Cats' Eye Discharge: Effective Eye Drops for Feline Tea
Many cat owners have encountered some unusual eye issues in their feline friends, such as sudden excessive tearing, increased eye discharge, uneven eye sizes, and frequent blinking. Those with some experience may be more familiar with their cat's health and know how to administer medication. However, for new cat owners, encountering such situations can often be quite overwhelming.
So, what causes a cat to tear up? When should you use eye drops to treat it? Today, let's delve into these questions together.
Part 1: The Various Causes of Cat Tears
● Irritants: This includes things like irritant smoke, shampoos, perfumes, pollen, dust, and fur.
● Eye Infections: These can be caused by bacteria, mycoplasma, or herpesvirus infections.
● Duct Obstruction: Inflammation or blockage of the tear ducts, such as the lacrimal ducts or nasolacrimal ducts, can prevent tears from draining properly, leading to overflow from the corners of the eyes.
● Eyelashes Growing Inward: When the fur around a cat's eyes grows inward, it can continuously irritate the conjunctiva, causing redness and excessive tearing.
It's important to note that different causes of a cat's tear issues require different treatment methods, and eye drops should not be used arbitrarily.
Part 2: What Medication to Use for Cat Tears?
1. Irritant Exposure
✔ Rinse the eyes with sterile saline to remove any foreign objects, then apply 1 to 2 drops of an antibacterial eye drop to prevent secondary infection.
✔ If the foreign object is deeply embedded, it's best to seek veterinary care promptly. Avoid picking at it with your fingers to prevent injury to the cat's eyes.
2. Eye Infections
Eye infections can be caused by either bacteria or viruses, and the treatment methods vary accordingly.
✔ For bacterial infections, use Beranming (Neomycin Sulfate Eye Drops) in combination with erythromycin ointment to control the infection.
✔ For mycoplasma infections, use eye drops containing tetracycline or levofloxacin.
✔ For herpesvirus infections, alternate between Valacyclovir Eye Drops and Neomycin Sulfate Eye Drops, and also treat with oral Kenokja (Amoxicillin Clavulanate Potassium) or Funoduo (Doxycycline Hydrochloride Tablets), along with lactoferrin and Llysine tablets.
3. Nasolacrimal Duct Blockage/InwardGrowing Eyelashes
These conditions often require surgical treatment, followed by antibacterial eye drops to prevent infection.
Part 3: Important Considerations
1. Maintain a Clean Environment: Regularly clean your home to reduce dust, pollen, and other irritants that can affect your cat's eyes.
2. Pay Attention to Diet: Avoid feeding your cat overly greasy or salty foods, and keep their diet light and healthy.
3. Prevent Eye Scratching: If your cat scratches or rubs its eyes, consider using an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from reaching its eyes.
4. Seek Medical Attention Promptly: If home remedies don't work or if your cat shows allergic reactions after taking medication, seek veterinary care immediately.
In summary, cat tear issues should not be taken lightly. As a cat owner, it's crucial to understand the causes of your cat's tears and choose the right eye drops for them. Also, pay attention to your cat's daily life and provide them with a comfortable and healthy living environment to avoid eye irritation caused by foreign objects.