The whole world is reflected in the cat's eyes! Unlike people, they see wonderful in the dark, they can quickly discern even the smallest prey. The retina in cat's eyes is incredibly sensitive to light. Many pet owners must have noticed more than once that the cat has dilated pupils. The reasons for this phenomenon can be different, from completely harmless to very dangerous.
To distinguish one from the other, you need to know the most common situations.
Play hormone!
One of the safest reasons provoking an dilated pupil in a cat is high hormonal activity. During the rutting period, not only the physiological parameters of caudate, but also their habits change dramatically. Can't understand why a cat has dilated pupils? Take a look at her behavior.
During estrus, the cat behaves so eloquently that it is simply impossible not to notice this:
- crawling on the floor on the stomach;
- loud shouting meow;
- purring and “wiping” all protruding pieces of furniture;
- frequent visit to the tray;
- the tail of the animal is constantly thrown up and to the side;
- pussy licks genitals all the time;
- many go on breathing through the mouth; they leave their nose free to sniff out the alleged girlfriend.
Owner reviews eloquently say that during this period one wonders why the cat has dilated pupils, the owners simply do not have time. They are more concerned about the urgent search for a “groom” for their pet or are rushing about in search of drugs that reduce sexual activity.
Effects of stress
An enlarged pupil in a cat can cause deep feelings. Especially often, this phenomenon can be seen in cats who have just moved into a new apartment, have not yet explored the situation and are expecting an attack from literally every corner.
Experiences of the animal can cause the appearance of a new pet in the house: a puppy, cat or someone else. Pussy will be in a state of stress for a long time, fight for their territory and the attention of the owners.
The real horror in most cats, especially young ones, is the bathing process. After this, many cats can not calm down for a long time. Hence the "big" eyes.
Surely every owner saw the huge eyes of his cat at the time of turning on the vacuum cleaner, blender or other household appliances. The cat does not understand the design of the unit and is trying to find out where the sound comes from, why it is dangerous and why it is so loud and sudden. Over time, many purrs get used to extraneous sounds and react less fearfully.
Storm in a bowl with milk
In a calm state, cat's eyes have normal sizes, and the pupils are more like narrow clicks. The cat’s dilated pupil appears at the moment of evening runs on the ceiling and walls. During this period, the playing animal gets a powerful adrenaline rush, and its eyes turn into huge “tea saucers”. At this point, pupil enlargement has a purely practical function. Performing virtuoso jumps and somersaults, the cat is better oriented in space, more clearly sees the outlines of objects. The pupils dilated at this moment help her not to get hurt or hurt herself.
Also, the cat’s dilated pupil can be seen when it is hunting. The pet concentrates and hopes that a mouse is about to appear around the corner.
It is absolutely clear that such manifestations do not need treatment at all. The hosts can be calm. When the storm in a glass of water settles and the tension subsides, the cat's pupils will again return to normal sizes.
Clear my light
The eyes of a cat, like any living creature, react to light. In bright light they narrow, and in dim light they expand. If the cat has constantly dilated pupils, the owners need to start to worry. Perhaps your pet has reduced visual acuity. The reason will help determine the veterinarian. With eye diseases, the pupil's sensitivity to light gradually decreases, so even with very bright lighting, cat pupils can remain dilated.
It makes sense to listen to the reviews of specialists and experienced pet owners. Procrastination may end in the complete blindness of your pet. Even without a doctor, you can determine which eye affected the disease. A damaged pupil will remain dilated all the time regardless of changes in the lighting situation.
Problems hidden deep
If the cat's pupils are constantly dilated, this may indicate the presence of a disease that is not associated with vision at all. Large round eyes can be an indication of the pain that the animal is constantly experiencing. Many pussies are real stoics: they meekly endure pain from injuries, suffer cramps and cramps.
If the unfortunate expression on the face and large round pupils are accompanied by a constant lethargy of the animal, unnatural postures during sleep, refusal to eat, constrained gait or immobility, the owners should be alarmed. The reason can be hidden anywhere: dislocation, infection, heart disease, stroke, internal bleeding, and more. Only an experienced doctor, having completed all the necessary tests, will be able to say for sure what your pet hurts.
