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Holistic Cat Eye Infection Treatment Options

Cats > Eyes > Holistic Cat Eye Infection Treatment Options

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An eye infection in your cat can be caused by a number of factors. A foreign object may be stuck in your cat's eye, a congenital defect of the tear ducts or an infection may cause red or pink eyes in your cat.

The herpes virus is the most common cause of eye infections in pets, particularly conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Almost all cats are exposed to herpes but the virus can remain dormant and do no harm to your cat until it's immune system is weak and infection occurs. Feline chlamydia and mycoplasma are other causes of eye infections. Vaccines only prevent more severe cases of infection and do not completely protect your cat from eye problems.

Symptoms of Eye Infection

squinting
excessive blinking
a watery clear, green, yellow, or reddish discharge in one or both eyes
crusty, swollen or red eyes and eyelids
cloudy iris (the colored part of the eye)
pawing at the eyes

Holistic Treatments

Use a homemade saline solution. Combine 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of lukewarm water. Drip saline solution into your cat's eye using a cotton ball or eye dropper 3 to 4 times a day. Bacteria can form in homemade saline mixes so make a new solution for each treatment and use a separate cotton ball for each eye.
L-lysine is an amino acid and can be found in most health food stores at a low price in capsule or tablet form. Look for 500 mg capsules of lysine that can be mixed into canned cat food twice a day, for 1000 mg total per day. Continue for five days. Owners may want to continue mixing 250 mg of lysine a day in your cat's food as an immune booster.
Applying apple cider vinegar, undiluted or diluted with 1 tablespoon vinegar with 2 tablespoons water, to the scruff of your cat's neck is a favorite home treatment for all types of eye infections, including conjunctivitis. Adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your cat's water is also said to prevent allergies, which can cause eye irritation, from bothering your cat.
If the symptoms are not improving after using these treatments bring your cat to the vet to rule out any more serious problems.

Holistic Ways to Prevent Eye Infections

Eye infections like conjunctivitis are most often due to a weakened immune system. To prevent further illness or infection, feed your kitten or cat a well-balanced diet with plenty of protein from quality sources and without cheap grains and fillers often found in commercial cat food.
Avoid any stress to the immune system which can cause the herpes virus to flare up, including air pollutants in and outside the home, household chemicals, obesity, and unclean surroundings.

also see Five Most Common Cat Eye Problems

also see Infectious Disease - Herpes Virus or Rhinotracheitis 2

also see Chlamydiosis