Not a fascist, but a strategist: Rostovites were surprised by a cat that cooed like a dove

Reasons for the appearance of a white film on the eyes of cats

A similar defect in representatives of the cat family can appear for various reasons, including:

• breed, genetic predisposition;
• the presence of foreign objects in the eye that irritate the mucous membrane;
• allergies to allergens that have entered the cat’s body through nutritional, aerogenic, or contact routes;
• birth defects;
• exhaustion, sudden weight loss;
• corneal necrosis, corneal lesions (keratitis, corneal ulcer, uveitis);
• conjunctivitis of various etiologies;
• neoplasia, oncological processes;
• inflammation of the third eyelid;
• pathologies of the nervous system;
• age-related changes in the body;
• chemical effects on the mucous membranes of the eyes.

Important! The third eyelid in cats (nictitating membrane) is an important part of the visual aid, performing a protective function. It is a kind of barrier for the eyes, softening the effect of mechanical influences. Clears the eyes of small dust particles and debris.

A white, bluish film on a cat’s eye can also form due to bacterial, viral, parasitic infections, diseases such as chlamydia, immunodeficiency virus, cat flu, herpes virus infection, severe helminthic infestation.

Mycoses (fungal infections), disorders in the functioning of the digestive tract can also cause the appearance of a whitish film on the eyes of a pet.

If a cat is walking outside and a white film appears on one eye, your pet most likely suffered damage to the cornea as a result of a fight. It is possible that debris, street dust, and plant seeds may have gotten into your pet’s eye.

What the students of school No. 23 learned

During the lessons, Irina Anatolyevna Bondarenko , technician of the 1st category, showed the students the cartoon “Secrets of Natural Gas”, filmed by director Andrey Bochek. In the cartoon, the character Gazik, in order to repair and refuel his spaceship, must obtain fuel - natural gas. To do this, it sinks to the bottom of the ocean, where long ago algae and plankton sank and eventually turned into gas. Residents of China were the first in the world to begin extracting this type of fuel. But in Russia, natural gas first appeared in 1819 as a result of the processing of coal. Lamp gas was used in St. Petersburg to light street lamps.

Photo: Dmitry Norov.

Alarming symptoms

When a white-gray film appears on the eyes of a furry pet, owners should carefully examine the eyes of the pet and pay attention to the general condition and behavior of the cat.

Alarming symptoms:

• frequent blinking;
• tearfulness;
• discharge from the eyes of a different nature;
• changes in behavior (lethargy, inactivity, restlessness);
• loss of appetite, digestive problems;
• fever, chills;
• change in the shade of the mucous membrane;
• swelling of the eyelids;
• lack of pupil reaction to light;
• photophobia.

With this problem, cats prefer to retire to secluded places and are reluctant to make contact. Restless behavior gives way to apathy and depression. The pet constantly rubs its eyes with its paw, shakes its head, blinks frequently, squints its eyes, and cannot tolerate bright light. Purulent, serous exudate may accumulate in the corners of the eyes.

Prevention

Each pet needs to be provided with proper care: a balanced diet, regular hygiene procedures. Timely vaccination is important to keep your pet healthy.

It is not recommended to let your domestic cat outside; contact with stray animals is undesirable.

Timely deworming is the key to good health for your pet. The procedure is performed on kittens and adult animals.

What to do if your cat has a white film on his eyes

It is impossible to independently determine what caused the appearance of a whitish film on a cat’s eye, so if you notice such a defect, take the animal to the veterinary clinic for examination as quickly as possible.

Important! If a white, bluish film appears on both eyes at once, this is a very alarming signal, which, if ignored by the owner, can lead not only to deterioration of visual function, partial or complete blindness, but also seriously affect the health of the cat.

The veterinarian will determine the root cause, make a diagnosis based on anemnesis, clinical picture, instrumental and laboratory studies, special tests, and then select the appropriate therapy. Treatment methods (drug therapy, surgery) are selected on an individual basis.

If the cause of the defect is viral-bacterial diseases, the animal is prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy (complex antibiotics, antiviral drugs in injections, tablets), symptomatic drugs to normalize the general condition, vitamin and mineral complexes.

It is mandatory to use ophthalmic agents in the treatment in the form of medicinal drops (Lacrimide, Colbiotsin, Tsiprobid), ointments, gels (Zovirax), as well as eye washes, which have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.

Surgery is used for adenoma, pathological formations in the eye, prolapse, protrusion of the third eyelid, as well as in the case of correction of congenital defects and developmental anomalies.

If foreign bodies get into the cat's eye, they are removed and the eyes are washed with special solutions.

