TL;DR: A bulging eye in cats is a high-priority emergency that requires immediate veterinary care to prevent permanent blindness or surgical removal of the eye. This condition, often caused by trauma or underlying masses, is extremely painful and threatens your pet's vision.
What does it mean if my cat has a bulging eye?
A bulging eye, medically referred to as exophthalmos, occurs when the eyeball is pushed forward out of its natural position in the socket. This condition often indicates an underlying issue behind the eye, such as an abscess, inflammation, a tumor, or trauma. In some cases, the eyelid may not be able to close over the eye, leading to secondary dryness and damage to the cornea.
Is a bulging eye in a cat considered a veterinary emergency?
- Yes, a bulging eye is a high-priority veterinary emergency that is typically very painful and poses an immediate threat to your cat's vision.
- Delaying treatment can lead to permanent blindness, corneal ulcers, or the surgical necessity to remove the eye (enucleation).
- If you notice your cat's eye appearing larger or protruding more than the other, contact an emergency clinic immediately.
How can taking a photo of my cat's eye help with the triage process?
- Capturing clear photos from different angles allows the triage team to assess the degree of protrusion and check for pupil abnormalities.
- A photo helps the veterinarian identify signs of trauma or discharge before you even arrive at the clinic.
- This visual information allows the staff to prepare necessary equipment and prioritize your cat's care the moment you walk through the door.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In cats, proptosis usually results from severe head trauma, often with concurrent facial fractures. Traumatic proptosis involves luxation of the globe from the orbit, with eyelid spasms preventing retraction, and secondary orbital hemorrhage further displacing the globe. Corneoconjunctival drying and malacia follow. The globe should be replaced as soon as possible if the animal's physical condition permits general anesthesia, followed by systemic and topical antibiotics, and occasionally corticosteroids and mydriatics. Prognosis for return of vision is guarded and rare in cats, although the globe is usually saved. Exophthalmos can also be caused by intraocular neoplasia, such as diffuse iridal melanoma presenting as progressive hyperpigmentation of the iris, pupillary abnormalities, secondary glaucoma, and buphthalmia; enucleation is recommended for fast-growing masses or those with pupillary abnormalities, iridocorneal angle involvement, and/or glaucoma. Post-traumatic intraocular sarcoma may also cause exophthalmos, often in older cats with a history of chronic uveitis, previous intraocular damage, or intraocular gentamicin injections, with clinical signs of glaucoma, phthisis bulbi, or chronic uveitis.
Chapter: Ophthalmology, Emergency
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1696)