In general, when it comes to infection amongst cats, it can range from viral to bacterial. With the exposure of cats to the outdoors, socializing in the neighborhood, and even playing at home, one is prone to infectious encounters. This becomes a problem when the Cat-eye infection treatment Neosporin is catered. If not dealt with it at the earliest symptom, the condition can worsen and affect the eye.
The eye is a sensitive organ and is predisposed to risk of damage with additional sensitivity to environmental toxins. Thus, when treating the cat’s eye infection, quite a few options are taken regarding medication. One standard practice is use of Neosporin, available in households. Its utility by humans makes the cat owner comfortable with its consumption in cats, but is it good enough? Today we shall dig into the cat eye infection and the treatment Neosporin and see if it’s a perfect choice.
The below article would unveil the types of cat eye infections, possible symptoms, and treatments available. We shall look into all treatment modalities, with a particular focus on the choice of Neosporin.
What is Neosporin? Basic Information
Neosporin is a dosage form that serves three antibiotics in a combination. This is the form of topical ointment, which presents us with the triple antibiotic having three significant ingredients, including neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin B.
This is a treatment of choice in many households for bacterial eye infection in humans. This also covers minor injuries of the skin along with superficial infections of the eye. This treatment finds its extension in fighting down Conjunctivitis, readily utilized as both drops and creams.
Neosporin is the common first aid, and you will find it in every house across the country.
This topical ointment is usually used for cuts and scrapes, and it is a vital part of first aid kits in homes. Neosporin topical ointment and other antibiotic ointments contain three active ingredients neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin.
These eye drops effectively treat infectious eyes in humans as the drops contain gramicidin, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic.
Although the Neosporin is effective when it comes to treating humans and the substance is not approved for pet cats; and no vet recommends pet parents to use it for cats.
Cat’s eyes and signs of infection
Eye stands out as an essentially attractive feature of the cat. It is known to have the most expressive and beautiful eyes. It remains essentially a delicate organ, with an elliptical pupil compared to round in our case. They have better vision at night owing to a gel-like substance in them. Plus, have better protection with the nictitating membrane or eyelid. This is a significant barrier of cat’s eye against injury, preventing entry of infectious entity.
When your cat has an eye infection, the symptoms can affect just one of your cat’s eyes or both. In many cases, cats initially show signs just in one eye, but the infection soon spreads to the other eye. This owes to continuous rubbing into the eye due to irritation.
If your cat experiences trouble with the eye, be it infectious or noninfectious, some change in the given anatomy can be observed. Also below is the list of signs, one can check to better understand the underlying condition.
- The reddish coloration in otherwise white-eye
- The fluidity of watering of the eye
- Observation of Discharge Watery eyes
- Swollen eyes
- A continuous state of blinking and squint positioning
- A state of irritation leading to constant rubbing of the eye
- Unusual movement or placement of eyelid.
- The white part of the eye will turn red
- Rubbing at eyes.
- Severe irritation in one or both eyes.
These all symptoms are a warning and indication of something terrible. One should refer a vet and get the cat tested for any possible eye infection instead of blindly having Cat-eye infection treatment with Neosporin.
Diagnosis Methods for eye infection
In case of any symptoms, one should opt for a vet that may guide for either of the methods.
- A specimen of culture or eye, this will be an insight into the cause of infection. In turn, this helps decide the medicine of choice. It could be fungal, viral, or bacterial demanding antifungal, antiviral or anti-bacterial, respectively.
- A sample of blood can also help identify the causative agent.
- The urine sample also serves a guiding light to the cause of infection.
Some causes and types for Feline eye infection
In the case of feline eye infection, symptoms can make their way to either eye. Even in patients where one eye is infected, the other takes up the effect due to rubbing of eyes.
- The prevailing conditions causing an infection in the cat is Viral Rhinotracheitis, commonly known as feline herpesvirus type 1, and Feline Calicivirus.
Either of them is highly contagious and, when aggravated, can become a cause of upper respiratory distress, hand in hand with an eye infection.
- Other than a virus, the eye infection could be due to a toxin or foreign agent having physical or chemical nature and even an autoimmune disease.
