Introduction

Kittens' eye infections should be the owner's responsibility as it is possibly dangerous for them. In some cases, these infections are not so dangerous and can be cured at home by using simple treatments like using drops or ointments. But for some cases, they are not treated at home but require some advanced therapies like surgery or operations.

Eye infection identification is not such a big problem as they can be observed easily like red eyes. The symptoms of the infection in felines's eyes are excessive tearing, swellness, pink color eyes, or dryness. It is good if these issues are cured at the right time otherwise they will cost big to the kitten's health.

These infections not only affect their eyes but also other parts of the body or they may affect them internally. As kittens are at the stage of growth each and every part is more sensitive. Little problems can affect them badly. So, there is a need to cure them as soon as you can.

why do cats get eye infections?

Cats are such animals that have a very investigative nature. They connect with many unknown things to get to know about them. For this reason, they have to face many incredible things like bacteria and viruses. Germs or dust particles that directly hit their eye or some sharp material that touches their eyes can create wounds in their eyes. Due to this their eye got injured and can be affected by dust particles. There are a lot of other reasons that can become a basis of felines eye inflammation like environmental viruses, the presence of chemicals around cats, infection spreading from companions, etc.

Cat Breeds: At Risk to Eye Infections 

No single breed is safe from eye inflammation but some breeds can get affected due to their facial structure like Persian cats. Because of the unique flatted structure of the face, these felines have such a short eye. Such felines have an issue of low tearing as well and ulcer problems are commonly seen in such felines.

Seal point siamese feline is also commonly seen in eye infection victims. There is an extremely spread infection named FHV-1 that causes the issue of conjunctions among felines. Scottish fold, Fluffy, Russian blue, and other cat breeds can get such infections.

Common Eye Infections in Fluffy Cats

• Conjunctivitis-(Pink Eyes)

The layer known as conjunctive is related to this eye issue. This tissue has the function of protecting the eye's milky part from dust or mist. If any infection happens to that then the eye becomes pink and creates irritation.

• Corneal-Ulcers

Injury of an eye occurs due to external sources which results in the clothing of blood in an eye at one corner creating an ulcer. It seems very hurtful and dangerous to look in the cat’s eye.

• Epiphora (Over-Tearing)

It is the medical term in which felines have more tears in their eyes than usual. This can happen due to many reasons like the presence of any chemical, the presence of speedy or cold wind, due to infection, redness, perfumes presence, or dirt. These all can create excessive water in the eyes which is not drying as they should.

• Feline Herpesvirus

The most harmful virus not only affects the feline's eyes but also affects other things like the respiratory as well and it becomes the reason for coughing. The symptoms due to this virus are enlargement of the eyes. Also, it results in the conversion of eye color to red. 

Signs of Eye-Infections

• Redness/swelling

Eyes look totally different from the usual look in such conditions. The reddish eyes indicate that the feline is facing an inflammation or virus. 

• Discharge types and what they indicate

​​​​​​​Discharge of different sorts of water from the bulging eyes indicates bad eye health. Sometimes thick white water comes out of the eyes which indicates that there is a fungal infection in the eyes. While the clean transparent water indicates that the cat is getting irritated from the mist. 

Some strange color liquid is also seen coming out from the eyes. Brown discharge which is normally in the form of crustal indicates that there is the issue of less tearing in the eyes which results in to formation of crystals around the eyes. Also yellow color or green color drainage indicates that the cat is affected by some bacteria which can form pus around the eye. In such cases, the owner needs to get their cat to the veteran for proper treatment.

• Behavioral signs: pawing, squinting, light sensitivity

​​​​​​​In case of any problem, cats' behavior changes like they do some actions than normal. Eye infection also forces them to do some strange and unusual actions like continuously touching their face or eyes as if something is hurting or irritating their eyes. 

Squinting is looking at something by partially closing their eyes. Infection in the eyes creates a blurry image so they have to work hard to look more precisely. This sign shows their eye health issue. Their eyes become light-sensitive due to viral infections as their eye muscles become weak.

Treatment Options for Eye Infections

• Medications: antibiotics, antiviral treatments

​​​​​​​If an eyes infection is getting intense then there is a need for some highly effective treatment that instantly gives relief to the eyes and prevents them from permanent loss. The medical field has now developed well and formulated a lot of antibiotics for cats that can quickly reduce the infection. Giving cats antibiotics or antiviral treatments is the best option for their treatment in case of intense problems.

• Home care tips for fluffy cats

​​​​​​​Most fluffy cats can be affected by eye infections but some home remedies can cure their infection. The clean soft towel can be used to wash their eyes as well as drops should be at home so that you can quickly put drops in cat eyes. Also, groom them on a daily basis so that they can be prevented from viruses or bacteria.

• When to seek professional help

​​​​​​​First, do treatment at home but when you feel that nothing is doing great for the cat treatment and the health of the cat is getting intense then you should call the veteran or let it to the veteran clinic. When you feel that your cat is start losing their vision then without any delay you should move to the doctor.

Conclusion

Infection of the eye is not a specific disease for cats but also can happen to other animals. All the animals including cats or kittens can face eye infection when they interact with the environmental infection or virus. Some problems are not a concern of worry but some can be problematic and become a reason for vision loss.