Cat Eye Infection

Cats have the most alluring eyes of all creatures. There eyes glitter in light and shimmer at night. Cat eyes are beautiful pools of colors like green, blue, yellow, orange and combination colors. They are the most prominent features of felines. Cats are not only known for their beautiful eyes, but they have a vision power far superior than any human. They can catch every movement of their prey, within the flicker of a second. Their night vision is also far more superior than humans and they can catch any movement at night.

These beautiful and powerful eyes are prone to many cat eye infections. Eye infection is one of the common cat diseases. Cat eye infections maybe caused due to a number of factors that may irritate your purry friend. These factors include foreign objects stuck in the cat's eye, congenital defect of the tear ducts or infection due to bacterial, viral or fungal factors. Let us try to understand the various feline eye infections.

Cat Eye Structure

A healthy cat eye is free from any inflammation, blush tint, scars and mucus development. The cat eye will be clear and have a luminescent glow. The cat eye consists of the cornea, the schlera, the conjunctive and the third eyelid. The cornea is the clear covering that you can see protecting the outer eye. This transparent cornea has seven layers that helps in providing optimum protection to the inner eye. The eye whites are known as schlera and the pink connective tissue attached to the cat's eyelids and white is called the conjunctiva. The mostly hidden part of the eye is the third eyelid which is a very thin layer that covers the outer eye. These areas of the eye are prone to many cat eye infections. If you know a little about these parts of the cat's eye, it will be a lot easier to spot and understand the eye infection in cats. Let us go into the details of eye infection in cats.

Feline Eye Infection

The following causes of cat eye infections will help you identify the eye problems as soon as possible, so that you can seek immediate treatment.

Cornea Injury
The cornea is prone to injury when the animal is involved in a cat fight and gets scratched in the eye or an accidental piercing of a foreign object or self-mutilation by accident during cat grooming may also lead to injury of the cornea. This branch of protective tissues will lead to a microbial infection and if left untreated may cause further damage to the eye.

Symptoms of Cornea Injury

• Squinting
• Conjunctivitis
• Bluish tint on cornea

Cat Eye Infections Due to Bacteria
Chlamydiosis: This is one of the major causes of cat eye conjunctivitis. Treatment for this condition includes treatment with Tetracycline.

Symptoms of Chlamydiosis

• Fever
• Rhinitis
• Conjunctivitis
• Palatine
• Glossal ulcerations
• Nasal discharge

Cat Eye Infections Due to Virus
Feline Herpes Virus: This is the most common cause of pink eye or conjunctivitis in cats. This virus is contagious and can spread to a healthy cat from an infected cat. The treatment in case of feline herpes virus infection includes administration of medicated eye drops. The cat may also suffer from an inflamed cornea, ulcer or sore on the cornea, inflammation on the conjunctiva and the schlera, eyeballs stuck to the eyelid and dry eye due to cat eye infection by feline herpes virus.

Feline Panleukopenia: This is a very contagious condition and can turn into a fatal cat eye infection. This feline eye infection can be prevented by vaccination. There is no effective treatment for this disease.

Symptoms of Feline Panleukopenia

• Retinal dysplasia
• Lesions in the eye
• High fever
• Vomiting
• Anorexia
• Lethargy
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration

Feline Infectious Peritonitis: Coronavirus is the causative agent for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). This eye infection of cat causes eye inflammation and detached retina that is hard to detect without conducting specific diagnostic tests. The treatment includes anti-inflammatory drugs like prednisone. Cats infected with this virus will unfortunately survive only for a few months.

Symptoms of Feline Infectious Peritonitis

• Anterior uveitis (Inflammation inside the eye behind cornea)
• Keratic precipitates (deposits of fiber behind the cornea)
• Hypopyon (pus)

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is transmitted through cat bites and the symptoms are visible in cats after a long period from contracting the virus. The cat becomes susceptible to infections and this virus is similar to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The treatment includes administration of antiviral drugs and interferon alpha. Transfusions and fluid therapy is provided as supportive care. A cat infected with FIV can live up to 2 years after infection.

Symptoms of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

• Lethargy
• Fever
• Enlargement of lymph nodes
• Loss of weight
• Chronic upper respiratory diseases
• Inflammation of the lining of the mouth
• Ginigivitis
• Chronic Skin Infections

Feline Leukemia Complex: The virus can infect any part of the eye and is contracted by direct contact with another infected cat. The symptoms include anemia and lymphoma.

Cat Eye Infections Due to Fungus
Cryptococcosis: This fungal infection is a symptom that cryptococcosis has infected the central nervous system. The treatment includes administration of oral antifungal medications like fluconazole, triazole, etc.

Symptoms of Cryptococcosis

• Peripheral blindness
• Dilated eyes
• Pupils
• Change in cat behavior and temperament
• Depression
• Seizures
• Circling behavior
• Head pressing
• Head tilt
• Ataxia
• Dementia

Kitten Eye Infection
Kittens do not have a strong immune system, which makes it very easy for bacteria and virus to cause frequent kitten eye infections. The most common kitten eye infection is conjunctivitis. The kitten eye treatment includes eye drops for minor infections that are administered twice a day. In case of severe kitten eye infection, the eye drops are administrated three or four times a day. Oral administration of antibiotics may also be advised by the vet. In case of pus, clean the kitty's eye with a saline solution and then administer eye drops.

Symptoms of Kitten Eye Infection

• Red eyes
• Watery eyes
• Sealed eyelids
• Puss
• Odor

Cat Eye Infection Remedies

• If there is a build up of mucus in the eye, it may lead to an eye infection. You should wipe the cat's eyes once a day with a clean, damp cloth, when you notice excessive mucus development.
• You should always bear in mind to protect the cat's eyes when you are giving a chemical treatment like flea treatment to the cat. The vet may advice a neutralizing ointment that will protect the eye during the chemical treatment.
• If you own a long-haired cat, make sure you trim it regularly as even its own hair may cause eye irritation that may lead to excessive rubbing and scratching of the eye. This may cause the cat to carry out accidental self-mutilation that leads to cat eye infections.

This was a little insight about eye infection in cats. You should take good cat health care as these animals are susceptible to many diseases. A cat eye infection if left untreated, may turn chronic and lead to blindness in cats. The eyes of a cat are what makes the feline so unique. As an owner it becomes your responsibility to care for this unique feature of your cat. A healthy cat is an owner's delight. Take good pet care, to keep you cat the way it naturally is - healthy, agile and spry.