Introduction:
As a cat owner, it’s essential to recognize and handle cat eyelid injuries to ensure your furry friend’s health and wellbeing. An injured eyelid in a cat can be painful and can potentially cause severe damage to the eye. In this guide, we’ll discuss common causes of cat eyelid injuries. How to know if your cat’s eyelid injury is serious. And what to do if another cat scratches your cat’s eyelid.
Common Causes of an Injured Eyelid in a Cat:
An injured eyelid in a cat can occur due to various reasons. For instance fights with other animals, accidents, and infections. It can also be caused by foreign objects that injure the eyelid. Cats also easily get infections in wounds. The result is an abscess.
Can an Injured Eyelid of a Cat Heal on Its Own?
While some minor cat eyelid injuries can heal on their own, it’s essential to monitor your cat’s wound. You need to seek veterinary attention if the symptoms persist or worsen. Signs of an injured eyelid in a cat can include swelling, redness, discharge, excessive blinking, problems of the globe of the eye, and changes in behavior.
How to Treat a Less Severe Eyelid Injury Yourself?
A less severe injured eyelid in a cat you can treat yourself with some proper homecare. You can take the following steps:
- Gently clean the wound: Use a clean, damp cloth or gauze pad to clean the affected area. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or irritate the wound further.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment: After cleaning the wound, apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment to the eyelid. This will help prevent infection and promote healing. With the following antibiotic eye drops it is not a problem if the drops get into the eye. Apply these drops twice a day on the wound for 5 to 7 days.
- Monitor the cat’s behaviour: Keep an eye on the cat’s behaviour for signs of pain or discomfort. Such as excessive blinking, pawing at the eye, or avoiding light. If the cat seems to be in severe pain, it may be necessary to seek veterinary attention.
- Keep the wound clean and dry: Make sure the cat’s environment is clean and free of debris that could irritate the wound.
- Use a protective collar on your cat if he is scratching or rubbing his wound a lot.
If the cut in the eyelid does not start to heal in a few days or shows signs of infection, it is important to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
How to Know If Your Cat's Eyelid Injury Is Serious:
Some cat eyelid injuries can be serious and require immediate attention from a veterinarian. Signs of a serious eye injury can include a visible scratch or cut on the globe of the eye, pus or discharge that has an odor, and signs of serious pain or discomfort.
How Long Does It Take for an Injured Eyelid in a Cat to Heal?
The typical healing time for an injured eyelid in a cat can range from a few days to a week. This will depend on the severity of the injury. Factors that can affect the healing time can include the age and overall health of the cat, the type of injury, secundairy infections and the treatment plan. When it has healed, you need to check for scars. Sometimes scars can cause entropion or ectropion in the eyelid of a cat.
What to Do If Another Cat Scratched Your Cat's Eyelid:
If another cat scratches your cat’s eyelid, you should clean the wound with a sterile saline solution (or at least very clean cooled down boiled water!). After that you need to apply an antibiotic ointment twice a day for 5-7 days. The ointment that was referred to earlier in this article is best to use. Monitor your cat’s behavior for signs of pain or discomfort and seek veterinary attention if the wound is deep or shows signs of infection or if your cat shows signs of distress or unusual behavior.
Conclusion
An injured eyelid in a cat can be painful and potentially cause serious damage to your cat’s eyes. As a pet owner, it’s essential to recognize the signs of a cat eyelid injury and know how to handle it. If you suspect your cat has an eyelid injury, seek veterinary attention immediately to ensure the best possible outcome for your furry friend.