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152 results for “tearing”
Why Dogs Get Tear Stains and Dirty Fur Around the Eyes
Dog eyes connect to the nose, so when the nasolacrimal duct is blocked or swollen by inflammation, tears cannot drain or evaporate and spill out. Tear stains form when tears and other eye discharge sit uncleaned on the fur and oxidize into dark marks - most visible on light-colored coats. Causes split into innate (flat-faced breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, Exotic and Persian cats have tight ducts), disease (ear infection, entropion, dacryoadenitis, conjunctivitis), and habits (salty food, overlong fur poking the eye). Clean gently with a boric-acid cotton ball or cool water from the inner corner outward, then apply eye drops; genetic stains need patient, regular care.
Why Does My Cat Have Uneven Eye Size?
A cat with one eye larger than the other is common and can be genetic, but if it appears later it usually points to irritation, inflammation, feline herpes, injury, or heat. The right response depends on the cause, so judge by the situation. If a foreign object is the culprit, gently clearing it often restores the eye quickly. Eyelid inversion may need surgery, so see a veterinarian. Other causes include eye disease such as conjunctivitis or keratitis, feline rhinotracheitis with discharge and sneezing, trauma, and diet-related heat that responds to lighter food and more water.
How to Tell If Your Dog Has an Eye Problem
Eye trouble shows as constant cloudy tears, hardened gunk, rubbing or bumping the eye, swollen or red lids, bulging (glaucoma), white clouding (cataracts), or entropion/ectropion. Clean with pet eye drops and wipes daily; correct lids and cornea with vet care. Flat-faced and loose-skinned breeds need extra caution.
What Is Uveitis in Cats?
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, and it can be painful and watery for the cat. Most cases are not from a clear single cause; some stem from eye problems, others from disease elsewhere in the body. Because uveitis can lead to glaucoma and even blindness, it should never be ignored. A slit-lamp and eye-pressure exam confirm it, and treatment usually means anti-inflammatory eye drops. If no underlying illness is found, the outlook is good.
How to Tell If Your Cat Has Feline Rhinotracheitis (Cat Flu)
Cat flu and a common cold look alike, which leaves many owners unsure whether their cat has feline rhinotracheitis — an infection caused by the feline herpesvirus. The reliable approach is twofold: watch the symptoms and confirm with a test. Early signs are subtle — sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, low appetite, no fever — while the active phase brings a high temperature near 40°C, persistent coughing and sneezing, and thick eye and nose discharge. A test strip or a PCR check at the clinic confirms it, but the result must be read alongside the symptoms.
Dealing with Cat Tear Stains
Tear overflow (epiphora) happens when tears overproduce or the nasolacrimal duct blocks, spilling onto the fur. The reddish-brown stain comes from porphyrin—an iron waste in tears that oxidizes in air and sunlight. Common causes: too much salt (human food, salty kibble), 'heat', ear infections that stimulate tearing, duct blockage, entropion (inward lashes), dacryoadenitis, and feline herpes (tears plus nasal discharge—watch unvaccinated cats). Genetics play a role too. Cut salty food and see a vet to find the true cause.
What to Do When Your Cat Becomes Lethargic?
Cats are naturally quiet companions, but a sudden loss of energy is a signal worth attention. The two main reasons are emotional and physical: a cat left alone too long can grow depressed and withdrawn, while illness—from a simple cold to oral, skin, or stomach problems—drains its spark. Because lethargy is a common early sign of disease, owners should look for other clues and act. This guide explains why cats go listless and how daily companionship plus prompt veterinary care can bring your lively cat back.
Why Does My Dog Have Bad Tear Stains?
Tear stains form when tears (water plus salts and protein) evaporate and leave dark-brown marks—and they can signal health trouble, not just looks. Causes: poor eye cleaning (dust, smoke irritation), ingrown eyelashes from eyelid inward-rolling (needs vet care), unclean ears (mites or bacteria stimulate tear glands), and oily or salty food (switch to low-salt natural kibble and more water). Some breeds (Pekingese, Chihuahua, Pug) have genetic over-tearing from bulging eyes; severe cases may need a tear-duct opening surgery. Disease (blocked ducts, tear-gland inflammation) needs a vet. Daily: gentle cleaning, trim surrounding hair, light eye massage a few times a week, and a bland diet.
What to Do When Your Cat’s Eye Is Swollen
A swollen cat eye usually comes from a play-related bump or scratch, a stray foreign object, an insect bite or sting, or inflammation such as conjunctivitis. Gentle cleaning with saline and a cat-specific eye drop often helps mild cases, while a suspected bee sting (with a venom-bearing stinger) or viral conjunctivitis from cat flu needs veterinary care. Keeping your cat's paws clean also prevents further infection.
What Causes Glaucoma in Dogs?
Canine glaucoma comes in primary and secondary forms. Primary glaucoma is a hereditary drainage-angle defect that blocks fluid outflow and raises eye pressure; it is common in Huskies, Chow Chows, Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and Maltese, usually appearing at 4–9 years. Secondary glaucoma follows eye disease such as uveitis, pupil blockage, lens luxation, or tumors. Treatment aims to lower pressure and save vision—medication works best early, but surgery is often needed later. Because early signs are subtle, at-risk breeds should have annual eye-pressure checks.