Natural Remedies for Cat Eye Inflammation & Excessive T
When a cat's eyes turn red and inflamed, along with excessive tearing and difficulty in opening them, it's a common sight that can be quite distressing for pet owners. This is a problem that many cat owners are familiar with and can often be noticed at a glance.
Should you suddenly find that one of your cats has an eye that won't open and is also weeping, and upon gently lifting the eyelid, you notice some redness, don't worry. In adult cats, this is often a selflimiting condition that resolves within a couple of days without any other symptoms. For kittens, a few drops of eye ointment might be all that's needed. This is typically a case of conjunctivitis, a common condition caused by bacteria inadvertently entering the eyes during play, grooming, or cleaning their faces with their paws.
If your cat is also sneezing and has a runny nose, along with red, swollen eyes and excessive tearing, it's important to inspect the color of the mucus. If it's a purulent or mucopurulent discharge, accompanied by occasional mouth ulcers, drooling, and a lack of energy, especially if the cat hasn't been vaccinated, your pet may have contracted the Feline Herpesvirus, also known as Feline Rhinotracheitis (distinguishing it from Feline Calicivirus, which is another herpesvirus). Treatment usually involves administering antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Vimpat).
Cats with mouth ulcers and drooling can be treated with Vitamin B and ceftriaxone injections mixed with water to clean their mouths daily. This disease is highly contagious but has a low mortality rate, and most cats recover within ten days. However, kittens under three months of age may experience severe viral pneumonia and could die, so it's crucial to administer medication and monitor their condition closely. The best treatment is often through injections, such as ceftriaxone and interferon to combat the virus.
There is also a less common type of eye inflammation where a cat's eyes remain moist but do not swell, with only a slight amount of clear nasal discharge. The cat may eat and drink normally with no other issues, indicating a Chlamydial infection. Chlamydia is a microorganism that falls between viruses and bacteria. If a cat has a Chlamydial infection, macrolide antibiotics can be effective, such as erythromycin ointment, along with azithromycin.
Should your cat exhibit brownishred tear stains without any swelling, and if the staining is persistent without any changes in diet or exposure to salty or oily foods, it might be best to clean the eyes with an eye wash and consider switching the cat food, as it may not be suitable for your pet.
Important Tips: In addition to conjunctivitis, cat eye inflammation could be due to viral infections like feline rhinotracheitis. It's essential to identify the exact cause of your cat's eye inflammation to treat it effectively, preventing the condition from worsening.
