Feline Pink Eye

Pink eye in cats, or Feline Chlamydia, may not be something that cat owners see or have to deal with everyday. But it is a condition that could happen and if it does then it would be nice for the cat owner to know something about it. At the least they can have the information to determine if their cat should be taken to the veterinarian.

The first thing that a cat owner should know about pink eye is what to look for. What are the symptoms of pink eye in cats? If the cat owner notices that their cat is squinting, then a closer look is necessary. Look to see if the cat's eye looks swollen and/or red, does it have a discharge from the eye, is it tearing more than normal? If it does and there is no physical damage, such as a scratch from fighting, then a trip to the veterinarian should be taken.

Why a trip to the veterinarian? Simple. The veterinarian can diagnose and treat the cat's eye problem and keep the pink eye from spreading to other cats in the family. The veterinarian will also look for any secondary infections such as a nasal infection which are commonly found in cats that have pink eye, and may cause the cat to sneeze and its nose to run. So the cat's eyes and nose are the parts most affected by pink eye.

At the veterinarian clinic, the cat will undergo some diagnostic testing. The veterinarian will most likely take a sample of the discharge from the cat's eye and look at it under the microscope. The veterinarian may do other tests to help with the diagnosis of the cat such as testing for an upper respiratory virus or even a herpes virus to rule out if either of these virus' are happening in the cat.

After completing the diagnosis, the veterinarian will determine the treatment for the ailment, whether it is pink eye or some other condition that is causing the problems with the cat's eye or eyes. It is important for the cat owner to follow all the directions set by the veterinarian so that the cat will have the best chance at getting well.

What can be done to prevent pink eye at home? This is a very good question considering pink eye is contagious and can be transmitted from cat to cat. Especially if there are kittens, very old cats or cats that are under the weather. While there are no proven cases of pink eye being transmitted from cats to people, there are several reports that it has happened, so this is another concern that should be taken seriously. The best form of protection from feline pink eye is cleanliness. Cat owners, or any one who has handled a cat, should always wash their hands after touching the cat. Other things to do is to quarantine any new cats that are being introduced into the family, especially if the family has other cats, until the new cat can be checked out by the family veterinarian. Also, regularly clean the food and water bowls, the litter box and all the cat's bedding.