Note: It could be a false alarm
Cats can be having red eyes and discharge with allergies. Any allergen or food allergy could be reddening the eye with no actual infection.
Other than that some eye infection includes following:
Conjunctivitis
Yes, cats can get Conjunctivitis, famously known as Pink Eye, too. It is basically an inflammation of the mucosal membrane. It results in redness of the eye and could be affecting the exterior of the eye.
(FHV-1) Feline Herpesvirus
Some of the infections in the cat are because of Herpesvirus. Some of the cats could be having conditions with apparent symptoms and a troubled eye. While many others would barely have any and act as a carrier. It predominantly affects the Upper respiratory tract exhibiting cold-like symptoms.
Blepharitis
The puffy red eyes could be blepharitis in the cat. It basically marks an inflamed area over the eyelid. This infection could arise from allergens and conditions like diabetes in cats. However, it is known to be prevalent in certain cat breeds, including the Persians and Himalayans. Yet this does not eradicate or lowers the chances for other species.
Note: One might need to get an Elizabethan collar to the cat as blepharitis turns out to be quite itchy. This collar plays a role in protecting the eye and hastens the healing process.
Keratitis or Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
This simply refers to a state called dry eye. This is primarily a bacterial infection, i.e., a secondary infection of FVH-1. This can arise in the presence of allergies, hereditary issues, and even with Conjunctivitis and various other genetic reasons. Tears, in this case, will help as anti-bacterial and aid with lubrication of the eyes. The overall disease can be tackled by managing the symptoms.
Infectious Conditions that Causes Eye Infections In Cats:
The most common infectious causes that often result in eye infections in cats are Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Feline Calicivirus.
Both these diseases are highly transmissible among felines and affect their respiratory system, which leads to many symptoms, including severe eye infections.
Non-Infectious Conditions that Causes Eye Infections In Cats:
Viruses and infectious diseases are not the only reason your cat suffers from those annoying eye infections.
If your pet’s eyes are sore and annoyed, there can be other reasons like allergies, a foreign body in the cat’s eye, a genetic eye condition, trauma, tumors, or sometimes an autoimmune disease.
To diagnose the actual problem, we will advise you to contact your vet to determine the actual cause of your cat’s eye infection. After proper diagnosis, they will recommend the appropriate treatment.
Keep in mind that if left untreated, these eye infections can lead to severe complications.
Treatment modalities for Eye Infections in Cats
Eye infections are common with outdoor activities and are inevitable in the case of cats. When referred to the vet, quite a few antibiotics, either alone or concomitantly with others, are prescribed. Here we shall unwrap some options available for the first line of treatment in cases of feline infection.
However, the vet may be in the proper position in making the correct diagnosis, hence helping with the right choice of drug.
Most of the time, it is believed that Cat eye infection has treatment with Neosporin, which is entirely not valid and shall be explored in the proceeding section. Moreover, assessing the cat’s health condition and presenting the complaint is a must to ensure the drug of choice and drug’s safety. It is crucial to have the kidneys and liver functioning correctly to get the drug metabolized and excreted from the body.
Some Cat-eye infection treatment other than Neosporin:
Terramycin
This ointment is broad in action and may cure cats with any eye infection. It could range from keratitis to Conjunctivitis, blepharitis to corneal ulcers, and other bacterial or viral origin conditions.
Tetracycline Ophthalmic Ointment
An ointment of choice and a drug used in case of the Mycoplasma conjunctivitis and Chlamydophila.
Azithromycin Oral Antibiotic
Mycoplasma conjunctivitis and Chlamydophila, in the cats can also be covered with another variety of antibiotics, taken orally. It is Azithromycin and is also used in cats for any infections of the respiratory tract.
Topical Corticosteroid
Drops and Ointments of corticosteroids are used in case of inflammation on the eyes and other organs.
Is Neosporin a safe option for cats?
As a matter of fact, the dose of active vary from human to animal use. Anything good for a human may not necessarily deem fit for animal usage. Neosporin is typically catered as the first option in a human eye infection. Yet, it might not be good for the cats.
