Expert: Jessica - 7/20/2009

Question
my cat is about a year old.
today he went to sleep, and when he woke up i noticed his left-eye changed colour.
It's now yellow.
Is this something i should worry about?

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz284/crying_in_rain/016-1.jpg

Answer
Hi Kevin.  Yes, this is something you should worry about.  Your cat may have what is called uveitis, and in itself, it’s a serious eye infection.  However, uveitis can also be a secondary problem associated with a bigger disease.  These diseases include the Feline Leukemia virus, the Feline AIDS virus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, cancer, Toxoplasmosis and Bartonella.  When it appears to be just an eye infection or toxoplasmosis or bartonella, it is rather treatable.  The other diseases are not so much.

Treatment of bartonella and toxoplasmosis would consist of oral antibiotics, and the treatment of uveitis would involve putting an eye drop or an eye ointment, and sometimes a combination of both, directly into the eye.

Uveitis often results in some or total blindness in the affected eye.  Up to 75% of cats lose at least some vision.  The longer the cat goes without treatment, the more likely it is that vision loss will occur.  This is because red or white blood cells often begin to collect in the eye, and this can cause scarring in the field of vision.  Additionally, this cluster of red or white blood cells can build pressure in the eye, which may lead to glaucoma, a luxated lens and detached retina.  If the lens becomes luxated or the retina detached, the cat will be completely blind in that eye.

So, you should have your kitty seen by a vet right away.

I hope all goes well!

Jessica