Cat getting chronic eye infections?

Question

My cat seems to be getting a chronic bacterial eye infection. It's come back 3 times in the past couple of months. The ointment the vet prescribed to treat bacterial infections clears it up, but I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help prevent them?

Answer 1

Ask the vet if this is a calci virus or a herpes virus, that's important since they're treated differently.

We have had both types in our cats. The calci viruses need the lotion from the vet, it's a prescription so it's strong enough to do the job but it takes time.

If it's the herpes virus, you can use a home remedy for that. Lysine, or L-lysine (same thing) is available in pill and caplet form at the vitamin section of the grocery store. Don't get the gel caps, you need the pills. It's about $4 for a bottle of generic. Crush a 250mg pill (that's a cat dose) and sprinkle the white powder over their food. It doesn't have a taste so they eat it just fine. The gel caps taste awful so those aren't useable. Do this once a day--that's all they need is the 250mg. In three days the eyes start clearing up. The Lysine bonds to the herpes virus and lets the eyes heal. After a week you can stop and see if it's going to last. Sometimes you need to do it for another week if it comes back a month or two later, but it does work.

I'm over on the FIV cat list, and herpes viruses/eye problems are very common in FIV cats, this treatment (which is safe, you can ask your vet, but it's safe) clears things up very quickly.

It also works good on people, so if you get cold sores on your mouth (that's the herpes virus doing it) taking lysine for a week will get rid of them fast.

But lysine won't help a calci virus clear up, which is why you need to ask your vet which one is being treated for in your cat. He/she should have taken a sample to identify which your one your cat has.

Answer 2

I would keep him away from the older cat, he can still be with it but just keep him away. Just keep using the medicine and see the vet if it worsens or doesn't get better. He sounds like a handful! So just love him and give him attention like you usually do. Did you tell your vet about your other cat? If not I would call and ask. It shouldn't be a big problem, just check on your older cat's eye(s) and see if he has the same symptoms of the infection. If it was herpes or HIV the only way it could spread would be through sexual interaction. Just watch what they do closely, and keep them in different rooms while you sleep or can't monitor them. Hope this helps.(: *EDIT* If they are both males and are always in separate rooms, there's no need to worry.:)

Answer 3

Ask your vet if there is any other medicine over the counter that he/she can prescribe. If not, keep putting on the medication that you have. You don't want to try anything funky without asking your vet. Otherwise, you may end up hurting your cat. Good luck!

Answer 4

eye drops .local drug store,wal-mart, . . . . off the shelf affordable .
regular get-er dun clean em' out . can be very productive.

Answer 5

Try this website

http://www.pethealth101.com/#eyes