Cats Eye Redness and Inflammation: Professional Medicat

When a cat's eyes become red and swollen, it's often a sign of an injury, allergy, bacterial, or viral infection. Common symptoms include redness of the conjunctiva or the area around the eyes, frequent blinking or difficulty opening the eyes, excessive tearing, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and a large amount of mucous or thick puslike discharge.

Moreover, cats may scratch or rub their eyes due to discomfort, which can exacerbate injuries and infections, making treatment more challenging.

So, if you find your cat suffering from red, inflamed eyes at home, what can you do to help them recover? Here are some steps and medications you might consider:

1. Eye Cleaning

Regardless of the cause, maintaining your cat's eye hygiene is crucial. You can use sterile saline solution or a petspecific eye care solution to rinse their eyes, preventing the buildup of secretions that can lead to more bacteria and worsen the infection.

First, gently secure your cat's head to prevent movement. Then, carefully pull back their eyelids and use a cap to hold a small amount of saline solution, gently dripping it into the eyes. Afterward, gently massage the eyelids to soften the secretions and allow them to drain from the corners. Finally, use a clean cotton ball or medical gauze dipped in the saline solution to gently wipe away any remaining discharge.

2. Topical Medication

If your cat shows no other signs of illness, you might start with antibiotic eye drops. Options include Gentamicin Eye Drops, Levofloxacin Eye Drops, Tobramycin Eye Drops, Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment, and Erythromycin Eye Ointment. These broadspectrum antibiotics can treat conjunctivitis and keratitis caused by Gramnegative bacteria and staphylococci.

3. Preventing Scratching

Before your cat's eyes heal, it's important to fit them with an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from scratching their eyes.

4. Environmental Management

Keep your home clean, frequently open windows for ventilation, and avoid using cat litter with excessive dust. This helps reduce the irritation caused by airborne particles, hair, and dander.

5. Monitoring Response

Typically, mild eye swelling should improve within 3 to 4 days after using antiinflammatory eye drops. If symptoms do not improve or worsen, seek veterinary care immediately.

Should your cat exhibit additional symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, fever, lethargy, or decreased appetite, these could indicate a more serious infection, such as herpesvirus. In such cases, it's essential to consult a veterinarian promptly. If diagnosed with herpesvirus, treatment often involves antiviral eye drops containing Acyclovir or Ganciclovir, combined with tetracycline eye drops. Oral medications like Doxycycline (a tetracycline derivative) can help with inflammation, while antiviral oral solutions, interferon, and antiviral drugs like Virazole can be prescribed. Additionally, supplements like LLysine, Lactoferrin, and multivitamin tablets can boost your cat's immune system.