Overview
You may be conversant with glaucoma in humans , but did you realize that khat can also develop glaucoma ? Although this condition is comparatively uncommon , it can have significant impacts on the life of affected khat . scan on to learn more about how we name and treat this condition in our feline admirer .
What is Glaucomain Cats?
Glaucoma is a disease in which the intraocular pressure ( IOP ) , or pressure within the eye , is abnormally high . This hap when fluid in the oculus , jazz as sedimentary humour , is unable to drain effectively . The eye is constantly raise aqueous humour ; if it can not drain , the air pressure in the eye will increase like a water balloon that is being overfill . The buildup of fluid in the eye itself can put atmospheric pressure on the optic nerve , which connects the eye to the head .
Fortunately , glaucoma is relatively uncommon in cats . Siameseand Burmese cats are predisposed to this condition , however , and therefore are more potential to develop glaucoma .
Glaucoma should not be confused with cataracts . Cataracts are make by changes within the crystalline lens of the eye , while glaucoma is triggered by increase quantities of the fluid that besiege the lens . While both stipulation can cause cecity in cat , they are separate diseases .
Glaucoma in CatsSymptoms
Glaucoma can touch one or both eyes . Clinical signs may vary , depending on the severity of the condition . Without effective treatment ( and sometimes despite in force treatment ) , glaucoma in computed tomography will progress and symptoms may become more pronounced over time .
sign of former stage glaucoma in hombre can admit :
As glaucoma progress , the pressure build up on the optic nerve can lead to blindness . In severe casing , the eye(s ) may be visibly enlarged and bulge from the eye socket .
WhatCausesGlaucoma in Cats?
Glaucoma in cat can be divided into two all-inclusive category : primary glaucoma and secondary glaucoma .
Primary glaucomais cause by an anatomical defect of the eye that kibosh fluid drain within the eye . This form of glaucoma is relatively uncommon in cats . It mainly affects Siamese and Burmese cats , though it has been uncommonly reported in other breeds , including Russian Blue and Domestic Shorthair cats .
subaltern glaucoma , in line , occurs petty to another condition . Most cause of feline glaucoma are secondary to another disorderliness of the eye that interferes with fluid drainage . likely triggers of secondary glaucoma include eye inflammation , head hurt , tumors within the eye , damage to the lens system , luxation ( displacement ) of the lens , and other condition .
Diagnosing Glaucomain Cats
Your veterinary surgeon will expend a tool called a tonometer to mensurate your cat ’s IOP ( middle insistence ) . In most cases , this run can be done without anesthesia or sedation . Your veterinary surgeon will administer numbing eye drops , then tinct the tonometer to the surface of the eye . You may be familiar with these routine from your own optometry appointments .
In improver to assessing your Caterpillar ’s IOP , your veterinarian will perform a thoroughgoing physical examination . Your veterinarian will also perform an ophthalmic examination , looking for other opthalmic conditions that may be consociate with your cat ’s glaucoma .
Cat GlaucomaTreatment
Glaucoma in cats requires intervention , for a number of reasons . First , this shape is painful for a quat with glaucoma . Treating your Arabian tea ’s glaucoma is essential , in parliamentary law to keep your big cat comfy and maintain their quality of life . to boot , untreated glaucoma will shape up , causing terms within the middle and extend to blindness . This blindness is usually permanent , once it occur .
Glaucoma is often managed with oculus bead , such as dorzolamide and Blocadren . These drib slow the product of aqueous humor and/or promote the drain of sedimentary humor . Your vet may also prescribe medications to treat an underlying oculus disease contributing to your khat ’s glaucoma . It is of import to give all medicine consistently , as organise by your veterinarian .
If your Arabian tea ’s glaucoma does not respond to medical treatment , your veterinary surgeon may advocate surgery . Rarely , operating theatre may be attempted to restore drainage of aqueous mood in an exploit to maintain your cat ’s vision . In most cases , however , surgical handling regard enucleation or removal of the center . If your cat ’s eye is causing pain sensation and has already lost vision , removing the eye may be the most humanistic choice for your kat .
ManagingGlaucoma in Cats
Cats with glaucoma will typically remain on medicinal drug for the rest of their aliveness . Therefore , it ’s helpful to make medication prison term as pleasant and broken - stress as possible . experimentation with dissimilar localisation for medicament administration — are you and your true cat more well-to-do with your cat on the flooring , on a countertop , or even sit down in your lap ? Give your cat lots of affection before administrate eye cliff , and follow eye drops with a tasty goody to produce a positive connexion .
If your cat becomes blind due to glaucoma , they will in all likelihood adapt amazingly quickly to their passing of visual modality . you’re able to help your cat acclimatize by not rearranging article of furniture or other items within your home , so they can learn their way around your home without mess . Within a few weeks , most cat are catch around so well that they may not even realize they are blind . For more entropy on coping with feline blindness , see ourGuide to Life with a Blind Cat .
How to PreventGlaucoma in Cats
There ’s no surefire mode to prevent glaucoma in true cat . However , there are ways you could minify your cat ’s risk .
Ensure that your computerized tomography receives unconstipated veterinary care . Tai and Burmese cats , in particular , should receive regular heart examination . Early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma will maximize your cat ’s well-being and minimize their risk of blindness .
If your cat is usher signs of an eye issue , have them seen by your veterinarian as before long as possible . Even if their optical progeny do n’t point glaucoma , many eye conditions can cause glaucoma if they are left untreated . Early diagnosing and discussion of eye result can play a fundamental character in preserve your cat ’s vision .
Finally , understate your cat ’s peril of secondary glaucoma by deoxidize their risk of oculus disease or injury . Keeping your big cat indoors will not only reduce their risk of exposure of trauma , it can also reduce the hazard of infectious and inflammatory disease that may contribute to glaucoma .
