correct way to treat this disease in the cat's eye. check out!

Feline uveitis is an inflammation that occurs in the eye tissue of the cat

Feline uveitis occurs when there is a lesion in the tissue lining the cat's eye. It gets its name because it is an inflammation of the uvea (or uveal tract), the name of this tissue present in the eye. Cats have a highly vascularized uvea that functions as a barrier whose purpose is to protect the intraocular fluid. This is, incidentally, the reason why we see the cat's eye watering when it is watery.It is also very common to see the membrane of the cat's eye appearing in cases of feline uveitis due to inflammation. It is also worth mentioning that uveitis can affect only one eye (cat with unilateral feline uveitis) or both eyes (cat with bilateral feline uveitis).

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Uveitis in cats can be divided into anterior, posterior or panuveitis

Feline uveitis can affect different regions of the body. Knowing which area has been affected is important when defining the treatment of uveitis in cats, because the more specific it is, the more accurate the treatment will be. The division of this eye disease in cats is made into three types:

  • Feline anterior uveitis: the most common type of uveitis in cats. Inflammation occurs in the front part of the cat's eye, in the region of the iris and ciliary body, and can occur singly or simultaneously.
  • Feline posterior uveitis: less common than anterior uveitis in cats, it occurs when the inflammation affects the posterior region of the cat's eye, in the region of the choroid.
  • Feline panuveitis: in this type of feline uveitis, the entire uveal tract suffers from inflammation.

Feline uveitis is a disease of the cat's eye that can have very varied causes

Feline uveitis can affect cats of all ages and sexes, but it is one of the most common eye diseases in cats in males. It can appear on its own, but in most cases it is a consequence of another problem or disease that has already affected the pet. Some of the most common external factors to cause uveitis in cats are wounds, trauma or ulcers, which can arise even after a fightIn addition, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, parasites and neoplasms can also cause the appearance of uveitis in cats, since they greatly decrease their immunity. Among the infectious diseases that cause this eye disease in cats, the most common are FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), FeLV (feline leukemia), FIP (feline peritonitis) and FHV-1 (feline herpesvirus). There are also causesidiopathic, i.e. when the diagnosis is inconclusive.

Cat's eye watering and pain at the site are some of the symptoms of feline uveitis

A cat's eye watering is the first sign of uveitis. Cats with this disease usually have very noticeable symptoms. The cat's eye, in addition to watering due to inflammation, turns red and has photophobia (sensitivity to light). The cat's eye membrane appearing is another characteristic sign of the disease. This condition is known as miosis. When it happens, the membrane takes on a more pronouncedvisible bulge on the outside. However, the membrane of the cat's eye appearing does not necessarily occur in all cases. In fact, the symptoms of feline uveitis can vary greatly, which is why it is so important to keep an eye on your eye. Cats with uveitis usually have the following symptoms:.

The diagnosis must be very accurate for the treatment of this cat-eye disease to work properly

For feline uveitis in cats to be successfully treated, early treatment is essential. Uveitis in cats is curable, but if it takes too long to diagnose, the kitty can suffer serious consequences. The biggest problem with diagnosing feline uveitis is that there are many possible causes. First, an eye examination is performed that detects uveitis in cats. But, forusually a clinical sign of another disease, other tests must be done to find out what the real source of the problem is. Therefore, to make an accurate diagnosis, other tests will be necessary. It is no use just treating feline uveitis, you need to find out what is behind it and perform the treatment to actually cure it.

Feline uveitis can leave sequelae in the cat's eye, such as cataracts and blindness

As the diagnosis of feline uveitis is often delayed, the disease can worsen. With early treatment, the animal usually gets well and has no further consequences. However, in some cases, delaying treatment of uveitis in cats can lead to lifelong sequelae. The most common sequelae that this disease in the cat's eye can generate are glaucoma, cataracts, detachment of theTherefore, as soon as you notice any symptoms of uveitis in cats, it is essential to take your cat straight to a specialist.

Uveitis: Cat needs specific and palliative treatments as soon as possible

The treatment of feline uveitis basically consists of specific and palliative care. The specific treatment is done with the use of corticosteroids. Its purpose is to stop the problem at the root. The palliative method is carried out by administering anti-inflammatories. They have the function of reducing other effects that uveitis in cats can cause, such as pain and swelling. With early treatmentIt is worth mentioning that it is easier to cure uveitis in cats if the cause is a wound. In the case of infectious diseases, it is very important to follow the specific treatment for that disease, because only then will your kitten be 100% healthy.

Feline uveitis can be prevented by preventing the diseases that cause it

As feline uveitis is not a disease in itself, but a consequence of others, it is difficult to define a specific prevention method for it. What can be done is to prevent the kitty from contracting these other diseases that lead to uveitis. Cat should, for example, have the vaccination schedule up to date, such as the FeLV vaccine, a disease that is one of the major causes of uveitis in cats. Cat neutering, for example, is a good way to prevent uveitis.in turn, is a way to reduce the chances of the cat running away from home and getting into fights that can lead to wounds and infectious diseases, such as FIV. Both wounds and FIV cause feline uveitis and can be prevented with these basic day-to-day care.

Tracy Wilkins

Jeremy Cruz is a passionate animal lover and dedicated pet parent. With a background in veterinary medicine, Jeremy has spent years working alongside veterinarians, gaining invaluable knowledge and experience in caring for dogs and cats. His genuine love for animals and commitment to their well-being led him to create the blog Everything you need to know about dogs and cats, where he shares expert advice from veterinarians, owners, and respected experts in the field, including Tracy Wilkins. By combining his expertise in veterinary medicine with insights from other respected professionals, Jeremy aims to provide a comprehensive resource for pet owners, helping them understand and address their beloved pets' needs. Whether it's training tips, health advice, or simply spreading awareness about animal welfare, Jeremy's blog has become a go-to source for pet enthusiasts seeking reliable and compassionate information. Through his writing, Jeremy hopes to inspire others to become more responsible pet owners and create a world where all animals receive the love, care, and respect they deserve.