Cat question

[AngryOldDem]

I feel like a new parent asking questions about how to care for a newborn, but bear with me.

How common are eye infections in cats? The tortie apparently woke up today with one eye swollen under the lid, and with tearing, making the eye mat up. She is being taken to an emergency vet clinic today because we don't want it -- whatever it is -- to spread to the other eye.

Also -- I'm sure that she'll be given eye drops of some kind. Any advice on how to safely put drops in a cat's eye, without the cat going totally nuts? (This cat has a very, very mellow disposition, but even she may not tolerate drops.)

We're guessing that during one of her frequent and thorough baths her paw must have come in contact with her eye, and something was on the paw that caused the infection. Who knows.

[JBoy]

1. Here's some instructions on giving eye drops

http://www.wikihow.com/Give-Your-Cat-Eye-Drops

I think eye infections are relatively common in cats. Good luck!

[AngryOldDem]

5. Thanks for the link! We'll need it -- LOL. n/t

[dropkickpa]

2. Has she been sneezing at all?

Cats can and do get upper respiritory issues (colds, infections) so it may be that.

[AngryOldDem]

6. No sneezing, as far as I've noticed.

She just woke up with a swollen and runny eye. But maybe she's trying to catch something.

[MorningGlow]

3. What a coinkidink

Must be rampant in kitties lately--our part-Siamese, all-airhead, Jasmine, was diagnosed with conjunctivitis in her right eye last week. It was runny, swollen under the lower lid, and she was "winking" it repeatedly. She also spent her time curled up, sulking/freaking out (freaking out because she hardly ever gets sick), instead of pouncing our part-Persian pisspot as usual. Took her to the vet last Thursday; the vet checked for a scratched cornea, but it was clear, so she really didn't know what was causing the conjunctivitis. Might be a virus, might be her teeth, as they're due for a cleaning, and her gums have been swollen and she's had dragon breath for about a month.

In any case, we've been shoving antibiotics (pills) down her gullet twice a day and putting ointment in her eye. Jasmine has her claws, so Mr. MG has to get her on her back on his lap (lengthwise along his legs) and hold her front paws tightly while trying to lean his elbows on her back paws. Then I pry her mouth open, shove the pill down (takes at least two tries), and, while Mr. MG flinches at the wounds being inflicted upon his wrists, pry open her eyelid and run a strip of ointment along the lower lid.

She got much better almost immediately; however, Mr. MG and I are going to be scarred for life during this 7-to-10-day antibiotic course.

All I can say is, GOOD LUCK. And I mean that. :hi:

[AngryOldDem]

4. Sounds like it may be a two-person job, then.

I remember trying the eye drops/ointment trick with my kids when they got pinkeye; I imagine that experience is exponential with cats. She has taken (one) pill (to clear up a slight case of worms -- she is an adopted stray and had a slight case from being outside) with no problem, but eyes...well, that's another issue.

Thanks, all, for the input. As soon as I know anything, I'll update y'all.

[MorningGlow]

7. Definitely a two-person job

Jasmine is our most mellow cat (pouncing of the part-Persian pisspot notwithstanding), and even she puts up a fight every time we try giving her the meds. The vet gave us a choice of pill or liquid antitbiotics, and she said a pill would be better because the cat could spit it out (a process we call "thoo" around here) but we could pick it up, dust it off, and try again, but once liquid oozes onto the fur of a turned cheek, it's gone forever. So I hope the vet gives you ointment instead of drops for your cat's pinkeye. It's definitely easier to make hit the mark.

[SoxFan]

8. Dress like this

Even the sweetest, most docile cat can turn into a whirling buzzsaw when you try to put something in their eye.