Print

Conjunctivitis in Cats

Conjunctivitis refers to the inflammation of the moist tissues in a cat's eye, which are the portions of the eye located near the globe and up to the edge of the cornea -- the front part of the eye. It can cause the cat's eye to discharge fluid and other uncomfortable symptoms for the animal. Treatment, ultimately, is based on the underlying cause of the condition.

Symptoms and Types

There are several common symptoms of this disease, including:

• Persistent squinting
• Regular and excessive blinking
• Redness of the eye tissue
• Eye discharge
• Fluid build up in the eye
• Upper respiratory infection

Causes

There are several viruses that can cause conjunctivitis, one of the most common being the herpes virus. Cats that are regularly exposed to other cats with viral infections are more prone to develop the disease. There are also bacterial causes, one of which is commonly referred to as "dry eye.” In addition, allergies can cause the eyes to react as an external response to the allergen, or it may be as simple as a foreign particle lodging in the eye. Finally, purebred cats are more likely to develop the disease than other cats.

Diagnosis

The veterinarian will explore the different potential causes to determine the root cause of the eye infection so that it can be properly addressed. There may be seasonal allergies to things such as grass and pollen, or to environmental pollutants like smoke or chemicals. Viral and bacterial infections will also be considered.