Any condition of the eye could be worrisome and seeing one on your cat should be concerning. Haws syndrome is a problem of the third eyelid also known as the nictitating membrane. It is seen as a protrusion or prolapse of the third eyelids in both eyes which appears like a sheath covering almost half of the eyeball. Let’s learn more about Haws syndrome in cats, its causes, symptoms and treatment.
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Haws Syndrome Cat Symptoms
When you observe your cat is having difficulty getting around without bumping his head, there might be a need to check its eyes for Haws syndrome. You may also observe the eyes are teary and look different with a white sheath covering parts of the eyeballs from the edge of both eyes.
Haws syndrome is not necessarily a painful condition but could make your cat feel uncomfortable. Any condition that has to do with the eye can potentially impair vision and lead to subsequent complications. This condition doesn’t affect eyesight since the eyeballs are intact but could obscure vision.
“A cat's vision is normal with Haws Syndrome, but may depreciate progressively because it is obscured by the third eyelid”, - Dr. Becky Lundgren
Diarrhea has been reported as a common symptom of Haws syndrome in cats due to a suspected gastrointestinal trigger or etiology. Apart from diarrhea, there have not been any specific symptoms associated with Haws Syndrome other than inappetence, lethargy and obscured vision.
Physical examination of your cat’s eye to observe for protruding third eyelids on both eyes is a more valid way of confirming symptoms of Haws syndrome.
Getting the Petcube Camera will go a long way to helping you check for these symptoms when it is placed in strategic positions in your home.
Haws Syndrome Cat Causes
How Haws syndrome came about in cats is still unknown. A lot of thought and research has gone into trying to find out the actual cause of this syndrome in cats. Some research has linked Haws syndrome to inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions like Giardiasis that leads to diarrhea.
Disrupted nerve supply to the eyes may also be a leading cause of Haws syndrome in cats. However, this has not been researched enough to build up this link. However, there is a high chance that damage to innervation of the eye could potentially lead to Haws syndrome in cats.
Since Haws syndrome occurs concurrently with diarrhea-induced conditions, the following may be some of the contributing factors to Haws syndrome in cats:
- Intestinal parasites
- Gastrointenteritis
- Bacterial/viral infections
- Food allergy
- Giardiasis
- Eye trauma
- Stress
“My cat had horrible diarrhea and third eyelid prolapse when I first brought him home, it took another two months to get him back on its feet”, - Reddit User
Haws Syndrome Cat Treatment
Haws syndrome in cats is usually self-limiting and may not require treatment. However, concurrent symptoms like diarrhea should be handled symptomatically. And concurrent conditions especially when involving the gastrointestinal tract would be treated with probiotics, antibiotics and dewormers.
Metronidazole especially, is effective in controlling diarrhea when given at the prescription of the Veterinarian. If the diarrhea is severe, the Veterinarian may recommend fluid therapy to replenish the loss of fluid and electrolytes.
My neighbor had once admitted that she noticed symptoms of Haws syndrome in her cats when she changed their diet which was usually accompanied by diarrhea and third eyelid prolapse. She considers it normal and temporary because the condition gets resolved on its own without any medical intervention.
Topical medication like phenylephrine drops may be recommended by the Veterinarian if the vision impairment caused by the third eyelid is too much. Phenylephrine helps to dilate the pupil which may aid in retracting the third eyelid. The Haws syndrome condition needs close monitoring to prevent total occlusion of the eyeballs.
In case of an emergency like total occlusion of the eyes by the third eyelid during the Haws syndrome treatment, the Petcube Emergency Fund comes in handy. This Fund offers $3000 coverage in emergency vet fees and you can enjoy a 27% discount if you sign up through the exclusive link.
Conclusion
Haws syndrome is a fairly common condition in cats that could resolve on its own without any treatment. Apart from changes in nerve supply to the eyes and diarrhea-induced conditions, the causes of Haws syndrome are not well known.
Stress and diet changes have also been proposed to be possible causes. With the right symptomatic treatment and enough rest, cats with Haws syndrome have a high prognosis.