Right pupil dilated/larger than left

Hi everyone,

 

I'm new to this site, I signed up a week ago or so, and I'm glad I did because now I need some advice.

 

I have a 19-20 month old part-Bengal who as of about two hours ago his right pupil appeared more dilated than the left.  I googled it and came across several potential causes, but am unsure what to do.  Money is a little bit tight right now, as I have a kid due in two months, so I don't want to go to the vet unless it's absolutely necessary/a serious health threat.

 

We have a 7 year old Chihuahua who has only been in the home for a year and the two get along very well and will get into a tussle about once or twice a day, but they've never hurt each other and have never actually get into legitimate fights, but I can't overrule them fighting and playing as a possible cause.  I read in a similar posting on CatSite that bruises/damage caused by other animals can cause this temporary condition, but saw nothing on PetMD or any other Vet website to indicate that was a possible cause.

 

He eats normal and is on a well-balanced regular diet so I would say given his age and diet that a deficiency is unlikely, but I'm not an expert. His bodily functions (judging by his litter box I just cleaned a minute ago) appear typical, he has been eating and drinking normally.  His disposition is almost I want to say better than normal - very high spirits.  Not displaying any signs of distress or pain.  No out of the ordinary meowing or atypical body language in the last 24 hours.

 

I've attached a picture of the current dilation also.

 

I'd really like to know what the expert advice of the forum is on this condition and at what point or after seeing what type of changes in behavior or physical appearance should I consider it an emergency situation where I would need to take him to the vet no matter what?

 

 

Thank you so much,

-T

 

 

 

Thanks for your reply. His name is Zamba. I have pictures and I'll post them in that forum! This morning the right eye was still noticeably dilated compared to the left but he was again normal. He woke us up for breakfast and then ate his food like normal and patrolled around like he does every morning. Again nothing abnormal other than the dilation. We are going to call the vet this morning and see what they want to do. The main reason this freaks us out is because there are many possible causes it seems, and not so many of them, or any, are trivial. So although he may seem normal, as you said, it could be a number of dangerous underlying causes =o(

Hi guys,

 

We did go to the vet and they did the eye checkup with the fluid they use, phosphorus or whatever solution it is?  Not entirely sure.  And there were no abrasions or any issues with his eyes, they were in good condition.  So that was good.  Other than that, he was in perfect health.

 

The vet gave us two options - a $500 battery of blood work or wait it out a couple more days until this Saturday.

 

Given that his behavior and health seemed totally normal and high-spirited we decided to wait it out and I'm glad we did.

 

The next morning his eye was back to about 90% normal and I'm quite happy to announce that today, all day, his pupils were back to completely normal and basically symmetrical!

 

Looking at a picture I took of him when I woke up to him sleeping on my chest staring me in the face this morning waiting for food and a picture from day 1 of the pupil dilation problem, you can totally see that he is doing a lot better.  We pray it stays that way!

 

Thanks for all the responses and concern.  And as of now we are assuming it was likely a minor head trauma which would NOT be surprising since he spends pretty much the entire day either sleeping, eating, beating up a Chihuahua, or sprinting back and forth across the house knocking things over and then staring at us. LOL.

 

-T