Can Human Eye Drops Treat Cat Eye Inflammation?
When your cat's eyes are inflamed, it's crucial not to use human eye drops. This is because there are significant differences in the structure of human and feline eyes, their secretions, and their tolerance levels. Human eye drops can cause severe irritation to a cat's eyes, leading to adverse effects such as eye damage, excessive tearing, swelling, pain, and even potential vision loss or blindness.
Why Shouldn't You Use Human Eye Drops on Cats?
Firstly, it's important to understand that cats have eyes that are structurally different from ours. While both are the eyes of mammals, cats' eyes are more sensitive to light, offer a wider field of vision, and their pupils can quickly adapt to light changes. Additionally, the composition of a cat's tears and pH levels differ from humans, suggesting that eye drops designed for humans may not be suitable for cats.
Secondly, there's a vast array of human eye drops available, each containing different active ingredients and formulations. Some may contain hormones or other harmful components for cats. Moreover, medications designed for specific human eye conditions, like glaucoma or cataracts, may not be appropriate for cats, as these conditions manifest and are treated differently in felines. Therefore, it's not advisable to administer human eye drops to cats without veterinary guidance.
What Eye Drops Should You Use for a Cat's Inflamed Eyes?
If your cat is showing signs of eye inflammation, such as redness, excessive discharge, frequent blinking, or scratching at their eyes, it's best to take them to a veterinarian immediately. The vet will diagnose the issue based on the symptoms and prescribe the appropriate medication tailored for your cat's needs.
For Example:
In cases of conjunctivitis or keratitis caused by bacterial infections, Berlengem (neomycin sulfate eye drops) can be used. This is a petspecific aminoglycoside antibiotic eye drop effective against Gramnegative bacterial infections and is also sensitive to Staphylococcus aureus.
For conjunctivitis caused by herpesviruses, antiviral eye drops containing acyclovir or ganciclovir are necessary. In cases of secondary bacterial infections, these should be alternated with antibiotic eye drops.
Are There Any Human Eye Drops Safe for Cats?
In emergency situations, aside from Berlengem neomycin sulfate eye drops, there are a few human eye drops that can be considered for cats. These include:
1. Erythromycin ointment: Suitable for mild eye infections, such as eye tears or discharge.
2. Tobramycin eye drops: Used for severe eye infections, offering antiinflammatory properties.
3. Levofloxacin eye drops: More potent than tobramycin, effective against conjunctivitis and keratitis caused by sensitive bacteria.
It's important to note that while these human eye drops can be used in emergencies, it's still best to opt for catspecific eye drops to avoid potential side effects from longterm use. For instance, chloramphenicol eye drops can lead to a decrease in bone marrow cells when used longterm, and tobramycin eye drops have the potential for kidney and ear toxicity.
