How Can I Treat my Cat's Eye Infection AT HOME?

One of the things that you should look out for when you've got a feline family member is cat eye infection. It is a relatively common condition and many cats are prone to this health issue at some point in their lives.

Besides causing a lot of pain and discomfort, cat eye infections can also significantly affect your pet's overall quality of life if not properly dealt immediately. It's even possible that a cat's eye infection can result to permanent blindness if neglected!

I'd just like to point out this early that this blog post is all about cat eye infection treatment done right . We're going to cover the essential things you need to know about this illness so you can provide your pet with the right support should this condition pop up unexpectedly.

Our discussion will also include the symptoms of eye infections in cats, the possible factors that cause them, as well as other relevant information. And while we're at it, I'll also guide you on how to treat conjunctivitis in cats from the comfort of your home.

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How about we kick things off by having an overview of what cat conjunctivitis is?

 

What is Conjunctivitis in Cats?

Cat conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva of the eye gets inflamed. The conjunctiva is the transparent tissue covering part of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelids. Its primary function is to lubricate and protect your cat's eyes.

And unlike what a lot of people mistakenly believe, this form of cat eye infection is not just going to affect flat faced cats!

Conjunctivitis—also referred to as "pink eye"—is a very common type of cat eye infection. Your feline family member will go through this health problem sooner or later. However, it can be easily prevented from progressing into more serious eye problems if you just have the right know-how.

Now let's check out the possible factors that can make your cat prone to feline conjunctivitis...

 

Causes of Cat Eye Infection like Conjunctivitis in Cats

When it comes to cat eye infections like conjunctivitis, there are a number of causes that can be attributed to their development. They can be triggered by a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, a viral infection, an underlying illness or by inflammatory disorders.

For this part, we will focus on feline herpes as well as feline chlamydia. These two must be considered as prevalent infectious agents in your pet care checklist when conjunctivitis in cats is concerned.

 

Feline Herpes Virus

Technically referred to as FHV-1, this virus primarily attacks a cat's upper respiratory system while causing damage to the other parts of the body like the eyes, throat and nose. One of its key symptoms is feline conjunctivitis.

Various studies show that about 97% of cats worldwide will be exposed to FHV-1. Moreover, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) stresses that around 80% of cats can become latently infected with the same.

Most cases that involve this cat eye infection take place in crowded shelters. Should there be even one kitty infected with cat herpes, it can easily spread to others leading to more viral infections. The manifestation of this virus usually lasts 10 to 14 days.

One very important thing you have to take note about herpes in felines is that it is usually accompanied by rhinotracheitis, a type of acute respiratory disease. The combination of an upper respiratory infection and viral conjunctivitis can be very critical if your pet has a weakened immune system or an underlying condition.

If you have two or more feline family members and one starts exhibiting signs of herpesvirus conjunctivitis, make sure you isolate him as soon as possible to avoid passing it to your other pets.

 

Feline Chlamydia

While cat eye infection isn't the first thing you think of whenever chlamydia in felines is mentioned, it is surprisingly one of the bacterial infections that can set off this health problem.

Attributed to the Chlamydophila felis bacteria, your cat will mainly display signs of lethargy and may also experience a mild fever coupled with mild respiratory issues like wheezing and sneezing. A cat's eye will normally appear red and swollen during chlamydia and will also release a milky or yellowish discharge. 

Apart from these two pathogens, there are also other possible reasons why your pet is experiencing a cat's eye infection such as feline conjunctivitis. These include autoimmune reactions from an underlying cause, the presence of foreign bodies and injuries that affect the optic mucous membrane and inner corner of the eyes.

