Domestic cats, even if they are practically in sterile conditions, can get conjunctivitis. This common disease is most often a symptom of another ailment.
What is conjunctivitis and its types
In the eyes of the animal and man there is a thin mucosa - the conjunctiva. It is a kind of protective layer not only of the eye socket, but also of the inner side of the eyelid.
In order for the eye to be constantly moistened on the mucous membrane, ducts of the lacrimal glands are located. A tear protects the eyes, prevents dryness of the eyeball and helps to remove small weed particles. Therefore, the disease was called, due to inflammation of the conjunctiva.
The disease is quite unpleasant. If self-medicating can be the most serious consequences.
Veterinarians distinguish four types of conjunctivitis:
1. Follicular - the most severe form of the disease. In the process of inflammation, not only the mucous membrane of the eyelid is damaged, but also the lymphatic follicle. Long-term treatment with antibiotics. In exceptional cases, even surgical intervention is possible;
2. Phlegmonous - no less complex disease. The help of a veterinarian is simply necessary;
3. Purulent - it is impossible not to notice it. The eyelids of the cat are stuck together, in the corners of the eyes and on the hair are characteristic dried purulent lumps. Almost always purulent conjunctivitis affects both eyes;
4. Catarrhal - the most mild form of the disease. This type of ailment is the bell of the onset of serious health problems that cannot be ignored.
Causes of conjunctivitis in cats
There are many reasons why the conjunctival mucosa becomes inflamed. In veterinary medicine, doctors identify several factors that can trigger inflammation.
· If the cat has a bacterial, fungal, parasitic or infectious disease. An indicator of a cat's health is her eyes, so with any of the aforementioned ailments, the mucous membrane will certainly inflame;
· Contact with the mucosa of pathogenic organisms causes purulent inflammation;
Inflammation in areas adjacent to the eye can go to the conjunctiva;
· Bruises or injuries, the smallest wound, a foreign body that gets into the eye, that is, all mechanical damage will cause ailment;
· X-ray, ultraviolet or radioactive radiation will adversely affect the health of the furry. This will lead not only to conjunctivitis, but also to partial loss of vision.
· Chemical damage - by nature, mustachioed pets are very curious. And they are happy to sniff a can of paint or a printed packet of powder, which will immediately lead to catarrhal conjunctivitis;
Conjunctival redness, swelling and itching are clear signs of an allergic reaction of the animal to an irritant. It is possible to get rid of allergic conjunctivitis only when the causes of allergies are identified and a comprehensive treatment is carried out.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis in cats
The first signs that the cat is sick is swelling and redness of the eyelid, in the future it will begin to turn out.
First, a slight lacrimation, which will become cloudy and thick. Allocations begin to accumulate in the corners of the eyes, drain onto the skin irritating it. Wool in those places will fall out. Purulent mucus has an unpleasant odor and a yellowish-greenish tint.
It is painful for the animal to look at the light due to the painful condition of the eyeball. The shade of the eye changes, it may become cloudy.
The pet’s condition worsens, immunity weakens, and body temperature rises. The cat will refuse to eat.
Cat conjunctivitis treatment
The most important thing that every cat owner needs to know is that at the slightest sign of a disease, contact a veterinarian immediately. You can not self-medicate, the result may even be loss of eye.
With a detailed examination in a veterinary clinic, the doctor will prescribe treatment depending on the severity of the disease. Regardless of whether one eye is ill or both, two eyes need treatment.
Before starting treatment of the eye, it must be treated with an antiseptic solution. It can be furatsilin or a very weak (pale pink) solution of potassium permanganate. Furacilin is bred in the ratio - 5 liters of purified water 1 gram of powder. But it’s better to buy a ready-made one at the pharmacy so as not to harm your furry pet.
With potassium permanganate, too, must be handled with extreme caution. If made too strong, it will dry the skin. And suddenly not to dissolve, and the smallest crystalline will fall on the mucosa, it will cause a burn.
It is very good for any kind of conjunctivitis to use decoctions of calendula or chamomile. A decoction of the grass should be only warm (neither hot nor cold) +20 - +22 degrees. It will relieve inflammation and soothe pain.
If nothing is found at hand, for a single application, you can rinse the eye with a weak brewing of black tea without adding sugar. Strain the prepared liquid so that it does not contain small leaves or twigs.
At the very initial stage of the disease, the eyes of the cat are dripped with drops or smeared with ointments, which include an antibiotic. The animal can resist during the application of the ointment, it will be better and more efficient to do everything as expected. In exceptional cases, it is allowed to smear the lower eyelid, blinking, the cat will spread it to the inflamed area of the conjunctiva.
If there is swelling of the eyeball, it must be removed by instilling a hydrocortisone or novocaine solution in a conjunctivitis sac.
When the disease lingers and takes on a chronic form, you will need medications and silver-based solutions.
In the case of follicular or purulent conjunctivitis, in addition to the main treatment, the veterinarian ascribes injections. Be sure to rinse the eye sockets with boric acid in the morning at lunchtime and in the evening and put an antibiotic-based ointment under the eyelid (Tetracycline, Sintomycin, Levomycetin, Erythromycin).
