Conjunctival sac in cats. How to identify and treat conjunctivitis in a cat. Is conjunctivitis contagious

Eye diseases are quite common in cats, both in those that are free-range and in pets that constantly live indoors and do not have access to the street.

If doctor established that a cat has conjunctivitis, then he may to be not easy independent disease, but also a manifestation, one of symptoms another serious ailment such as the common cold or viral infections.

That is why starting the treatment of conjunctivitis in cats on their own, without examination by a veterinarian and staging accurate diagnosis highly undesirable.

A visit to the animal clinic will allow you to get not only the correct diagnosis, but also the exact appointment for the treatment, a list of necessary veterinary drugs... It should always be remembered that a number of "human" medicines cannot be used for beloved pets.

The causes of the onset of the disease

Conjunctivitis in domestic cats can appear as a consequence of another disease, after trauma, and as a symptom of an allergic reaction. Sometimes animals suffer from eye contact foreign objects, common house dust, sand or earth from broken flower pots.

Very often conjunctivitis in young cats develops after a fight, when the hierarchy between representatives of the "cat tribe" is clarified. Scratches can occur on the eye area, and inflamed wounds on the face become a source of infection when washing with paws in the eyes.

There are also more dangerous and serious reasons the appearance of conjunctivitis:

Since there are many reasons for the appearance of eye disease in cats, and they all require different, sometimes diametrically opposite treatment, it can be very dangerous to act on your own.

First, you need to show the cat to the veterinarian and get an accurate diagnosis, as well as a list of recommended medications. After that, at easy course inflammation can be treated at home.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eye that covers the eyeball. This is a common occurrence in cats and dogs. Conjunctivitis is accompanied by reddening of the eyes, exudation, purulent discharge, swelling and closing of the eyes, and in some cases, there is a lack of tear fluid. General lethargy and weakness of the dog and cat, loss of appetite.

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Causes

The reasons conjunctivitis in dogs and cats allergic reactions to dust, wool, plants, insects, smoke, medications, eye injuries, cleaning products, fungal diseases and infectious or viral diseases.

Forms of conjunctivitis

1. Catarrhal

Lachrymation, blepharospasm, photophobia, hyperemia of the mucous membrane. From the eyes of cats and dogs, there is an outflow of mucous exudate, which accumulates in the corner of the eye and glues the eyelashes. The conjunctiva of the eye is swollen, the eyelids lose contact with the eye, the eyeball sinks inward. It proceeds in an acute or chronic form.

Treatment

How to treat conjunctivitis in dogs and cats? v veterinary clinic, most likely, they will advise various astringent and cauterizing agents, as well as drops, in case of a strong form of the disease, they will add "Dikain". At home, you can rinse your eyes with tea leaves or chamomile. In any case, you need to consult your veterinarian.

2. Purulent

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes of dogs and cats is caused by staphylococci and streptococci, and infectious diseases such as plague. very similar to catarrhal, only the symptoms are more pronounced and purulent, can lead to blindness. Clouding of the eye is observed and the swelling of the conjunctiva can reach such a size that the eye protrudes from the fissure and is pinched by the eyelids. In some places, the mucous membrane is necrotic, the submucous tissue is exposed (ulcers, erosion), in this case, fusion of the eyelids with the eyeball is observed. The disease lasts for a long time. Purulent conjunctivitis is common in dogs and cats.

Treatment

At home, you can rinse your eyes with tea leaves, removing purulent discharge. You should immediately contact your veterinarian, who will most likely advise you to rinse the animal's eyes with a 3% solution. boric acid... After washing in the corner of the eye, smear an ointment from antibiotics and sulfonamides, which must be used often and for a long time, such as "Protorgol" and "Collargol". Consult your veterinarian before use. You can also use pain relieving ointments. In acute forms, antibiotics are administered intramuscularly ( sulfa drugs). At timely treatment the prognosis is favorable.

3. Follicular

Follicular conjunctivitis in dogs and cats is chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye and hyperplasia (an increase in the number structural elements tissues) of lymphatic follicles, which resembles a bunch of small dark red grapes on inner surface third century. The main inflammation occurs in this area. When the follicles blink, the cornea of the animal's eye is injured, which causes discomfort. There is photophobia, redness on the conjunctiva of the eye, mucous purulent discharge, itching, swollen third eyelid, blepharospasm. This disease is seen mainly in purebred cats and dogs. Occurs with intoxication, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, allergic reactions. Relapses occur after illness.