 

What are the Symptoms of Cat Eye Infections like Cat Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is also called "pink eye" because this cat's eye infection gives it a noticeable pinkish or reddish tinge. Aside from this symptom, here are the other indicators of conjunctivitis in cats that you should keep in mind:

• Swollen eyes
• Frequent blinking of the affected eye
• Watery eyes
• Your cat keeps his eyes closed for long periods
• Crusty eye discharge (sometimes yellow or green)
• Rubbing or scratching at the outer surface of the eyes 
• The nictitating membrane (or the third eyelid) is prominent
• Eyes of infected cats are sealed shut in severe cases

It is important to remember that these clinical signs can also be observed in cats suffering from other health problems like corneal ulcers, allergic reactions, flare ups in dry eyes, a blocked tear duct, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline leukemia virus, feline herpesvirus as well as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

This is why it is essential to spend a few minutes each day to have an eye examination with your feline family member to diagnose conjunctivitis and apply the proper eye medications immediately. If it is a more serious issue, bringing your cat to the vet is necessary.

 

How to Treat Conjunctivitis in Cats

As regards the effective treatment of cat eye infections like conjunctivitis, identifying the root cause is critical. We need to check if it is triggered by a bacterial infection or some other infectious causes to correctly establish a treatment plan.

There are some forms of feline conjunctivitis that can be treated with eye drops and topical ointments. Others may require anti inflammatory drugs or antiviral medications. There is also the possibility of a foreign body or the possibility of allergies.

Some cases of this illness may even require a fluorescein stain test and urine tests just to pinpoint what the real problem is.

If your cat is also experiencing significant respiratory problems—like in herpes in young cats—a trip to the vet may be necessary. On the other hand, anti inflammatory medication, oral antibiotics and topical medications, among others, will be needed when directly treating these eye infections.

 

Natural Home Remedies to Treat Conjunctivitis in Cats

And without further ado, here are some tips that can help deal with your cat’s conjunctivitis at home. Besides being simple, these home remedies will also involve ingredients and items that you can easily find around the house.

 

Cleaning and irrigation

A homemade saline solution can help clean and irrigate the eyes during a case of pink eye. It won't just stimulate the cessation of eye discharge—particularly those accompanied by secondary bacterial infection—but also help reduce inflammation. Here's a no-fuss recipe you can use:

• Combine 1/4 teaspoon of salt with a cup of lukewarm water.
• Soak a cotton ball or a clean gauze in the solution and gently wipe your cat's eyes.
• Carefully remove any eye discharge or crusty bits.
• Do not do this when you've just applied eye drops or similar eye medication 

 

Compresses

A warm or hot compress can do wonders for your pet's eye infection! Just remember to place them on your cat's eyes a few minutes at a time about three times a day. This helps dilate the tear ducts and facilitate the flow of eye secretions.

Additionally, using a compress also has benefits to usual effects of secondary bacterial infections like a runny nose. Nasal discharge can be staved off with regular compress use.

 

Homeopathic Natural Product

Zumalka's CLEAREYE is made from natural ingredients and it is designed to help soothe cat eye issues. Whether you're dealing with an allergic reaction caused by environmental allergies or cat eye infections like conjunctivitis, this premium product is one natural option to consider.

CLEAREYE can be used to either help prevent eye infection or support your cat's eyes when infection is present. Compared to conventional eye drops, topical ointment and oral antibiotics, this product won't trigger any adverse side effects.

 

How to Prevent Conjunctivitis in Cats

Adding a daily L-Lysine supplement to your cat's food is one strategy you can go for. This essential amino acid slows the progression of infection by a virus and may even prevent its recurrence.

As silly as it sounds, putting a cone on your pet's head will also help speed up cat eye infection treatment. This will prevent him from rubbing his eyes with his paws, which can lead to bacterial infection.

 

How long does Conjunctivitis in Cats last?

The short answer is it depends.

If the cause of the illness is viral, it is generally active between 10 and 14 days. Alternatively, if its origin is bacterial, it will depend on your pet's body's response to the treatment you've chosen to deal with this health issue.  

 

Is Conjunctivitis Contagious for Cats and Humans?

The short answer is no. This health problem is only very contagious among cats, especially kittens whose immune systems haven't fully developed yet. This is the reason why cats infected with pink eye should be isolated immediately.

However, it is still highly recommended that you wash your hands thoroughly after handling your cat's face or his body in general since there may be other harmful bacteria that you can be in contact with.

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