The cat’s eyes are watery and he squints them: why, how to treat, the best remedies

Owners often notice that the Briton’s eyes are watery, while other pathological signs are recorded, and the general condition of the pet worsens. In such a case, you should not delay a visit to the veterinarian, as this may signal the development of serious ophthalmological diseases. But sometimes increased tearfulness is temporary and is associated with the impact of irritating substances on the British eyesight. In any case, you should not let the situation take its course and wait until the problem goes away on its own, since there are high risks of a decrease in the cat’s visual acuity and its complete loss if help is not provided in a timely manner.

The animal's eyes are watery: reasons

Tearing can occur either from natural causes or as a result of illness.

In the first case, tears from the eyes may appear:

After the furry animal woke up. This is a normal reaction of the body. The cat removes traces of tears itself by washing its face. For kittens, you can wash their eyesight with a swab moistened with boiled water.
If the cat belongs to a certain breed. The Persian, the British, the Sphinx have tears and a peculiarity of the body. Persians are too fluffy, and doctors often diagnose the Sphynx breed with a disease called “entropion.” In this case, the animal can only be cured by resorting to surgery.
If hair fibers get on the cornea. This symptom often occurs in long-haired small carnivores. The only thing that will help your cat is regular eye care.

In the second case, the cat may cry due to:

Mechanical damage, injuries. A pet can damage the eyelid, eye, or cornea in a confrontation with another representative of its breed, during play or a walk. A sharp blade of grass or a twig that scratches the organ of vision can cause serious inflammation.
Foreign objects. A small speck, a piece of tree bark, or a piece of plastic is enough to cause an inflammatory process to develop in a cat’s eye. Treatment in this case includes procedures for treating with solutions of antibacterial drugs.
Burn. Curious animals often stick their noses into everything they find at home. Aggressive household chemicals, solvents, and wood varnish can become an object of curiosity, which will lead to a chemical burn. A pet can get a thermal burn if it becomes interested in cooking in the kitchen.
Allergic reaction. Allergies are the scourge of the modern world; not only people, but also animals are susceptible to manifestations of allergies to various irritants.
Incorrect eyelash growth. Sometimes a cat has a pathology - the eyelashes grow incorrectly, causing the pet a lot of suffering: the eyelid is inflamed, tears constantly ooze. In this case, the help of a veterinarian is required.
Helminth infections. One of the signs of the disease is increased production of tears.
Conjunctivitis. The infection is caused by chlamydia; only a veterinarian can cure the little predator.
Colds. A cat often cries if it has a cold.

Be sure to read:

A cat refuses to eat: reasons, why it’s dangerous, first aid, what to do, how to increase the animal’s appetite

If your cat is sneezing and has bloody discharge from his nose

First of all, if you notice red discharge from the nose when your pet sneezes, you should not panic. Sometimes this happens if the animal's nasal capillaries are too close to the surface. And then, when excited, the pet may bleed from the nose.

After the bleeding has stopped, rinse your nose with warm water and dry with a towel, clearing the nasal passages.

If, when sneezing with blood, the bleeding does not stop, then it is possible to help the animal by placing a cold object on its back - this will serve as a signal to the capillaries, and they will narrow. Eventually the bleeding should stop.

If all these procedures do not help the animal who is sneezing, you should seek help from a veterinarian.

A cat's eye is watering: what to do?

Excessive production of tears from one eye requires immediate action on the part of the owner:

Assessment of general condition. It is necessary to conduct a visual inspection, measure body temperature, and examine the cat for injuries.
Treatment of the affected eye with furatsilin (solution), decoctions of medicinal herbs.
A trip to the veterinary clinic.

During treatment, a number of rules should be followed:

Rinse both healthy and affected organs of vision.
Remove the allergen from the home if an allergic reaction is diagnosed.
When treating an infection, lubricate the eyes with ointments 2 times a day.
If surgery is required, do not remove the special collar from the cat until complete healing.

Additional symptoms

If the problem is not related to allergies, then the pet may have noticeable redness of the conjunctiva.
When a British cat's eyes become watery due to the influence of an allergen or irritant, no additional symptoms may be recorded. In this case, no special treatment is required and the problem goes away on its own after the irritant is eliminated. When pathological factors become the source of increased tearing, the Briton may develop a fever and experience other clinical signs:

swelling in the area of the visual organs;
purulent or mucous discharge;
brown or red crust in the corner of the eye;
itchy sensations;
swelling of the conjunctival membrane and its redness;
fear of bright light.

