Feline Conjunctivitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention

When you think of eye diseases in cats, "conjunctivitis" often comes to mind.

Symptoms such as redness, tearing, discharge, or itchy eyes could be signs of conjunctivitis. Cats, just like humans, can suffer from this condition.

We will explain the symptoms, causes, and prevention methods for feline conjunctivitis in an easy-to-understand way, as it can sometimes lead to the need for surgery if left to worsen.

What are the symptoms of feline conjunctivitis?

Feline conjunctivitis is a condition where the conjunctiva becomes inflamed.

The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane lining the inner eyelids that covers the white of the eye and the nictitating membrane. When this area becomes inflamed, it leads to symptoms of "redness" and "tears/eye discharge."

If you notice any of the following symptoms, conjunctivitis may be suspected.

Red, bloodshot eyes

Blood vessels in the white of the eye or inner eyelid become visible, resulting in redness. In some cases, the inflammation can spread from the conjunctiva to the entire eye.

Increased tears and eye discharge

An increase in the amount of tears and eye discharge is also a characteristic symptom of conjunctivitis.

If a bacterial infection is present, the discharge may appear yellow or green. If it worsens, the discharge may become so crusty that the cat cannot open its eyes.

Signs of discomfort or itching

Even if you cannot see obvious signs, your cat may have conjunctivitis if they seem bothered by their eyes or are scratching at them frequently. You should also be cautious if your cat is squinting or rubbing its eyes against walls.

Causes of feline conjunctivitis

The cause of conjunctivitis in cats is often an "infection" or a "foreign object." It could also be a sign of an underlying disease, so it is important to understand the causes.

Cat flu

Infection with viruses or bacteria such as "herpesvirus," "calicivirus," or "chlamydia," which are causes of cat flu, can lead to symptoms of conjunctivitis.

In severe cases, you may see excessive eye discharge, nasal discharge, sneezing, and fever.Special care is needed for kittens, who have lower immunity.

Infections

Besides cat flu, other microorganisms and bacteria can also cause conjunctivitis.

Immunity tends to drop during seasonal changes or when the air is dry. Be careful, as cats are more susceptible to conjunctivitis during these times.

Foreign objects

Foreign objects such as dust, debris, sand, pollen, or fur can enter the eye and cause inflammation. A characteristic sign is that symptoms occur in only one eye rather than both.

Allergies

Just like humans, cats can develop conjunctivitis due to allergies such as hay fever.

How is conjunctivitis treated? How long does it take to heal?

If you suspect your cat has conjunctivitis, see a veterinarian immediately.

Never use human eye drops on your cat. Washing their eyes with water or boric acid solution is also dangerous. Do not wait and see; take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Treatment for conjunctivitis involves the prescription of eye drops or similar medications based on the symptoms and cause. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's instructions and continue treatment patiently.

Treatment with eye drops

Feline conjunctivitis often improves with eye drops.

Depending on the symptoms, anti-inflammatory or antibiotic eye drops or eye ointments are used. If a viral infection is suspected, interferon eye drops may also be used.

Many cats dislike eye drops, but... it is important to continue patiently.

Tips for administering eye drops to a cat

First, it is important to securely restrain the cat. Use two people or wrap them in a towel to prevent them from moving around.

[How to apply eye drops]

• Hold the cat securely from behind.
• Support the cat's chin with your left hand while lifting the eyelid.
• Approach from behind so the cat cannot see the dropper.
• Apply the drop from about 1cm above the eye.
• Gently wipe away any excess drops that overflow from the eye.
• Give a treat and praise your cat.

Keeping the area around the eyes clean

Sometimes the fur around the eyes can cause conjunctivitis. Trim long fur so it does not enter the eyes.

When dirty with tears or discharge, wipe gently with a clean cloth and lukewarm water. Forcing discharge off or scrubbing can injure the eye, so confirm the proper cleaning method with your veterinarian.

Using an Elizabethan collar

Excessive scratching of the eyes can lead to corneal injuries and even blindness. If your cat persistently scratches its eyes, do your best to prevent it. Using an Elizabethan collar as a first-aid measure is a safe option.

How to prevent feline conjunctivitis

Proper health management by the owner is essential to prevent conjunctivitis in cats.

First, strictly indoor living is a must. While feline conjunctivitis is not contagious to humans, it can spread between cats.

By ensuring a completely indoor environment and staying up to date with vaccinations, you can prevent conjunctivitis caused by cat flu. Even if an infection occurs, vaccinations help prevent it from becoming severe.

It is also important for owners to avoid bringing in infectious diseases. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching other cats.

Also, providing an environment that allows for exercise and stress relief is key to your cat's health. This helps boost immunity, which is useful for preventing not just conjunctivitis but also diseases like cat flu.

Summary

Feline conjunctivitis is one of the most common health problems.

It will not heal on its own, so do not assume it is just a minor case of conjunctivitis. The longer symptoms persist, the higher the risk of severe complications, and surgery may even become necessary.

Conjunctivitis in cats is a sign of underlying disease. It is important to observe your cat and notice even minor changes.

When you notice eye symptoms, keeping a log of your cat's condition will be helpful for the vet visit.It is helpful to have information ready, such as when the symptoms started, what they look like, and their vaccination history, to ensure a smooth visit.

Poponeko’s "Cat Health Handbook" allows you to keep all information related to your cat's health in one book. It is very convenient because you can record their physical condition chronologically.

▲Cat Health Handbook

Why not start health management to help your cat live a long life?

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