What is Feline Conjunctivitis?
Feline conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin transparent tissue lining the inner eyelids and front of the eyeball in cats. It is a common eye condition in cats and has a variety of potential causes.
The most common symptoms of feline conjunctivitis include:
- Redness in one or both eyes
- Discharge or tearing
- Swelling and irritation
- Squinting or blinking excessively
Feline conjunctivitis can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, allergies, foreign objects getting trapped under the eyelids, or irritation from dust or chemicals. Infectious causes such as herpesvirus, chlamydia, and calicivirus are the most common.
Conjunctivitis ranges in severity and causes inflammation of the conjunctiva which leads to discharge, redness, swelling and discomfort in the eyes. Mild cases may resolve on their own but more severe cases require veterinary treatment. Left untreated, it can potentially cause vision damage in cats.
When to Take a Cat with Conjunctivitis to the Vet
If your cat is exhibiting mild symptoms of conjunctivitis such as minor eye discharge, slight redness, and infrequent blinking or squinting, you may be able to monitor the condition at home for 1-2 days before taking your cat to the vet. However, if symptoms worsen or do not improve, you should schedule a vet appointment right away. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, signs that warrant an immediate trip to the vet include:
- Significant eye discharge, especially if it is thick, yellow, or green
- Squinting or complete closing of one or both eyes
- Obvious eye pain like pawing at the eyes
- Redness of the eye or eyelids
- Swelling around the eyes
- Cloudiness of the eye itself
- Sensitivity to light
- Rubbing or scratching the eyes
Additionally, if the conjunctivitis is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, or nasal discharge, urgent veterinary care should be sought (source). Severe conjunctivitis that is left untreated can potentially lead to vision damage or blindness. So it is always better to err on the side of caution and have a vet examine the eyes if you notice anything abnormal.
Diagnosing Feline Conjunctivitis
To diagnose conjunctivitis, the vet will start with a full physical exam of your cat. They will look carefully at your cat’s eyes using an ophthalmoscope to examine the conjunctiva and other structures. The vet will check for key signs of conjunctivitis including redness, swelling, and discharge.
Your vet may perform several tests to identify the underlying cause of the conjunctivitis and rule out other eye issues. Common diagnostic tests include:
- Fluorescein stain test – This dye is applied to the eye to detect scratches or ulcers on the cornea.
- Tear production test – Measures tear production to check for dry eye or decreased tears.
- Cytology – Microscopic exam of eye discharge to look for bacteria, fungi, or abnormal cells.
- Viral PCR test – Checks for suspected viral infections like feline herpesvirus.
- Bacterial culture – Identifies bacterial causes of conjunctivitis.
- Biopsy – Examines a small tissue sample from the conjunctiva.
Based on your cat’s symptoms, exam findings, and test results, the vet can determine the underlying cause of the conjunctivitis and recommend appropriate treatment.
Treating Mild Conjunctivitis at Home
For mild cases of feline conjunctivitis, there are some simple at-home treatment options you can try before taking your cat to the vet. These include:
Applying warm compresses – Place a clean, warm, damp washcloth over your cat’s closed eyes for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times per day. The moisture and warmth can help soothe inflammation and loosen discharge from the eyes.[1]
Keeping the eyes clean – Use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe away any eye discharge. Be careful not to press on the eye. You can also use sterile eye wash or saline solution to flush the eye and remove irritants. After flushing, pat dry with a clean tissue.[2]
OTC eye medications – There are some over-the-counter eye medications formulated for pets that can help treat mild conjunctivitis. Look for ointments containing antibiotics like neomycin, polymyxin B, or bacitracin. Always follow label directions carefully.
While these remedies may provide some relief and help clear up minor conjunctivitis, it’s still a good idea to call your vet. They can advise if your cat needs to be seen for an exam and prescription medication.
[1] https://vetericyn.com/blog/how-can-i-treat-my-cats-eye-infection-at-home/
[2] https://www.holistapet.com/blogs/home-remedies-for-cats/eye-infection
Medical Treatments for Severe Conjunctivitis
If home treatment does not improve the symptoms of feline conjunctivitis within a few days or the symptoms worsen, more aggressive medical treatment may be necessary. Veterinarians typically prescribe the following medications to treat severe conjunctivitis in cats:
Antibiotic Eye Drops/Ointments
Antibiotic eye medications like tetracycline or chloramphenicol are commonly prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis. These are applied as eye drops or ointment 3-4 times per day for 1-2 weeks to fight the infection and reduce inflammation (source). Broad spectrum antibiotic eye drops are effective at treating both bacterial and chlamydial conjunctivitis.