Treatment

The first aid that you can provide at home before visiting a veterinarian is to rinse your eyes with strong tea or chamomile decoction. This will remove purulent discharge and relieve eye inflammation. In the veterinary clinic, a number of procedures will be carried out, bactericidal agents, ointments, drops, antibiotics, solutions with novocaine, sulfonamides, and corticosteroids will be used. Good results with novocaine blockade of the upper cervical sympathetic node. Preparations according to V.P. Filatov are especially effective.

Diagnostics should primarily focus on identification primary cause, since conjunctivitis is mainly a secondary disease. Therefore, it is best to make a general clinical analysis blood, virological and bacteriological research... With the help of this, it is possible to determine whether this disease occurs from bacteria, infections, viral origin, or is it an allergic reaction to exposure external factors such as pollen, scratch, dust and more.

Prophylaxis

All rules for keeping cats and dogs must be followed. Balanced diet, high-quality feed, timely treatment of diseases provoking eye diseases and timely vaccinations (vaccinations).

Before using any drugs, you should consult a specialist doctor. There are contraindications.

The concept itself means inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is accompanied by photophobia, hyperemia, and the expiration of exudate. Conjunctivitis in cats can occur for many reasons. There are many forms of inflammation, so therapy varies depending on the type. Treatment should include specific and symptomatic methods therapy.

There are a lot of reasons for conjunctivitis, moreover, it is often a sign of the main bacterial, or disease. Most common reasons such:

Conjunctivitis symptoms

The brightness of the signs depends on the form of the course of conjunctivitis. Acute current accompanied by a pronounced clinical picture and its rapid development, chronic - slow development and smoothed symptoms.

The signs of conjunctivitis strongly depend on the specific type, but the general symptoms characteristic of most forms can be distinguished:

hyperemia of the conjunctiva;
photophobia;
soreness of the eyelids and conjunctiva;
and from the eyes (, mucous membranes);
itching, the animal rubs its eyes.

Types of conjunctivitis

The symptoms of conjunctivitis in cats are highly dependent on the specific type of inflammation.

Follicular conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the lymphatic follicles in the third eyelid. Usually it becomes a complication of catarrhal conjunctivitis, caused by the ingress of foreign objects, mechanical damage. Studies have not confirmed either viral or bacterial etiology. Hypovitaminosis is a contributing factor.

On initial stage follicular conjunctivitis, photophobia, profuse lacrimation is observed, the animal scratches the eye with its paw, the exudate is mucous or mucopurulent. The third eyelid is red and enlarged, resembles a raspberry in color and shape. Swelling is noticeable on the eyelids, usually both eyes are affected, but to varying degrees.

Treatment is the same as for purulent or catarrhal conjunctivitis. Inflamed follicles are recommended cauterize with a stick of silver nitrate or scrape off. The prognosis with timely treatment is favorable.

Viral conjunctivitis

Rarely isolated in separate species diseases, pathology occurs in plague, herpes, adenovirus and other infections. Usually, in this case, a diagnosis is made that corresponds to a specific pathogen and the underlying disease is treated. proceeds according to the serous type of inflammation, which is accompanied by a liquid, unclear discharge. Special attention the treatment is given to antiviral drugs.

Purulent conjunctivitis

The cause of purulent inflammation is always bacteria or fungi. The complementary factor is usually , . This form of conjunctivitis is distinguished by purulent discharge from the eyes, white, pale yellow or yellow tint... With the disease, both eyes are affected, the conjunctiva becomes dark red. There is severe pain and photophobia.

Pus accumulates on the eyelids and eyelashes, especially on the inner corner of the eye. Due to the constant hair around the eyes and on the eyelids often falls out, weeping, erosion is formed. In the chronic form, the conjunctiva becomes bluish, and the pus becomes dirty yellow.

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to carry out cytological studies. In this case, eosinophils are found in the exudate and mast cells, as well as neutrophils and epithelial cells. The disease usually affects only one eye, but cases of damage to both eyes have been recorded.

Quite often, with eosinophilic conjunctivitis, the pet practically does not experience discomfort, almost does not squint its eyes. Usually the third eyelid is inflamed, and it also connects to the inflammatory process cornea and sclera.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis

It happens that chlamydial conjunctivitis passes from cat to kitten at its birth. Statistics account for 40% of such cases. The disease most often affects at first only one of the eyes and is found 6-11 days after birth. The mucous membrane swells, liquid pus with a bloody impurity forms on it, and the papillae also increase. Later illness passes to the second eye, and then to the mucous membrane of the nose and pharynx.

