It's relatively common for cats to be diagnosed with eye infections. In today's post, our South Florida vets explain precisely what eye infections are, as well as common signs, causes, and treatment options.
What are eye infections in cats?
A cat eye infection is a condition in which an infectious agent causes disease in one or both eyes. Cats can contract viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens from their environment or from other animals they come into contact with. If the immune system is unable to fend off the infectious agent, an infection will develop.
These infections can be uncomfortable an even painful. Cats can contract eye infections for several reasons and may experience numerous symptoms. In this article, we'll discuss signs your cat may have an eye infection, when you may should see a veterinary ophthalmologist, and treatment options.
How can I tell if my cat has an eye infection?
If your cat has an eye infection, you may notice signs such as:
- Red eyes
- Sneezing or nasal discharge
- Pawing at eyes
- Red or inflamed eyelids
- Excessive blinking
- Clear, green, or yellow discharge
Cats with severe eye infections may experience respiratory distress and require immediate care from your primary veterinarian. You can also use your favorite search engine to look for pictures of cats with eye infections and compare the images to the signs you've noticed in your feline friend.
What causes eye infections in cats?
Many diseases can affect your kitty's eyes. However, infectious agents are one of the most common causes of eye infections in cats. This is especially true for cats who live in close quarters with other cats, since many causes of eye infections are highly contagious and often difficult to control in crowded environments. Cats can develop painful, irritating eye infections due to:
- Bacterial infections
- Conjunctivitis
- Fungal infections
- Parasites
- Trauma
- Allergies
- Upper respiratory infections (cat colds, including feline herpes virus, calicivirus, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline leukemia)
- Viral infections
If you notice your cat is displaying signs of an eye infection, it's essential to book an exam with your vet as quickly as possible to prevent the infection from spreading to the other eye, or to other cats or pets living in your home or neighborhood. Long-term vision damage may also be prevented if an infection is caught early.
How will a vet diagnose my cat's eye infection?
At the appointment, your vet will check your cat's eyes for signs of trauma and assess the state of their overall health, looking for signs of an upper respiratory infection or other underlying medical conditions.
You may also be referred to our veterinary ophthalmologists for advanced diagnostics and treatment. A veterinary ophthalmologist can perform a complete ophthalmologic exam and swab or scrape cells from the inflamed areas of your cat's eyes to look for infectious agents. Additional diagnostic testing may be required, including:
- Intraocular pressure to rule out glaucoma
- Fluorescein staining to check for corneal ulcers or scratches
- Schirmer tear test or strip meniscometry to assess tear production
The results of these tests can reveal whether an underlying condition is causing the problem, which would require more in-depth treatment.
It is important to check for ulcers or scratches because this will determine whether a veterinary ophthalmologist should prescribe eye drops with a steroid or without one. Eyedrops that contain a steroid can help relieve pain and inflammation associated with an infection, but will delay the healing of a corneal ulcer and can even make it worse. For this reason, a veterinary ophthalmologist will always stain the eyes before prescribing certain eye drops.
Can I catch an eye infection from my cat?
The chances are very low that the viruses and bacteria responsible for feline conjunctivitis will be transmitted to humans. Regardless, you should ask your vet about the circumstances of your cat's specific eye infection and remain mindful of some basic rules of hygiene, like washing your hands when petting your cat while they recover from their eye infection.
How are cat eye infections treated?
The cause of your cat's eye infection and the type (viral or bacterial), and the severity of the symptoms will determine how it is treated. Once your veterinary ophthalmologist has conducted diagnostic testing, they may prescribe:
- Medicated ointment or eyedrops that contain antibiotics, steroids, or other anti-inflammatory drugs
- Oral medications
- Topical solutions or lubricants
- Pain medication
- Surgery
If your cat's eye infection is caused by another health condition, your cat's treatment may be more focused on treating the underlying condition.
Your vet will provide home-care instructions and follow-up recommendations. In many cases, your cat will need to wear a cone or e-collar to prevent scratching or rubbing at the eye. You may also need to gently clean your cat's eyes a couple of times per day to remove discharge and keep your cat safely indoors while they recover to prevent the infection from spreading.
Home Remedies
Unfortunately, eye infections cannot be fully treated with home remedies and over-the-counter topical creams. While you can use a simple saline solution to flush debris and clean around the eyes, do not put any other substances in your cat's eye. Always consult your veterinary ophthalmologist before using any at-home remedies, as they can make eye infections worse.
Can a cat's eye infection go away on its own?
Most eye infections in cats, except some mild viral-induced infections, will not heal by themselves. Always contact your vet or veterinary ophthalmologist if you notice any signs of an eye infection or other condition in your cat.
Since cat's eyes are a very delicate organ, any infection or condition should be diagnosed and treated promptly to avoid long-term damage like vision loss and other complications.
How long do cat eye infections last?
Most bacterial and viral infections will begin to clear up within 5 to 14 days, with proper treatment. Further diagnostic testing will be needed to reach a definitive diagnosis in cases that are not improving or where other pets are at risk for infection.
Note: Animal Eye Guys specializes in treating eye conditions and illnesses. The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical or behavioral advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.