Itching eye till red - should I give benadryl?

ninababy · Apr 16, 2010

My cat has been rubbing her eyes and now the area above her eye is red. The reddness was first on one eye and now she's been itching/rubbing both eyes and they are red. I think she may have allergies. One of my friends in the medical field, although not a vet, said she may have allergies and i should give her a the appropriate dose benedryl. I will not be able to see the until after the weekend. In the meantime do you guys think it's allergies and should I go ahead and give her a human benedryl? If so, what's the appropriate dose for an indoor 7lb 3 year old female cat?

I have attached a picture of her eyes. From my inspection the reddness is outside her eyes, NOT inside it.. and I have seen her rubbing her eyes a lot. Thanks!

addiebee · Apr 16, 2010

I am having similar issues with my Siamese mix who is mostly white - his eyelids are inflamed and a bit swollen - and I am seeing his 3rd eyelids quite a bit.

otto · Apr 16, 2010

I would not recommend dosing your cat with human medicine, or any medicine for that matter, without it being prescribed by the cat's vet.

Yes, benedryl has been safely used in cats. However I would not do it until she's been seen by a vet, or unless you speak to a vet about the correct dose.

My advice is to call your vet's phone number and find out who is on call for the weekend, or if they refer to an ER service. Then call the on call vet, or the ER service and ask about using the benedryl.

the_food_lady · Apr 16, 2010

I totally agree w/ Otto. I would most definitely find a Vet this weekend, tomorrow. I definitely not let this go until after the weekend. Could be allergies, could be major conjunctivitis. A few weeks ago one of my cats, Hobee, his one eye looked just like this.....and he was pawing at it a lot. I took him to the Vet and he was found to have conjunctivitis. The Vet first examined the surface of his eyeball to rule out scratch or ulcer...and prescribed an appropriate antibiotic w/ steroid eye drop for him, which made a huge difference within 12 hrs. As Otto said, call your Vet clinic and see what kind of instructions they give on their answering machine with respect to after hour/emergencies, who to contact in these cases. If no luck there, get out your phone book and look under Veterinarians and call around first thing tomorrow until you find one who will see your cat, even if it's an Emergency Vet clinic. Eye issues should never be left in cats, they can turn bad quickly and are painful to the cat. Possible too your kitty got something in his eyes that's causing this inflammation. Let us know how it turns out. PS - I could be wrong but i would think that with allergies, just like in humans, cat would have other symptoms such as sneezing, runny eyes, etc. Plus with your kitty, this first started in one eye than the other. If it was allergies, I would think both eyes would have been impacted (and itchy) at the same time, not one first. That's what makes me think it's some type of bacterial conjunctivitis (spread from one eye to the other) or kitty came into contact with something (maybe on the paws, then was grooming self and got it in the eyes).

sharky · Apr 16, 2010

Another suggestion for a vet check

strange_wings · Apr 16, 2010

Benadryl is benadryl - human or with a vet label stuck on it. That said, I don't believe the drug should even be OTC or as easy as it is to get. IMO don't mess around with anticholinergic drugs. You can seriously mess up the ANS and CNS and cause death, even in people.

Is it possible that your cat could have gotten into something? What do you use around the house? (scented stuff, detergents, scented carpet powder) What type of litter do you use?

blueyedgirl5946 · Apr 17, 2010

I would never give my cat any medicine unless the vet told me what to give.

mrblanche · Apr 17, 2010

One big problem with benadryl is that, to a cat, it is extremely bitter. I have never found a good way to give it to Ella, who seems to have an allergy to something (her nose is scratched up again, now that it's Spring).

Even the smallest grain of benadryl is enough to make a cat stop eating whatever it's in, and drool all over the place.

the_food_lady · Apr 17, 2010

Originally Posted by mrblanche

One big problem with benadryl is that, to a cat, it is extremely bitter. I have never found a good way to give it to Ella, who seems to have an allergy to something (her nose is scratched up again, now that it's Spring).

Even the smallest grain of benadryl is enough to make a cat stop eating whatever it's in, and drool all over the place.

Here's a very easy and cheap solution for getting bitter-tasting meds into cats: gelatin capsules (gel-caps). You can order them online and lots of health food stores sell them. Veggie-caps are the same thing (made from veggies as opposed to gelatin). You just open up the gel-cap (it's just like a regular capsule), pop the pill or pill portion into it, put the gel-cap back together. They come in various sizes, very cheap. I always keep some on hand. I've used them myself for some meds that leave a yucky taste in the mouth.

You just have to ensure you lube up the gel-cap a little when pilling the cat, to ensure it goes down the throat (and doesn't get stuck in throat because once gel-caps get moist/wet, they get sort of sticky). I usually just use a little olive oil or butter on one end. Then always slowly squirt 3 cc of water down cat's throat, to ensure it went down.

I've usually ordered them from iherb.com, they're dirt cheap for the amount you get. I think it's size #1 that I use most?

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-1-Gel...sules/887?at=0

mrblanche · Apr 17, 2010

Those are very good suggestions!

snickerdoodle · Apr 17, 2010

Just wanted to add that yes, I agree a vet check is definitely in order. Boo had conjuctivitis in one eye and has flare ups now and again, especially during spring. Vet did an eye exam to check for scratches and then prescribed an ointment that helped. His never got red on the outside like yours, though, so definitely a vet check.
Also, I would not recommend giving the cat ANY medication without a vet telling you to. My mother takes 1 pill @ 25 MG and it knocks her out, and those things (I can only imagine) would be terribly difficult to cut up properly to get a decent dose for a cat. I would absolutely not do that.
Update us when you find out from the vet what is up though please!

