How to Treat Cat Eye Infections Naturally: Vet-Verified Tips

Conjunctivitis is often the culprit when your cat's eyes appear red and watery. While fairly common, conjunctivitis in cats is not difficult to treat or prevent. As a holistic veterinarian, I’d like to give you the inside scoop on keeping your feline friend free from this health issue.

What is Conjunctivitis in Cats?

Contrary to popular belief, conjunctivitis in cats is a symptom, not a disease. It is simply an inflammation of the conjunctiva, also known as the "third eyelid," which can affect one or both of a cat's eyes.

When this third eyelid becomes inflamed or irritated, you may notice excessive eye discharge (watery eyes) and redness. As the irritation worsens, your kitty might start squinting or rubbing their face.

Interestingly, what we commonly refer to as "pink eye" in people is a form of conjunctivitis. This condition can be caused by various factors, including bacterial or viral infections (such as herpes) or allergies.

Cat eye infection is NOT the same as conjunctivitis

It's important to understand the difference between inflammation and infection when it comes to feline conjunctivitis. Cats can develop bacterial eye infections, which can occur alongside viral infections. Inflammation is often a precursor to infection.

If your cat has conjunctivitis without a bacterial infection, you can treat it at home. However, if your cat exhibits signs of a bacterial infection, it's best to seek veterinary care.

What Causes Cat Conjunctivitis?

Did you know that dogs and cats can also get allergic conjunctivitis? This condition arises from a hypersensitivity or overreaction to various common and otherwise harmless substances, such as pollen. All cat breeds are predisposed to these allergic reactions.

Symptoms may include redness, swelling, and discharge from the eyes. Besides pollen, common allergens such as mold, house dust, and certain foods can also trigger allergic conjunctivitis in cats. Now let's explore the other possible triggers of this health issue in felines.

Bacterial or viral infections can also trigger conjunctivitis in a cat's eyes

The dreaded "cat flu" (aka the cat colds): Feline Herpes Virus

Is your cat sneezing a lot? Does your pet also have red, weepy eyes? If your cat shows signs of an upper respiratory tract infection, such as sneezing and wheezing, along with conjunctivitis, it might be fighting the feline herpes virus. This is also known as herpesvirus conjunctivitis.

Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is a DNA virus commonly associated with upper respiratory tract disease (URD) in cats. Herpes conjunctivitis is particularly widespread among young felines in crowded environments such as cat boarding facilities and shelters.

FHV-1 is one of the most prevalent viral causes of sneezing and nasal discharge in cats and is a major contributor to feline ocular disease. Interestingly, while it is highly contagious to other cats, it does not infect dogs or humans.

Note: Cats that recover from the infection often remain carriers for life. During times of stress, reinfection can occur. Therefore, it’s important to keep your cat in a stress-free environment and boost their immune system to help manage the virus.

Chlamydia Felis is a contagious cause of conjunctivitis in a cat's eyes

Another cause of cat eye infections and conjunctivitis is Chlamydia felis. This highly contagious bacterium is frequently seen in younger cats and typically triggers bacterial conjunctivitis.

C. felis infections are most common during the summer months and spread mainly through close contact with ocular discharge and respiratory secretions, aerosol droplets from sneezing, or direct contact with ocular and/or nasal secretions.

These bacterial infections, which often cause a combination of acute conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract infection, are often indicated by the following: squinting, redness of the eyes, as well as clear ocular discharge but gradually it can become mucopurulent or "greenish-yellow."

How Do Vets Diagnose Cat Eye Infections?

The presumptive diagnosis is based on typical clinical signs and a history of potential exposure to the bacteria or virus. For example, if an owner brings in a kitten with conjunctivitis, the first question I will ask is where they got the kitten from.

If the cat is from a rescue or has been to a cat boarding facility, there's a good chance it has acquired cat flu. This is because these facilities are often overcrowded and stressful, increasing the risk of spread.

