Cat Eye Infections
Help for treating your cat or kitten's eyes

Conjunctivitis is the most common cat eye infection. This 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. 

This picture from Barb Henry is of her Tonkinese kitten Spike.  His eyes are sharp and clear of cat eye infections.  Here's how to recognize the symptoms of conjunctivitis. One, several or all of these cat eye infection signs may be present. They may be present in one or both eyes.

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

• Watery or mucous-like discharge that appears clear, gray, yellow, or a rusty dark red color resembling blood. It's important to note, however, that it's not blood. Persians and Himalayans are most likely to exhibit the dark red discharge.

• Occasional or continual squinting. Exaggerated squinting may signify a corneal erosion, or tearing, or ulcer.

• The iris, the colorful part of the eye, may be a completely different color than normal or appear dull. This may signify a cat eye infection involving uveitis.

• The cornea, the clear dome shield covering the eye, may appear cloudy. This might signal a cat eye infection involving a corneal erosion or ulcer.

What is Cat Conjunctivitis?

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 may cause conjunctivitis. Don't worry—your kitty can't transmit the Feline Herpesvirus to you.

How to diagnose and treat cat eye infections...

Usually veterinarians can diagnose cat eye infections fairly easily based on the symptoms above combined with a cat's medical history. Sometimes, however, special tests are needed. Specific cat eye infection tests may include collecting cells from the conjunctiva and/or cornea to study under a microscope or DNA tests to determine FHV-1 infection.

Sometimes cat eye infections are accompanied by an upper respiratory tract infection and sneezing.

Cat eye infections caused by Feline Chlamydia and Feline Mycoplasma can be treated with topical antibiotics. Feline Mycoplasma-induced cat eye 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 remarkably stubborn.  In fact, topical antibiotics do nothing to tame them.  However, vets and cat owners are finding great success in using homeopathic remedies made of natural substances.  These eye tonics are a  combiniation of burdock, rosemary, meadowsweet and Chelidonium majus. 

You mix this remedy with boiled water and then let the liquid cool.  Then you soak a clean cotton swab in the solution and gently wipe eyes from inner to outer corners. Use new swab for each eye. That's not so tough!