The critical point is the amount of dose administered. Even a tiny bit of Neosporin given additionally to the cat eyes can turn out to be toxic.
Neosporin, in this matter, is part of the first aid for humans but might be quite a risk in feline use. It is reported to have adverse effects on the cat, potentially life-threatening with its higher absorption. Thus, cat eye infection treatment with Neosporin is no good.
Home Remedies For Cat Eye Infections:
Now that it is evident that Neosporin is not the ideal choice to treat cat’s eye infections, so what to do now? Is there any other method to treat the infection? Yes, there are many effective home remedies that you to deal with eye infections in cats.
Here are the best ones for you and your pet friend:
L-Lysine
Cat herpes virus is mainly caused due to upper respiratory condition, and often it results in eye infections. L-Lysine is a popular medicine among pet owners, and it is safe for both cats and humans.
L-lysine is an amino acid that you cannot synthesize inside your body, so it is consumed through foodstuffs and supplements. The treatment is effective for cat eye infections and is widely available at pet stores.
Sanitized Water Rinse
This is simple. First, take a wet cotton swab soaked in distilled or sterile water. Now gently rub the goo out of your feline’s eyes. Start rubbing from the tear duct and move to the outer part of the eye but keep it gentle.
Repeat the process till you see discharge from the cat’s eyes. This remedy is ideal for removing debris from the cat’s eyes, so there are chances that the infection still persists.
Use Warm Water
This method requires skills and experience to pull off, but it is beneficial. Soak a soft fabric in warm water, then press the fabric over your cat’s eyes and keep it on the eye for up to one minute.
Repeat the same process for each eye till you see a reduction in redness or irritation in the cat’s eyes.
Cat Eye Rinse
You will find several cat-eye rinse products on the market that you can use to treat your cat’s eye infection at home. However, when looking for a commercial eye rinse cleaner for your cat, ensure that you are getting the right product with good reviews and clear labels.
Use Honey
If topically and correctly applied, honey can significantly help your cat, especially when it has sore eyes. Besides, organic honey is also beneficial to treat irritation in a cat’s eye.
To use it, take two tablespoons of organic honey and mix it with two tablespoons of clean water. Now shake the mixture and stir till the honey gets disappeared. Now, pour 2 to 3 drops of the mixture into the affected cat’s eye thrice a day.
Oregon Grapes
Oregon grapes have amazing antibacterial substances that can help to reduce pink eye infections. If your pet is suffering from the same, mix two drops of Oregon grape solution with half an ounce of sterile water and shake it well.
Now pour 2 to 3 drops of the mixture into the cat’s affected eye two times a day.
Is Neosporin safe for cats?
Human medications are not made for animals, and often these chemicals can be dangerous for them, especially for furry felines. Above all, such topical antibiotic ointments are not recommended or prescribed for cats by vets. They might work well for humans but are never ideal for cats.
Why not Neosporin?
An expert in human medicine firmly declines the use of Neosporin among cats. As a layman to medicine and a cat owner simultaneously, you might think, why? Especially when found helpful in human use.
The answer is different drugs and doses have a different effect in animals and humans. Therefore, it’s safe to go with earlier established expert opinion to save the cat of any potential side effects or adverse health.
In case of any negligence, having a cat given Neosporin complaints can be observed in cats.
Any minute post-administration demands getting to the vet for issues like irritation, or burning in the eye. Other possible side effects with the neomycin use in a cat could be sensitivity, swelling, itching in the eye, and even higher sensitivity to light.
The problem in treating cat eye infections with Neosporin is that it contains triple antibiotic substances like Polymyxin B and that chemical is extremely dangerous for cats.
In some cases, these chemicals can lead to a cat’s death. Although such incidents are rare, but prevention is better.
On the other hand, Neosporin or other topical applications can cause severe skin irritations or an allergic reaction if your cat is sensitive to them.
Tools against eye infection: A guide for New Pet Owner
Professionals have their reason to explain that Neosporin should not serve feline eye infection. They explicate that one of its components, Polymyxin B, has been observed for causing anaphylaxis and even death.