If there are respiratory signs such as sneezing and wheezing, then I will take nasal swabs of the discharge and send them to the lab for isolation, culture, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The Vet's Perspective: My Go-To Natural Remedies for Feline Conjunctivitis

Zumalka Turkey Tail Supplements for Cats

When it comes to boosting your pet's immune system, Zumalka Turkey Tail capsules are a must-have!

Turkey Tail mushrooms have been used in East Asian culture to treat various ailments for centuries. Recent research shows that Turkey Tail contains a mixture of protein compounds (protein-bound polysaccharide mixture of beta-glucans, polysaccharide-K) that provide immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties.

To put it simply, in homeopathic medicine Turkey Tail may boost your cat's immune system while encouraging cognitive function (brain function). Below you will find other key benefits of this type of mushroom:

• Antioxidant Properties: Studies demonstrate that Turkey Tail mushrooms possess robust antioxidant activities, which help in scavenging free radicals, thereby protecting cells and tissues from oxidative stress.
  
  
• Anti-Cancer Effects: PSK and other polysaccharides in Turkey Tail can inhibit tumor growth and may support traditional cancer treatments by boosting the immune system.
  
  
• Immunomodulatory Effects: The mushroom is recognized for its ability to regulate the immune system, which can be helpful for conditions where the immune system is overactive or underactive.

Use in Homeopathy and Veterinary Medicine:

In homeopathic and veterinary contexts, Turkey Tail is often suggested to help support the immune systems of pets, including cats, and potentially enhance cognitive function due to its neuroprotective attributes.

Immune Support with Zumalka Tonic #4

Remember how I mentioned that cats with viral infections can be lifelong carriers? This means that every time their immune system is down, these viral infections can recur, leading to conjunctivitis and eye infections.

I really love Zumalka’s Tonic #4 because it contains Ferrum phosphoricum. This is a type of cell salt that, in theory, improves the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and provides immunomodulatory effects, meaning it helps regulate the immune system.

Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional system of healing rooted in ancient Indian practices, has been used for centuries to treat various ailments such as anemia, colds, upper respiratory infections, and even conjunctivitis.

Due to its ability to strengthen the immune system and reduce the effects of conjunctivitis, Tonic #4 would be my top choice for any pet parent looking to boost their fur baby's immune system.

How Cat Eye Infections are Treated at the Vet Clinic

As mentioned, viruses and bacteria can coexist. When viruses weaken the immune system, opportunistic bacteria like Chlamydia and Mycoplasma can cause infection, which requires treatment with oral antibiotics.

Symptoms infected cats usually exhibit

An eye infection in cats can be more painful and uncomfortable. You may also notice secondary symptoms such as sneezing and nasal discharge. Here are a few things to watch out for:

• Sore eyes (difficulty opening both eyes due to the swelling of the conjunctival membranes)
  
  
• The eye discharge has turned greenish yellow
  
  
• There is evidence of green-yellow nasal discharge
  
  
• Your cat sounds more raspy and is wheezing
  
  
• Your pet's condition shows lethargy (not as active)

Treating cat eye infections with antibiotics

When I see severe cases of eye infections and cats conjunctivitis, I usually prescribe a 7-day course of antibiotics called doxycycline.

This particular antibiotic is secreted in the tear ducts and can coat the eye, thus aiding in its healing.

It can also help address other infectious agents like Mycoplasma.

The importance of pain relief

Did you know that the feline herpes virus can cause a painful corneal ulcer in the affected eye? In such cases, I include pain relief in the form of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID).

These medications not only alleviate pain but also reduce fever, a common symptom in severe cases of cat conjunctivitis.

This dual action makes NSAIDs, such as meloxicam or carprofen, an effective choice for managing the symptoms of this condition.

Addressing both pain and fever is crucial for the well-being and recovery of affected cats.

Does my cat need eye drops?

Yes and no—if your vet determines that allergies are a cause of conjunctivitis in your cat then they may recommend steroid-based eyedrops to reduce than allergic or "hypersensitive reaction."

