Has your cat been rubbing his eye, or has his eye been closed a lot for a few days ? What if it is suffering from conjunctivitis ? Lets find out more about this common condition in cats.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membranes on the inside of the eyelids and around the eyeball. This common condition in cats manifests itself as redness and possibly swelling of the conjunctiva. An eye discharge is usually present. The condition is usually irritating – the cat closes its eye(s) very frequently or permanently and may also rub with its paw. It is not uncommon for conjunctivitis to be accompanied by other signs such as sneezing or mouth ulcers. In this case, it is called coryza or flu. Finally, conjunctivitis may extend to the cornea and develop into keratoconjunctivitis, which may be complicated by an ulcer.
There are many causes of conjunctivitis. Those of infectious origin are the most frequently encountered. The feline herpes virus is very often responsible. There are also bacterial causes, like Chlamydophila (or Chlamydia) or Mycoplasma. Another common cause is allergy. Finally, a foreign body (such as a grass seed or grains of sand), a lump or badly implanted or misdirected eyelashes can also disturb and irritate the conjunctiva.
If your cat shows signs of eye disease that could be conjunctivitis, make an appointment to see your vet. The vet will carry out tests to ensure that sufficient tears are being produced and that the cornea is not damaged. He will also look for the presence of a foreign body, a mass or eyelashes that could explain the inflammation.
Management of conjunctivitis, after eliminating the above causes, may include the application of ointments or eye drops containing antibiotics, antivirals and/or anti-inflammatory drugs depending on the cause identified. Cleaning of the eye area with a suitable eye wash is often recommended. Your veterinarian may also prescribe oral antibiotics or antivirals in tablet form or by injection if deemed appropriate. Finally, in some cases, the use of antihistamines is recommended. During the treatment, it may be deemed a requirement that your cat be fitted with a collar to avoid any risk of damage to the cornea by scratching.
In the case of recurrent conjunctivitis and/or failure to react to treatment, it is very likely that your veterinarian will want to carry out a laboratory test. He will then take a swab sample.
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