My kitten has pus in his eyes: causes and what to do

A kitten's body is too weak to fully fight off illness. So if a kitten has pus in their eyes, you should immediately ask yourself: what to do, how to treat it, and why this is happening. Let's explore all the possible situations that can lead to pus in a small cat's eyes and how to resolve the situation.

Why do eyes fester?

Kittens that have just been born are weak and susceptible to various illnesses. This can sometimes cause severe pus in their eyes, and the discharge can be so profuse that the kitten's eyes won't even open.

There are many reasons for this condition, just like there are for eye diseases, and it is not always possible to determine what is causing the kitten's problems:

• virus;
• draft;
• speck in the eye.

These are all possible irritants that can cause pus in a small kitten's eyes. One common cause of discharge is conjunctivitis. Furthermore, a kitten may injure its eye while playing or engaging in conflict with another pet. Initially, this may be a simple wound that later becomes infected.

Little animals are very curious creatures, always eager to stick their noses in anything. Sometimes their noses end up in the wrong place, and household chemicals, detergent, and other substances end up in their eyes. If your kitten has runny eyes and is sneezing, check their sleeping area; a cold caused by a draft could be the cause.

A kitten's eyes are festering and swollen due to a condition called blepharitis. This condition is caused by chemical, thermal, or traumatic injuries to the eyelids. It's not the damage itself that poses the danger, but rather the viruses, microbes, and pathogenic fungi that infect the affected area. Corneal inflammation (keratitis) is another condition that can cause festering and swollen eyes in kittens.

If the discharge is profuse and persistent, the kitten should be taken to a veterinarian. A specialist will determine the underlying cause of the ocular suppuration and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Symptoms

The symptoms of purulent discharge, as well as the kitten's health, depend on the underlying cause. Let's look at the main causes of problems in kittens and the symptoms associated with each specific type of injury:

1. Eyelid contusion. If a child has a contused eyelid, a bruise may be visible upon examination, and adjacent tissue may be crushed. In severe cases, necrosis may develop.
2. Eyelid wounds, which can cause damage to the kitten's skin, bleeding, and pain.
3. BlepharitisThe first symptom of blepharitis is redness of the eyelids. A kitten's eyes are red and oozing pus, which is also a sign of the disease. While scratching, the pet introduces purulent bacteria, such as streptococci and staphylococci, into the eye. Swelling is another symptom of the disease.
4. Purulent conjunctivitisMost often, the disease affects both eyes. The kitten appears ill, depressed, and may have a fever. Initially, the purulent discharge is thin, but as the disease progresses, it gradually thickens. The conjunctiva swells and may even protrude beyond the eyes.
5. Follicular conjunctivitis. This disease is characterized by damage to the lymph nodes located within the third eyelid. Discharge from the conjunctival sac is present. Photophobia and soreness are observed. The eyelids appear swollen. Often, the kitten's eyes will not open and will become purulent, as the ichor sticks together the eyelashes and forms crusts that prevent the eyelids from opening. The pus irritates the skin around the eyes, leading to inflammation, dermatitis, eczema, and hair loss around the affected area.

Basics of eye treatment

In the initial stages of any disease causing exudate, a kitten experiences virtually no discomfort. Health risks are also generally not observed. Problems arise later. Pathogenic microorganisms develop, and the amount of pus increases. The discharge begins to irritate the mucous membranes and skin around the eyes. If left untreated, the risk of vision loss increases dramatically.

Therefore, when a small kitten has pus in their eyes, what to do, how to treat it, and what to use are the first questions a pet owner must decide. Let's start with first aid—rinsing. To rinse your kitten's eyes, make a chamomile infusion, wash away the accumulated fluid, and then rinse the inflamed eyeball. If you have other pets at home, repeat this procedure with them as a preventative measure.

If rinsing doesn't help, it's best not to continue self-treatment. Take your kitten to the vet; only they can tell you exactly what to do next. You'll agree, why worry about why your kitten has pus in their eyes or how to treat a sick animal when there are qualified professionals available? Yes, veterinary services are expensive, but it's up to you to decide what's more important—your baby's health or an unexpected drain on your family budget.

Therapy

Treatment of purulent discharge is primarily aimed at eliminating the underlying cause. Further treatment depends on how accurately this cause is identified. Treatment for purulent eyes in kittens also depends on the underlying cause:

1. If the cause is a bruise, the injured area is cleaned with a gauze pad soaked in a hydrogen peroxide solution. The same procedure is used for eyelid injuries.
2. If blepharitis is the cause, the cause is identified and addressed. It's important to note that blepharitis in kittens can be caused by a vitamin deficiency, so if the vet has diagnosed this, it's important to provide your pet with a balanced diet with vitamin supplements.
3. When a kitten has a runny nose and purulent eyes due to a cold, the doctor prescribes eye drops, antibiotics. It's important to provide your pet with comfortable living conditions. The baby's crib should be dry and warm, and free from drafts. Adding vitamins to your pet's diet will further improve their health.
4. If a kitten's eyes are blocked by pus, the crusts are softened before removal. Vaseline oil is used for this purpose. The softened crusts are removed, and the area around the eyes is treated with hydrogen peroxide. The eyes themselves are rinsed with nitrofural, also known as furacilin. After treatment, eye drops or ointment are applied.