Phlegmonous conjunctivitis

Parenchymal conjunctivitis is similar to phlegmon and is severe inflammatory process, which affects not only the conjunctiva, but also subconjunctival tissue(parenchyma). This disease is formed under the influence of bacterial infection.

The symptomatology is quite simple to determine, since it is very strong the conjunctiva and subconjunctival tissues swell. Usually both eyelids are swollen. The extremely swollen conjunctiva, which protrudes from the slit of the eye, initially has a deep red color, and then becomes a dark red hue due to the outpouring of blood. The bulging conjunctiva has a shiny, tense and dry surface, even with light touch bleeds... Often there are abscesses and abrasions on it.

Some time later, on the conjunctiva appears mucopurulent fluid. The layer on its surface becomes dead, and after that a dark brown dried scab appears. If it is removed, profuse parenchymal bleeding begins. The entire thickness of the eyelids also swell. These symptoms are accompanied by pain and elevated temperature(local and even, perhaps, general).

Can be confused phlegmonous conjunctivitis with hematoma of the eye, phlegmon of the orbit, an abscess of the eyelid or an inflammatory process of the lacrimal gland. However, the outpouring of blood into the tissue of the eye is accompanied by only small signs of inflammation, which disappear over time, and the color of the conjunctiva is initially dark red.

The phlegmonous process with conjunctivitis widely diverges throughout the eye, while with phlegmon it affects only the eyelids. If this is an abscess, then, as a rule, only one eyelid is swollen, and the conjunctiva does not turn out. At purulent inflammation lacrimal gland the outer part of the upper eyelid swells, then an abscess forms at this place.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is an infection of the mucous membrane of the eye caused by bacteria. The main causative agents of this disease are, some species, pneumococcus, gonococcus, hemophilic, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, bacteria Koch-Wicks.

Bacteria can get on the conjunctiva through contaminated things, with mechanical damage, foreign bodies, hypothermia, too long use of hormones. Bacterial conjunctivitis can occur due to diseases, throat, damage to the lacrimal duct.

To find out the causes of infection with infectious conjunctivitis and determine the sensitivity of the causative agent of the disease to antimicrobial drugs it is necessary to pass a conjunctival smear. Swabs and scrapings with the conjunctiva should be examined microscopically and stained by Gram.

Bravegil

Can be used with any type of allergy. Available in the form of tablets for oral administration and in solution for intramuscular injection... Regardless of the form, the dosage is one - 0.015-0.02 mg per kilogram of weight 1-2 times a day. When the dosage is observed, it sometimes appears by-effect in the form of drowsiness. Not recommended for use during pregnancy. Can be used for a long time.

Local antibiotics

Used for conjunctivitis almost always.

Levomycetin

These drops contain an antibiotic of the same name. This antibacterial drug effective against bacterial strains. The product is useless for bacteria that are resistant to acidic environments. Levomycetin has shown its effectiveness in some types of conjunctivitis (catarrhal, purulent).

Such drops are mainly prescribed for patients who suffer from chronic eye diseases... When using this agent, medicinal substances are formed in the aquatic environment. eyeball, cornea and vitreous... but this substance does not penetrate into the lens. The drug is available in the form of a solution, which is packaged in 10 ml ampoules. 1 ml contains 2.5 biological material.

These drops are required to be instilled into a sick animal about 3 times a day. Before that, you need to cleanse the eyes of the animal from purulent discharge with a bandage or gauze. Treatment must be continued for at least one week. If, 5 days after the start of using the drug, the condition of the sick animal has not improved, then the remedy should be changed.

It's great when pet- the cat or cat is healthy and does not get sick. But, it often happens that cats, especially those walking on the street, develop eye diseases. The most common eye disease in cats is conjunctivitis, and most often it is only a harbinger of a serious illness. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that covers the eyeball and inner side century. Therefore, it is important to determine what type of conjunctivitis a cat has.

