When To See A Vet For Cat Eye Infections
These cat eye infection home remedies can help your feline companion get relief from the symptoms. It is, however, important to get the attention of your veterinarian if cat eye infection doesnt show any improvement after 24 hours of treatment with these home remedies.
Eye infections and related problems can cause serious consequences ranging from major ocular damage to blindness. Your veterinarian will rule out each of the possible underlying causes and treat your cat accordingly.
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Tips For Treating Cat Eye Infections
As with most feline ailments, recognizing when there is a problem is the first step in diagnosing and treating eye infections in cats. But, since many kitties can be very privateeven more so when theyre not feeling wellhaving an idea of what could go wrong and how to fix it can be very helpful. Here are some tips that pet parents can use to keep their cats eyes bright and healthy.
The first thing you should do when it comes to your kittys ocular health is to familiarize yourself with your cats eyes. What color are they? What does the third eyelid look like? Having a baseline is very important so that you can notice when something is offeven if its minor. This could be anything from a little bit of sleep in the eye to some pinkness in the third eyelid, says Dr. Andrea Jones, a veterinarian at the New Jersey-based Princeton Animal Hospital & Carnegie Cat Clinic.
Once you know what your cats normal is, youre better able to identify signs of infection. These can include everything from redness and drainage to squinting and rubbing.
Both Holt and Jones stress that if you notice something is wrong with your cats eyes, you should schedule a vet appointment immediately. You dont have to necessarily make it an emergency, but you should try to get the cat to the vet that day, Jones says.
Treatments for eye infections can range from topicalthink drops and ointmentsto oral antibiotics and ocular surgery.
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Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis In Cats
Common feline conjunctivitis symptoms include:
- Redness of the eye or surrounding skin.
- Eye discharge that is watery, cloudy, dark, yellow, or green.
- Squinting or excessive blinking.
- Swelling of the eyelid or conjunctiva.
Cats that have infectious conjunctivitis may also show symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, such as sneezing, a runny nose, a fever, lethargy, or decreased appetite.
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Correct Diagnosis Is Key
The long list of potential conditions that aggravate, inflame, and damage a cat’s eyes means that getting the correct diagnosis from a vet is crucial. And because the viruses and bacteria that cause cat eye infections can be highly contagious to other cats as well, figuring out what’s wrong is the first step to making it rightthe earlier, the better. Home remedies without a medical diagnosis might sound tempting, especially when considering cost, convenience, or the stress a trip to the vet can cause. But proper treatment is crucial for making sure your cat has the best chance at a full recovery.
“Certain diseases of the eye can cause loss of vision or irreparable damage to the eye, requiring surgical removal to alleviate painboth of which are significant welfare concerns for the cat,” Aher says. “Eye diseases may also reflect a systemic illness and can be an indication that more diagnostics are needed.”
Ward agrees: “If a cat is squinting, has red eyes or is pawing at the eyes, don’t put anything in the eye before the veterinarian determines the cause. Putting the wrong medication in an eye wound can slow down healing.”
An evaluation of your cat’s eyes to check for signs of illness, infection, or injury is the first step. Blood tests and tests of the cat’s eye discharge or infected skin cells may also be required to determine what’s wrong.
Which Medications Treat Eye Infections In Cats
This depends on the diagnosis. Chlamydia and mycoplasma are two common types of bacteria that can cause eye infections in cats, but eye issues may arise from other problems like ulcers, cherry eye, tear duct blockages, foreign body, etc. Your vet may prescribe or advise that you use some of the following ointments or eye drops at home on your cat:
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Extra Strength Herbal Tea Treatment
When used on its own, tea can ease the symptoms of mild eye infections. However, you can strengthen the potency of tea for the treatment of severe infections of the eye.
Refer to home remedy #1 regarding the different types of teas that you can use. Mix 5 drops of St. John’s Wort liquid extract, one tablespoon aloe vera and ½ teaspoon salt to lukewarm tea.
Just like the other home remedies for eye infection in cats, apply 2 to 3 drops of the solution into the infected eyes. Use three times a day until the infection clears.
Diagnosing Kitten Eye Infections
Your vet will start by thoroughly examining your kitten to assess their overall health and keep an eye out for other signs of viral or bacterial infections. At that time the vet will ask for any information you may have regarding the mothers health and the kittens living conditions.
If your kittens eye infection may have been caused during birth, your vet may want to do a culture of the kittens eye discharge and the mothers vaginal discharge in order to more accurately identify the type of infection.
