Feline Eye Infection

Some cats, just like us humans, have to face a series of conditions and diseases throughout their lives. One of the most common conditions is the feline eye infection. This type of infection can be caused by different factors which I will explain in this article. If you have noticed symptoms such as eye redness and discharges in your cat, you’ll find this information extremely valuable.

Type of Feline Eye Infections

Bacterial Eye Infection. In this type of infection, we are referring primarily to Chlamydiosis, which is one of the biggest causal agents of conjunctivitis problems. The symptoms of a bacterial feline eye infection include glossal ulcerations, fever, nose irritation and nasal discharges.

Fungal Eye Infection. Fungal feline eye infection is developed through Cryptococcosis, which cats acquire through the environment they live in. Each type as you will see, has its own type o treatment; in this case anti fungal medications are required. When you cat develops a fungal feline eye infection you’ll notice the following symptoms: dilated eyes, peripheral blindness, inflamed retina, and light-insensitivity to light. Symptoms are a sign that the fungus is affecting the central nervous system.

Viral Eye Infection. This type of cat eye infection can be caused by different types of virus: feline herpevirus 1, feline panleukopenia, feline leukaemia complex, feline infectious peritonitis and the feline immunodeficiency virus.

Feline herpevirus 1 is the most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats, and well this is a virus that only cats can have. It is important to treat this kind of infection early or problems can arise, including dry eye, inflamed cornea, sore of the cornea and even eyeballs stuck on the eyelid. Treatment for this condition is given through special cat eye drops.

In the case of feline panleukopenia, we can avoid this problem if we give our cat proper vaccination. This is a very dangerous type of virus as it is easily passed from cat to cat and can lead to death. You’ll find this virus in many wild cats, symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia and dehydration.

Feline leukaemia complex is transmitted through direct contact. Symptoms include anemia and lymphoma.

The feline immunodeficiency virus is very similar to HIV in humans. It is usually transmitted from cat to cat through biting. Like the HIV, this disease is not noticeable at first, and as time passes symptoms will start to become evident, these signs include lethargy, weight loss, gingivitis, fever and chronic diarrhea.