We all want what’s best for our furry friends, which means we want to keep them healthy and happy. Unfortunately, there are some things that are out of our control, so our cat ends up getting sick. Cat eye infections, also known as conjunctivitis, aren’t life threatening, but they do require treatment.
There are many reasons why your cat can develop an eye infection. With veterinary assistance, getting rid of a cat eye infection is fairly easy.
Cat Eye Infection Symptoms
The first step in treating your feline for a cat eye infection is to understand the symptoms. Cats with an infection will suffer from things like…
- watery eyes
- swollen eyelids
- inflammation
- redness around the eyes
For cat eye infections that are particularly irritating, you may also observe your cat scratching or rubbing his face against furniture.
The most common cause of conjunctivitis is feline herpesvirus, which is a lot like pink eye, and it is highly contagious between cats. There are a number of other viral and bacterial infections that could be causing your cat’s symptoms, including chlamydia, feline calcivirus, and feline infectious peritonitis.
Cat Eye Infection Treatment
When it comes to learning how to treat cat eye infection symptoms, visiting with your veterinarian is important. After your appointment, he is likely to prescribe a cat eye infection medication, although the type of medication will depend on the nature of the cat eye infection.
Your veterinarian is likely to prescribe an antibiotic ointment that must be directly inserted into the affected eye. For cats with especially irritated eyes, your vet may also prescribe an eye drop to relieve itching and inflammation.
There are a number of commercially available antibiotics if you do not require the assistance of a veterinarian. Medications include Neo Poly Dex Opthalmic, Terramycin Opthalmic Ointment, B.N.P Triple Antibiotic Opthalmic Ointment, and Gentamicin Sulfate Opthalmic Solution.
How to Treat Cat Eye Infection Symptoms
Whether you purchase a commercial antibiotic or you are prescribed an antibiotic by your veterinarian, it is important that you read the label or follow your veterinarian’s directions carefully. In most cases, the cat eye infection treatment is the same, but the dosages may vary, depending on the nature of the cat eye infection.
While your cat is recovering, wipe his eye with a paper towel frequently to clear away discharge. This is especially important before you apply the ointment. After you have inserted the dosage directly into the eye, make sure you wash your hands afterward. The infection can be spread to other animals if you aren’t careful.
Keep your cat’s food and water bowls separate from other pet bowls in the home, and consider quarantining him until the infection passes.
When you follow these tips, a cat eye infection should clear up quickly. Although a cat eye infections aren’t transmutable between cats and humans, it can make living very uncomfortable for your furry friend, so make sure that you seek out medical care as soon as you observe any of the symptoms listed above.