Conjunctivitis is a common eye ailment in cats. There are other causes that might cause conjunctivitis, which has two separate forms.
Cat owners should be aware of conjunctivitis symptoms in order to keep their cats comfortable and prevent the disease from spreading.
Why Do Cats Get Conjunctivitis?
Cats’ eyes can become infected with conjunctivitis, sometimes known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the pink tissues around the eye, can affect one or both eyes at once.
Conjunctivitis in cats can manifest as either an infectious or non-infectious condition. Both forms of conjunctivitis have the same symptoms, but they have different causes.
Symptoms of Cat Conjunctivitis
Squinting or closing one’s eye, increased redness and swelling in the area surrounding the eyes, excessive blinking, yellow or white discharge from the eyes, and excessive crying are all signs of stress.
One obvious sign of conjunctivitis in cats is an increase in the redness or pinkness of the fleshy region around the eye. When a cat develops conjunctivitis, inflammation and swelling take place in this region of the eye. Cats may hold their eyes closed, squint, or blink excessively as a result of the pain and discomfort this causes. Conjunctivitis can occasionally cause the eye to become moist or even discharge, which leaves the area around the pupil damp or unclean. Finally, because conjunctivitis is so uncomfortable, cats with the condition may repeatedly paw at or rub their eyes on furniture or carpet.
Causes of Cat Conjunctivitis
Depending on the underlying causes, conjunctivitis may be classified as either an infectious or noninfectious condition.
- Viruses: Conjunctivitis is most likely caused by an infectious virus if it is caused by one at all. The most frequently noticed virus that can cause conjunctivitis is the feline herpesvirus type 1, also referred to as feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR). Sneezing is one of the respiratory symptoms this virus, which spreads from cat to cat, produces.
- Another infectious type of conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria. Staphylococci, Streptococci, and Chlamydophila infections of the eyes can cause cat conjunctivitis. Additionally, cats can contract these diseases from each other.
- Environmental irritants: Dust, mold, smoke, poor air quality, air fresheners, and other elements in the home that could irritate the eyes can cause conjunctivitis. Even pet shampoo and dirt that gets in a cat’s eyes might induce conjunctivitis since it may be so unpleasant. Any of these things can cause conjunctivitis, the non-infectious variety.
Diagnosis of cat conjunctivitis
A veterinarian will perform a comprehensive physical examination to determine whether a cat has conjunctivitis. Infections of the respiratory system and other eye disorders frequently coexist with conjunctivitis. An ophthalmoscope may be used to see the cat’s eye more clearly, and it may be required to perform a variety of tests to make sure the conjunctivitis isn’t causing any other eye problems. Using attention stains and tearing tests is standard procedure.
Cats’ Conjunctivitis Treatment
Conjunctivitis itself will be treated with specialized eye solutions, but additional treatments for the underlying cause may be necessary. Immune-stimulating supplements, steroids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and other medications may all be suggested depending on the etiology of the conjunctivitis. To clean the affected eye and reduce some discomfort, use a warm, damp towel.
Methods for Treating Cat Cat Conjunctivitis
Maintaining a clean environment can help avoid the non-infectious form of conjunctivitis, but it might be more difficult to halt the infected kind. Infected cats should not be around healthy cats, and immuno supplements may help affected cats’ immune systems fight against conjunctivitis. The right hand washing procedure should be followed after handling ill animals.
Is Human Contact a Factor in the Spread of Conjunctivitis?
Whether infectious or not, conjunctivitis is not contagious to humans, but it can be transferred from cat to cat by simple physical contact. People should always wash their hands before petting any other cats if they have just touched a cat that has herpesvirus type-1 or apparent conjunctivitis, even if they are unsure whether the cat they touched had an infectious type of conjunctivitis. It is recommended to limit a cat’s contact to bacteria and viruses wherever possible because it is better to be safe than sorry.
The symptoms of and treatments for common feline diseases
READ NEXT: 12 Most Popular Cat Breeds for Feline Lovers
