Your cat's ocular wellbeing is critical to their overall health, and as the pet owner, you should check this regularly. If you suspect an infection has developed, it is important to know what to look for and what to do to avoid long-term problems. Detecting the disorder early allows you to understand if you can manage the infection yourself at home or if you need to go to the vet. When in doubt, always seek medical attention, as some problems can become dangerous and potentially result in loss of vision in the affected eye.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Check the Eyes for Infections
Step 1. Look for symptoms of an eye infection
Pay attention to the signs that suggest an eye disorder. Symptoms can be one or more of the following:
- Squinting or keeping the eyes closed: this is not normal behavior and may indicate that the cat is in pain or discomfort; this could be trauma (a scratch), an infection, an increase in eye pressure, a foreign body that is stuck under the eyelid, or even inflammation;
- Swelling of the eyelids: this symptom speaks for itself, edema is obviously a sign of some discomfort - usually a trauma, infection or allergy;
- Secretions from the eye: All cats secrete a sticky liquid in the inner corner of the eyes, especially when they wake up and have not yet cleaned. When normal, this liquid is usually clear or rust-like in color; in fact, when it comes into contact with the air it dries up and takes on this reddish-orange color, but it is a completely normal phenomenon. When it is yellow or greenish, it means that there is an infection in progress;
- Inflamed sclera: the white part of the eye should be in fact white; if it becomes slightly pink or the blood vessels that supply it become very evident, something is wrong due to allergies, infections or glaucoma (increased internal pressure);
- Loss of bright surface: Healthy eyes have a very reflective surface and when you look closely you notice that the reflected images are continuous and homogeneous. If, on the other hand, the surface appears opaque, the reflections are not seen or the reflections are irregular and jagged, it means that there is a problem; it could be dryness (there is not enough tear fluid) or a corneal ulcer.
Step 2. Check your eyes under bright light
If you are concerned that there is some problem, look at them in a well-lit environment. Check which of the two has anomalies by comparing it with the other and take note of which one it is. Examine the affected eye carefully and make a mental list of what you observe, such as the color of the secretions, any inflammation of the sclera, pain and so on.
Step 3. Consider taking your cat to the vet
Some infections need to be treated by the doctor and not at home. If you notice the following signs, you should have it examined by a health professional:
- Obvious discomfort (closed eyes);
- Yellow or greenish secretions
- Corneal opacity;
- Dilated blood vessels on the surface of the eyes.
Part 2 of 3: Treating the Eye Infection at Home
Step 1. Cleanse eye secretions
If your eyes are watery or leaking, use a moistened cotton ball and wipe away the purulent residue. Proceed as often as necessary, knowing that in cases of severe infection it can even mean every hour.
- When finished, pat your eye dry.
- When the wad becomes soaked in dirt, replace it with a new one; be careful to use different wadding for each eye.
Step 2. Use extra precautions if it is a puppy
It is not so rare that very young specimens suffering from an ocular infection have closed and "stuck" eyelids due to secretions; It is important to clean their eyes as the infection could build up behind the eyelids and lead to blindness.
If these are stuck, dip a cotton ball in a little water previously boiled (and then cooled); repeatedly rub the wet cotton on your eye moving from the inner to the outer canthus. At the same time, use the index finger and thumb of the opposite hand and apply gentle traction on both eyelids to try to open them
Step 3. Avoid exposing your cat's eyes to irritants
Trim the long hair in front of him and make sure he has a clean muzzle; also avoid using aerosol products when he is nearby, as his eyes are very sensitive and may water.
Part 3 of 3: Treating the Infection with Drugs
Step 1. Update your vaccinations
It might sound strange to you, but vaccinations can prevent some eye diseases from developing; feline flu and chlamydia are two common causes of eye infections that can be avoided in this way.
Step 2. Take your cat to the vet so they can assess and treat the disorder
Eye infections are usually caused by bacteria or viruses; the viral ones are self-limiting, the cat's immune system is able to fight them, while the bacterial ones must be treated with ophthalmic ointments or antibiotic eye drops.
- Viruses that can affect feline eyes are herpesvirus and calicivirus; some vets prescribe topical antibiotic therapy, even if they think the disease is of viral origin, because it can be an infection combined with more complex bacteria responsible for secondary infections.
- Among the bacteria that can affect the eyes and cause infections are Staphylococci, E. coli, the genus Proteus and Pseudomonas; It is essential to always wash your hands with great care after touching the cat's sticky eyes, as the infection can spread.
Step 3. Apply the medication according to your veterinarian's directions
Depending on the formulation of the product, it should be administered from twice a day up to once every hour. Oral medications are rarely given when it comes to eye infections, unless it is impossible to use some ointment due to the cat's restless temper.
