Distinguishing & Treating Cat Conjunctivitis vs. Kerati

If your feline friend starts showing signs like excessive tearing, increased eye discharge, red and swollen eyes, and frequent blinking, it's time to take notice! These symptoms are indicative of an eye infection, with conjunctivitis and keratitis being the most common types. But how do you differentiate between the two? And what treatments should you consider? Fear not, we've got a detailed guide to help you navigate through this.

Understanding Your Cat's Eye Infections

1. Signs of Cat Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis refers to the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the outer surface of the eye.

Causes: This condition can be triggered by bacteria, viruses (such as feline herpesvirus and calicivirus), allergies, foreign bodies, or even misaligned eyelashes.

Symptoms: Look out for redness in the eyes, excessive tearing, a buildup of eye discharge (which might be puslike), swelling around the eyes, and discomfort that could lead to frequent blinking or closing of the eyes.

2. Symptoms of Cat Keratitis

Keratitis is the inflammation of the cornea, the clear tissue covering the front of the eye.

Causes: It can be due to bacteria, viruses, foreign body damage, chemical or physical irritation.

Symptoms: Expect swelling, pain, photophobia (sensitivity to light), frequent blinking, tearing, cloudiness of the cornea, and dark spots in the corneal area. In severe cases, it can lead to corneal ulcers.

Treating Cat Conjunctivitis

For mild conjunctivitis, often caused by bacterial infections or foreign bodies, antibacterial eye drops like Baytril (sulfamethoxazoletrimethoprim) are typically sufficient. If there's a lot of discharge, you might also want to combine it with amoxicillinclavulanate potassium for inflammation.

If your cat's conjunctivitis is accompanied by sneezing and nasal discharge, it could be due to feline rhinotracheitis and would require a combination of treatments including oral Furonate (doxycycline hyclate tablets), sulfamethoxazoletrimethoprim eye drops, rhinotracheitis eye drops, and Llysine tablets.

Important Notes:

Gently clean around your cat's eyes with a medical cotton ball and saline solution to remove any discharge or dirt.

Fit your cat with an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from scratching their eyes.

Treating Cat Keratitis

Keratitis is a more serious condition that requires prompt attention. Ensure your cat wears an Elizabethan collar and seek veterinary care immediately.

Bacterial Infections: Use a combination of sulfamethoxazoletrimethoprim eye drops and tobramycin eye drops.

Corneal Ulcers: Employ antibiotic eye drops along with growth factor eye drops.

Remember: The treatment for keratitis should be tailored to the cause, severity of infection, and your cat's overall health. It's crucial to consult with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications and worsening of the condition. Selfmedication can be harmful and should be avoided.