Feline Conjunctivitis
The conjunctiva is the pink membrane that lines the whites of the eye, the upper and lower eyelids and also the third eyelid. When this tissue is inflamed it is called conjunctivitis. Either one or both eyes can be affected and the inflammation can be intermittent.
Most causes of feline conjunctivitis are infectious. The three most common are: Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Feline Chlamydia (Chlamydophila felis) and Feline Mycoplasma. Other causes include allergens such as plants and dust.
What are the clinical signs of conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is diagnosed by understanding the medical history and careful examination of the eyes with magnification. It is important to rule out other conditions of red eyes like dry eye, entropion, corneal ulceration uveitis and glaucoma. Special tests such as conjunctival swabs, culture and sensitivity, biopsy and DNA testing are needed in certain cases.
Treatment:
Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial infections usually respond well to antibiotics, but with Chlamydia prolonged treatment (6-8 weeks) may be required.
FHV-1 infections are more difficult to manage. These are usually controlled rather than cured. Topical and oral antiviral preparations can be given but many cats get recurrent infections brought on by stress. Common stressors are boarding, family holidays, adding a new pet to the household, renovations and the owner being away from home.
Managing stress in cats can be a difficult and complex problem. It is important to speak to your local vets about this to formulate a management plan.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 03 9545 0103.
The conjunctiva is the pink membrane that lines the whites of the eye, the upper and lower eyelids and also the third eyelid. When this tissue is inflamed it is called conjunctivitis. Either one or both eyes can be affected and the inflammation can be intermittent.
Most causes of feline conjunctivitis are infectious. The three most common are: Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Feline Chlamydia (Chlamydophila felis) and Feline Mycoplasma. Other causes include allergens such as plants and dust.
What are the clinical signs of conjunctivitis?
- Red eye – varies from mild to severe
- Watery to mucky discharge – can be dark brown to yellow-green
- Squinting
- Rubbing the eye/s
- Swelling of the conjunctiva – this can be very dramatic in some cats
Conjunctivitis is diagnosed by understanding the medical history and careful examination of the eyes with magnification. It is important to rule out other conditions of red eyes like dry eye, entropion, corneal ulceration uveitis and glaucoma. Special tests such as conjunctival swabs, culture and sensitivity, biopsy and DNA testing are needed in certain cases.
Treatment:
Mycoplasmal and Chlamydial infections usually respond well to antibiotics, but with Chlamydia prolonged treatment (6-8 weeks) may be required.
FHV-1 infections are more difficult to manage. These are usually controlled rather than cured. Topical and oral antiviral preparations can be given but many cats get recurrent infections brought on by stress. Common stressors are boarding, family holidays, adding a new pet to the household, renovations and the owner being away from home.
Managing stress in cats can be a difficult and complex problem. It is important to speak to your local vets about this to formulate a management plan.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 03 9545 0103.