However, before they do this, your vet may apply a fluorescence dye to your cat's eye to ensure that it is free from corneal ulcers.

Are there alternatives to steroid eye drops?

Absolutely!

To help manage allergic conjunctivitis in cats, I always advise my clients to minimize exposure to allergens as much as possible.

When limiting exposure to common allergens isn't feasible, using a gentle lubricating eye drop can be helpful.

Additionally, during peak allergy seasons (spring and summer), administering an over-the-counter antihistamine can reduce symptoms.

It's crucial to consult with your veterinarian to determine which over-the-counter human antihistamine is appropriate for your pet.

By taking these steps, you can significantly improve your cat's comfort and eye health during allergy season.

A Home Remedy: How to Treat Cat Eye Infections Naturally

If you've got a cat dealing with mild conjunctivitis, you can do the following things at home to ensure your kitty makes a speedy recovery:

Warm compresses

If there is quite a lot of eye discharge, then gently debride the eye with some warm water. I like to soak some cotton swabs and gently clean the eye once or twice a day.

Steam therapy

As previously mentioned, cat conjunctivitis is often associated with other upper respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing and nasal discharge. In these scenarios, I recommend bringing your cat into the bathroom with you while you take a hot shower.

The steam not only opens up the airways but also moistens them and helps break down mucus in the nares and eyes. This can provide significant relief for your cat.

For best results, do this once or twice a day for about 10-15 minutes each session.

Fluids and nutrition can be natural remedies against a viral infection

Treating feline conjunctivitis and its associated respiratory signs is similar to managing the flu in humans.

Ensuring your cat has adequate fluid intake is crucial for recovery.

Always provide fresh water and encourage more fluid intake by offering wet food or adding a bit of water to dry food.

If your cat is reluctant to drink, a pet water fountain can make drinking more appealing and fun. By following these steps, you can help ensure your cat stays hydrated and on the path to recovery.

Pro tip: Is your cat not drinking much water? That's ok, just give them more wet food. Canned food is packed with nutrition and it contains over 80% water.

Lubricating eye drops

If your cat has conjunctivitis caused by pollen and allergies, applying human-grade lubricating eye drops can help.

These drops will reduce the inflammation and irritation often associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Make sure to use preservative-free eye drops to avoid any additional irritation.

By taking this simple step, you can help alleviate your cat's discomfort and improve their eye health.

Preventing and Managing Feline Conjunctivitis

Prevention is always better than treatment! So, when it comes to preventing cat conjunctivitis, I always recommend encouraging a healthy immune system and a stress-free environment.

As I have emphasized earlier, Zumalka Tonic #4 and Turkey Tail are two supplements you can implement in your pet's daily routine, ensuring they are at their healthiest.

Remember, a healthy kitty can recover from cat flu and cat conjunctivitis on their own! You just need to provide the body with the tools it needs to heal.

Got a question about treating cat conjunctivitis holistically? Let me know in the comments below.

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Reference

• https://www.alzdiscovery.org/uploads/cognitive_vitality_media/Turkey_Tail_Mushrooms.pdf
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4647294/
• https://www.mediadvice.com.au/homeopathy/ferrum_phosphoricum.htm

About the author

Dr. Simran Mudaliar, BVSc

Dr. Simran Mudaliar BVSc is a New Zealand-based veterinarian specializing in holistic medicine and preventative care. She is passionate about educating pet owners on natural and comprehensive pet health.

Dr. Mudaliar integrates conventional veterinary medicine and surgery with complementary and alternative therapies to maintain long-term optimal health for her patients. She addresses a wide range of issues, from basic veterinary care to chronic conditions.

In addition to her clinical work, she mentors new graduate veterinarians and consults in holistic veterinary medicine and nutrition.

Dr. Mudaliar began her education in Zoology at Guelph University, Ontario, Canada, and completed her degree in Veterinary Science at Massey University, New Zealand.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her husband, baby, and dog named Marley.

Read the complete profile of Dr. Simran Mudaliar, BVSc (Veterinarian) here.