by Nomi Berger
 
Nothing is more contenting than the sight of relaxed and happy cats, “making biscuits,” purring, and often drooling while their loving owners pet, pet and pet them.
 
But sometimes their drooling, especially if it’s excessive, can be concerning. Below are some common causes for such heavy drooling.
 
Dental issues: Conditions such as gingivitis, tartar buildup and tooth abscesses can cause cats great discomfort, leading to drooling. These conditions may also be accompanied by bad breath, difficulty eating or visible plaque on their teeth.
 
Emotional stress: Cats experiencing emotional stress will often drool excessively. Stressful situations such as loud noises like fireworks and/or thunderstorms, the addition of a new family pet and moving into a new home are some of the most common triggers.
 
Illnesses and infections: Among the culprits responsible for excessive drooling are illnesses affecting their upper respiratory system, feline calicivirus, bacterial infections, rabies and gastrointestinal problems, including inflammatory bowel disease or liver disorders – all of which may be accompanied by other symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, lethargy or vomiting.
 
Nausea: Nausea, whether as the result of changes in diet, “dietary indiscretions” or motion sickness, can often cause cats to drool. Usually a reflex to the sensation of feeling sick, it’s often accompanied by decreased appetite, lethargy and/or lip licking.
 
Injuries or trauma: Injuries to the mouth or facial area in general, whether from a fall, a fight with another cat or an accident, can also cause drooling. Because these kinds of injuries may not always be visible immediately, it’s important to watch for other signs of distress and/or pain.
 
Unpleasant tastes or ingested toxins: Cats may drool in response to ingesting something either distasteful or toxic such as certain plants like lilies, household cleaners or medications – their way of trying NOT to swallow these harmful substances.
 
If any of the above sound frighteningly familiar, an immediate visit to the vet with your kitty is vital – both for an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. Your vet will give your cat a thorough physical examination and check her mouth for any dental issues, signs of injury and/or any foreign objects. Depending on these initial findings, diagnostic tests may be required, among them, blood tests to check for an infection, x-rays or an ultrasound for a closer look at her internal organs, and specific tests for infectious diseases. A detailed dental examination may also be needed, usually requiring sedation to allow for a complete evaluation of her teeth and gums.
 
Treatment options: If dental problems are “at the root” of your cat’s drooling, her treatment will, in all likelihood, involve a deep dental cleaning, tooth extractions if required, and/or medication for infections and/or pain relief.
 
For stress-induced drooling, environmental modifications may need to be addressed, and if that doesn’t work, your cat may be prescribed pheromone therapy, mild sedatives and/or anti-anxiety medications.
 
For systemic illnesses or infections, her treatment may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and/or therapies targeting the direct source of the problem.
 
If nausea is the underlying cause of her drooling, dietary changes, anti-nausea medication and/or other supportive care may be recommended.
 
In cases of trauma or injury, treatment can range from pain management to surgery, depending on the source and severity of either one.
 
If the cause is due to having ingested toxins, treatment will focus on removing them from her body, which might involve inducing vomiting, administering activated charcoal or providing supportive care like IV fluids.
 
To ensure that your cherished feline companion is returned as quickly as possible to her normal self, ongoing contact with your vet, adhering meticulously to a post-treatment plan and regular follow-ups are absolutely essential.

by Nomi Berger
 
Anisocoria is a condition in which a cat’s pupils are different sizes. In some instances, the abnormal pupil may be the smaller one and in other instances, the abnormal pupil may be the larger one.
 
This condition is typically caused by one of the following:
• Congenital defect of the iris, when the tissue fails to develop properly.
• Corneal injury such as an ulcer.
• Brain injury or injury to the nerves running to the affected eye, such as Horner’s syndrome.
• Glaucoma, a disease marked by increased pressure within the eye, resulting in a dilated pupil.
• Uveitis, an inflammation of the eye’s interior, causing that eye’s pupil to be constricted.
• Scar tissue formation between the iris and lens that may develop following uveitis.
• Retinal disease.
• Iris atrophy, a decrease in the tissue within the iris, usually associated with aging.
• Cancer within the affected eye.
• Spastic pupil syndrome that may be associated with FeLV (feline leukemia virus).
• Other infectious diseases such as FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) or toxoplasmosis.
 
Besides a discrepancy in pupil size, and depending on the reason for it, the white part (sclera) of the affected eye may be red, the cornea (the outer surface of the eye) may be cloudy or bluish, there may be a discharge from the eye, the eyelid on the affected eye may droop, the cat may be squinting or rubbing her eye, the third eyelid may be raised, or she may be less active than usual.
 
Should you notice any of the above in YOUR kitty, seek veterinary care immediately to reduce the risk of her vision being permanently affected. Your vet will perform a thorough physical examination of your cat, including a detailed examination of the structures of the eye in question. Depending on these findings, your vet may then measure the tear production and intraocular pressure for both eyes; stain the cornea of the affected eye with fluorescein dye to look for underlying corneal injuries or ulcers and obtain conjunctival scrapings or biopsies to be sent to a diagnostic lab for specialized testing. Blood tests may also be performed to determine if your kitty has a systemic condition such as FeLV or FIV. In some cases, your vet may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist for even further diagnostic testing.
 
Because treating anisocoria depends entirely on the condition causing it, your vet will discuss the options most appropriate for your cat, with the prognosis for a full recovery also dependent upon the condition causing it. In some cases, your cat may require long-term medication to control that condition. Sadly, however, if your cat should go blind as a result of her condition, it’s unlikely that her blindness can be reversed.