Cat Conjunctivitis Won’t Go Away

What Causes Cat Eye Infection

Infectious cat conjunctivitis can be caused by a range of viruses, with Feline Herpesvirus one of the most common. Bacteria such as Chlamydophila can also cause an eye infection as part of an upper tract respiratory infection, so cat sniffles and sneezes might accompany the appearance of the red or watery eye.

In both cases the cat eye infection can spread to other felines, so if there are any cats nearby, you may want to keep their interactions with the poorly cat to a minimum. Your vet may wish to see all the cats in your household. Make sure you wash your hands after checking on your cats eye and if possible try to keep them in separate rooms for the duration of the cat conjunctivitis flare-up.

Feline Herpesvirus : Its Not Just A Cold

Most cats have at one time or another been exposed to Feline Herpesvirus it is very common. Some cats will show symptoms for the virus, whereas other cats will be carriers and show no symptoms because the virus lies dormant in their systems.

The virus can activate at any time, especially when a cat is stressed. Unfortunately, theres no cure, but FHV-1 can be managed to make the cat more comfortable and minimize flare-ups.

Symptoms:

• Upper respiratory symptoms coughing, runny nose, or sneezing
• Conjunctivitis swelling or inflammation of the outer lining of the eye
• Corneal ulcerations these are serious eye issues that need immediate vet attention to maintain vision in your kitty

Diagnosis & Treatment:

• Fluorescein eye stain test todetectif an ulcer or injury is present
• Eye drops or a topical ointment to ease symptoms and heal infections
• Oral antibiotics or antiviral medications to treat an upper respiratory infection if present
• Lowering stress to prevent reactivation of the virus
• Lysine vitamin supplements may help reduce or eliminate symptoms associated with virus flares

Which Dogs Are Prone To Conjunctivitis

Certain breeds are more prone to contracting conjunctivitis because their facial features leave them susceptible to debris and airborne irritants:

• Rubbing the eyes

At the first sign of any visible eye issue, call your veterinarian. If conjunctivitis becomes severe, it can cause permanent damage to the cornea. This is not a condition that will go away on its own, so medical treatment is necessary.

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Recovery Of Eye Discharge In Cats

Depending on the underlying condition, the prognosis for recovery from eye discharge is usually very good. Your cat will need supportive home care in order to alleviate symptoms as they heal. Regular cleaning of the eyes should also be performed in order to eliminate as much of the eye discharge as possible and help your cat be more comfortable. In cases of infection, it will be important to closely follow all veterinary instructions regarding drops or ointments as these conditions may recur if not completely healed.

Feline Upper Respiratory Infections

Certain upper respiratory infections can cause cat eye infections. Symptoms typically include eye discharge, redness in the eyes, nasal discharge, sneezing, and increased squinting of the eyes. Some feline upper respiratory infections will resolve on their own, but your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics or topical eye ointment depending on the severity of the infection.

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How To Identify Pink Eye In Cats

Cat eye problems are obviously discomforting, but where do you start finding a treatment? The fastest way to help your cat is to recognize when something is wrong in the first place. Keep in mind that a cat eye infection can affect one or both eyes. Signs of conjunctivitis in your feline friend may include:

• Redness and inflammation around the eye
• Redness and inflammation in inner corner of the eye
• Frequent blinking
• Colorless watery discharge around the eye
• Thick dark discharge around the eye
• Pawing at the eye
• Rubbing the eye against furniture or other surfaces

If you see any of these signs, dont panic. It may be feline conjunctivitis, or your furry friend may have just come up against trouble you didnt see-a playful catfight or a bush poking them in the eye unexpectedly. Our mischievous, curiosity-loving felines have a tendency to get into everything and anything.

Whenever you see signs of a cat eye infection, its always better to take them to the veterinarian to assess the damage. In the meantime, its a safe bet to give their eye a rinse with anantimicrobial eye wash to keep the area clean and comfortable while you make your appointment.

How To Administer Eye Medications To Cats

Giving eye medications as scheduled is crucial for helping a cat recover. This involves placing liquid drops or ointment into the affected eye. This may seem daunting at first, but many pet parents can master this skill with a few helpful tips.

Ask the veterinary team for a demonstration while youre at the office. That way, you can see exactly how it works, which may make it easier to repeat the process at home.

Here are a few tips to make the process easier :

• If prescribed timings allow, give medicines while your cat is sleepy.
• Have another person help you, and/or wrap your kitty in a towel.
• Be calm yourself, since pets can pick up on our stress.
• Gently pull on the upper or lower eyelid to open the eye. Many cats do best with minimal restraint, although you should always keep safety in mind if theres any chance of your kitty biting or scratching.
• If your cat resists opening their eyes, make a noise that will pique their curiosity.
• Administer the medication from behind or from the side, which is less alarming to a cat then bringing medication straight at them from the front.
• Offer a treat, playtime, or praise and attention afterward to make it a positive experience.

