Cat Red Eye Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Expert Care

Many people wonder how to give basic treatment for red eyes in cats. First, let's get to know this condition. Red eye syndrome is quite commonly seen in our cats, so much so that many owners may overlook or ignore it, perhaps only buying eye wash or eye drops to use on their own. But in reality, red eye problems can be more numerous and more dangerous than you might think.

How Do We Know If Our Cat's Eyes Fall Into the "Red Eye Inflammation" Category?

• Red eyes with discharge, which can result from wind or dust, or dust particles blown into the eye area, causing irritation and red eye inflammation. Even the immune system can cause red eyes in cats, such as with a cold.
• Squinting, eye pain, sensitivity to light, or a cloudier-than-normal appearance can indicate inflammation of eye structures such as the cornea, which can result from irritation or rubbing the eye until the cornea develops a wound. Signs to look for include a cloudy, swollen cornea that isn't as clear as before.
• Inflammation of the skin around the eyelids, which may result from skin conditions, causing itching in the inflamed area, which can in turn affect the cat's eyes.

Besides the causes above, viral diseases such as Feline Herpesvirus, Calicivirus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), or bacteria such as Chlamydophila felis, can also cause red eyes in cats.

How Should Red Eyes in Cats Be Treated as First Aid?

• If your cat shows early signs of itching or eye irritation, we recommend flushing the eye with eye wash solution or clean water, or using artificial tears to reduce irritation. Also put an Elizabethan collar on your cat to prevent licking/scratching, and bring them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Diagnosing red eye in cats at the veterinary hospital involves:

• Measuring tear production
• Fluorescein staining of the cornea to check for corneal ulcers
• Measuring eye pressure

Eye inflammation can be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotic eye drops, along with eye drops to reduce inflammation and swelling of the tissue around the eye. In severe cases, oral medication may be used alongside these treatments.

Red eye syndrome in cats can result from many different causes, and some conditions require prompt treatment before they can progress to permanent vision loss. If owners are able to notice these initial symptoms in their cat, bring them in for examination and treatment right away to determine the cause and the appropriate solution. Thonglor Pet Hospital is ready to care for your pet, 24 hours a day.

An Animal Clinic Open 24 Hours a Day

For pet owners who care about their pets and want round-the-clock consultation and care, with both online and onsite services available, we recommend Thonglor Pet Hospital. We offer a full range of specialized treatment centers, such as our dermatology and allergy center, feline and canine cardiology center. Most importantly, our team of veterinarians, nurses, and staff are always close by, 24 hours a day -- no matter when illness strikes, we're ready to care for your beloved pet at all times (please make an appointment in advance).

Pet owners need not worry, because Thonglor Pet Hospital has an international branch in Vietnam, plus over 20 branches nationwide covering every area, including Chiang Mai, Tiwanon, Phuket, and many other branch locations. All branches use the same internal system for managing information.

In addition, our veterinary team, nurses, and hospital staff have all been thoroughly trained in understanding pet behavior, giving you confidence that your beloved pet will be happy and safe while you're away on a long trip. If you're interested in our pet boarding services or other offerings, please contact us using the details below.