Professional Tips: Treat Cat Eye Infection

Question

How do you treat an eye infection?

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Keep the eye clean by bathing it with cotton wool (a cotton ball) soaked in cooled, boiled water. If the cause is bacterial, then the vet can supply appropriate antibiotic drops.

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Question

How do you treat conjunctivitis in cats?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Conjunctivitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infections. While a bacterial infection will respond to antibiotic drops, a viral infection won't.

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Question

How can I clean my cat's eyes?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Cooled boiled water is just fine for cleaning a cat's eyes. Just be sure to use a clean piece of cotton wool (cotton ball) for each eye.

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Question

Can you use human eye drops on a cat?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This depends on what the drops contain and what the problem is with the eye. For example, some drops contain replacement tears, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatories. Applying an inappropriate product to the cat's eye could make a condition worse rather than better.

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