Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva - the inner pink mucosa of the eye - and is the most common eye problem in cats; in fact, most of these animals suffer from it at some point in their life. If your cat is also affected, it is likely that they experience severe discomfort; act promptly to give him the treatments he needs to get better.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Treating the Causes
Step 1. Identify the causes of conjunctivitis
That feline can be both infectious and non-infectious. The origin of the contagious one can be viral (feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus), bacterial and fungal. Among the causes of non-infectious conjunctivitis, consider the presence of foreign bodies (for example dust), chemicals in the air and allergies.
- The main causes of the infectious form are feline herpesvirus, chlamydiosis and mycoplasma felis; the latter two are types of bacteria.
- Take your cat to the vet to determine the source of the problem. if the cause is attributable to a microorganism, the doctor will perform diagnostic tests to identify the pathogen.
Step 2. Review the various options
Once the factor responsible for conjunctivitis has been identified, the veterinarian can recommend various therapies; evaluate the various possibilities with him. For a generic conjunctivitis (without specific cause) the typical treatment involves the use of topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs (such as hydrocortisone) to be instilled in the diseased eye.
- If it is feline herpesvirus conjunctivitis, topical antivirals and antibiotics are needed, as well as oral interferon alpha (a suppressor of the immune response to the virus).
- Topical antibiotics are given in cases of generic or herpesvirus conjunctivitis to treat the bacterial infection that develops when the immune system is weakened by the virus.
- In the presence of bacterial conjunctivitis, topical antibiotics are prescribed, while for chlamydiosis, tetracyclines are administered.
- In the case of a foreign body that has become stuck in the cat's eye, the vet must perform a surgical procedure to remove it.
- Topical eye treatments are available in eye drops or ointments.
Step 3. Isolate the cat
If you have several domestic cats, you have to separate the sick one to submit it to treatment; conjunctivitis spreads very easily between animals and you must therefore make sure that healthy ones are not infected.
Keep him in isolation for the duration of the treatment
Step 4. Instill the eye drops or apply ointment to the diseased eye
It is easier to administer the drops than the ointment, but you must proceed with a certain frequency (3-6 times a day); otherwise, the ointment must be applied more rarely but the procedure is more complex. If you are unsure how to give your cat the drug, ask your vet to show you the technique before you leave their clinic.
- The doctor prescribes the number of drops (if he opts for this solution) and the frequency of applications.
- Before administering the drops or ointment, you must remove all traces of secretion around the cat's eyes by wiping them with a cotton swab and an eye wash solution; your vet can recommend a suitable one for your case.
- The eye drops disperse quickly on the ocular surface, so it is not necessary to rub the eyes after application.
- If the ointment has been prescribed, you need to smear a stripe along the eye; as it is a thick substance, you have to close and gently massage the eyelid to make sure it spreads all over the eyeball.
Step 5. Complete the entire course of treatment
The cat probably starts to get better within a few days; However, Not you have to stop the treatment. This is especially important in the case of infectious conjunctivitis; if you stop the treatment too soon, the pathogen is not killed completely and could trigger a new infection.
- It usually takes about a week or two before the cat's eyes are completely healed; even if they improve after a few days, you must continue with the treatment for a week or more to ensure complete recovery.
- Treatment may need to be continued for up to three weeks.
Step 6. Learn about the difficulties in curing the viral infection
Although medications are available for feline viral conjunctivitis, there are actually no real therapies; this can make trying to treat this disease very frustrating and complex. Additionally, topical antiviral medications are typically very expensive and must be administered often. If your little friend has developed viral conjunctivitis, be prepared to have to deal with the problem for a long time - it's not a quick process!
Part 2 of 2: Managing Relapses
Step 1. Reduce your stress levels
Since the viral form is not curable, it may recur after the initial treatment. These acute phases are often caused by stress; you must therefore identify and eliminate the potential factors of emotional tension that are present in his environment. For example, try to keep his daily routine as constant as possible.
- If you have multiple cats, make sure that each individual cat has its own accessories (food and water bowls, toys, litter box) to reduce abuse or fight among them.
- The cat may feel stressed if it starts to get bored; provide him with lots of toys and alternate them regularly. The particularly useful ones are the Kongs, who keep him busy and distract him.
Step 2. Supplement your diet with oral lysine
The herpesvirus needs an amino acid called arginine to multiply; however, when lysine is present in the body, the virus absorbs it, thus stopping its own reproduction. Your vet can recommend a specific lysine supplement for your kitty.
You can give this substance to your four-legged friend for life as a preventative treatment for feline herpesvirus conjunctivitis
Step 3. Consider getting vaccinated
The severity of the outbreaks of this form of conjunctivitis can be reduced thanks to an ocular vaccination (non-injectable), the purpose of which is to strengthen the immune system and make acute phases more bearable; discuss this option with your vet.
Step 4. Limit your exposure to allergens as much as possible
If the cause of your cat's conjunctivitis is allergic, you need to minimize exposure to potential allergens as much as possible. For example, if you are allergic to dust, you need to dust your house more often. if it is an outdoor specimen, you must keep it indoors and away from external irritants, such as pollen.
If your cat's eyes start to get irritated when you use certain household cleaning products, keep your cat away from the areas you are cleaning
Step 5. Look for symptoms of breakouts
If his eyes start to look swollen, red, and you see green or yellow discharge, the animal is likely experiencing a rash of conjunctivitis. Other signs of the acute phase are an increase in tear production, the cat squints and becomes sensitive to bright light. When a new rash occurs, you need to call your vet to find the best way to manage it.
Advice
- All cats are susceptible to conjunctivitis.
- This infection is more common in young specimens, especially those living in very stressful environments (catteries, shelters or outdoors).
- In severe forms of conjunctivitis, the cat may need oral antibiotics in addition to topical medications.
- This infection can go away on its own; however, if your cat has secretions that seem to be making him very uncomfortable, you should take him to the vet for a visit and treatment.
- Many cats who suffer from an episode of conjunctivitis develop immune defenses and no longer have other recurrences.
Warnings
- Puppies with conjunctivitis may also have upper respiratory infections, which could make them feel really bad.
- If your cat is suffering from a corneal ulcer, you should not treat the conjunctivitis with hydrocortisone, as it may prolong the healing process or aggravate the situation.
- Treatments for viral conjunctivitis can be stressful in and of itself, thus increasing the chances of your cat developing other outbreaks.
