Conjunctivitis in Cats
Key takeaways
Conjunctivitis in cats is inflammation of the pink tissue surrounding the eye and lining the underside of the eyelids.
- Symptoms include squinting, redness or swelling of the tissue, and discharge from the eyes
- Common causes include upper respiratory infections, allergies, injury to the eye, and bacterial/viral infections
- Conjunctivitis ranges from mild to severe based on the underlying cause
- In extreme cases, conjunctivitis can lead to ulcers of the eye surface, which may lead to blindness if left untreated
- Diagnosis involves a physical examination, ophthalmic examination, and testing for infectious agents
- Treatment for conjunctivitis varies depending on the underlying cause
- Recurrence if the underlying cause is not addressed is common
- With appropriate treatment full recovery is expected and prognosis long-term is excellent
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A closer look: Conjunctivitis in Cats
Conjunctivitis is common in cats. Typically, this condition is seen in younger cats with infections, but can still affect older cats.
Cats showing signs of conjunctivitis require prompt veterinary care to identify and treat the underlying cause.
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Risk factors
Conjunctivitis can also be secondary to another eye disease. It typically affects both eyes of the cat. Typically, conjunctivitis is associated with upper respiratory tract infections.
If left untreated, conjunctivitis can lead to ulceration of the eye surface. Ulceration can lead to blindness if left untreated.
Possible causes
It is important to note that conjunctivitis can be either infectious or non-infectious.
It is not a hereditary disease however, since many causes are highly infectious and can spread to other cats in the same household/colony. It rarely spreads from cats to their owners.
Cats with feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus are more likely to develop infectious causes of conjunctivitis, due to their immunosuppression.
Main symptoms
Conjunctivitis can occur in one or both eyes.
Testing and diagnosis
The first step to diagnosing conjunctivitis is a physical exam to identify any other health problems the cat may be experiencing.
Additional diagnostics include:
- Ophthalmic examination
- Fluorescein stain
- Nasolacrimal duct flushing
- Cytology of the conjunctiva
- Biopsy
- Specific testing for infectious diseases
- Eye pressure testing
- Measurement of tear production
- Bloodwork
Since bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are so common, they may be tentatively diagnosed based only on the symptoms. More testing to determine a definitive diagnosis may only be done if the infection is not improving or the cat lives in a colony where other cats are likely to become infected.
Steps to Recovery
For a tentative case of conjunctivitis, cats are treated with antibiotic drops or ointment and anti-inflammatory medications for 5 to 14 days.
It is important to continue to administer the medication even if the case seems to be clearing within a few days. Further treatment depends on the response to the medications and the results of any further testing.
Most cats recover from conjunctivitis quickly with appropriate treatment. In some cases, if the underlying cause for infection is not cleared, then the infection can continue to recur. Some infectious agents, such as feline herpesvirus, can form a carrier state and cause flare ups when the cat experiences stress (change in environments, introduction of new colony members, change in routine) or other illnesses. Some underlying causes of conjunctivitis require ongoing management, such as immune-mediated diseases or keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Prevention
Efforts to prevent conjunctivitis include:
- Routine vaccination based on veterinary recommendationsIsolation of infected cats
- Environmental decontamination
- Reducing the stress in the home, including the use of pheromone diffusers
- Probiotics
- Maintaining good hygiene especially in multi-cat homes (clean litter boxes, feeding bowls and areas frequently)
Is Conjunctivitis in Cats common?
Conjunctivitis is common in cats.
Typical Treatment
5 to 14 days of antibiotic drops or ointment.