Oral Antibiotics
For severe cases, vets may prescribe oral antibiotics like doxycycline to treat systemic infection. Doxycycline is effective against Chlamydia and Mycoplasma bacteria that commonly cause feline conjunctivitis. Oral antibiotics ensure the infection is fully eliminated from the cat’s body.
Anti-viral Medications
If the conjunctivitis is caused by a viral infection like feline herpesvirus, antiviral eye medications may be prescribed. Common options include idoxuridine 0.1% or cidofovir 0.5-1% applied topically 2-3 times daily. These help stop viral replication and reduce damage to the eye (source).
With prescription treatment, severe feline conjunctivitis can be cured and complications prevented. It’s important to follow your vet’s instructions carefully and finish the full course of medication, even if your cat’s eyes look better.
Recovery Timeline
The recovery timeline for feline conjunctivitis can vary depending on the severity of the infection and the type of treatment.
For mild cases treated at home, symptoms may start to improve within 3-5 days but can last 1-2 weeks before fully resolving. Discharge and redness should gradually decrease each day. The eyes should look 90-100% normal within 14 days.
With antibiotic eye drops or oral medication prescribed by a vet, improvement often occurs within 5-7 days. Symptoms are usually completely gone within 10-14 days.
Chronic conjunctivitis cases may have flare ups on and off for several weeks before finally resolving. Follow up vet visits are recommended to monitor progress.
Once symptoms are gone, the cat is considered recovered. However, some cats may have repeat infections in the future if prone to conjunctivitis.
Preventing Feline Conjunctivitis
Feline conjunctivitis can be difficult to prevent entirely, but there are some steps cat owners can take to reduce the risk of infection:
- Keep cats indoors. Outdoor cats are more likely to come into contact with infective agents that cause conjunctivitis.
- Avoid contact with infected cats or shared objects. The herpesvirus that causes feline viral conjunctivitis is very contagious between cats.
- Practice good hygiene and properly clean litter boxes, food bowls, toys, and bedding. Many bacteria and viruses can survive on surfaces.
- Ask your vet about vaccination. Vaccines are available for some causes of infectious conjunctivitis like herpesvirus, calicivirus, and chlamydia.
- Don’t allow cats to share food or water bowls with other pets.
- Wash hands after touching any infected cat’s eyes or nose discharge.
While preventing all cases of feline conjunctivitis may not be possible, following these tips can help lower the chances of infection and transmission between cats.
Long-Term Effects
Feline conjunctivitis can have the potential for recurrence even after seemingly successful treatment. The herpesvirus that causes it remains dormant in the body and can reactivate later, especially during times of stress.
In severe cases that are not treated promptly and appropriately, permanent vision damage can occur. The infection can scar the cornea and conjunctiva, leading to impaired vision or even blindness if left untreated. This is especially a risk in young kittens if their eyes remain crusted shut for an extended period.
That’s why it’s so important to get prompt veterinary attention if you notice symptoms of conjunctivitis in your cat. The sooner treatment begins, the lower the risk of long-term ocular effects from the infection.
When to See a Vet Again
If your cat’s conjunctivitis symptoms persist or worsen after a few days of home treatment, you should make a follow-up appointment with your vet for an exam. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, you should take your cat back to the veterinarian if:
Cited from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/conjunctivitis-in-cats
– The conjunctivitis does not respond to medication within 7-10 days
– The condition suddenly worsens
– New symptoms develop like squinting or crusty eyes
– Your cat stops eating
Follow-up exams allow your vet to monitor your cat’s improvement, change medications if needed, and provide any additional treatment. Make sure to follow your vet’s recommendations for follow-up visits as they examine your cat’s eyes and ensure proper healing. Consistency is key, so attending all prescribed follow-ups is important, even if your cat seems to be doing better.
Outlook for Cats with Conjunctivitis
The outlook for cats with conjunctivitis is usually excellent with proper treatment. Most cases of feline conjunctivitis resolve within 7-14 days when appropriately diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/conjunctivitis-in-cats).
However, the prognosis depends on the underlying cause. Conjunctivitis caused by primary viral or bacterial infections tends to fully resolve with prescription antibiotic or antiviral eye drops. But conjunctivitis secondary to other eye diseases like glaucoma may have a worse prognosis. Chronic conjunctivitis that doesn’t improve can potentially cause permanent corneal scarring and vision loss if left untreated.
It’s important to follow up with the veterinarian as directed to ensure the conjunctivitis is responding to treatment. Alert the vet if the cat’s symptoms worsen or don’t show improvement within the expected timeline. With prompt veterinary attention and adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen, most cats make a full recovery from conjunctivitis.