Always give eye medications for the entire course prescribed. Dont stop early, even if your cats symptoms get better. Otherwise, the infection could come right back or get worse.

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Signs Your Cat May Have Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes. An infection is often to blame if symptoms are in both eyes at the same time or start in one eye and then spread to the other.

One of the most common signs of cat conjunctivitis is eye discharge. It can range from clear and watery to yellow-green to thick and brown, Nanning says. Other symptoms include:

• Swelling of eyelids and the inner corner of the eyes
• Pawing at or rubbing eyes against furniture
• Sniffles and a runny nose

Any cat can develop conjunctivitis, but kittens are more susceptible. Eye infections frequently cause conjunctivitis in kittens, who haven’t yet developed an immunity to the germs that cause them. Not to mention, kittens are super curious and more accident-prone. They have a higher risk of eye injury.

Older cats are vulnerable to infection if they have diseases that weaken their immune system such as feline immunodeficiency virus or feline leukemia virus . Cats in group settings like boarding or breeding facilities are also more likely to catch an infection from other sick cats.

What You Can Do

• If your cat allows it, you can try to wipe the eyes clean of the discharge with a moistened cotton ball using a fresh cotton ball for each eye.
• Avoid using over the counter eye drops on your cat unless a veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so.
• Observe your cat for other symptoms of illness.

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How Do Dogs Get Conjunctivitis

There are various possible causes for conjunctivitis, and the cause will dictate treatment.

• Allergies: May be seasonal, and not contagious.

• Virus: If caused by a viral infection, conjunctivitis can spread easily and take up to three weeks to recover from.

• Bacteria: If caused by a bacterial infection, conjunctivitis may spread.

• Injury: Caused by a foreign object, debris, or some kind of physical trauma.

• Dry eye: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca , also known as canine dry eye, impairs a dogs natural ability to produce tears that keep the eyes properly lubricated.

Dogs can develop conjunctivitis in numerous ways, which makes it challenging to prevent. Allergens, bacteria, and viruses are all around, so its not an uncommon issue.

Treatment For Conjunctivitis In Dogs

An undiagnosed eye condition should never be treated without instructions from a veterinarian. Human eye drops and other medications should not be administered, because they can aggravate the condition or even cause permanent damage to your dogs eye.

The specific course of treatment will be determined by the cause of your dogs conjunctivitis. Common treatment recommendations include:

Allergy-Related Conjunctivitis

• Steroid eye drops

Injury

Regardless of the underlying cause, your veterinarian may recommend that your dog wear an Elizabethan collar until the conjunctivitis has resolved. Although it may seem like a nuisance, an E-collar will prevent your dog from making his eyes worse by rubbing or scratching.

A dogs owner can apply prescribed eye drops at home. Heres how:

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How Conjunctivitis Affects Cats

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the eye surface and inner part of the eyelid. A number of things can lead to eye irritation and swelling, but the most common are viral and bacterial infections. According to Kelsey Nannig, DVM, a veterinarian at VCA City Cats Hospital in Arlington, Mass. it is possible for cats with this type of conjunctivitis to spread the infection to other cats, birds, guinea pigs, and sheep.

Other causes of cat conjunctivitis include:

Is My Cats Eye Infection Infectious

Infections of the eye can be quite irritating for your cat. A cat that is suffering from one might also be exhibiting behavioral changes, such as hiding more and being more temperamental. Your cats eye problem could truly be an infection, having a bacterial or viral cause, but not all eye infections are actually infectious in nature.

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Care Advice For Eye Allergy

Signs That Your Cat Needs To See A Veterinarian

• Eye discharge persists for more than just a few days.
• Amount of eye discharge increases.
• Color and/or consistency of the eye discharge changes .
• Your cat is squinting, blinking excessively, and/or pawing at or rubbing his/her eyes.
• Eye become swollen, cloudy, or are unable to be opened.
• Eye discharge accompanied by other signs of illness .

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Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: This Is Also Known As Dry Eyes Or Keratitis

Keratoconjunctivitis Siccaa really intimidating word that simply means dry eyes. It can be a secondary bacterial infection of FVH-1, but can also crop up with Conjunctivitis, allergies, or for genetic reasons.

