Conjunctivitis in cats is one of the most common diseases that affects their eyes. Its diagnosis does not require that it be carried out by a veterinarian since it can be seen with the naked eye and can be appreciated even by its owner. It is an annoying condition that can stress the animal. The most recommended thing is that when the pet is detected, it is taken immediately to the doctor so that it is properly evaluated and treated since it can damage the cornea of the eye.
What is conjunctivitis in cats?
This disease presents as an abrasion of the sclera of the eye and the inner part of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis may turn out to be a consequence of some other disease that is attacking the cat. Because it is an easily detected condition, it can be treated at home if you have the knowledge to do so, but it is recommended that it be checked by a veterinarian first.
The baby kittens They are the most likely to suffer from conjunctivitis, especially in their first 6 months of life, especially when we talk about cats that live on the streets or that their owners do not take care of properly. When this disease attacks, the veterinarian will prescribe an appropriate treatment that will make the cat begin to progress positively until it is completely cured.
The most frequent treatment for conjunctivitis is usually creams or drops for exclusively topical use that should be placed directly on the affected area. These medications should be applied several times a day and for a period of time that will vary depending on the severity of the infection. In addition, this must be accompanied by hygienic routines that will help clean and prevent the condition from recurring.
After the diagnosis, the veterinarian who treats the cat will be able to carry out various studies that will tell us if the disease is natural or if it was caused by some other pathology. The good news is that if conjunctivitis is treated quickly and without making it worse, it can be cured quickly and effectively with much less pain for the feline.
Although conjunctivitis in cats is usually a minor condition and can be easily treated, it must be treated promptly and properly, as it can worsen and bring many consequences to the animal. Some cats have been known to lose one or both eyes as the disease worsens to the point of damaging the eye organ or rendering them completely blind.
Cats are normally prone to repeated conjunctivitis, which is why special care must be taken in the hygiene of the animal's eyes, especially when it has already suffered from the condition.
Types of conjunctivitis
There are different types of conjunctivitis that can affect cats. Each cat can suffer from a different conjunctivitis even when they live in the same house. If you want to learn how to detect this disease in time so that you can act as quickly as possible, you should know what the differences are between the types of conjunctivitis and their symptoms.
serous conjunctivitis
This is one of the most common and is usually easy to treat. The symptoms of this type of conjunctivitis are usually mild and not too alarming. If you notice that the eyelids of your eyes are slightly red, irritated and that they constantly secrete tears, it may be that they suffer from this type of condition. Some of the causative agents of this variant of the disease may be the allergies of the animal or the environment of the streets.
Purulent conjunctivitis
This is a complication of the one mentioned above. If serous conjunctivitis is not treated promptly and properly, it can become complicated and be attacked by bacteria that will create an eye infection in cats. The most remarkable thing about this disease is that the segregation of the tear ducts will be much more viscous, sometimes and if it is very serious you could secrete pus.
When the tears dry they can become a kind of scab that will make the cat unable to separate its eyelid or open its eye. With this disease you must be very careful, because it is normal for it to manifest itself in only one eye, when it occurs in both, a more exhaustive evaluation must be made since it may be due to a sequel to respiratory diseases or viruses that are attacking the eye. cat's immune system
Follicular conjunctivitis
This type of conjunctivitis can be of infectious or allergic origin. Its main symptom is the formation of thick tears that will look like mucous, the animal's eyes will look inflamed and scabs will form around the eyelids.
Causes of conjunctivitis in cats
The causes of this disease can be many, they can be due to trauma, allergies or infections that affect the cat's eyes. In addition to these, they can also be due to other diseases that result in the appearance of conjunctivitis, one of the most common conditions are those associated with the respiratory system.
These conditions must be treated with great caution and immediately to prevent them from getting worse and causing irreversible damage to the cat's eyes. There are testimonies where small cats have lost their eyes or have gone blind as the disease worsens and the infection damages the organ.
If the cat is constantly outside, it will be more exposed to the dirt in the air, which is why it is recommended that when you have an outdoor cat, when they return home, their eyes should be cleaned with a damp cloth. to avoid the risk of contracting the disease since, as is well known, lack of hygiene is one of the main causes of conjunctivitis.
In the winter in cold climates and when surrounded by Humidity We must be very aware of our pet's eyes, because their eyes can be irritated, in addition to the fact that the cold tends to catch them easily and this could cause the disease. Studies have shown that recurrent conjunctivitis may be due to genetic inheritance.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis in cats
• Red coloration in the eyes.
• Inflammation of the eyelids, especially internally.
• Excessive tearing.
• Constant secretion of tears that look like green or yellow mucus, in addition to the constant appearance of lagañas.
• Complete or partial appearance of the third eyelid.
• Inability to open the eyes due to strong inflammation or excess secretion.
• Irritation and itching in the eyes.
• Abnormal eye color, misshapen iris, or cloudy cornea.
Although these are mild symptoms, they can worsen if they are not treated in time and can lead to consequences that can permanently damage the eye.
Treatment for feline conjunctivitis
The first thing we recommend is that when you detect any of the symptoms described above, you take your cat to the veterinarian to be evaluated, diagnosed and subsequently treated appropriately.
After a check-up, the vet will prescribe the most appropriate medication(s) to treat the disease, and will also teach you the best way to keep your feline's eyes clean: the most common way to clean them is using sterile gauze pads and physiological saline.
Home remedies
there are several home remedies for conjunctivitis in cats, this can be merged with medical treatments for further optimization of your health. We must always keep in mind that a balanced diet is one of the best ways to keep a cat healthy and in turn strengthen its immune system.
When you notice that your cat begins to clean or scratch one or both eyes a lot, you can take a sterile towel or gauze and soak it in chamomile or thyme tea, this will help refresh the area and make it scratch less, thus avoiding possible injury self inflicted by cat.
Do not forget that the best way to avoid conjunctivitis in cats is to always keep your animals clean, with a proper diet and in a safe environment.