Keeping our cats’ eyes safe is part of our duties as pet owners. So, if you’ve noticed your cat squinting or pawing at its eyes, something like entropion might be the one causing trouble.
Key Takeaways
Feline entropion is caused by genetics, chronic conditions, infections, trauma, and age.
Common symptoms include excessive squinting, tearing, redness, and pawing at the eye.
The primary treatment method for entropion in cats is surgical correction.
What Causes Entropion in Cats?
Entropion experienced by cats can have numerous causes, including:
Breed-Related Factors
Brachycephalic breeds like Persians, Himalayans, and Burmese cats are genetically predisposed to entropion because of their unique facial features. These features include prominent eyes, flat faces, and heavy skin folds.
Chronic Irritation or Infection
Long-term irritation or infection may also cause entropion in cats. This happens when the condition causes cats to squint excessively due to pain, causing the eyelids to roll inward.
Other inflammatory diseases, such as feline herpesvirus, can also cause long-term inflammation and irritation, pulling the eyelid margin inward.
Trauma or Injury
Physical trauma or injuries to the face may affect the cat’s eyelids, potentially resulting in scarring. This scarring distorts the eyelid edges, causing them to turn inward and leading to the condition.
Age
Older cats may start to lose fat around the eyes, making them sink into the socket. This means less support for the eyelids, letting them roll inward as a result.
What Are the Symptoms of Entropion in Cats?
Cats are masters at masking and hiding pain, so it’s good to take note of the common symptoms of entropion.
Frequent squinting or blinking. You might notice your cat keeping one or two of its eyes closed because the inward-rolled eyelid is causing irritation. Squinting is its way of dealing with the discomfort.
Excessive tearing. If you notice your cat’s eyes constantly watering, it could be a sign that their eyelashes or fur are rubbing against the cornea. Tear stains on their fur are also common, especially near the inner corners of the eyes.
Redness and irritation. The constant friction from the eyelid rolling inward can cause inflammation, making the eye look red and swollen. This irritation can worsen over time if the condition isn’t treated.
Mucus or pus-like discharge. If an infection develops due to the irritation, you may notice yellow or green discharge around your cat’s eye. This is a sign that bacteria have taken advantage of the damaged eye surface.
Pawing at the eye. Cats with entropion often rub their eyes with their paws or against furniture to try to relieve discomfort. Unfortunately, this can make things worse by introducing bacteria or causing damage to the eye.
Cloudiness or changes in the cornea. As time goes on, entropion can lead to corneal ulcers and injuries in cats, making the surface of the eye look cloudy or dull. If left untreated, this can eventually impact vision.
Third eyelid protrusion. You might notice your cat’s third eyelid becoming more visible. This usually happens when the eye is irritated and trying to protect itself.
Entropion in cats is a condition characterized by the eyelid rolling inward. This causes the cat’s fur and eyelashes to rub against its eyes.
While entropion is more commonly associated with dogs, it can also affect cats, especially in certain breeds. This eye condition can be painful and lead to serious eye damage if left untreated.
The good news is that a cat’s entropion can be managed and corrected. Most cats affected by this condition recover well and live comfortable lives. But before that, let’s know more about entropion and how it affects our cats.
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