How to clean a cat's eye with conjunctivitis

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 15 February 2021
Update Date: 13 November 2024
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Cat’s Eyes swollen and watery: Cat Conjunctivitis Treatment
Video: Cat’s Eyes swollen and watery: Cat Conjunctivitis Treatment

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It is relatively common for cats to suffer from eye problems, especially if they are young. They should receive veterinary treatment because, although they tend to heal easily, if left untreated, they can end up complicating the point of perforating the cornea, causing the kitten to become blind and sometimes to have the eye removed. To avoid this, as mentioned, it is essential to establish a veterinary treatment and also some hygiene measures. Therefore, in this article by Animal Expert we explain how to clean a cat's eye with conjunctivitis.

Cat Eye Infection Symptoms

Before explaining how to clean an infected cat's eye, we must know how to identify the symptoms that indicate our cat is suffering from an infection. The clinical picture of these conditions is recognized by the following signals:


  • It is normal that one or both eyes appear closed. It can be a sign of pain and photophobia, that is, light bothers the eyes. Sometimes we see that the eyelashes are trapped by the presence of scabs.
  • Infections produce a intense eye discharge, which is the one that makes the eyelashes stick when the cat sleeps and this exudate (a liquid with a high content of serum proteins and leukocytes) dries up. It liquid will be yellowish, which usually indicates the presence of bacteria. Even in infections caused by viruses, this secretion can appear due to secondary infections from opportunistic bacteria.
  • If we look at the nictitating membrane or the third eyelid covering all or part of the eye, we could also be facing an infection.
  • Any change in eye color, consistency or size is a reason for urgent consultation!
  • Finally, in cases where an infection has not been properly treated, we can even see how a mass covers the eye due to a severe perforation of the cornea.
  • Before any of these symptoms, we should go to the veterinarian to prescribe the appropriate treatment, which is usually eye drops or eye ointment. These drugs are cheap and very effective. If we don't treat the problem, the consequence could be surgery to remove one or both eyes. Therefore, early veterinary care is basic.

Before any of these symptoms, we should go to the veterinarian to prescribe the appropriate treatment, which is usually a eye drops or eye ointment. These drugs are cheap and very effective. If we don't treat the problem, the consequence could be surgery to remove one or both eyes. Therefore, early veterinary care is basic.


How to cure an eye infection in kittens?

Eye infections are very common in kittens, even when they haven't opened their eyes. This is often because they are caused by herpesvirus, highly contagious and common among cats that live on the street, which explains the high presence of eye infections in the colonies.

If we rescue a litter of newborn kittens that have not yet weaned and we observe that the puppies have swollen eyes or a purulent discharge when the eyes start to open, which happens around 8 to 10 days, we will be facing an infection . To avoid risks, we must clean eyes and apply antibiotic prescribed by the veterinarian. For this, we will use gauze or cotton moistened in saline solution, a product that should always be in our medicine cabinet. Gently press from the eyelid towards the outside of the eye to expel the pus through the small slit that is opening. If there are traces of trapped secretion, we should clean them with another gauze or cotton soaked in serum, which can be warm, always from the inside to the outside. Through this same slit, once cleaned, we will introduce the treatment. In the next section, we'll look at how to clean an infected eye from a kitten that has already opened its eyes, which will be the same procedure as for an adult cat.


How to clean a cat's infected eye?

In order for antibiotic treatment to take effect, it is important to always apply it to a well-cleaned eye. For this, we will need the following materials:

  • Cotton, which should always be used moistened to prevent it from coming off hair. or gauze. Never wipe both eyes with the same gauze.
  • Saline solution or water, which can be used cold or lukewarm if there are crusts that do not come off easily.
  • Soft paper or gauze to dry the eye.
  • antibiotic treatment prescribed by the veterinarian that we should apply after we have a very clean eye.

These washes should be repeated every time we observe the dirty eye or, at least, always before applying the medication. In the next section, we explain in detail how to proceed with cleaning.

How to clean infected eyes of a baby or adult cat?

Here's how to clean a cat's infected eye. Let's follow the following steps:

  • First the cat must be calm. For this we can wrap it with a towel, leaving only the head uncovered, while we hold it against our chest and, with our hand, hold the head. All our movements must be smooth.
  • We must have at our disposal all the products necessary to clean the cat's eyes, so that we do not have to get up or leave the animal.
  • we will start moistening the cotton or gauze well with the serum.
  • We pass through the eye from the inside to the outside, several times.
  • If there are crusts that cannot be removed, we can heat the serum, and if it is still difficult, we will squeeze the gauze or cotton over the eye so that it remains very wet and wait a few minutes for the liquid to soften the crusts. we must never rub, therefore, we could make a wound.
  • We will pass the cotton or gauze as many times as necessary, until it is completely clean.
  • For the other eye, we will use new materials.
  • With a clean eye, we can apply the antibiotic, thus assuring us that it will be more effective.
  • we dry the surplus.
  • We have to immediately discard the used gauze or cotton and wash our hands well before and after cleaning, as these are usually infections that are easily spread among cats.
  • As the infection decreases, the frequency of this cleaning decreases.
  • Finally, even if there are no secretions and the eye looks healthy, we should follow the treatment prescribed by the veterinarian every day.

All instructions and tips mentioned throughout the article are suitable for an eye infection of a newborn, baby cat or adult. Remember that in case of doubt or suspicion of a serious infection, it is necessary to go to a specialist.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.