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Too worried about the health of your cat's eyes especially when it comes to any infections? The best cat eye infection home remedies are just an inch away!
We should know the fact that cats are referred as naturally curious creatures, so they would shove their nose almost everywhere and the rest of their face too. In addition, cats also have sensitive eyes, so once they wink or show some strange facial expressions, it might be something basic like a scratch near their eyes, or it could be something more serious. So, it's best that you know exactly how to treat your cat the moment you notice something unusual.
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Types of Cat Eye Infection
There are two general types of infection, and these are the viral and bacterial infection. Usually, viruses are not affected by antibiotics so, drops and ointments are prescribed. Both these viral and bacterial infections are present in cats which have a weakened immune system.
Young cats and those cats which are exposed to stress have this chance of being affected. For those cats with stable environment and health, the sudden onset of an eye infection might indicate that there could be a disease in question and so the eye infection is one of the symptoms of that disease. Cancer, autoimmune diseases and trauma to the eye, or other infections like Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia might be present.
Symptoms and Causes
Apart from knowing the types of infection that might affect the health of your cat's eyes, learning the causes and symptoms will help you in determining the best cat eye infection home remedies.
There could be specific signs associated with infection in cats such as eye discharge along with the unusual blinking and rubbing. Though eye infection is considered to be less frequent in cats compared to dogs, it could still happen due to numbers of reasons.
Nevertheless, some cases might be harmless and would eventually, go away on their own, but there are serious ones that should be appropriately addressed.
Some of the possible causes of eye infections on cat include the following:
Eye Injuries. A common cause of cat eye infection are scratches to the cornea. This will create an entry point for viruses and bacteria.
Infectious Agents
Bacteria and viruses are the most common causes of eye infections in cats. However, a fungus such as Cryptococcus might be involved too. Infections might happen if the agents enter the eye.
Those pets that are in high-stress crowded environments are a lot more vulnerable. The younger cats, especially those that are still in their litter boxes, have less developed immune system might also be at higher risk. Those bacterial infections are mostly secondary to viral infections.
Foreign Objects
Once present in the eye, the external objects like splints, grass seeds and more could lead consistent rubbing, therefore, breaking the open surface of the eyes and will culminate in the infections.
Underlying Medical Condition
For older cats, eye infection could be only a secondary issue to another medical problem. Indeed, an infection could be an indicator of cancer, autoimmune disease, systemic viral infections or feline immunodeficiency virus.
Those are the causes of eye infection, and regarding the signs and symptoms, these include the following:
- Greenish or yellow discharge
- The eyelids would usually get stuck together wherein the third eyelid covers the ball partially.
- Rubbing or pawing the eyes against the objects like furniture or carpet
- Redness and this is because of the inflammation of conjunctivitis or conjunctiva
- Unusual blinking
- Swelling
- Crusting around their eyes
These are the signs and symptoms that you should be aware of to prevent any severe problem to the eyes of your dear cats.
Cat Eye Infection Home Remedies
It is best if you can notice these signs and symptoms so that you can prevent more issues shortly. It will also be helpful if you can treat this infection right at home before taking the cat to a vet once needed. And now, for some home remedies that you can try, consider the following:
Tea
This might be used once the infection isn't severe. Tea could be applied up to three times a day. You need to brew the tea and let it cool for it to be lukewarm. Different teas could be used such as the decaffeinated green tea, chamomile tea, rooibos tea an eyebright tea.
You might as well use an eye-dropper to dispense two to three drops into the affected eye up to thrice a day. Or you could put a cold tea bag on the eye many times a day for about ten minutes at a time.
Nutraceutical Treatments
Of course, you could choose from different options below:
Combine four drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice with two tablespoons of distilled water then stir well. It should be two to three drops every two to three times a day and must not be treated with pink eye.
Mix four drops of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with four tablespoons of distilled water. Stir them well. Put eye drops two to three times every day with two to three drops up until the infection disperses. And must not be used for pink eye as well.
- Combine four drops of the Oregon grape tincture along with an ounce of the distilled water then mix well. Consider two to three drops every two to three times every day until the infection dispels. This is not used in treating pink eye.
- Combine two tablespoons of unpasteurized organic honey with two tablespoons of distilled water and stir well. Observe the same administratiaon as above.
Extra Strength Herbal Treatment
In this home remedy, you should combine a one-half cup of distilled water with five drops of teas such as red clover, eyebright, calendula or chamomile. Let the tea cool for it to be slightly warm.
Now, add five drops of the St. John's Wort, a tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice and - teaspoon of salt. For other remedies, you can administer two to three drops to the affected eye thrice a day up until the infection disappears.
Enhanced Diet
Of course, apart from the cat eye infection remedies mentioned above, you must also give the cat with some extra nutrition as you treat their infections. There could be several foods that you could add to the cat's diet in order to speed up the recovery of the infection at the same time to support the health of their eyes. You can give them with Vitamin C as supplements or in other foods like fresh papaya.
Vitamin A supplements should also be given or those foods with Vitamin A like carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. Chicken and turkey are both high in Vitamin A as well. Considering these remedies will indeed help your cat when it comes to eye infections. Bear in mind that for every solution discussed, it might take at least three to four days to clear the infection. Once it doesn't, you could switch to some other stronger home remedies. However, if seeing a professional is needed, don't ever hesitate to visit a vet.
When to See a Vet?
Specific eye infection could be treated at home through the remedies I have provided above. But, there are other cases wherein you already need to take your cat to a veterinarian. Here are some of the signs that you must be aware of:
- Once you have already administered the extra or stronger treatment yet, there are positive changes with the infection of the cat's eyes, or if you think it is getting worse, it is best to call the veterinarian for professional aid.
- If the cat already starts experiencing a loss of appetite or if there is a lack of energy which might last for more than numbers of days, take your cat to a vet immediately.
Though home remedies are highly effective in most cases, other instances might need the help of a professional veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
Indeed, it is essential to keep your cat happy and healthy, so doing things that will treat any eye infections must be considered. From these cat eye infection home remedies, you are capable of preventing worse infections or diseases that could happen to your cat. But always remember that visiting a veterinarian is a big help too!