With prolonged tearing, Britons often experience hair loss around the eyes, which soon leads to sores and dermatitis.

Treatment of eye allergies

A characteristic feature of any allergic reaction is that in the absence of the allergen, the symptoms disappear without a trace. Accordingly, the ideal treatment method is the complete elimination of the allergenic factor from the patient’s living space, or the isolation of the patient from such factors (in some cases, the optimal solution is, for example, moving to another region or a dramatic separation from a furry pet).

Otherwise, both systemic and local antiallergic therapy is prescribed, which, like any other drug treatment, has significant drawbacks and pitfalls. For example, a number of drugs with this effect (especially previous pharmacological generations) negatively affect concentration and/or cause drowsiness; the effectiveness of treatment may decrease over time due to the addictive effect; with the accumulation of the active substance, in some cases the body may react to the components of the medicine itself as an allergen, etc. Therefore, any self-diagnosis and self-medication in this case are strictly contraindicated: antiallergic therapy is prescribed (based on the results of confirmatory diagnostics) and monitored only by a specialist in the appropriate field.

Antihistamines

The substance that is a mediator and regulator of immune allergic reactions in the body is called histamine. Accordingly, the action of the “antihistamines” known to many is based on the inhibition (suppression, suppression) of the specific activity of histamine-sensitive cells, or h1- and h2-receptors. Antihistamines for ophthalmic use come in a variety of forms, but are usually tablets or eye drops:

Aktipol
Allergodil
Lecrolin
Cromohexal
Opatanol
Spersallerg et al.

Hormonal agents in the treatment of allergies

Corticosteroid or non-steroidal drugs may be prescribed to relieve inflammatory symptoms and reduce swelling.

Corticosteroids are usually used in the form of eye drops, ointments or gels as adjunctive therapy, especially for chronic inflammation of allergic origin. The most common medications are hydrocortisone eye ointment, Dexamethasone and Prenacid eye drops. However, drugs in this group are considered unsafe and in no case should the patient be taken arbitrarily, on his own initiative: a side effect of uncontrolled use can be a persistent increase in IOP (intraocular pressure), excessive suppression of local immunity and other quite serious negative consequences.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, as a rule, as part of combination therapy for severe seasonal catarrh, conjunctivitis, and uveitis. These include drops:

Diclofenac
Indocollier
Diklof and Naklof
Bronsiak

To eliminate swelling and hyperemia (redness) of the mucous membranes of the eyelids and skin of the eyelids, vasoconstrictor medications may be prescribed, but it should be understood that such drugs are not an etiopathogenetic treatment of allergies themselves.

If you have problems with your eye reaction to contact lenses, you should immediately stop wearing them until you consult with your supervising ophthalmologist. In any case, all rules and instructions for the safe and hygienic use, storage and care of lenses must be strictly followed.

Causes

Let's consider what could be the main reasons for the appearance of brownish or reddish discharge from the eyes of a pet.

Impaired outflow of tear fluid through the nasolacrimal duct (dacryocystitis)

Narrowing and blockage of the lacrimal ducts due to the inflammatory process. Primary inflammation of the walls of the nasolacrimal canal leads to disruption of the outflow of tear fluid, as a result of which pathogenic microflora accumulates in it. The disease is accompanied by the release of mucus and pus from the corners of the eyes, the appearance of traces of blood in the discharge, and blurred vision. Treatment in most cases is conservative; if ineffective, surgical intervention is used.
Stenosis (narrowing) of the lacrimal openings. Chronic conjunctivitis can lead to narrowing of the lacrimal openings - formations designed to drain waste tear fluid. The disease is characterized by standing tears in the eyes and constant lacrimation (epiphora). They begin to treat conservatively, with medication. If ineffective, bougienage is used - a procedure for probing the tubules with a special probe that dilates the ducts. With congenital stenosis, one cannot do without a full-fledged operation to widen the lacrimal canals (dissection of the lacrimal punctum).
Blockage of the tear duct by a foreign object. Foreign bodies - midges, small debris - can get on the surface of the eyeball. They penetrate the tear duct with tears and clog it, causing symptoms of dacryocystitis. If the foreign body is not removed, inflammation may begin and, over time, the bacterial infection will spread to other ocular structures. The main symptoms are a local increase in temperature, redness, the appearance of yellowish and brown discharge, pain when blinking. The patency of the lacrimal canal is restored by rinsing and bougienage. After the duct is released, it is disinfected with liquid antiseptics.
Injury to the lacrimal drainage apparatus. Injury to the lacrimal canaliculi usually occurs when the eyelids are injured. The discharge from the eyes of cats is dark or even black because blood particles get into the tear fluid. In order to restore the function of tear drainage, the torn edges are compared and sutured. If after scarring the passage through the tear ducts turns out to be difficult, then bougienage is performed.
Benign and malignant neoplasms of the lacrimal glands. This is another reason for impaired tear flow. The main symptoms are impaired mobility of the eyeball, severe pain and increased intraocular pressure. If the disease is accompanied by tissue destruction, then blood may appear in the eye secretions, and they become reddish or brown in color. Treatment is only surgical. Chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery.

