Trouble treating cat’s sore eyes
QTWO years ago my cat was diagnosed with painful uveitis of the eyes. I have great difficulty giving her steroid drops. I was told it might be best to see a specialist but I can’t afford it as I am a pensioner. What is your advice?
AANTERIOR uveitis is an inflammation of the iris quite common in cats. There are many possible underlying causes and this is where expert knowledge is essential.
Causes could include tumours, autoimmune diseases, bacterial infections, parasites including toxoplasma and a variety of viruses.
To rule these in or out needs blood tests and examination involving specialist equipment and eye pressure measurements. Only once the cause is found can a relevant treatment be prescribed to help your cat.
You say the nearest specialist is miles from home which adds to your difficulty. Yours is a problem faced by many pet owners as there is no NHS for pets.
Specialist advice in particular comes at a price, reflecting the years of study that vets undertake along with the advanced equipment required for their practices.
But there is some hope I think in your cat’s case. Only one eye is involved and there has not been any deterioration in general health.
If you make a determined effort to do the treatment every day, things might come under control.
Adding atropine ointment or drops may help with pain. Once the eye is less painful, daily treatment will be easier.
David Grant MBE was a vet at the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital for Animals. Write to him at Express Yourself, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN. He is unable to enter into individual correspondence.