Types of conjunctivitis

Catarrhal- the most simple form diseases. It is a harbinger of other forms of conjunctivitis, if you do not provide timely assistance in the treatment of catarrhal conjunctivitis. Characteristic signs- translucent discharge from the eyes, swelling of the eyelid, itching, photophobia, pain syndrome, redness of the conjunctiva;
Follicular- occurs due to mechanical damage to the eye, in animals it is observed abundant discharge from mucous membranes, fluid, or pus. Typical signs are photophobia, the cat begins to scratch the eye with its paw, the third eyelid grows and turns red;
Viral- occurs due to the ingestion of bacteria and viruses into the cat's body, when adenovirus infections, with the plague. Characteristic signs - the eyes are very swollen, abundant unclear discharge from the eyes, if you do not help in time, purulent discharge from the conjunctival sac begins;
Bacterial- occurs due to the defeat of the cat by bacteria and viruses - staphylococcus, streptococcus, colibacillus, Koch's sticks. Appear due to mechanical damage, hypothermia, can occur as a consequence of past diseases of the throat, nose, ear, skin.
Allergic- appears when a cat comes into contact with an allergen, such as: dust, vapors from household chemicals, smoke, perfumes, paints, medicines and other allergens. Typical signs - severe redness conjunctiva, abundant and intense discharge of fluid from the eyes, there is even a purulent discharge. Accompanied by the appearance allergic reactions on the skin, in the nose.
Purulent- the cause of this conjunctivitis is fungi and bacteria. The characteristic features are dark red conjunctiva of both eyes, heat cat's body, discharge of pus from the eyes with unpleasant odor... With absence quick help cat, eyes become cloudy, the eyelid turns up, the animal's eyesight falls.
Phlegmonous (Parenchymal)- very serious and complex inflammation conjunctiva and parenchyma, arises from the ingress of various bacteria. Characteristic signs are a rise in temperature, the eyelids are very swollen, a red, swollen conjunctiva, which has a dry surface, bleeds when touched, causes severe pain. If treatment is not started on time, abundant purulent discharge begins, abrasions and abscesses appear, a dried scab of a dark red color appears.
Chlamydial- arise due to the ingress of chlamydia. Typical signs - first affects one eye, after a few days the second, then goes to the nasopharynx. Severe tearing of the eyes, pus is released, the eyelid swells, a burning sensation and a rash appear.
Fibrinous (Diphtheric)- this type of conjunctivitis is rare, appears due to chemical burns catching a cat with infections. Pseudomembranes are formed on the conjunctiva of the eyelids. Typical signs - eyelids swell, there is strong pain, photophobia. The conjunctiva is covered with a white film, a yellow and cloudy liquid is released, if it is removed, bleeding sores appear.
Eosinophilic - possible reason occurrence, is the herpes virus or insect bites. Typical signs are inflammation of the third eyelid, clouding of the cornea of the eyes, pink-white plaques appear on the conjunctiva.
Chronic- occurs as a consequence of not treated conjunctivitis of any kind. It appears due to re-infection with infection, bacteria, viruses. Typical signs - the eyelid swells, there is a discharge from the conjunctival sac.

Home treatment is carried out only with an allergic and catarrhal form of conjunctivitis, others only with thorough examination and the supervision of a veterinarian.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to carry out procedures aimed at removing the causes of conjunctivitis:

Delete foreign body, dust, sand;
Clear the eye from nitrous oxide, pus, discharge;
Flush eyes. For each eye, a separate cotton swab or gauze.

Treating conjunctivitis in a cat

At home, you can carry out procedures:

Rinse with tea. Brew strong tea, leave for 15-20 minutes, put the tea leaves in cheesecloth, squeeze a little, wipe the eye and eyelid;
Rinse with chamomile broth. Brew 1 tablespoon in a water bath. chamomile medicinal in 0.5 l. water, leave for 20 minutes. Strain, moisten a cotton swab in warm tea leaves and rinse your eyes;
Rinse with calendula broth. 0.5 liters. water 1 tbsp. calendula flowers, brew in a water bath, leave for 20 minutes;
Furacilin powder is diluted with 5 liters of water, 1 gram and the eye is washed gently;
Potassium permanganate should be used very carefully as it causes dryness and can cause severe burns to the mucous membrane of the eye;
Dissolve eyebright extract 5 drops per 150g saline. Place 2 drops in each eye;
Aloe. Aloe juice is diluted with water 1:10;
Kalanchoe. The juice is diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1:10;
Dog-rose fruit. 1 tbsp rose hips per 200 grams of water, boil for 5-7 minutes, then insist for 40 minutes, has an antibacterial effect;
Dill dressing. Juice is squeezed out of 200 grams of fresh dill, moistened with a cotton pad and applied to the eye.
Ointments. Placed in the lower eyelid, with a tourniquet from a bandage. 1% tetracycline, hydrocartisone, erythromycin ointment, dexomethasone;
Drops. 1-2 drops in each eye, even if only 1 eye is affected. Floxal, levomycytin drops, ciprofloxacin, sofradex, conjunquin, ciprovet, bars;
Anesthetic solution: 2% novocaine or ledocaine.