Infectious inflammation of various areas of the eye structures

Conjunctivitis is an infectious inflammation of the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane of the eye). Infection occurs through household contact. The main symptoms are swollen eyelids, redness of the mucous membrane, purulent discharge. In severe cases, the discharge may be brown in color, as the choroid of the eyes is involved. Drug treatment is used. The mucous membrane is washed with antiseptic solutions, and antimicrobial ointments are applied. If there is no effect, injections are made into the conjunctiva.
Blepharitis is inflammation of the ciliary edge of the eyelids. The cause of the disease is infection of the hair follicles of the eyelashes. It can be provoked by low immunity, infectious ophthalmological and general diseases. The main symptoms are inflamed eyelids, accumulation of grayish secretion in the corners of the eyes. With ulcerative blepharitis, the inner surface of the eyelids ulcerate, becomes red, and the discharge acquires a brownish tint. Treatment includes therapy for the primary infection and increasing the body's resistance. Antibacterial treatment of eyelids is performed. For ulcerative forms of blepharitis, it is possible to use hormonal ointments.
Keratitis is an infectious lesion of the cornea. The cause is often traumatic damage to the surface of the eye, since bacterial microflora is always present on it. A complication of keratitis can be a purulent corneal ulcer. Keratitis can be caused by pathogens such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, salmonellosis, and chlamydia. The disease is accompanied by the formation of an infiltrate, which, with deep ulcerations, can acquire a brownish tint. Treatment is medicinal and complex. The treatment regimen depends on the etiology of the disease. Antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antituberculosis, antihistamine and other drugs are used.
Iridocyclitis is an inflammation of the iris and ciliary body. The disease is also called anterior uveitis because it is an inflammation of the uvea of the eye. It can be caused by pathogens of viral, bacterial, fungal infections. Pathology is provoked by chronic infections of the upper respiratory tract. The main symptoms are redness of the mucous membrane, pain, photophobia. The iris may change color. With prolonged inflammation, the anterior chamber is filled with purulent exudate, and if the vessels are damaged, with blood (hyphema). Vision may be seriously affected. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease. Antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and detoxification therapy are used.

Prevention of lacrimation

Whatever condition your British cat’s eyes are in now, you need to remember preventive measures.

Take care of the animal's immunity, because... Often the cause of problems is latent infections and the riot of opportunistic microflora. Maintaining immunity consists primarily of healthy eating, physical activity and a lack of stress.
Avoid contact between the animal and sick brothers. Many people like to pick up stray cats on the street and immediately bring them home. It is not right. The animal must be examined by a veterinarian followed by quarantine.
Brush your cat regularly to keep dead hair out of your eyes. If you have already gotten it, you need to rinse your eyes.
Do not use antibacterial eye drops unnecessarily. The organ can be constantly washed only with saline solution.
Regularly give your cat raw meat, eating which provokes the secretion of tear fluid and clearing of the nasolacrimal ducts.
Perform regular routine deworming and, if necessary, preventative or therapeutic treatment against fleas and ticks.
Try not to use aroma lamps and sticks, aerosol air fresheners at home, and do not smoke.
If a problem occurs, contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not engage in self-treatment, which blurs the symptoms and leads to relapses, and also makes it difficult for the veterinarian to make a diagnosis.

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Treatment of eyes at home, what to wipe with, what to do?

Your pet can treat the affected areas at home, either with special veterinary products or with medications from a pharmacy.

Step-by-step processing instructions | rubbing the eyes of a kitten, cat:

Wash your hands well with soap and call an assistant;
Prepare a 5 ml syringe with a rubber piston, cotton pads;
Prepare distilled water | boiled, necessary drops or ointments;
Particularly violent ones should be wrapped in a blanket or towel and placed with their backs on their knees;
Soak the disk with water and solution. Wet your eyelids if they are stuck together;
Gently move the wet disc from the outer edge to the inner corner along the surface of the eyelids; if the eyelashes are stuck together, move from the inner to the outer;
Dry crusts are removed and the cotton pad is changed more often;
After rinsing, drop the solution onto the cornea or apply ointment, massage the eyelid a little and blot off the excess with a cotton pad.