Reasons Why Cats Have Pus in Their Eyes

A cat can have many such reasons. It is necessary to keep in mind that if a cat’s eyes are watery and purulent, this is not a reason for your concern, especially if these discharges from the eyes are quite rare. When assessing discharge from the eyes, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of these discharges. If lacrimation is simple, then this is a normal phenomenon for a cat, but if you notice pus in the eyes, then this is already a cause for concern.

The most common disease in which cats' eyes fester is conjunctivitis..

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the clear mucous membrane of the eye that covers the back of the cat's eyelids and the front of the eyeball to the cornea. With conjunctivitis, the cat becomes depressed, tends to lie down more, and appetite decreases. The purulent form of conjunctivitis is additionally characterized by an increase in body temperature; from the affected eye we note the release of yellow or green exudate - pus. If emergency treatment measures are not taken, the affected eye stops opening completely, the eyelid may be covered with a thick, dense yellow crust, and the eyelids stick together. The skin around the inflamed eye becomes wet, with further hair loss.

The causes of conjunctivitis are varied:

• Mechanical eye injuries (fights with relatives, blows from branches while jumping, exposure to dust, sand, injuries, etc.).
• Infectious diseases caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses, in which purulent conjunctivitis is one of the symptoms of a particular disease (infectious rhinotracheitis in cats, chlamydia in cats, mycoplasmosis in cats, bordetellosis in cats, calcivirus infection in cats).
• Invasive diseases (worms in cats, fleas in cats).
• Allergic reactions. The mucous membrane of the eyes is very sensitive to a variety of allergens (pollen, house dust, perfumes, household chemicals, food products that cause an allergic reaction in a cat - food allergies in animals). Contact with chemicals, evaporation of certain chemicals, gases.
• Transition of the inflammatory process from the skin adjacent to the eye.
• Heredity. In cats with parents with eye diseases, the likelihood of eye disease increases by 50%.
• Congenital eye pathologies - a pathologically located bulb, an excessively tightly located lower eyelid or rolled inward, eyelashes growing in several rows (eye diseases in cats).
• Unbalanced diet, feeding, lack of vitamin A in the diet.

Treatment. It is not recommended to self-medicate a sick cat. Considering that pus in a cat’s eyes can be the result of a number of severe infectious diseases, it is necessary to contact your veterinary clinic to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Veterinary specialists, after conducting a clinical examination of a sick cat, and, if necessary, additional tests (blood test for infectious diseases, eye examination by an ophthalmologist, etc.) will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Treatment will be etiological (the cause of the disease) and at the same time aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease that the cat has.

• In case of viral diseases, it will be necessary to treat these diseases first.
• If a cat is affected by invasive diseases, we carry out deworming and flea treatment.
• In cases where a cat has swelling in the eye area, solutions of novocaine and hydrocortisone are prescribed.
• If a cat has severe pain, a novocaine blockade with an antibiotic is used, which helps relieve pain and inflammation in the eye area.
• When the disease becomes acute and the pet feels pain, a course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed in the form of a course of injections.
• In case of traumatic injury to the eye and a foreign body entering the eye, Iris or Levomycetin drops have a good effect.
• For lacrimation, use drops of Albucid, Bars.

Recommendations for owners

After treatment, the veterinarian will provide recommendations to cat owners on care and nutrition, which owners must strictly follow, constantly monitoring the condition of the eyes and health until the animal is completely healed.

For eye rinsing and hygiene, medicinal decoctions of medicinal herbs and ophthalmic solutions (boric acid, warm water, decoction of chamomile, sage) are prescribed. Potassium permanganate lotions, tricylan powder, and furatsilin solution (the tablet is diluted in water) also help well.

Advice! After therapeutic therapy, even if the cat’s white film has disappeared from his eyes, his condition has improved, do not be lazy to take your pet to the clinic for a second scheduled examination!

Twelve secrets of gas safety

During the training session, technician Irina Anatolyevna Bondarenko told the children 12 secrets of gas safety.

1. Playing in the kitchen is prohibited, especially near a gas stove.

2. The stove must not be cluttered with foreign objects. You cannot place things, books or paper objects near it.

3. You cannot sleep in a room where a gas boiler, water heater or stove is running. This can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

4. If it's cold at home, you can't use the stove to warm up. Tell parents that this may cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

5. Do not dry hair or laundry over a gas stove. And also place kitchen cabinets and other furniture. This may lead to fires.

6. To turn on the stove, you need to ventilate the kitchen. Need to check. Make sure that all taps on the stove are closed, and only then light the burner. The window must be left open for the entire time the gas burner is operating.

7. If you are preparing several dishes, you need to remind your parents to turn on the distant burners first so as not to burn your hands.