Special eyes
If a cat has one pupil dilated and another narrowed, this may indicate anisocoria. This disease is characterized by different sizes of pupils. Moreover, depending on the reasons causing it, the patient may turn out to be either an eye with a small pupil or a large one.
As a rule, anisocoria is only a symptom of another, more serious disease. Its reasons may be different:
- Brain disease and trauma.
- Damage to nerve endings passing through the damaged eye.
- Corneal injury to the eye.
- Retinal Diseases
- Congenital or acquired defect of the iris, due to which the tissue in it does not develop properly.
- Convulsive syndrome associated with feline leukemia.
- Uveitis, an internal lesion of the eye.
- The presence of scars between the eye lens and the iris (consequences of uveitis).
- Degenerative changes associated with the aging of the animal.
- Cancerous changes.
- Atrophy of the diaphragm.
- Glaucoma, in which intraocular pressure rises.
- Cerebrovascular accident.
- Dislocation of the lens.
- Retinal detachment.
The sudden onset of anisocoria is a very eloquent signal to the owners. You must immediately show your pet to the doctor. Some diseases, the result of which becomes anisocoria, in the absence of a quick and proper treatment can lead to the death of the animal.
In addition to pupils of different diameters, anisocoria is characterized by:
- clouding of the cornea;
- possible discharge from the affected eye;
- constant squint;
- disruption of the work of the century;
- lacrimation
- redness of the eyes.
Ophthalmic diseases
There are many eye diseases, a symptom of which is an increase in the pupils. Here is some of them:
- Glaucoma. It is characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure, clouding of the cornea. Treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor. Basically, these are drugs designed to reduce pressure in the eye.
- Cataract. Often diagnosed in older cats. Outwardly, it is manifested by a clouding of the lens, a gray-blue color of the eye. It is only treated surgically, for prevention, veterinarians often prescribe the drug "Gamavit" and phytomines.
- Retinal atrophy. The hereditary disease most commonly found in thoroughbred animals. If you believe the reviews, then the owners who missed the beginning of this disease and did not show the animal to the veterinarian on time, the cat quickly and finally goes blind. Unfortunately, a doctor cannot offer a 100% effective treatment. He will prescribe only supportive therapy, designed to preserve the animal’s vision for a longer time.
- Conjunctivitis. It happens infectious, allergic, mechanical (occurs due to ingestion of a speck or other foreign object). From the eyes of the animal, liquid, often purulent discharge appears. After sleep, the eyes are completely soured, dried crusts form on them. The eyes of the animal can be washed with "Miramistin" or strong tea leaves. The crusts are soaked and mechanically removed with a gauze swab. Veterinarians often prescribe Neoconjunctivet drops.
- Blepharitis. It is characterized by severe inflammation of the eyelids. It may be a consequence of extreme vitamin deficiency, but a bacterial form is also possible. Finding out exactly without consulting a specialist will be difficult. He will prescribe the right treatment.
Other reasons
There are other, less extreme, causes of dilated pupils in cats. For example, age. In old animals, due to age, visual acuity gradually decreases, so the pupils, adapting to new conditions, gradually become larger. If at the same time the animal maintains a normal reaction to light (the pupil contracts), you should not worry.
No need to worry if dilated pupils are found in a cat undergoing surgery - this is a normal reaction to the effect of anesthesia. When the animal is fully awake, the pupils will become a normal size.
If, in addition to dilated pupils, the cat has vomiting and impaired coordination, food poisoning can be suspected. In this case, the pussy is best shown to the veterinarian. An increase in the pupil often provokes poisoning with substances that can be life threatening to the animal.
Enlarged pupils in cats can be the result of various reasons, both completely harmless and very dangerous. Do not rely on reviews on the Internet and try on your pet everything that is offered there. Show your pet to the vet as soon as possible, he will quickly and accurately determine the cause of the phenomenon. In the future, this will get rid of many additional problems and save the cat’s vision, and, possibly, life.