Neomycin, another ingredient, has a low potential of fatality compared to this yet not completely free. Here’s what a pet owner should know
Dispense the Medications As ordered
If the cat has an eye infection, regular use of medicine is part of the therapy. The medication typically being drops or ointment needs to follow administration protocol. When dealt with by the vet, the process will be affluent and manageable, yet not every day one can make up to the clinic. In this case, one should have the proper guidance from the vet to carry the treatment process in his absence.
Also, one needs to look for the cooperation of the cat. These are the situations that make the cat bit irritable and hard to deal with. In this case, make sure you are patient and polite to keep the cat following the medication.
Get rid of eye discharged intermittently.
One of the common symptoms of eye infection is excessive discharge. This demands the cat owner to be vigilant in wiping the release every time deemed necessary. This constant outflow of the liquid is both sticky and may clog the eyes of the cat. Depending on the discharge rate, it could be wiped once a day or even every other hour.
One word of caution here is to make this process clean and soft. Use a sanitary napkin while reaching out to this susceptible organ. Also, keep a gentle hand in doing it every time. And do not forget to get your hands washed before and after every episode of wiping off the discharge.
Adjoining food with the organic supplement
Some food items having specific nutritional value can better the recovery in case of feline eye infection. One such example is vitamin-rich foods. They can escalate the cure and include food as papaya, butternut, carrot, etc. This is better served in the squashed form to the kitty. One needs to serve them without any added oils and spices or otherwise could cause stomach problems.
Moreover, one needs to keep up a healthy diet that will also add to the healing process. Also, adopt use of fresh food instead of packaged items, avoiding the preservatives added to it.
Have treats on a go
Intake of medicine by the patient is always relatively a stress. The patient, with therapy, tries avoiding it back and forth. Here, the cat might have altered taste and nausea, troubling the compliance to medicine. To better adhere to the regime of the medicine, one should keep some diversions like treating a cat with food it likes. But one should remember that it needs to be done within limits. So the treat is not the only thing the cat is having. Also, having it in large proportions will not help with any recovery and may even lead to obesity in the cats.
See the vet
Whenever one sees some sign of irritation with the cat’s eye, a wave of concern shall begin. Observing any symptoms of swelling or redness in the eye or even discharge should gather your attention to visitthe vet. No matter how good you are as a cat parent, the vet’s knowledge in making the proper diagnosis is very important. Otherwise, claims like Neosporin will help arises and may cause trouble with the use.
On the other hand, the vet will assess the cat’s condition, giving away the correct diagnosis. Resultantly better prognosis and getting rid of the infection.
How quickly cat fights away an eye infection?
Typically the quickness and success of medication depend on the underlying condition of the cat. Usually, soon after the intake of the very first dose, improvement starts appearing and keeps getting better with every other dose. It is important to remember in the case of a cat’s eye infection, even if the symptoms clear off with initial doses, one needs to finish the dosage regimen. One has to follow the protocol and miss no dose. On the contrary, upon initial recovery, many cat owners give away the remaining therapy that ultimately leads to the recurrence of the infection.
This time, the eye infection might not be benign and may also turn into a superinfection that will be harder to fight. In addition to this, it might need a new therapy with a higher dose of an anti-infective agent. Also, in bacterial eye infection, the bacteria tend to become resistant to the last set of antibiotics. In turn, demanding the next generation of antibiotics to produce the anti-bacterial effects against the disease and make it harder to fight. However, it is vital to have the correct diagnosis and medicine prescribed by the vet under any condition. Also, compliance with the medication is a must.
Conclusion
When dealing with Cat-eye infection treatment Neosporin, do consider other options.
With good choices, with safety in use with a feline eye infection, the wise decisions remain not to use Neosporin. It might not kill every time but still have great chances.
Next time you see redness in your cat’s eyes or if it is winking too much, it is not a friendly gesture, and she craves your utmost attention. Eye infections in cats are common, but you can efficiently deal with them at home without using Neosporin.
Remember that Neosporin is ideal for humans, not for cats, neither any Vet recommends using it for cats. So play safe, and if you are unable to cure the infection with these home remedies, Vet is the only solution.