Any solution is at room temperature. Use clean cotton pads for each eye. Do not touch the cornea, blot the eyeball.

Eye washes

Pharmacy products.

The following medications can be purchased at the pharmacy:

Decoction of herbs, tea: chamomile, hyssop, calendula, St. John's wort. 1 – 2 teaspoons of herb are poured with 0.5 glass of boiled water, left for 10 – 15 minutes, filtered, cooled, and wiped the animal’s eyes. In light-colored cats, the fur around the eyes may become stained. Only freshly prepared infusions are used;
Chlorhexidine solution 0.01%;
Saline solution 0.9% - sodium chloride solution 0.9%. A higher percentage will lead to burns of the mucous membrane;
Furacilin solution 0.02%;
Antibiotic drops chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, tobrex - for purulent conjunctivitis, prescribed by a doctor.

Veterinary products.

Veterinary pharmacies, clinics, and pet stores offer the following products:

Tetracycline eye ointment 1% - antibiotic;
Oftavetin cipro is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial drug;
Oftavetin dexa - antiallergic, anti-inflammatory effect;

Optimmune - ointment, active ingredient - cyclosporine A;
Anandin – treatment of infectious diseases, rhinitis;
Maxidin is a drug for the treatment of allergic and infectious diseases of the eyes and upper respiratory tract;

Iris – treatment of eye diseases;
Diamond eyes - drops for daily hygienic treatment;
Oftalmosan - the drug has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, detergent properties, relieves swelling of the eyelids, reduces itching;

Tsiprovet - prescribed for blepharitis, keratitis, corneal ulcers, septic iridocyclitis, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis;
Bars - drops belong to combined antibacterial drugs with a wide spectrum of action;
Doctor VIC lotion is a zoohygienic product designed to cleanse the areas around the eyes;

Rosinka lotion is a hygiene product;
Teardrop – hygienic lotion with royal jelly.

Every cat or dog owner may encounter eye problems with their pet. To minimize the problem, you need to feed your pet properly and provide the necessary timely care. Knowing how to treat a cat's eyes is as important a skill as being able to trim its claws. Save the article to bookmarks and share with friends.

Tests for nosebleeds

After collecting anamnesis and narrowing the range of diagnoses, the doctor should double-check his assumptions by conducting tests:

General blood analysis. Indicators that help in diagnosis are the level of red blood cells and platelets. A lack of blood cells indicates anemia or a bleeding disorder, respectively.
Blood chemistry. Typically, blood is taken for key indicators, which are “distorted” in the event of malfunction of specific organs. For example, bilirubin can be considered a marker of liver function.
General urine analysis.
Blood clotting tests are a series of tests that evaluate the function of platelets.
X-ray – performed to confirm or remove diagnoses: injury, neoplasm, dental disease, etc.
Check your blood pressure – High blood pressure can cause nosebleeds.
A nasal swab or wash is a series of tests that helps identify fungal and bacterial infections.

If the doctor cannot narrow the diagnostic spectrum based on symptoms, the diagnosis will be carried out according to the “simple” principle. That is, first they rule out trauma to the head and spine, for this they do an MRI. If the examination is not indicative, an examination of the nose and upper respiratory tract using an endoscope is prescribed.

How to treat allergic rhinitis

Three main methods are used to treat the disease:

non-medicinal (removal of allergens),
medicinal (using various drugs),
surgical.

The first two methods are discussed in detail in the previous paragraph, and now we will talk about the third.

Surgical intervention is performed in three cases: when non-drug and drug treatment methods do not help, when correction of structural disorders of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is needed, when pathologies appear (purulent or polypous sinusitis, etc.). This method is distinguished by its accuracy, the ability to penetrate any part of the nose and sinuses where surgery is necessary, functionality and efficiency. If the operation is performed in a timely manner, recovery and return to a full life occurs quickly and without serious complications.

Important: operations are performed with complete exclusion of contact with the allergen. The procedure is not carried out during flowering or other active exposure to allergens.).

After surgery, scars, osteomyelitis, empty nose syndrome, facial pain, bleeding, and atrophic rhinitis may occur.