Some kitten illnesses cause not only eye discharge but also pain. In such cases, the veterinarian prescribes novocaine and an antibiotic, which is injected into the conjunctival sac.

If the disease is advanced, bacteria have become firmly entrenched in the deep layers of the eye. In this case, the doctor prescribes general antibiotic therapy.

For purulent or phlegmonous conjunctivitis, both systemic and topical therapy are used. The treatment course includes periodic eye irrigation with 3% boric acid, followed by treatment with synthomycin ointment or any other eye emulsion containing antibiotics. In this case, a novocaine block with an antibiotic is also used. In addition to its pronounced "freezing" effect, this procedure is beneficial for overall treatment. Antibiotics can also be administered intramuscularly. Additionally, a veterinarian may recommend oral sulfonamides.

How to treat

Here we'll look at the remedies commonly used to rinse, clean, and apply eye drops to kittens with purulent discharge. Here's a list of the most commonly used medications:

• drops "Bars";
• tetracycline ointment;
• Diamond Eyes drops;
• multifunctional drops "Iris";
• Anandin for cats – drops with antiviral action;
• Lacrican eye drops – for non-viral inflammations;
• Tsiprovet in tablets or drops to treat inflammation caused by bacteria.

Most often, the instructions for use indicate the optimal dosage of the medication, but on average, if a month-old kitten has purulent eyes, one drop of the medication three times a day is enough for the baby; older pets are given 2 or 3 drops of the prescribed medication.

To administer the medication, gently pull down the lower eyelid and apply the drops to the mucous membrane. Be careful not to let the drops leak out. To ensure proper administration, raise the animal's head so the eyes are facing upward.

You'll need cotton swabs and a special lotion. If you don't have any, you can use cooled boiled water.

Treatment at home

As mentioned earlier, if a kitten has purulent eyes, it should be taken to the clinic. If the vet doesn't find any serious problems, the animal can be treated at home. For this purpose, chamomile and calendula infusions can be used as eye rinses. Furacilin or Korneregel can also be used for eye irrigation, as they restore the cornea and relieve discomfort.

How to put eye drops in a kitten

A small pet must be handled carefully, and before washing a kitten's purulent eyes, you need to figure out how to hold the animal so as not to injure or frighten it.

Place the kitten on its back with its face facing upward. If the kitten's eyes don't open, soak the eyelids in chamomile tea or boiled water. Then, remove the pus before applying the drops.

On average, therapy lasts about a week, but much depends on the severity of the disease and its nature.

Remember, self-medication should only be used in isolated cases of purulent discharge. If the discharge is persistent and profuse, and there are other symptoms of a dangerous pathology, consult a specialist. For example, if a kitten has conjunctivitis, it should be tested for chlamydia. An examination is also necessary to determine the pet's tolerance to antibiotics.

Moreover, a veterinarian knows exactly what treatment to prescribe in each individual case, which significantly increases the chances of a successful resolution of the situation and, as a result, the kitten maintains full vision and health.

What to do if your eyes are festering due to a runny nose

If the kitten runny nose Just because your eyes are festering doesn't mean that's the end of it. After all, life-threatening illnesses like calicivirus and viral rhinotracheitis, which can be fatal for young people, begin with a runny nose. Therefore, timely diagnosis is crucial in this case.

A runny nose can also be caused by allergies or indicate bronchial asthma. Each individual situation requires a specific treatment approach, so diagnosis is a priority here too.

As soon as you notice your kitten's eyes and nose are running, consult a vet. Every animal is a unique individual, and if your neighbor's cat only shows mild symptoms after a runny nose, that doesn't mean yours will be fine. Also, remember that this is a kitten with a weakened immune system.

Purulent discharge associated with colds is treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunomodulators. Preventive measures are especially important, including eliminating potential drafts and hypothermia.

Why do kittens have swollen, purulent eyes?

There may be several reasons for the described symptoms:

• allergy;
• chlamydia;
• mycoplasmosis;
• toxoplasmosis;
• calicivirus infection;
• herpesvirus infection, etc.

To determine the specific infection affecting your kitten, a PRC test will be required. Only after a diagnosis is confirmed can treatment begin. Factors such as the following should also be considered:

• time of last deworming;
• time of the animal’s last vaccination, type of vaccine;
• What additional vitamins were used to strengthen the body.

It's important to note that feeding a kitten economy-class food is not recommended. This applies to any product, whether wet or dry. Consuming these products has been shown to trigger gastrointestinal issues, leading to eye infections.

Prevention

Let's move on to preventative tips to help prevent eye infections in kittens:

1. Take care of your baby's eyes. Get into the habit of rinsing and cleaning them once a week.
2. Don't forget about protecting your animal - vaccinations and deworming.
3. Avoid the presence of external parasites: fleas and ticks.
4. Add vitamins and beneficial mineral supplements to your pet's food.
5. Take care of the kitten.

As you can see, these are simple recommendations accessible to any pet owner. Despite their apparent simplicity, following these recommendations will not only help relieve your kitten's purulent eyes but also maintain their overall health for years to come.

You can also ask our website's staff veterinarian a question, who will answer them as quickly as possible in the comments box below.

Read also:

• Why does a cat have pus in its eyes?
• Eye burns in cats and dogs
• Conjunctivitis in cats