How to properly treat a cat's eyes, and drip drops

Wash hands with soap, wipe dry;
Study the instructions for the medications to be used;
Wrap the animal in a towel or other thick fabric like a baby;
Rinse the eye with herbal infusions or furacilin;
Put the cat with its back on the owner's lap, take the medicine in right hand, open the lid, fix the head in the left hand, open the animal's eye with the fingers of the left (thumb and forefinger) hand, drip a couple of drops. You can also put the ointment in the lower eyelid. With conjunctivitis in one eye, medications are dripped or ointment is applied to both eyes, in order to avoid infection of the second eye;
We hold the cat in our hands for another 3 minutes so that it can blink and the medicine does not leak out;
Let go of the animal, let it calm down, stroke it, feed it with goodies.

Prevention of conjunctivitis disease

Correct balanced diet;
Limiting contact with strangers;
Correct and daily care behind the animal, especially behind the eyes, ears, nose;
Visit your veterinarian regularly;
Get vaccinated;
Improve immunity;
Frequent cleaning of the apartment and cleaning of carpets;
Avoid drafts in the house;
In frosty weather, strong wind - take the cat for a maximum of 15 minutes;
Hide household chemicals, perfumery;
Do not go into eyes, ears, nose with your hands, carry out cleaning procedures with clean hands using cotton pads and cotton swabs;
Every 3 months, carry out the deworming procedure.

In most cases, provide the first medical assistance cat, get rid of the causes of the disease, and compliance with the rules of keeping and caring for a pet.

A pet is 100% dependent on its owner. He does not know how to get food on his own and cannot use natural "medicines" if he falls ill. That is why it is necessary to closely monitor his well-being and respond in time to even minor symptoms. Cat lovers often notice that their pets start to watery eyes. This is not a trifle at all. The disease is called conjunctivitis. In cats, it occurs quite often and can cause irreversible consequences.

Description of the conjunctiva

On the surface of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelids, there is a thinnest mucous membrane. It is she who is called the conjunctiva. The membrane secretes a liquid mucous substance, in addition, several lacrimal glands... All this helps to protect the cat's eyes from drying out and microtraumas. On upper eyelid the conjunctiva is thickened, which makes it possible to distribute the tear fluid during blinking. The third eyelid of the cat is also part of the conjunctiva. V healthy condition this is an inconspicuous fold. During illness, it increases dramatically and can close the pet's eye.

What is called conjunctivitis?

Doctors view conjunctivitis as a symptom of more complex diseases. Therefore, treatment is always taken very seriously. Having discovered conjunctivitis of the eye in cats, the veterinarian always conducts an examination to understand what problem needs to be dealt with. Most often, it is possible to get rid of conjunctivitis only when the underlying disease is cured. It takes time and effort on the part of the doctor and the owner of the animal.

How is the diagnosis made?

First of all veterinarian examine the animal and prescribe tests. This is the only way to determine the reasons for the occurrence of conjunctivitis in a cat. Most likely, a blood biochemistry test will be taken, in addition, a sample of eye discharge will be sent for analysis.

When making a diagnosis, the doctor can visually determine the nature of the discharge, this also helps to identify the original cause of the disease. Discharge from under the conjunctiva are:

purulent, which means probable cause- bacterial infection;
serous (cloudy liquid) - accompany a viral infection;
mucous - appear in case of allergic reactions.

It is especially important to analyze the discharge when chlamydial conjunctivitis... Since chlamydia can only be cured with specific antimicrobial drugs.

Form of conjunctivitis in cats

Conjunctivitis of the eye in cats, the treatment of which we are considering, differs in the form of the course of the disease:

acute form - symptoms appear suddenly, Clinical signs inflammations are bright, profuse discharge;
subacute form - clinical signs of conjunctivitis are noticeable, but they are somewhat weaker than in acute form;
chronic form - the development of the disease is slowed down, the clinic is poorly expressed for a long time.

Having diagnosed conjunctivitis in cats, treatment is correlated with the form of the disease.