In addition to surgical intervention, laser coagulation (cauterization) of the nasal turbinates is also performed (submucosal, targeted, selective ablation of hypertrophied areas).
Among the most effective drugs for the treatment of sinusitis symptoms are
Sialor Rhino based on silver ions. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and prevents the proliferation of bacteria. Thanks to the mild action of the drug, the balance of microflora is maintained and favorable conditions are created for the regeneration of the nasal mucosa.

Heartworm infection in a cat

It is extremely rare, but still occurs in practice, that such cute creatures as cats become infected with heartworms when they find themselves in places with very high air humidity and a maximum number of mosquitoes. Why these insects? Yes, because it is through their bite that the parasite is transmitted to the pet. The heartworms themselves, once in the cat’s body, affect the right side of the heart, as well as the lungs. As a result, the arteries become clogged, it becomes difficult to breathe, and coughing and sneezing begins. And the end is often sad - a heart attack and death.

To protect your mustachioed pet from these parasites, follow the following preventive measures:

maintain strong immunity,
ensure proper diet and lifestyle.

And when traveling outdoors, you can prepare a special mosquito repellent in advance (dilute citronella with plain water). This composition will reduce the risk of parasite infection to a minimum, which will undoubtedly preserve the health and, of course, the life of your pet. This is just the simplest measure to prevent infection with malicious worms. Your veterinarian will cover this topic in more detail.

British eye care

The eyes of a healthy Briton do not require special care. If brown crusts form after sleep, they should be removed using a cotton pad moistened with water or a special cleaning solution. Otherwise, tear tracks may stain the fur.

If the cause of lacrimation is hair constantly getting into the eyes from the face and body, the cat needs to be thoroughly combed, during periods of shedding - every day. It is impossible to comb out small hairs on the face, and therefore they can be plucked with your fingers. Dead hairs are easily plucked out, but there is no need to pull out still living hairs - let them grow.

And one more important point: if a Briton’s eyes are constantly leaking, the owners resort to rinsing. This helps when the cause of lacrimation is hair getting into the eyes, as well as when a bacterial process begins. But you cannot use rinsing with water or herbal decoctions constantly. Even harmless chamomile or tea are liquids hostile to the microflora of the eyes. Without consequences and for a long time, you can only use a saline solution that is close in composition to the natural environment of the body.

Rules for washing and instilling eye drops

If one of the points of treatment for a cat is eye drops, then it is important to know how to carry it out while causing minimal discomfort to the pet.

For this you need:

sterile pipette or syringe;
product (drops, ointment) at room temperature;
clean wipes or tampons;
food to encourage and relieve stress in cats.

It is advisable to carry out the burial with an assistant who will help hold the frightened animal. The cat must be well secured. In extreme cases, it is tied with soft cloth.

With a moistened swab, wipe the pet's eye from the outer corner to the inner, removing crusts and drops of secreted liquid. Then the eye is wiped again with a clean napkin.

Now you can start instilling: open the cat’s eyes wide with the thumb and forefinger, after which the product is quickly instilled directly under the eyelid. Excess liquid is blotted with a napkin, then the cat is rewarded for its bravery and released.

Pregnant and small pets require a special approach. Cats expecting the birth of babies are rarely prescribed medications; rinsing is done with chamomile or calendula decoctions, a tea solution, and in extreme cases, tetracycline ointment is applied. Newborn kittens with high tear production are prescribed Bars or Anandin drops.

Diagnosis and treatment

If you notice alarming symptoms, you should not try to diagnose your cat yourself. It is necessary to show it to a specialist. It should be remembered that self-medication can cause unnecessary suffering to the animal and not achieve recovery. The dosages of human medications are most often such that they are completely unsuitable for our smaller brothers, and giving them to a cat can cause serious harm to its health.

Your pet should be treated at home, strictly following the veterinarian's recommendations.

Preventive measures

In order for an animal not to get sick, it must eat properly. Cat nutrition is the key to their health and longevity. You should not feed your pets from your own table. You should initially accustom your four-legged friend to a certain diet. It should be remembered that food should be without salt and spices.

It is very important to keep the room clean and tidy. Sometimes tearfulness in animals appears as a reaction to dust. To prevent this from happening in the future, you need to do wet cleaning once a week.

The British cannot tolerate drafts or smoke, so it is better not to smoke in a room where there is an animal. Clear eyes indicate the health of the animal, while their cloudiness, as well as tears, indicate some kind of problem. When using eye drops, they should be applied in small quantities to check for an allergic reaction. Only after this can therapy begin.