To check your kittens eye for signs of trauma your vet may use eye drops containing a yellow dye to help make any scratches, or foreign objects easier to spot.
If your vet suspects that your kitten may have a systemic disease blood tests and urinalysis may be recommended to pinpoint any serious health conditions that your kitty may be suffering from.
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Are Your Cats Eyes Healthy
As you can see, there are many reasons a cat can develop an eye infection. Some are not as serious as others, but all can be treated to keep your kitty comfortable. Bacteria, viruses, fungus, allergies, and anatomical defects can all threaten your cats amazing vision talents. So if you look at your beloved kitty and if their eyes are not as clear and beautiful as they usually are, maybe its time to see your vet. With the right treatment and insurance to help cover it, your cat can be back to their old self in no time.
Natural Antibiotic For Eye Infection
Oregon grape contains berberine, a dominant antibacterial constituent that can effectively treat conjunctivitis and blepharitis.
Add four drops of Oregon grape tincture into an ounce of distilled water and stir thoroughly. Use an eye-dropper to apply 2 to 3 drops of the solution into the affected eyes three times a day.
Administer this eye drop solution until the infection clears.
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Frequent Winking Blinking Or Squinting
If your cat shows sensitivity to light or blinks excessively, that’s a good indicator that something is off. There could be a foreign object under the eyelid, or viral or bacterial infection could be causing eye sensitivity.
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Do Kitten Eye Infections Go Away On Their Own
Minor cat eye infections usually clear up on their own without any treatment.
But as pet parents, it is crucial to keep a close eye on your cats symptoms so that you can track the progress of the infection. If the situation does not resolve itself in two weeks, it is time to take your cat to the vet.
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Can I Treat My Cat’s Eye Infection At Home
It is not uncommon for cats and kittens to suffer from eye problems. Many cats and kittens catch “the common cold”otherwise known as an upper respiratory infectionespecially if they have been in and out of shelters or interact with other cats. Cats are also prone to eye ulcers, systemic viruses, and breed-specific issues like cherry eye . Sometimes, cats simply have allergies, endure an injury, or get debris in their eyes.
With these conditions, a cat’s eye may look weepy or leaky. Eye infections may resemble pink eye or cause redness, inflammation, sneezing, pus around the nose and eyes, and “eye boogers.” Let’s take a look at some proposed herbal home remedies for cat and kitten eye problems like homemade eyewash and tea bags, as well as tried-and-true methods for symptom relief.
Untreated Infections and Blindness
Eye problems that go untreated are not only painful for your cat, but put your cat is at risk of damaging or losing their vision entirely. If your “home remedies” stop working after a couple days or your cat is injured, see a veterinarian.
Treatment Of Eye Infection In Newborn In Cats
Your veterinarian will usually begin treatment by carefully separating the newborn cats eyelids. Once the eye is opened the veterinarian will wash out pus and mucus. The veterinarian may take a sample of this material for further testing.
A topical antibiotic ointment will likely be prescribed by the veterinarian, to be put directly in the infected eye for one to two weeks.
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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.
Types Of Cat Eye Infections
The eye itself is covered in a membrane which is a protective layer of transparent tissue, similar to cling film, and called the conjunctiva.
This is the first line of defence for the eye. If infection arrives in the eye area, it is this membrane which becomes infected and inflamed. The correct technical term for this is conjunctivitis.
If the front of the eye itself is involved, this is known as keratitis. Often both conditions happen together, and the condition is then called keratoconjunctivitis.
When people talk about eye infections, they normally mean conjunctivitis. Of course, other types of eye infections can occur but they are rare.
An example might be if a cat received a deep scratch to the eye, allowing bacteria to penetrate the eyeball itself, and bypassing the conjunctiva. In that type of situation, the eye would be obviously very severely damaged, and the urgent help of a vet would be essential.
There are two types of conjunctivitis: primary and secondary.
- Primary infections mean that an infectious agent enters the area of the eye and then starts to cause a problem.
- Secondary infections mean that some other issue causes initial damage and this then allows bacteria that would normally be kept out to move in, setting up an infection. Primary diseases that affect the immune system such as FIV or feline leukemia may also contribute to eye problems by making the eye more vulnerable to secondary infections.
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How To Tell If Your Cat Has An Eye Infection
Cats with an infected eye will often squint and have runny eye discharge.
