Effective Treatments for Red, Swollen Cat Eyes Unable t

Hello everyone, welcome to the best friend of cat owners—the Oxygen Pet Doctor~

It seems that recently, many pet owners have been inquiring about their cats' eye health issues. Common symptoms include red and swollen eyes that won't open, excessive tearing, increased eye discharge, and the cat frequently scratching at its eyes with its paws.

These are typical signs of feline eye infections. If left untreated, these infections can worsen significantly, potentially leading to permanent blindness in cats.

So, what should you do if you find your cat's eyes are red, swollen, and won't open? Don't worry, let's delve into the details for you~

What Causes a Cat's Eyes to Swell and Refuse to Open?

1. Conjunctivitis: This is one of the most common eye diseases in cats, usually caused by bacterial or viral infections. It leads to conjunctival congestion, eyelid inflammation, redness, and an increase in discharge.

2. Blepharitis: This refers to inflammation and infection of the eyelid skin and edge, which may be due to allergies, congenital abnormalities, or infections.

3. Cherry Eye: Also known as third eyelid prolapse, it is often caused by external irritation or viral infections. It is characterized by a pink, soft tissue mass in the inner corner of the eye, accompanied by congestion, tearing, and the cat frequently scratching at its eyes.

4. Feline Rhinotracheitis: Cats infected with feline rhinotracheitis can also develop eye infections, including conjunctivitis and keratitis. If your cat shows symptoms like red, swollen eyes along with increased nasal and eye discharge, loss of appetite, and lethargy, it may be infected with feline rhinotracheitis.

5. Allergic Reactions: Some cats may experience eye swelling and difficulty opening their eyes due to allergies, often accompanied by other symptoms like itchy, red, and swollen skin, tearing, and sneezing.

How to Handle the Situation?

It's best to take your cat to a veterinary clinic for a checkup to determine the exact cause and type of infection before starting treatment. If you're unable to see a vet immediately, here are some steps you can take:

1. Clean the Eyes

Use sterile saline solution or a petspecific eye cleaning solution to gently wash your cat's eyes, removing any discharge and foreign objects to maintain eye cleanliness.

2. Prevent Scratching

Put an Elizabethan collar on your cat to prevent it from scratching its eyes, which could lead to damage to the conjunctiva or cornea, worsening the infection.

3. Use Antibacterial Eye Drops

Administer Beranming (Neomycin sulfate eye drops) to your cat to inhibit bacterial growth and help alleviate redness and tearing. Apply these drops 3 to 5 times a day. If your cat also has symptoms like runny nose and sneezing, it may have feline rhinotracheitis, and you should alternate between antiviral eye drops and antibacterial eye drops.

4. Oral Medication

If you suspect your cat has feline rhinotracheitis, you can use a herpesvirus test strip for a preliminary test. If the result is positive, in addition to eye drops, you should give your cat oral medication such as Kenjia (Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium) or ampicillin, doxycycline, and other antiinflammatory drugs. Additionally, use interferon, virucide, and other medications to suppress the replication of herpesviruses, and supplement your cat's diet with lysine, lactoferrin, and other nutrients to boost its immune system.