How to Judge if a Cat has Eye Nematodes

The main symptoms of a cat infected with eye nematodes are inflamed eyes, redness, excessive tearing, and a foreign body sensation. The initial symptoms are not obvious, and may manifest as the cat frequently scratching its eyes, red eyes, and increased eye secretions. As the infection progresses, the eyes will become severely inflamed, and upon opening the cat's eyes, you can see the adult nematodes in a long, white, worm-like appearance. At this point, it can be determined that the cat has eye nematodes and needs timely treatment. Otherwise, it can easily lead to diseases such as conjunctivitis and keratitis, and even cause blindness in severe cases.

In the early stages of a cat infected with eye nematodes, there are generally no noticeable symptoms. The owner can observe if the cat has been frequently scratching its eyes recently or feeling uncomfortable. If accompanied by symptoms such as excessive tearing, increased secretions from the eyes, photophobia, and conjunctival congestion, the cat may have likely contracted eye nematodes.
If a cat is infected with eye nematodes but does not receive timely treatment, the condition will worsen later, potentially leading to conjunctivitis, keratitis, and other diseases. Carefully examining the cat's eyes by gently prying them open will reveal white, worm-like adult nematodes in the conjunctival sac.

Eye nematodes mainly damage the cornea and conjunctiva of the cat. When the conjunctivitis is severe, it may cover the cornea. Severe corneal inflammation can cause necrosis and ulceration, even leading to corneal perforation, lens damage, and choroiditis, ultimately causing blindness.

These clinical symptoms can be used as a basis for determining whether a cat is infected with eye nematodes.

After confirming the cat's infection with eye nematodes, it is essential to promptly clean the worm, perform emergency deworming, and administer anti-inflammatory treatment. Generally, this can be done by rinsing with physiological saline or dropping drugs containing hydrochloric acid levocetiramine成分, waiting for the worm to die, and then removing it completely. If the owner is unable to perform this operation, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.