Symptoms of the disease

There are a number of common symptoms common to all types of conjunctivitis:

The mucous membranes of the cat's eyes are inflamed and reddened.
Lacrimation increased.
Discharge is observed different kind(depending on the type of conjunctivitis).
The cat is often washed, trying to clear his eyes, or rubs them with his paws.
After sleep, the eyes "turn sour".
The animal squints and is afraid of bright light.
In some cases, a cloudy film covers the cornea.

Types of conjunctivitis in cats Catarrhal acute

Depending on the clinical manifestations veterinarians distinguish several types of conjunctivitis. To understand how to treat conjunctivitis in cats, you need to understand what is the difference between the species. Let's start with the catarrhal form, which proceeds in an acute form. One or both of the cat's eyes will be puffy, with profuse lacrimation. Gradually, lacrimation will be replaced by a thick and cloudy exudate, which will begin to accumulate in the corners of the eyes. Lumps will appear, which will begin to dry out during sleep and glue the eyelids.

Chronic catarrhal conjunctivitis

Launched catarrhal conjunctivitis in a cat, from acute to chronic form... Discharge from the eyes becomes less abundant, but persistent. They often accumulate in the corners of the eyes in dried lumps. Puffiness and inflammation of the eye are clearly visible, which due to prolonged discharge can go to the eyelid. Sometimes hair falls out around the eye.

Purulent conjunctivitis

Purulent conjunctivitis in cats always affects both eyes. Clinical picture classical, but additionally there is a lack of appetite, a sluggish state of the animal's muscles, rare blinking, since this process becomes painful. The cat may have a fever and swelling of the eye sockets, the conjunctiva and the eyeball turn red. Pus is discharged with an unpleasant odor.

Follicular conjunctivitis

The most difficult type of disease is follicular conjunctivitis. In this case, narrowing of the eye occurs and severe swelling century. The mucous membrane and eyeball turn red. Purulent discharge flow out from all sides of the eyeball and accumulate under the lower eyelid. The eye area of the animal is very painful, there is muscle spasm century.

Parenchymal inflammation

The process covers the eye socket completely. There is swelling, redness, and conjunctival bleeding. Parenchymal conjunctivitis in cats can lead to loss of vision. The animal must be shown to the doctor as soon as possible.

Allergic conjunctivitis

The clinical picture of allergic conjunctivitis is somewhat different from other types of the disease. Edema is almost invisible or completely absent. But lacrimation is profuse, but the discharge is completely transparent. If the animal is not prescribed antihistamine therapy on time, then allergic conjunctivitis can go to any of the above type of disease.

Drug treatment

Medication can only be prescribed by a veterinarian after examination. It is necessary to treat both eyes at once. General principle the treatment of all types of conjunctivitis is similar:

washing;
anesthesia;
corticosteroids;
local antimicrobial agents in drops or ointment;
antibiotic;
retrobulbar blockade of Aurov.

However, chlamydia, purulent and follicular conjunctivitis require additional prescription of antimicrobial drugs.

If it is established that conjunctivitis is a symptom of another disease, then first eliminate the main problem.

Helping your pet at home

It is unlikely that the owner will agree to leave the pet for a long time in a veterinary clinic to cure conjunctivitis. In cats, treatment at home should be carried out with drugs that are prescribed by a doctor.

The condition of the animal greatly facilitates rinsing the eyes, but the procedure must be performed as carefully as possible. The clinic will appoint a lavage weak solution potassium permanganate, a solution of furacilin or boric acid. ethnoscience suggests washing with chamomile or calendula decoction. In any case, the animal must be held on the hands, first soften the dried crusts with a swab or cotton pad, then rinse the eye with a new swab, removing the discharge.

Some owners use a decoction of eyebright for washing and compresses, which is prepared from three teaspoons of the herb and 0.5 liters of water. The product is boiled over low heat and infused for half an hour.

It is important to understand that conjunctivitis is a complex problem. You cannot arbitrarily change the prescribed treatment. It is only permissible to supplement it folk remedies, and then it is advisable to consult with a specialist. And if the animal is not treated, then it can lose sight.

Purebred cats

Both a purebred animal and an ordinary "noblewoman" (a yard cat taken into the house) can get sick with conjunctivitis. But there are several breeds that suffer from this inflammation most often. They are Persians, Sphinxes and british cats... Animals of these breeds must be monitored with special care and contact veterinarians at the first sign of inflammation.

Can a cat infect its owner?

Conjunctivitis is contagious. And the owner, and other household members, and guests, and other pets - all are at risk of infection. Therefore, the animal should be temporarily isolated, and all healing procedures perform with gloves. After contact with a sick cat, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.