Saturday, September 17, 2005

Cat's eye problem responds to drops, but fix is needed

By Duane Kimmey

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Dear Dr. Kimmey: I have three cats, but my 2-year-old male neutered cat is the one I need to write about.

For about the last year, he has had eye problems. The inside inner eyelid is continuously red, and sometimes his eyes will water. When he has been to the vet, he was given a prescription for neomycin and polymyxin b sulfates and dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension USP.

Is there something I can do at home for him?

Nikki and Tar

Dear Nikki and Tar: If he is responsive to the veterinarian's prescription, then ask if you may have a few refills to avoid expensive trips to the hospital. The best thing is to try to determine the cause of the redness/watering. There is a series of tests that can be performed, which includes the Schirmer Tear Test, fluorescein stain, nasolacrimal irrigation, culture and conjunctiva/corneal cytology tests.

This may initially be expensive, but these tests will help rule out a variety of certain conditions. Possibilities for the cause of the redness/watering is blockage of the ducts that collect the tears: viral, bacterial (rare in cats, except kittens), chronic irritation and/or systemic infections.

A course of tetracycline or antiviral medication may provide some resolution. If the ducts are occluded, then he may have to be sedated or require general anesthesia, the ducts cannulated and irrigated with a lacrimal cannula and saline.

If he is responsive to the neomycin polymyxin b sulfates dexamethasone drops, be aware that chronic use of the steroid may cause temporary diabetes. Discontinuing the drops will resolve the problem.

Meanwhile, make sure all your cats are vaccinated.

Duane A. Kimmey, D.V.M., is owner of North Metro Veterinary Hospital LLC, 20021 Greenfield Road, Detroit. Questions can be sent to drkimmey@northmetrovet.com or PETS, Features Department, The Detroit News, 615 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226.