Cat Eye Infections - How to Treat and Prevent Common Cat Eye Care Problems

Feline conjunctivitis is a cat eye infection is characterized by an inflamed pink membrane that lines the inner eyelid and the white part of the eye. Oftentimes conjunctivitis occurs only in one eye rather than both. In this article you'll learn how to recognize and treat cat eye infections without costly prescriptions or antibiotics.

If your cat or kitten has conjunctivitis it is an eye infection that can occur intermittently for a few months to several years. It may or may not occur in conjunction with other eye problems. Sometimes feline conjunctivitis also presents with a cornea erosion or ulcer; corneal inflammation, called Keratitis; or intraocular inflammation, called uveitis. These other cat eye infections are often instigated by Feline Herpesvirus-1.

A conjunctivitis cat eye infection is most often caused by Feline Herpesvirus-1, Feline Chlamydia or Feline Mycoplasma. One, two or all three of these organisms probably caused your cat's eye problem.

What are the Signs of Cat Eye Infections?

1. Occasional or continual squinting - your kitty looks sort of like Popeye. If her squinting is severe, it may indicate a corneal ulcer or erosion.

2. Watery or mucous-like discharge that's clear, yellow, gray, or a rusty dark red color that resembles blood - but it's not blood.

3. The pink membrane lining, or conjunctiva, that surrounds her eye is red and possibly swollen.

4. The cornea, the clear dome over her eye, may be cloudy; this can signify a cat eye infection involving a corneal ulcer or erosion.

5. The iris, the colored part of her eye, may appear duller than usual or be an entirely different color; this can signal an infection involving uveitis.

6. One, several or all of these cat eye infection signs may be present. They may be present in one or both eyes.

7. Sometimes infections are accompanied by frequent sneezing and possibly an upper respiratory tract infection.

How Do Veterinarians Treat Cat Eye Infections?

Cat eye infections caused by Feline Chlamydia and Feline Mycoplasma can be treated with topical antibiotics. Feline Mycoplasma-induced infections respond very well. But Feline Chlamydia cat eye infections may recur. Sometimes topical antiviral medicines may also be prescribed.

FHV-1 cat eye infections are stubborn little boogers to treat. They don't respond at all to topical antibiotics.

Nearly every cat in the world has FHV-1; they are exposed to the virus when they're kittens. This virus lies dormant in a cat's body for its entire life; it can flare up to cause a cat eye infection at any time. The deciding factor in whether FHV-1 flares up is stress. Although your cat isn't a briefcase-toting stock broker on Wall Street, she can still experience stress! Stress suppresses the immune system.

Some kitties may never experience an infection. Other kitties may go for years between each cat eye infection, and yet other kitties may experience frequent flare-ups. Without proper treatment, your kitty would experience long-term discomfort and pain.

FHV-1 conjunctivitis and keratitis that cause infections cannot be cured-but they can be controlled.

How to Control Cat Eye Infections

Holistic vets and cat owners are finding great success in using homeopathic remedies made of natural substances. These eye tonics are a combination of burdock, rosemary, meadowsweet and Chelidonium majus. Feline conjunctivitis is often the result of a weakened immune system and may occur along side other illnesses such as respiratory infections. Your cat may need some immune boosting supplements to help her body naturally fight off infectious agents - without the side effects of antibiotic therapy.

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