What to do if the third eyelid is exposed in cats

Cat's third eyelid exposure requires surgical resection for treatment. Therefore, when the cat's third eyelid is exposed, the owner should promptly take the cat to the pet hospital for surgery. The cat can usually recover after surgical resection treatment.

Before treatment, the owner can first irrigate the cat's eyelid with physiological saline. Remember not to touch the cat's third eyelid with your hand, otherwise it may increase the cat's chance of infection.

There are two main surgical methods for cat's third eyelid exposure:

Third eyelid resection

The third eyelid resection surgery is simple, takes a short time, and is relatively affordable. However, since the third eyelid is involved in 30% of tear secretion, this type of surgery may cause dry eye syndrome, which can easily lead to eye inflammation and ulceration.

Third eyelid embedding

The third eyelid embedding surgery is relatively complex and expensive. However, the eyelid is preserved, and the lacrimal gland is not damaged. As long as the postoperative care is adequate, the prognosis is good.

Note: After surgery, be sure to put an Elizabeth collar on the cat to prevent the cat from scratching the eyeball with its claws or rubbing its head against the wall, which may affect the surgical site. During the surgical recovery period, it is recommended that the owner use antibacterial and anti-inflammatory eye drops to prevent secondary infection, and avoid exposing the cat's eyes to strong light.