Cat Eye
Infection
|
Viral Cat Eye Infection
Feline Herpesvirus 1
This virus is unique to cats and is the most common cause of conjunctivitis. It is spread by infected cats and in rare cases from a virus that is on a contaminated surface. Treatment includes medicated eye drops.Other problems that tend to occur as a result of this virus include:
- Ulcer or sore on the cornea (ulcerative keratitis)
- Inflamed cornea (stromal keratitis)
- Inflammation of the cornea and conjunctive or covering of the white portion of the eye (proliferative keratoconjunctivitis)
- Segment of dead bone (corneal sequestrum)
- Eyeballs stuck to the eyelid (corneal symblepharon)
- Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
Feline Herpes Conjunctivitis Picture
Feline Panleukopenia
Feline Panleukopenia is a vaccine preventable disease that is part of the core recommended vaccines. Panleukopenia is very contagious and can be fatal. It is often found in wild cats that were never vaccinated.This infection can cause the retina in the eye to take on an abnormal (retinal dysplasia) and can cause lesions on the eye.
Other symptoms that accompany changes in the eye include:
- Vomiting
- High fever
- Inability to gain weight (anorexia)
- Lethargic behavior
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea (not common)
There is no effective treatment for this condition.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline infectious peritonitis is caused by a coronavirus. Symptoms include inflammation on the inside of the eye behind the cornea (called Anterior uveitis) and fiber deposits on the back of the cornea ( keratic precipitates). Puss (called hypopyon)can also be present.Inflamed lesions may occur including eye inflammation and a detached retina. It is not easy to diagnose this disease with tests only suggesting its presence.
Cats with FIP will only survive for a few months. Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone will help to provide a good quality of life during this time.
Feline Leukaemia Complex
This condition can effect any portion of the eye. This virus is caught by direct contact with an infected cat. Associated symptoms include anemia (reduced number of red blood cells) and lymphoma which is unusual cell growth in the lymph glands.Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
The feline immunodeficiency virus is transmitted when one cat bites another. It starts with a long period without signs of the disease. This period is followed by increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections. The virus resembles the human aids virus.Symptoms include weakness or lethargy, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, chronic upper respiratory diseases, chronic inflammation of the lining in the mouth (stomatitis), gingivitis and chronic skin infections.
Treatment of FIV is with drugs used for aids in humans including antiviral drugs and Interferon alpha. Supportive care is provided for symptoms including transfusions, fluid therapy. Life expectancy for cats with this disease is 2 years.
Feline Calicivirus
Almost all cats with an upper respiratory infection have this virus. Conjunctivitis accompanies this disease.Symptoms can include fever, imflamed membrane in the nose (rhinitis), redness in the eyes (conjunctivitis) and nasal discharge.
Treatment is with antibiotics.
Bacterial Cat Eye Infection
Chlamydiosis
This is the second most common cause of cat conjunctivitis. Other symptoms include fever, irritated nose (rhinitis), conjunctivitis (redness in the eye), palatine and/or glossal ulcerations and nasal discharge.The condition is treated with Tetracycline.
Protozoal Infections
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is common in cats. It causes of many cases of inflammation that occur inside the lining of the eye (feline anterior uveitis). It is difficult to diagnose this condition.Treatment is with the oral medication clindamycine.
Fungal Cat Eye Infection
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is caught from your cats environment. Eye problems associated with this infection are peripheral blindness, dilated eyes, and pupils that do not respond to light, detached retinas, an inflamed retina and blindness.Eye problems are a sign that the cryptococcosis is effecting the central nervous system.
Other symptoms include changes in your cats temperament, odd behavior, depression, seizures, circling behavior, seizures, head pressing, head tilt, uncoordinated movements (ataxia) and dementia.
The prognosis for cats with this condition is good with long term administration of oral anti-fungal medications (triazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole).
Natural Treatment for Cat Eye Infection
While no substitute for medicated cat eye medications such as antibiotics, natural remedies could provide some support if eye redness is a common problem. Pet Alive Eye-Heal is worth researching since it is made specifically to provide an option for natural treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis in feline eye infection. Discuss this option with your veterinarian so that she or he can track progress.Sources
Feline Infectious Peritonitis - News in Diagnosis and TreatmentK. Hartmann
Medizinische Kleintierklinik
Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases
Ocular Manifestations of Feline Systemic Diseases
Maurice ROZE. DVM. DECVO
Ophthalmology. Clinique Vétérinaire
Feline Corneal Diseases
A. Regnier
Department of Clinical Sciences, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire
Major Infectious Diseases of Dogs and Cats
G.R. Carter
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
From
Cat Eye Infection to More Information on Cat Eye Problems
To Cat Health Guide Home
