What is Eye Infection in Newborn?
Eye infection in newborn cats is also called ophthalmia neonatorum. An eye infection in a newborn cat is an infection of the thin layer that lines the eye called the conjunctiva, or even of the cornea, which is the thin membrane that makes up the surface of the eye.
Red, irritated eyes with cloudy, yellow or green discharge could be signs of an eye infection in newborn kittens. You may see the upper and lower eyelids become stuck together and even swell outward. Both of the cat's eyes may be infected.
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Symptoms of Eye Infection in Newborn in Cats
Luckily there are a few easily seen signs that will let you know that your newborn kitten is suffering from an eye infection, so you can do everything necessary to make your kitten healthy again.
- The kitten’s eyelids are stuck to the eye itself
- A pus-like discharge is seeping from the eye
- Dry hard discharge that can stick both eyelids together
- Both eyelids bulge outward
Types
Eye infections in newborn cats are commonly caused by bacteria or a virus present in their environment or passed between cats, such as:
- Feline herpesvirus (FHV)
- Staphylococcus bacteria
- Streptococcus bacteria
Causes of Eye Infection in Newborn in Cats
Eye infections in newborn kittens are commonly seen in cats rescued from, or kept in, dirty or crowded environments, though it is not unheard of in cats that are properly housed and cared for. Two common causes of eye infections in newborn kittens include:
- An unclean resting area
- A vaginal infection in the mother cat
Diagnosis of Eye Infection in Newborn in Cats
If visual observation of the newborn kitten shows the usual signs of an eye infection, redness, swelling, discharge, and an inability to open the eye fully, you should arrange to have the animal seen by a veterinarian right away. There is a chance that the kitten will suffer permanent eye damage if the infection is not treated properly.
The veterinarian will start with a complete physical exam of the newborn kitten, and you will be asked to provide a full medical history of the pregnancy and birth. You will also be asked to provide a medical history of the mother of the kitten.
In order to rule out other causes for the eye infection, the veterinarian could order a blood test that includes a complete blood count and a chemical blood profile. The veterinarian might also take a urine sample for analysis. Your veterinarian, to rule out actual damage to the eye, may stain the kitten's eye with a chemical dye called fluorescein. This chemical will make any scratches or foreign substances easily visible upon examination with a blue light.
Treatment of Eye Infection in Newborn in Cats
Your veterinarian will usually begin treatment by carefully separating the newborn cat’s eyelids. Once the eye is opened the veterinarian will wash out pus and mucus. The veterinarian may take a sample of this material for further testing.
A topical antibiotic ointment will likely be prescribed by the veterinarian, to be put directly in the infected eye for one to two weeks.
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Recovery of Eye Infection in Newborn in Cats
Use warm, wet towels to keep the eyelids from sticking together. Apply antibiotic ointment regularly as prescribed by your veterinarian, for the length of time he instructs you.
Eye infections can be highly contagious. Keep the area where the mother and litter sleep clean and ask your veterinarian if the kitten should be kept away from the mother, or the rest of the litter. The infection will typically resolve within one to two weeks with proper care.
Watch for signs of a more serious illness developing in the kitten. Signs of a more serious infection can include; diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, and lack of appetite. If you see any of these signs, see your veterinarian immediately.
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Eye Infection in Newborn Average Cost
From 341 quotes ranging from $200 - $300
Average Cost
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Eye Infection in Newborn Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
dsh
Tiramisu
2 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Discharge From Both Eyes
We rescued a kitten about two weeks ago and chose to foster. He was 8 weeks old with severe eye infection. Vet at ACC prescribed Erythromycin for ten days. It’s been ten days now and kitten’s eyes, though better, are still very infected. We have an appointment with ACC vet on Wednesday, 4 days away. Over the phone we were advised by a vet tech to keep applying the ointment until our appointment. My question is should I wait for our appointment or take the kitten to alternative vet. I’m afraid of long term damage to his eyes. I don’t know if the kitten was tested for the cause of his eye infection.
Aug. 12, 2018
1 Recommendations
You should continue to give the ointment as prescribed until you visit the Veterinarian; however if you feel that there is no improvement you could visit another Veterinarian for another opinion to put your mind at rest. Erythromycin is a common topical treatment for eye infections in cats. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 12, 2018
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Calico
Arthree
1 Day
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cut
We had an issue with our cat's first litter. She birthed the first under the couch around 2 am and the second breached so she came to us for help. We found the first hours later and it had sustained a cut on the leg with cut off circulation because of string it got wrapped around it. The vet told us over the phone to keep it clean and it's not a good idea to stress them out by bringing them in. What would signs of infection be in a newborn kitten?
July 29, 2018
0 Recommendations
Infections in kittens are more likely due to an underdeveloped immune system but generally look out of signs of localised heat, fever, discharge from wounds, swelling, colour changes among anything else not usual. Monitor for now but visit your Veterinarian regardless if any symptoms present. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 29, 2018
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American
There's 5
1 Month
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Crying
Pus
Closed Eyes
My cat had 5 kittens they are about a month old she had them outside instead of inside. I can now see most or all of them have eye infection. I've been cleaning it out for the past week with just water and a warm cloth. What is a good antibiotic or medicine I can use for them? They are about a month old and theother won't let me take them inside.
July 15, 2018
5 Recommendations
A warm damp cloth is a good to remove any discharge/gunk fomo the eyes, flushing the eyes out without sterile saline may also help and applying Vetericyn eye ointment would be suitable for kittens that age (I wouldn’t want to recommend anything else without examining them first). If there is no improvement with the Vetericyn (use as directed) visit a Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 16, 2018
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Feline
Catti
10 Days
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Eye
I have a cat who just had a litter of kittens and one of the kittens left eye is all swollen to the size of a bead. What could cause that? We also have a former momma who keeps trying to take care of the kittens as her own when the no one is around, could that have anything to do with an infection spread?
June 14, 2018
1 Recommendations
If the eye is swollen, you should try to get the eye open if not open already and flush it would with sterile saline, you should monitor the eye for further discharge but before giving any topical medications you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination first since they are so young. It is not uncommon for female cats to have a maternal instinct towards kittens and may try to nurse them and keep them warm; if this is becoming a problem you should separate that cat from the kittens. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 14, 2018
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Eye Infection in Newborn Average Cost
From 341 quotes ranging from $200 - $300
Average Cost
$250
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