Eye health is important to the general health of cats and it should be evaluated by the cat owners regularly. Knowing what to look for and how to act if you suspect your cat has an eye infection is important to prevent your cat from eye problems in the long term, as an early examination allows you to determine whether you can solve the problem at home or you have to visit the veterinarian. however; it is necessary to ask a professional especially when you are in doubt because some problems can be serious and may cause your cat to lose his sight or eye.
Examining your cat's eyes for infection requires the following steps:
1. Look for signs of an eye infection.
pay attention to any signs of a problem with your cat's eyes. Symptoms can include one or a combination of the following signs:
Blinking or closing eyes: This is not normal and indicates that the cat is feeling pain or discomfort in that eye. This could be due to an injury (such as a scratch in the eye), eye inflammation, or high pressure, an object stuck in the eyelid or an infection inside the eye.
Swollen eyelids: This symptom often explains itself, but a swollen, puffy eyelid is a sign of a problem such as infection, inflammation, or allergies.
Secretions from the eyes: a mass of secretions forms in the corner of the eyes of all cats, especially when they wake up from sleep before they start licking them to clean them. Usually, the natural lump is translucent or rust-colored; This clear secretion dries up when it interacts with the air and then begins to rust color. This is not a problem. however, Yellow or green secretions are a sign of infection.
White eye inflammation: The white of cats' eyes should be pure white. If you notice that it has acquired a pinkish or reddish color, or if you find any crooked blood vessels inside the eye, be certain that there is a problem and you must know that it indicates infection or glaucoma (high blood pressure in the eye).
Loss of shiny surface: a healthy eye has a strongly reflective surface. the reflection of objects in it is usually clear with smooth, uncut borders when viewed well. If you look at the surface and discover that it appears so faint that it is difficult to see the reflections in it, or if the reflections are choppy or blurred, this is not normal. This may be due to a dry eye (lack of tear fluid) or a sore on the surface of the eye.
2. Check your cat's eyes in bright light.
Check your cat's eyes in bright light in case you noticed a problem with her eyes. Identify the affected eye by comparing the two eyes to each other and noting the difference between the healthy eye and the affected eye. Study the congested eye carefully and make a list in your mind of the things you see such as the color of secretions, any inflammation of the whites of the eyes, congestion, etc.
3. Determine if you should take your cat to the vet.
Some types of infections need to be treated by a veterinarian rather than trying to treat them at home. If you notice the following signs, you should take your cat to the vet:
Marked discomfort (eye closing)
Yellow or green secretions
Dull surface of the eye
Enlarged blood vessels on the surface of the eye.
Care for sore eyes at home
1. Clean eye secretions.
If you noticed that eye fluid or secretions are increasing, use a cotton ball to wipe off the buildup. Do this as needed, which should happen every hour if the cat is experiencing severe secretions.
Pat the eye dry afterward.
Cut a new piece of cotton off as the cotton swabs full of secretion, and use a separate piece for each eye.
2. Take good care of your cat's eyes.
It is not uncommon for a cat to close its eyelids due to the secretions caused by the inflammation. It is important for her to clean her eyes, as inflammation may build up behind the eyelids and cause blindness.
If you notice that the eyelids are closed, soak a cotton ball in some hot (and cooled) water, then wipe the eye with the wet cotton from the inner corner to the outer corner, use the finger and thumb of the other hand to gently press the upper and lower eyelids to open them.
3. Keep the cat's eye away from irritants.
Cut the cat's hair from her eyes and keep her face clean. You should also avoid using the spray near cats, as cats' eyes are very sensitive, it may cause their tears to flow.
Treating an eye infection medicinally
1. Get your cat vaccinated on time.
It may come as a surprise, but vaccinations can protect your cat from some eye diseases. Both cat flu and chlamydia are two common causes of eye infections that vaccinations protect against.
2. Take your cat to the veterinarian to evaluate and treat the infection.
Eye inflammation is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Viral infections are self-limiting and your cat's immune system fights on itself. Bacterial infections are treated with topical eye ointment or eye drops that contain an antibiotic.
Viruses that infect the eyes include the herpes virus and the calicivirus. Some veterinarians apply topical antibiotic ointments even when they suspect that the infection is viral, as this infection can be confused with the complex bacteria that cause the secondary infection.
Bacteria may colonize the eye and cause infections that include Staphylococcus, e-coli, Proteus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. You must wash your hands thoroughly after handling the inflamed cat-eye secretions to prevent the spread of this infection.
3. Apply medication as directed.
Apply between twice a day and every hour, depending on the combination of antibiotic treatments. Oral antibiotics are not prescribed to treat an eye infection unless the ointment cannot be used due to the cat moving a lot.
The treatment is usually given for at least 5 days and should not be discontinued beforehand so that antibiotic resistance does not develop.
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