One or both of your cats eyes will look abnormal. The cat may be squinting with the eyes half closed. You may be unable to see the eyeball properly due to swelling of the lining of the eye.
There may be discharge from the eyes. The eyes may be runny, with an ocular discharge and wetness. Sometimes yellow or green matter may be seen around the eye, often streaming down the front of the face.
Treatment And Prevention Of Eye Issues
Once your vet knows what’s causing your cat’s eye discharge, red eyes, irritation, or pain, they’ll be able to consider the right treatmentand whether any home remedy is appropriate. Never give your cat eye drops, ointments, antibiotics, or other medicine unless directed to do so by a veterinarian.
Here are some treatments that might be called for depending on the diagnosis:
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Have You Noticed Your Cat Pawing At Their Eye Which All Of A Sudden Has Become Red And Swollen Your Feline Friend Might Suffer From Cat Conjunctivitis Find Out What It Means Whats Causing It And What You Can Do To Help This Uncomfortable Eye Condition Go Away
If youve just discovered your cat has a sore-looking eye or they are trying to rub their eye with their paw, on furniture or along the floor, chances are your pet is suffering from a case of cat conjunctivitis. While youre waiting for your vet appointment, find out more about this eye condition and what to expect when you visit the vets.
How Can I Treat My Kitten’s Eye Infection At Home
A great and effective way to treat your kittens eye infection right at home is by cleaning off their eye discharge with a wet cotton ball. This will keep their eyes clean and prevent discharge from accumulating and becoming uncomfortable. You can also apply a warm compress to their eyes to prevent the lids from sticking together.
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Tips To Prevent The Spread Of Infection
- Switch cotton balls between eyes as not to spread potential infection.
- Use different cotton balls between littermates.
- Consider wearing gloves between littermates.
- Kittens are susceptible to cold, so do not soak your kitten’s face with water and fail to provide them with passive warming .
Do Not Spread the Infection
Administer medication to your cat’s good eye first before working on the irritated eye. Avoid touching the irritated eye with the dropper or bottle as this could spread the infection. Wash your hands in between applications.
Additional Home Treatments To Help Your Cat Recover From An Eye Infection Quickly
While your cat is suffering from an eye infection, there are some things you can do to help manage the situation. If your cat has been scratching or pawing at their eye a great deal, an Elizabethan collar can help keep the eye safe.
While your cat is showing symptoms of an eye infection, keep a close eye on them and record your observations. Even if treatment doesnt seem like its working at first, stay consistent. Depending on the cause of the infection, your cats symptoms could continue for a varying length of time.
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Remedies For Cat Eye Infection
Eye infections are a pain. They can cause your cat quite a bit of discomfort, and the relating vet bills can be expensive, too. Fortunately, several home remedies offer relief at a fraction of the cost. Whether it’s allergies at the root of the problem or dreaded pink eye or worse, here’s what to consider when evaluating your kitty’s infected eyes.
Can I Use Green Tea And Chamomile Tea To Treat Cat Eye Infections
Some individuals have tried home remedies using chamomile tea or green tea for eye infections because tea contains catechins. Although catechins may help reduce redness, swelling, and irritation in Ayurvedic medicine for humans, these remedies should not be used on cats.
A DIY home remedy with herbal tea bags poses several problems:
- No guarantee of sterility
- Undetectable debris may be left behind which can worsen the eye condition or get something stuck in your cat’s eye
- No guarantee of quality
- No guarantee of effectiveness beyond anecdotal
- Will not be of help for viruses
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Treating A Cats Eye Infection
The right cat eye infection treatment ultimately depends on the root cause of the infection. There are various ways you can go about treating a cats eye infection, such as:
- Cleaning your cats eyes
- The best cat eye infection home remedy is to just clean your cats eyes yourself to get rid of eye discharge. Eye discharge can accumulate in your cats eyes and be quite uncomfortable for them, so its important to do this regularly if your cat is experiencing any eye discharge. You can do this with a cotton ball to wipe away the discharge. Gently wipe starting from the outside of the eye and make sure to use a fresh cotton ball on each eye. Never touch the eyeball itself. If the discharge is not easily cleared away, then do not wipe harder and seek care from a veterinarian.
- Topical treatments, including ointments or drops, should be applied directly onto a cats eyes. You may need a second person to help to properly apply the medication to your cats eyes.
- Oral antibiotics, which are usually only prescribed if an infection is present.
- Treating root cause
- If your cats eye infection is a result of an underlying condition, your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics, which may also clear the eye infection.