8. Yellow flame is dangerous. This means that the gas does not burn completely and poisonous carbon monoxide is released. The stove cannot be used. You must urgently call a technician by calling 04 (landline phone) or 104 (cell phone), as well as by calling the rescue service 112.

9. Monitor the operation of the gas stove: while food is being prepared, it should not be left unattended. Boiling water in a pot can flood the burner, causing a fire or explosion.

10. If you smell gas. Hurry up and open the windows. Call 04 (landline phone) or 104 (cell phone), as well as the emergency number 112.

11. And when you are an adult, know: you cannot install and repair gas appliances yourself. They may explode.

12. Remind parents that gas appliances should be checked by specialists every year. Be carefull.

Photo: Dmitry Norov.

Inflammation of the nasolacrimal ducts

Epiphora is a disease of the nasolacrimal ducts, which is expressed in their blockage and inflammation.

The reasons lie in:

• breed predisposition (Scottish, Persian, exotic cats);
• congenital absence or anatomical narrowness of the neck and mouth of the nasolacrimal ducts;
• injury;
• viral, bacterial, chlamydial infections;
• dacryocystitis;
• canaliculitis.

Inflammation of the nasolacrimal ducts can be diagnosed using a fluorescein test. Before it is performed, the eyes are washed with an antibiotic solution, removing all purulent discharge. Then 1-2 drops of a special composition are instilled into the eye, and the cat’s head is tilted forward. After 2 minutes, the oral cavity of a healthy animal will turn green. If there is partial blockage, coloring will occur within 5-10 minutes. In case of complete obstruction, the natural shade of the mucous membrane will remain unchanged.

Treatment of inflammation of the nasolacrimal ducts is carried out with the help of antibacterial agents, antiseptics and antihistamines. If a cat has a complete blockage of the canals, the veterinarian may resort to surgical bougienage followed by eye hygiene.

Wounds of the eyelids

Wounds to the eyelids are most common in cats that are kept free-range and interact with their cats. Fights for territory and hierarchical fights often end in deep wounds, complicated by infections and street dirt. Untreated wounds in the eye area are accompanied by swelling, hyperemia, and suppuration.

They can be superficial, deep and through. It is enough to clean the superficial wound from dirt and treat it with an antiseptic composition. A deep wound can be recognized by uneven, swollen edges, extensive tissue tears, and copious discharge in the form of ichor or pus. Self-medication of such injuries leads to scar formation and loss of vision.

The veterinarian should examine the patient and determine the extent of tissue damage. Only after this can you choose an effective scheme for restoring cat eyes.

Turn of the century

Entropion (or entropion) is one of the most common ophthalmic diseases in cats. It lies in the abnormal position of the eyelid relative to other structures of the eye.

Entropion can be:

• one-sided or two-sided;
• bottom or top.

The development of pathology is due to the weakness of the connective tissue on the inner lining of the eyelid.

Risk factors include:

• panophthalmitis, uveitis and other inflammations;
• injuries;
• microblepharon (an animal’s inability to close its eyelids tightly, which in winter leads to thermal damage to the cornea);
• corneal syndrome (formation of ulcers on the cornea with copious purulent discharge);
• age-related loss of muscle tone;
• oncological neoplasms.

In the initial stages, the disease manifests itself in frequent blinking, photophobia, and severe pain. As the pathology develops, the discharge becomes cloudy, strabismus appears, the eyelids swell, and the body temperature rises. Transition to the chronic form threatens the cat with complete blindness.

In some cases, conservative treatment is acceptable, but most often doctors recommend surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease associated with atrophy of the optic nerve and a regular increase in intraocular pressure.

The most common causes of glaucoma are:

• trauma and inflammation of the lens;
• getting particles into the eye;
• chronic purulent inflammation of the eyes;
• changes in the cornea.

The main symptoms of the disease are:

• enlargement and hardening of the eyeball;
• pupil enlargement;
• swelling of the mucous membranes;
• cloudiness and loss of sensitivity of the cornea;
• dark red eye color.

The initial stages of glaucoma are treated with conservative methods using diuretics and antibacterial drugs. When the disease is advanced, cats are operated on.

