Viral eye infection in kitten, what can I do to keep his eyes clean and clear?

Question

I've got 4 foster kittens and one adult foster cat. I had to send one kitten back to the rescue for one-on-one care because he had a bad eye infection and was too weakened to fight it off on his own, he wasn't eating etc and since they were stray abandoned kittens he didn't have a healthy start. Well anyway his brother also has an eye infection but he's eating, drinking, playing purring etc and gaining weight. So I still have him. It's not URI I think it's either herpes or chlamydia or one of those viral eye infections. It waxes and wanes but he has no sneezing runny nose etc just gunky eyes with irritated lids. I've been washing them with warm salt water.. but I am wondering if there is anything else I can use. The rescue has some eye meds for me but it's a long distance thing and I've had trouble getting a hold of it. I need to know what I can do in the meantime to ease his eyes and help him out. He's doing good in every other way and his 3 siblings are eye problem free... It's viral so I know it has to just run it's course but.. well I hate to see his eyes like that. He's such a sweety pie. Here they all are... he is the bottom left kitten.. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/jaspertopaz6/goodbyehello108.jpg

Answer 1

My grandmother had kittens whose eyes kept getting green goo in them and some mornings their eyes would be shut because the stuff had developed a crust on the eyelid.  We kept rubbing their eyes with a hot wet wash cloth every morning and eventually the stuff went away.  

Answer 2

J C gave the best advice here!  Good stuff.  L-Lysine is awesome!

Yes, Polysporin Opthalmalic can be used on cats.

Along with what J C has said re: saline, make sure that you do whatever you can to keep the kitties stress-free... stress can cause these symptoms to worsen.  Just make sure that the water is boiled when you make saline, ok?  Or you can purchase it already made.  

You can also use Chammomile (sp??) tea - warm, of course, on their eyes.  It's apparently soothing.

If they're stuffy, I'd suggest warming their moist food, but I'm sure you already know this!  You're probably a pro now!!

Antibiotic treatment is not such a bad thing at this time, as it can help prevent and hinder any secondary infections that may arise due to the Calicivirus.  But you're correct, if it's viral is must run it's course, but the last thing the little kitties need is a secondary infection.  Just keep a close eye on their symptoms and you can make that choice if they seem to worsen.  Personally, I feel that most vets tend to over-medicate with antibiotics, and cats become immune.  Best to build up their own immunity!

Just remember, just because it's not an URI right now, cats that are carriers of Herpes/Calici will tend to develop more URI's in their lifetime because of this.

Good luck :)

Answer 3

My kitten had an eye infection as well.  What I did was get a gel med from the vet that I had to put in twice a day, and then I would also use these kitty eye wipes from the petstore and wipe the area clean every so often.  Good Luck... after a few days of meds the kittens eye will be ok... email me if you have any questions....  I would also stop using the salt water that may burn... think of what its like when we get salt water in our eyes.

Answer 4

My cat has something similar which comes and goes.  It's actually a form of herpes.  My vet gave me a tube of serum called BNPH to be applied to the eye until it goes away and then again whenever it reappears.

Answer 5

Polysporin eye drops are fine for cats eyes.

Answer 6

With eyes you cant assume anything.  If it is a scratch and you use the wrong medicine it can do permanent damage.  I would only suggest washing the eye with a damp cloth and maybe some saline solution but dont use any meds without having him seen.  I have a one eyed kitten because of an infection so dont let it go on for too long before you take him in!

Answer 7

The sterile "artificial tears" that are sold to wet contact lenses are good to wash eyes with also.  If it's viral, none of the antibiotic things are going to help.  Be careful of the antibiotic ointments you can get OTC - many of them clearly state on the tube that they are not for ophthalmic use.  

Other than some pretty expensive anti-viral meds, the only thing that is going to kick the herpes is his own immune system.  Try putting some L-Lysine in his food daily - it's an immune system booster that you can get at any vitamin isle.  Crush the pill and put it in some canned food for all of them.  They've all been exposed to the virus, and it won't hurt them.  Not sure of the dosage, but you can find it on line.  Also feeding him a premium food for maximum nutrition will help - my foster kittens get Innova's EVO and they thrive, even the little sickly ones that didn't get a good start in life.  

They are darn cute little guys!  

Answer 8

One of my cats gets runny eyes, the vet said to use an old teabag once you've made a cup of tea with it and it's cooled down but still wet. Does the trick for my cat and it soothes unlike salt in the eyes.

Answer 9

Bring him to the vet! My older female cat had a reccuring problem similar to this, and it was treated with a veterinarian prescribed ointment, although I believe mine had a bacterial infection, but still, bring him to the vet! They may suggest eye drops you can get at a local pet store, or maybe even some home remedies to help him feel more comfortable in the mean time.