You have all heard that the eyes are regarded as a
window to the soul. This is especially true when you think of a cat.
Our feline friends have amazing eyes and nothing compares to gazing
into them. It's hard not to feel something; even the non cat lovers
admit that they feel swallowed by the deepness of them. But knowing
what to look for can help keep them in good health.
When a cat is
about to play or jump, his or her eyes should be clear, alert and wide
open. If the light in the surrounding area is bright, the cat's pupils
will narrow. The pupils in the eyes of a cat should be the same size as
each others. Just like in we human's. If a change in size in one of the
pupils is noticed, then this may be an indicator to one of a number of
afflictions which could be fairly harmless to more serious.
Some
of the more common symptoms may include an eye inflammation, a disorder
called Horners Syndrome, papillary spasms also known as FeLV, Tumors
and central nervous system injury.
Cat's eyes are naturally
protected from dryness and damage by an inner eyelid, also known as the
third eyelid. The correct term is a nictating membrane and this may
partially close when a cat is ill. If you see this, take it as a strong
sign to get your cat to the local vet quickly, especially if other
symptoms are present. Strangely enough, you will also see the third
eyelid in a happy cat.
And just like humans, a cat's mood can
alter the appearance of its eyes. If it is angry, the pupils will
become narrower. If the cat is excited or frightened, then they become
wide open with much larger pupils. A cat in a mellow mood may show it
when they just become a little bit darker.
Other problems a cat
may need protecting from include cataracts, glaucoma and
conjunctivitis. In certain cases, the conjunctivitis could be
contagious to humans.
The eyes of a cat are very important to
their quality of life. At the first sigh of any trouble it is important
that they are taken to a vet. When spotted early enough, many of the
conditions can be easily treated but left a little too late can spell
trouble.
