Medicine and Remedies to Cure Trixie the Kitten's Conjunctivitis Eye

                            

At the vet on Friday, July 26, 2019

Trixie came down with conjunctivitis 11 days ago. Yes, I am being a little overdramatic, but cats can lose their eye from conjunctivitis if they aren't treated in the early stages of conjunctivitis.  We bought a new butterfly toy. She had some water eye but we thought maybe the butterfly hit her eye. The next day it looked fine. Well, four days later her eye got really bad. Her right eye was swollen and had green discharge. Trixie doesn't like being petted not alone holding her and seeing what the inside of her eyes looked like. 
My normal vet couldn't get her. Plus, our normal vet is around 20-30 minutes away. Trixie hates the car ride and the vet. Her anxiety is so bad she will rip her claws right off and bites the carrier so hard I worry she might pull her own teeth out of her mouth.  When we get to the vet and they take her temperature to find it 104 degrees which is really bad. This makes it hard for a proper diagnosis.  The last time she went to the vet at my normal vet she had explosive diarrhea and vomiting because she was soo worked up. 

We decided to take her a walk-in clinic that was only 8 mins away on Friday, July 26th. She wasn't as worked up as she usually is when going to the vet. I think between giving her tons of rescue remedy and only having an 8-minute car ride she didn't do to bad.  We got to the clinic right at 12:45 pm so we could be the first in line. The clinic opened at 1:00pm and we got right into a room. The vet looked into her eye to see if she had scratches by using an eye dye.  No scratches just conjunctivitis.  Gave us an eye drop to give to her two times a day for seven days. 

WHAT IS CONJUNCTIVITIS?

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the inner pink membrane of the eye. 

CAUSES:

Hayfever
Pink Eye
Trauma to the Eye
Cold

The most common ways cats get this is from the cat flu - the most common flu is feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus and a chiamydal (bacterial) infection. 

Can also be seen when cats have reactions to various allergens such as plant pollens, fleas and foods. 

This is very contagious and can be contracted by either direct contact between cats or via infected food bowls or bedding. 

SYMPTOMS:

- Red, swollen, irritated and painful eye. 
- The third eyelid that is located on the inside of the eye may protrude. 
- White, green or clear discharge from the eye. 
- Sneezing
- Lethargy
- Inappetence due to ulcers on the tongue and gums. 
- Cat may rub it's eye frequently, either with his paw or against objects. 
- Inability to completely open it's eye.


TREATMENT:
Make sure to take your cat to the vet immediately!!  

• Oral antibiotics
• Eye medication
• Oral anti-inflammatories
• Anti-Viral medications such as lysine powder can be used long-term to help prevent recurrence of herpes virus. 
• Surgery- a third eyelid flap (to protect the eye) conjunctival graft (referral procedure to repair a deep, non-resolving corneal ulcer), entropian surgery (to stop the eyelids rubbing on the cornea). 
• Treatment of allergies- medication, food trial, etc. 

Natural Things:

(Take your cat to the vet first before trying any of these) 

NHV's EY-EAS

- Supports management of painful swelling

- Non-irritating gentle formula

- Helps prevent spreading to other cats

- Helps restore eyes to a healthy state. 

We put it in their water. 

Click Here to Order

- Clean the eye with a soft piece of cotton ball to remove the discharge. DO NOT clean over the eye just around it. 

- There are reports that rubbing one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar on their neck will help them. 

At the Vet Friday, July 26, 2019

By Sunday, July 28 we didn't see much progress so I decided to start giving her the Terramycin. I know Terramycin works because when Faith got conjunctivitis we put it in her eyes and got results within 4 days. Tuesday, July 30th there is some improvement, but not enough progress to not take my worry away. 


Luckily on Wednesday, July 31st I had to take Oliver in for his booster shots. I took a bunch of photos and video of Trixie's eyes. I thought about physically taking her to the vet, but I don't want to stress her out because stress can cause her eyes not to heal. 

My regular vet said to give her both the Neomycin and the Terramycin. They have to be given 30 minutes apart.  We have to keep giving it to her until the swollen, redness, and discharge is gone. Once we see that we still will need to give it to her 2-3 days longer just to make sure it is completely gone. 

Friday, July 26, 2019, at the Vet

Giving eye drops and ointment to a cat with severe anxiety is not fun at all. She fights us so much. My mom and I have gotten so many scar marks from her biting and scratching us to try to getaway. We are trying to figure out the best way to do so we don't stress her out and us getting murdered. So far wrapping her with a towel and doing on the floor or bay window. 

We have been treating the eye for 7 days now. It is slowly looking better but not fast enough for my liking. Please keep Trixie in your prayers!

July 30, 2019

Disclaimer: The above article is not to be used as a diagnostic tool nor as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your cat is exhibiting eye problems, please refer to your veterinarian for a hand’s on examination.