© Mary Swift / stock.adobe.com
A nictitating membrane prolapse in cats can occur on one side or, as with this tabby, on both sides..
Experiencing a third eyelid prolapse in cats causes the inner corner eyelid to shift towards the centre of the eye. Various illnesses can trigger this change in the feline eye. Discover how to identify the cause and assist your cat in this article.
Unlike humans, some animals, including cats, have a third eyelid at the inner corner of their eyes. When this so-called nictitating membrane becomes dislodged and moves across to the middle of the eye, veterinarians refer to it as a third eyelid prolapse.
For many cat owners, it’s quite alarming to suddenly notice a white membrane covering their cat’s eye. However, the danger posed by the third eyelid prolapse largely depends on the underlying illness causing it.
A third eyelid prolapse does not always signal a serious disease. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian early to treat potential illnesses in good time.
Any cat can experience a third eyelid prolapse. The shift of the eyelid occurs regardless of the cat’s breed, sex, or age.
When a cat’s white nictitating membrane slips from the inner corner of the eye to the centre, it indicates a third eyelid prolapse. It can occur on one side or on both sides.
A third eyelid prolapse isn’t a standalone ailment but rather a single symptom. It could be a result of various diseases. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis by a veterinarian is crucial for treatment.
Depending on the root cause of the third eyelid prolapse, other symptoms may include:
Should you notice changes like a third eyelid prolapse in your cat’s eyes, it’s important to consult your veterinarian promptly. Quick action is essential to prevent possible long-term effects.
A veterinarian can usually identify a third eyelid prolapse at first glance. To determine the underpinning illness, the vet will ask you detailed questions about your cat and conduct a clinical general examination. Subsequently, an assessment of your cat’s eyes and nervous system will be performed.
Although diagnostics may be time-consuming, they’re absolutely necessary for reliable recognition and targeted treatment.
A cat’s eyes are complex and closely connected to other bodily structures. Hence, various diseases can cause a third eyelid prolapse in cats.
The Haw Syndrome is known to cause bilateral third eyelid prolapse in cats. Several possible causes are under discussion, but the most frequently debated are:
This represents a rare, congenital dysfunction of the nervous system that particularly occurs in designer breeds. The syndrome causes various symptoms in affected cats, including bilateral third eyelid prolapse.
Any type of eye inflammation can induce a third eyelid prolapse in cats. This primarily includes conjunctivitis (Conjunctivitis). A well-known trigger in young cats is the cat flu.
If your cat roams the local woods and fields as an indoor/outdoor cat, it’s easy for a splinter or similar foreign body to penetrate its eye.
Such foreign bodies, as well as tumours on the eyes, can cause injuries and thus contribute to a third eyelid prolapse in cats.
Sometimes a third eyelid prolapse occurs without any apparent trigger. In such cases, however, the prolapse typically heals on its own within six to eight weeks.
Since various triggers can cause a third eyelid prolapse in cats, the treatment must always be individualised.
Whether and how quickly your sick cat recovers entirely depends on several factors. These include the primary disease and the timing and nature of the treatment.
Therefore, it’s impossible to generalise the prognosis for your cat with a third eyelid prolapse. The sooner you have the prolapse examined, the better are the chances of properly caring for your cat.
© Sammy / stock.adobe.com
Given its various triggers, it’s not always possible to prevent a third eyelid prolapse in cats. However, by regularly checking your cat’s eyes and attending veterinary preventive screenings, you can minimise the risk.
Does your cat potentially or verifiably suffer from a hereditary disease like Key-Gaskell Syndrome, which could lead to a third eyelid prolapse? Then, avoid breeding with it to prevent designer breed issues.
This article from zooplus Magazine is purely informative. If your pet is experiencing discomfort, contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
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At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
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