Preventive actions

• As we said earlier, special attention must be paid to the nutrition of your pet. If you are faced with the problem of severe lacrimation, first of all, analyze your pet’s menu. Just like humans, our smaller brothers should not overindulge in sweets, smoked meats, fried and fatty foods, as well as baked goods. Create a balanced menu for your pet, eliminating harmful foods and those that can cause an allergic reaction.
• When bathing an animal, be sure to ensure that detergents (shampoos, pastes, solutions) do not get into the eyes. Be especially careful when using products for fleas, ticks and other parasites.
• Do not allow the animal to be in drafts, especially immediately after washing the pet.
• Trim the long hair on the head and shorten the length of the eyelashes slightly, and also remove hair from the eye area using elastic bands and hairpins. This, of course, is more suitable for decorative breeds. The fact is that in many long-haired breeds, frequent profuse lacrimation is associated with eyelashes and fur getting into the eyes. If you are afraid to cut your dog's hair yourself, you can contact a groomer.
• Avoid contact of your pet with homeless and obviously sick animals.
• Do not neglect the constant preventive examination of your pet at the veterinary clinic.

Diagnostics

With such a symptom, the pet’s visual apparatus should be examined by a doctor.
If a film appears on the cat’s eyes and the whites are half closed, it is necessary to urgently show the pet to the veterinarian. The doctor will conduct an initial examination, ask the owner about the symptoms that appear, and try to find out the causes of the disorder. If the third eyelid is closed due to inflammatory processes, a smear from the mucous membrane is taken to determine the pathogen. When a pathological growth appears in the corner of the eye, the doctor will take a sample for a biopsy to rule out malignant processes. If the eye begins to squint and moves too far to the side, an MRI of the brain is prescribed.

Treatment methods

The choice of treatment method depends on the cause of the cloudy eye:

1. Antibacterial therapy. Prescribed in the presence of infectious diseases caused by bacteria. Therapy can be carried out at home. Broad-spectrum drugs, for example Ciprofloxacin, are administered intramuscularly. Levomycetin drops are instilled into the eyes.
2. Anti-inflammatory treatment. Quickly eliminates swelling, redness and cloudiness. Anti-inflammatory drugs (Onsior, Cymaldzheks) are administered orally or intramuscularly. They have a negative effect on the cat’s body, so they should be used in short courses.
3. Surgical interventions. In case of glaucoma, corneal ulceration and other diseases, surgery becomes the only way to save the animal’s life. They often resort to drastic methods of treatment, including removal of the affected eyeball. In case of ulcerative lesions, only the affected areas of the cornea are eliminated. After surgery, scars remain that reduce visual acuity.

Treatment of scleritis

The etiology (causes), localization, severity, and characteristics of the course of the disease determine the therapeutic strategy. Thus, a viral infection is stopped through immunostimulation and immunomodulation, a bacterial infection - with antibiotics, allergic inflammation - with antihistamines.

Glucocorticoid drugs, corticosteroid drops and ointments are widely used locally, and sometimes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used orally. During the recovery stage, physiotherapeutic procedures are almost always prescribed.

In the most serious cases, for example, with abscesses and/or the risk of perforation of the sclera, ophthalmic surgery is indicated, incl. for scleral tissue transplantation.

Symptoms of cloudy eyes in cats

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Rub your eyes
• Excess tear production
• Photosensitivity
• Signs of pain
• Squinting and rapid blinking
• One eye appears larger than the other
• Confusion or disorientation
• Heat
• Sneezing

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Diagnosis of the disease

To find out how to cure a cat’s eyesore, veterinarians use the following methods:

1. Schirmer test. Aimed at determining the volume of tear fluid produced. A thin strip of paper is inserted into the corner of the eye. The length of the wet part determines whether the animal’s body produces a normal amount of tears.
2. Inspection using ultraviolet lamps. Helps detect erosions and ulcers on the surface of the eyeball. Before the procedure, the cornea is coated with a special agent. Areas of damage under ultraviolet radiation emit a pronounced glow.
3. Tonometry. During the procedure, eye pressure is measured. The method is aimed at identifying signs and precursors of glaucoma.
4. Serological blood test. Aimed at identifying infections that can cause inflammatory changes in the cornea - feline leukemia virus, immunodeficiency and infectious peritonitis. In addition, it is necessary to examine the cat for the presence of toxoplasmosis. Eye diseases often occur when the activity of the herpes virus increases, so tests to detect it are mandatory.
5. Corneal cytology. Samples of material for research are obtained by scraping from the cornea. They are examined under a microscope. This helps detect cancer cells and areas affected by pathogenic microorganisms.
6. Bacterial culture of scrapings from the cornea. The material is placed on a nutrient medium to grow cell cultures. The analysis helps determine the sensitivity of the microorganism to drugs.
7. Paracentesis. During the procedure, a vitreous puncture is performed. The method is used when it is impossible to detect the infectious agent by other methods.
8. Electroretinography. The procedure helps assess the functional activity of the retina. Used to identify severe morphological and functional pathologies.
9. Ultrasound examination of the organs of vision. The technique is used for pronounced signs of turbidity of the membrane of the eyeball, in which other diagnostic methods turn out to be uninformative.