Tears have antibacterial properties in them and protect the eyes by flushing irritants and providing lubrication. Having a dry eye condition is very uncomfortable and can cause severe issues if not treated, including blindness. Luckily, its relatively easy to provide comfort to your kitty if this is the problem, but dry eyes are usually not curable. You will need to manage the symptoms to keep your feline buddy comfortable.

Symptoms:

• Your cat may be reluctant to open their eyes
• Inflammation of the eyelids
• A dull coating or dry look to the cornea or outside of the eye

Treatment:

• Eye examination to determine if dry eye may be the problem
• A Schirmer tear testto measure the percentage of moisture in the eye
• A fluorescein stain test to check for any ulcers or erosion of the cornea
• Eye drops may be prescribed to stimulate the production of tears, or antibiotics if an infection is present. Eye lubrication may also be prescribed to provide comfort.

What Are The Symptoms Of Eye Infections In Cats

Symptoms of Eye Infections Include: Contagious Cat Eye Infections. If your cat is suffering from feline calicivirus or feline herpesvirus he will most likely suffer from secondary bacterial infections, eye infections and rhinitis. This type of eye infection is most commonly known as cat pink eye or conjunctivitis.

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Should I Leave My Cats Eye Boogers

The occasional eye booger on your pet isnt anything to freak out about. However, noticeable eye discharge can be a sign that something is wrong and you need to contact your veterinarian.

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How To Treat Conjunctivitis In Cats

This article was co-authored by Jamie Freyer, DVM. Dr. Jamie Freyer is a Licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine based in Washington. With over ten years of experience in clinical practice and industry, she specializes in veterinary medicine and surgery, animal behavior, and animal genetics. Dr. Freyer holds a BS in Life Science from The University of Portland and a DVM from Oregon State University.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 177,187 times.

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the inner pink membrane of the eye. It is the most common eye problem in cats.XResearch source In fact, most cats will experience conjunctivitis at some point in their lives.XResearch source If your cat has conjunctivitis, her eyes will probably look and feel very uncomfortable. Act promptly so she can get the treatment she needs to start feeling better.

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How Veterinarians Diagnose Cat Pink Eye

Your veterinarian will conduct a complete ophthalmic examination, including:

• A careful eye exam using special instruments and stains to look for other diseases in the eye.

• A Schirmer Tear Test is used to assess your cats natural tear production by determining the amount of tears produced.

• A fluorescein stain test, which is critical to diagnose corneal ulcers. The cornea is the clear dome-like exterior of the eye. With eye and eyelid issues, cats commonly have ulcers or scratches on the cornea. The fluorescein stain allows an ulcer to glow bright green under a black light.

• A test of intraocular pressures to look for inflammation or glaucoma.

• Blood tests specifically looking for two viruses: feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. Cats with either virus are immunocompromised and therefore more susceptible to infections.

• Blood tests to look for signs of infection and overall organ function.

• Radiographs to assess lung pathology, as cats with conjunctivitis frequently have respiratory infections.

• Additional tests may include PCR, virus isolation, immunofluorescence antibody testing, and serology to test for other specific bacterial and viral infections.

What If It Doesnt Get Better

If your cat isnt getting better or keeps getting conjunctivitis, they may need some further investigation by your vet. These may include swabs, tear measurement or perhaps referral to a specialist ophthalmologist .

Some conditions that cause conjunctivitis need lifelong treatment. If you want to find out more about the conditions that cause conjunctivitis please use the links within the causes section.

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Treating Viral And Bacterial Conjunctivitis In Cats

The most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats is feline herpes virus . Most cats are exposed to the feline herpes virus within the first few weeks of life. At the time of exposure, kittens may develop conjunctivitis .

Figure 1. Cat with conjunctivitis: blepharoedema, chemosis, hyperemia and tearing

Viral conjunctivitis is usually self-limiting and often does not require treatment. If the symptoms do not resolve, treatment with a topical and/or oral antiviral is indicated. Idoxuridine 0.1% and Cidofovir 0.2% are the two most common topical antiviral medications used in cats. Both are compounded and generally used twice daily. Additionally, Famciclovir is an oral antiviral medication that is safe to use in cats. The recommended dose is 125mg to 250mg PO BID, however dosing up to 90mg/kg PO TID is safe in cats. Topical and oral antiviral medications can be used together. Because antiviral medications do not kill the virus, it can take several days and up to 1 to 2 weeks to note significant improvement of clinical signs.

Antiviral medications slow viral replication allowing the immune system to control virus shedding. Slowly tapering viral medication is recommended to limit recrudescence. Flare-ups occur because the feline herpes virus remains latent in the cornea and the trigeminal ganglia.

Figure 2. Fibrinous uveitis in a cat infected with Bartonella henselae