A herpes eye infection in cats occurs when the herpes virus comes into contact with your pet, and infects the area of the eyes. Herpes eye infections, also known as herpes viral conjunctivitis, can affect any cat and should be treated promptly. The herpes virus can cause various irritations to the eyes such as swelling,redness, cloudiness and itchiness. Kittens are more likely to develop aherpes eye infection because their immunity is not as strong and they are prone to living in such environments that may expose them to the virus. High stress levels may also be linked to the development of a herpes eye infection. The infection is very contagious and can cause extensive damage to the eyes. if you suspect your pet as herpes viral conjunctivitis or any other type of eye infection, see a veterinarian assoon as possible.
If your cat has a herpes eye infection, the following symptoms will likely be present:
Herpes of the eye in felines can infect both eyes, or just one. if your pet has herpes viral conjunctivitis, it is important to see a veterinarian quickly to seek treatment. Eye irritations and infections can quickly get worse, and may lead to vision loss or complete blindnessif not handled properly.
When your pet has been diagnosed with herpes, he will most likely be given antiviral eye drops, such as Vira-A or Herplex. these drops may need to be given to your pet as many as five or six times a day, depending on his individual needs. Antibiotics are also prescribed to ward off any secondary infections that may develop from harmful bacteria. when the herpes has finally been taken care of, a veterinarianmay recommend a suppressive medication to prevent the infection from occurring again.
If left untreated, an eye infection can quickly escalate into a more serious condition. Leaving a viral herpes infection untreated puts your pet at a very high risk for vision loss, and potentially, blindness. it is better to be safe than sorry, especially when dealing with a sensitive area such as the eyes.
Feline herpes eye infections are extremely contagious, and other catscan easily become infected by a cat with the virus. because of this, isolating your pet from other animals is important while treating the herpes eye infection. There are also various vaccinations available thatare designed to protect against herpes viral conjunctivitis. The infection cannot be spread from cats to humans.
also see Managing Cat Glaucoma with Trusopt
also see Managing Feline Herpes Virus with Enisyl-F Paste
also see Treating Bacterial Cat Eye Infection with Tetracycline
also see Understanding Feline Herpes
also see Holistic Cat Eye Infection Treatment Options
also see five Most Common Cat Eye Problems
also see Rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus 1) in Cats
also see Eye Problems in Cats