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How to cure a pet

Owners often ask the question: “The cat is sneezing, what should I do at home?” Your four-legged friend can be treated at home if he does not have a serious illness that threatens his health.

At home

First of all, get rid of drafts in the room. Provide your pet with a cozy, warm place to sleep and relax. It is advisable not to disturb him again during illness. Give plenty of fluids and medications recommended by your doctor. Never self-medicate or offer pills intended for humans without consulting a veterinarian. This is fraught with a lot of problems, since “human” pills are not designed for such a small weight. – an overdose or a severe allergic reaction is possible.

If your cat has an allergy, try to find the allergen and eliminate its presence in the house as much as possible. Sometimes the litter for your pet is not suitable for you - try changing it to another one. If you have started general cleaning, do not spray household chemicals near your pet: lock it in the room, on the balcony, give it to a friend or neighbors for this time, so as not to once again provoke an unwanted process.

When contacting a sick animal, there is a high risk of contracting viral infections or rabies. This is especially true for our little brothers, who are taken to the country in the summer. Therefore, do not neglect vaccinations. Once a quarter, deworming is required, because animals sitting at home can become infected with worm eggs through dirty shoes, clothes, bags, bicycles, and strollers. And the most important advice - at the slightest suspicion of an illness, go to see a veterinarian.

Visit to the veterinary clinic and doctor's appointment

Visits to veterinary hospitals must be made at least once a year. This is done both for prevention and timely detection of dangerous diseases. Depending on the type of illness, the specialist will select effective medications to promote a speedy recovery.

If your pet has a common cold and runny nose, he will be prescribed injections, antibiotics, animal drops and observation by a doctor for a week. If it is an allergy, then antihistamines or special soothing ointments will be prescribed for the affected skin.

In case of exacerbation of viral infections, antibacterial drugs, specific serums, antibiotics, protein-vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed to maintain immunity. Treatment of fungal diseases begins with tests to identify the type of fungus, after which the veterinarian allows the use of sulfur ointment, iodine, brilliant green, antifungal vaccines, and potassium iodide.

In serious cases of sinus cancer, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used in combination with medications that stimulate the immune system.

It is impossible to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment without examining your pet. Any qualified veterinarian will confirm this - and even refuse consultation over the phone, inviting the owner and pet to a “confrontation”.

Are watery eyes a breed trait?

You can often hear the following phrase from veterinarians and pseudo-experts regarding lacrimation in the British: “What do you want? This is such a breed, their eyes are always streaming.” There is some truth in this, but only partly. Let's figure out why British cats actually have watery eyes.

Representatives of the British breed are brachycephalic, i.e. cats with a spherical head shape, including due to the fact that they have a shortened muzzle. Compare the skull of a brachycephalic and a non-brachycephalic.

The spherical head is a breed standard, giving it a special charm, but with it the British received an atypical anatomical structure of the nasolacrimal ducts. Brachycephalic cats and dogs have some curvature and deformation of the nasolacrimal ducts, which, when severe, makes it difficult for tears to flow into the nasopharynx.

Despite this, normally a British cat should not have constant lacrimation. Most representatives of the breed have healthy eyes, because breeding cats and female cats are selected not only for beauty, but also for health. We are, of course, talking about animals from officially operating nurseries according to all the rules. You can expect anything from the British, bought second-hand.

If there is a problem with lacrimation, this means that:

the breeder did a poor job and was unable to maintain in his graduates the structure of the nasolacrimal duct that allows normal functioning;
or the cause of lacrimation is not anatomical features at all.

Also, it often seems to the owner that the condition of the eyes is unhealthy, but, in fact, everything is in order. Below we will teach you how to distinguish normal from pathology.

Normal and pathological - how to distinguish?

Many owners notice brown crusts in the corners of their cats' eyes after sleeping. This is the norm. When released, the tear is transparent and does not have any impurities. The liquid then lingers on the fur and oxidizes in the air, resulting in the feeling that your British cat's eyes are watering brown. In fact, brown crusts (sometimes they have a reddish tint) are just dried, oxidized tears. It looks like this.

Pathology is observed when:

tears flow constantly, even while awake, there are a lot of tears, as if a cat is crying (scientifically the phenomenon is called epiphora);
the tear is cloudy, whitish, greenish or yellowish;
in addition to the tears, it is clear that the eyelids and conjunctiva are inflamed;
hair falls out around the eye;
blepharospasm (the cat squints its eye).