Cats often have eye infections. They aren’t always severe, but it’s still better not to assume that they will heal on their own. The best thing to do is to take your kitty to the vet.
Eye infections are quite common in cats. Most of the time, however, they are mild and easy to treat. If you notice any unusual discharge from the eye on your cat, it is suspected that he or she may have an eye infection. If your cat has any eye problems, a timely vet examination should be done to prevent the infection from getting worse.
Causes: What causes conjunctivitis in cats?
Conjunctivitis usually has infectious causes, i.e. pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi are triggered. Sometimes the cause can be trauma to the affected eye, such as a scratch from another cat causing the infection. There may be another cause of the infection, such as allergy or irritation from environmental causes, but this is less common.
Symptoms: Identifying conjunctivitis in cats
Conjunctivitis in cats is very similar to that in humans. If you experience these symptoms in your house tiger, a visit to the vet is appropriate:
- reddened eyes
- swollen conjunctiva
- frequent squinting of the eyes
- watery or purulent discharge
Cat conjunctivitis: contagious to humans?
It is extremely unlikely that the pathogen that caused your cat’s conjunctivitis could pass onto you. The viral pathogens that cause disease in cats do not infect humans.
In the case of bacterial pathogens, on the other hand, it is theoretically possible that they can be transmitted to humans. It is always a good idea to maintain good hand hygiene when washing your cat’s eyes.
Cats living in the same household are more likely to infect each other. Again, good hygiene and regular hand washing before touching another pet can reduce the risk of conjunctivitis transmission.
Does cat conjunctivitis heal on its own?
If you suspect your cat may have an eye infection, you should take them to the vet. Conjunctivitis can heal on its own, but it’s still important to rule out more serious infections. The eyes are a sensitive organ and there may be more wrong than initially assumed. Therefore, one should never assume that the problem will solve itself.
Treat cat conjunctivitis
If you suspect your cat may have an eye infection, it’s important to get your pet checked out by a veterinarian. However, if your cat’s eyes are very watery, you can gently wash them with boiled and then cooled water and cotton wool. Make sure that you use a new piece of cotton wool for each inflamed eye and always stroke in the same direction.
Ointment or eye drops: anti-conjunctivitis agent
Always use only the treatment prescribed for your cat by your doctor. Otherwise, you risk only making things worse with medication unsuitable for your pet. There may be more serious problems with the eye than just an infection. It is therefore important to have the cat examined and to make sure nothing is overlooked.
Conjunctivitis cat: cost of treatment
The cost of treating your cat’s conjunctivitis will vary greatly depending on the cause. Your cat will need to be taken to the vet, which entails costs for a visit to the doctor and the necessary medication.
How long does conjunctivitis last in cats?
Conjunctivitis in cats is often quick to heal, provided the correct treatment is prescribed by the veterinarian. You should see an improvement in your cat’s symptoms within a few days of starting treatment. In some cases only a short period of drug administration is required, in others, the treatment can last for a few weeks.
Is it normal for cats to water their eyes?
Cats have clear tear fluid – any other type of eye discharge is not normal. If you see green or yellow discharge from your pet’s eyes, it’s important to get a veterinarian to examine them as there may be an underlying infection.
What can be done about discharge from the cat’s eye?
If your cat has one or two watery eyes, it is best to seek advice from a veterinarian. It is important that a diagnosis is made and that the cat receives appropriate treatment. Without this treatment, the situation could get worse.
While you are waiting for this to work, you can gently remove any discharge from your eye or eyes. The best way to do this is to use boiled water, which you then allow to cool and drip onto a cotton ball.
Carefully stroke it over the eye in the same direction and remove any foreign bodies from the eye. Throw away the used cotton ball and use a new one every time you need to clean the other eye as well.
What type of eye drops are safe for cats?
There is a wide range of appropriate drugs that can be prescribed. However, not every type of eye drop can be used. Depending on the underlying eye problem that needs to be treated, a specific strain will be required. It is therefore very important that you seek advice from your treating veterinarian if you think your cat needs medical treatment.
Can I use artificial tears on my cat?
In some cases, artificial tears can be used to moisturize your cat’s eyes. However, under no circumstances should you put any product on your cat’s eyes that has not been prescribed for them, as it may not be suitable for them.
A diagnosis should be made first if you suspect the animal may have a health problem. So again, you should speak to a veterinarian to find out what exactly the problem is and give your cat the treatment it needs.
Should I remove mucus from my cat’s eyes?
If your cat has a discharge from one or both eyes, it should be removed carefully. The best way to do this is to use boiled and then cooled water and cotton wool. Gently stroke the eye in the same direction to remove any foreign matter.
Throw away the used cotton wool and always use a new piece of cotton wool if you need to clean the other eye as well. If your cat still has water in one or both eyes, you should consult a veterinarian.
What is the black substance around my cat’s eyes?
Black, encrusted material around a cat’s eye can appear if the animal has mild conjunctivitis or chronic eye irritation. This is more common in older cats. The best thing to do is to take your cat to the vet to see if treatment is needed. Regular, simple cleaning of the eye may be sufficient.
