Cats are unfortunately very susceptible to eye infections. Cats that spend time outdoors tend to be more at risk, because they are more liable to encounter irritants and diseases. Eye infections in cats can be caused by slight allergies or by serious untreatable conditions and diseases. The two parts of a cat's eye that can become infected are the conjunctiva and the uvea. To help determine the cause of the infection, a vet will perform a physical examination that will include all parts of the cat's eye and may then call for any number of tests to be performed.
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Infection of the Conjunctiva
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The conjunctiva is the tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the cat's eye. An infection of the cat's conjunctiva is called conjunctivitis and can be caused by any number of things from an eye irritant to a bacterial infection. Cats with conjunctivitis may squint, blink and tear up a lot. The eye may also be red and have discharge.
Causes of Conjunctivitis
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Some less serious causes of conjunctivitis in cats may be allergy-related and caused by anything from cigarette smoke to spray cleaners used in the home. A cat may also get something in her eye that causes inflammation to the conjunctiva, like a piece of sand or grass. Cats with a dry-eye condition in which the eye is not producing tears are likely to have issues with conjunctivitis. More serious causes may include anything from ulcers, to upper respiratory illnesses, to the feline herpes virus.
Treatment for Conjunctivitis
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Infections of the conjunctiva caused by external irritants like allergies or foreign matter are treated by flushing the eye thoroughly to remove the irritant. Owners should try to determine the allergen and remove it from the home. If something foreign is removed from the eye, the vet may prescribe a brief course of antibiotics to prevent further infection. For cats with dry eye, the vet may prescribe lubricants or artificial tears. An ulcer will be treated topically and will generally clear up within five days. Cats suffering from conjunctivitis caused by upper respiratory illness can only be given care that will help ease any discomfort until they get better. For cats with the underlying herpes virus, your vet may prescribe an anti-viral treatment to reduce the frequency of eye infections.
Infection of the Uvea
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Inflammation of the cat's uvea is known as anterior uveitis and is typically a sign of a more serious infection than the underlying causes for conjunctivitis. The uvea is the dark part of the eye, and symptoms may include a cloudy or dull look to the eye and discoloration of the iris. The cat may also blink, squint and tear up a lot.
Causes of Anterior Uveitis
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Unfortunately, anterior uveitis is typically painful for the cat and diagnosing the underlying cause is often very difficult. The cat may be suffering from a fungal infection, such as cryptococcosis, or a viral infection, such as feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus. Additional causes may be anything from a wide range of bacterial infections to a protozoan parasite causing toxoplasmosis and even tumors. Kidney disease and problems with blood pressure can also cause inflammation to a cat's uvea.
Treatments for Anterior Uveitis
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Treatment for inflammation of the uvea can be difficult to determine, and the vet will often provide treatment specifically for the eye to help ease any discomfort the cat may be having. Treatment for the eye may include steroid or non-steroid drops, and ointments and drugs to temporarily constrict or paralyze the eye to ease any pain. If a fungal infection is identified as the cause, most often itraconazole will be given as treatment. If the cat tests positive for toxoplasmosis, your vet will administer clindamycin. In cases where tumors are present, surgery is generally needed for removal.
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