Kittens are at the highest risk for viral conjunctivitis. This virus can recur throughout your cat’s life, especially during times when she is highly stressed, on corticosteroids, or if she has feline immunodeficiency virus. In this article, we will help you find out what is conjunctivitis in cats and the causes.
In addition to conjunctivitis, herpesvirus FHV-1 can cause respiratory distress. Both symptoms can be severe in kittens. The discharge from the conjunctivitis can be profuse enough to gum their eyes closed, and respiratory changes can lead to life-threatening loss of appetite and dehydration.
Therefore, conjunctivitis in kittens may require more aggressive treatment and vigilant monitoring than it would in an adult cat. Consult your veterinarian right away if your kitten has signs of conjunctivitis. If your cat is an adult, an initial at-home treatment may be suitable.
It’s typical for conjunctivitis in cats to have an withinfectious cause. The most common source is the viral infection, herpesvirus FHV-1. Kittens raised outdoors and in shelters are in particularly high risk.
Chlamydophila (a bacterial infection) may be the second most common cause of conjunctivitis. Allergens and irritants, trauma to the eye, and disorders of the cornea, tear ducts or eyelid can also lead to conjunctivitis. Occasionally, there can be multiple explanations behind your cat’s conjunctivitis.
If the cause of your cat’s conjunctivitis is herpesvirus FHV-1, it can spread to other cats in your house (although not to humans), so treating it quickly is important.
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