Vibes to your baby

ninababy · Apr 17, 2010

Thank you guys for all your help! I definitely agree that a vet check is in order if this reddness/irriatation above Snow's eye doesn't go away.

I finally got ahold of a vet on the phone who told me that their office is not open on weekends, except for serious emergenices, which he did not think was the case for Snow. He recommended that I do give her Benedryl and monitor to see if this improves her condition. Snow is an indoor cat for the most part (sometimes I let her go outside in my fenched in yard under supervison) and there has been no changes in the way I feed her, household cleaning etc.... so I guess he thought it was allergies most likely because of the change in weather/pollen etc...?

He recommended I get Children's Benedryl 12.5mg/5ml and since she's about 7lbs give her a small dose... b/t 1ml-2ml? Does that sound right to you guys? I decided since she's never had it before to be on the safer side and give her less than 1.5 ml. I gave it to her this morning and although you guys warned me it was bitter I had no idea it she was have such a horrible reaction to it. I squirted the medicine in the back of her mouth almost immediately she started trying to spit it up and foaming at the mouth. She started restlessly pacing for several minutes and kept licking like she was trying to get the medicine off her tongue. Is this a reaction you guys have seen with your cats?

After a while she calmed down and all was well. I gave her some wet food that she loves and I think that helped b/c it took the bitter taste out of her mouth. I guess the medicine was the right amount for her b/c it didn't make her drowsy and she's acted just like normal all day. It was only right after the medicine that she started foaming etc.. I just hope the medicine wasn't all spit back up. The vet said to just keep doing this and see if there are any changes.. I haven't noticed her rubbing her eyes today so that's good.

I have to give her the medicine again soon, any ideas how to give it to her w/o causing her to spit it back up etc... I did not have any pills/gel versions of this so the liquid is what I've got... Thanks for the help/support!

AbbysMom · Apr 17, 2010

My cat is around 8.5 pounds and that is double the dose that was recommended by my vet.

I was told half of that every 12 hours.

The other option that I was given by my vet was Chlorphenerimine (different dosage). Abby will not take Benadryl because of the taste, but happily takes the Chlorphenerimine in a pill pocket.

snickerdoodle · Apr 17, 2010

I don't know if Children's Benadryl comes in a liquid, and I am not advising using it unless your vet told you it's ok, but I easily got a free open end syringe (like for a baby) for liquids at my family pharmacy and I believe CC and ML are the same thing, so 1.5 CC's would be 1.5 ML. They usually sell those in pharmacies for a couple of bucks. They are a life saver here (The open end syringes for liquids)
Boo reacted that way when I tried crushing 1/4 of a pepcid and mixing it with water and squirting it into his mouth. I can only imagine it was pretty nasty and he drooled badly for about 10 minutes and then I squirted some clean water into his mouth to wash it out and it stopped. I hate it when he drools, it makes me very uncomfortable. Good luck with Snow, beaaaaaaaautiful kitty!

nutrolori · Apr 17, 2010

Originally Posted by NinaBaby

Thank you guys for all your help! I definitely agree that a vet check is in order if this reddness/irriatation above Snow's eye doesn't go away.

I finally got ahold of a vet on the phone who told me that their office is not open on weekends, except for serious emergenices, which he did not think was the case for Snow. He recommended that I do give her Benedryl and monitor to see if this improves her condition. Snow is an indoor cat for the most part (sometimes I let her go outside in my fenched in yard under supervison) and there has been no changes in the way I feed her, household cleaning etc.... so I guess he thought it was allergies most likely because of the change in weather/pollen etc...?

He recommended I get Children's Benedryl 12.5mg/5ml and since she's about 7lbs give her a small dose... b/t 1ml-2ml? Does that sound right to you guys? I decided since she's never had it before to be on the safer side and give her less than 1.5 ml. I gave it to her this morning and although you guys warned me it was bitter I had no idea it she was have such a horrible reaction to it. I squirted the medicine in the back of her mouth almost immediately she started trying to spit it up and foaming at the mouth. She started restlessly pacing for several minutes and kept licking like she was trying to get the medicine off her tongue. Is this a reaction you guys have seen with your cats?

After a while she calmed down and all was well. I gave her some wet food that she loves and I think that helped b/c it took the bitter taste out of her mouth. I guess the medicine was the right amount for her b/c it didn't make her drowsy and she's acted just like normal all day. It was only right after the medicine that she started foaming etc.. I just hope the medicine wasn't all spit back up. The vet said to just keep doing this and see if there are any changes.. I haven't noticed her rubbing her eyes today so that's good.

I have to give her the medicine again soon, any ideas how to give it to her w/o causing her to spit it back up etc... I did not have any pills/gel versions of this so the liquid is what I've got... Thanks for the help/support!

Did your vet give the actual dose to give, like how many mg she can have? You could get the 25mg tablets in the adult benadryl and cut it with a pill cutter into small 1/8th or 1/4th sizes, but only if your vet said it was ok. That might be easier to give, either by just popping it in the back of her mouth or hiding it. You could try the Pill Pockets made by Greenies for cats. You hide the pill in it and they eat it like a treat. I have heard a shelter near where I live has really good luck with them for the cats they have there. Of course, every cat is different. Otherwise, if you can only use liquid I would get a syringe used for children's liquid meds and hold your cat in your lap. There is a link below that has a video that may help demonstrate better then me trying to explain it.

Good luck! I think allergies are horrible this season for everyone.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4945233_gi...edication.html

the_food_lady · Apr 17, 2010

I'd never give a cat liquid Benadryl, for the very reason you explained - cat can't stand the taste. Pretty strong stuff for a cat.

They sell Benadryl in children's chewable tablets. They're 12.5mg per tab.

Your Vet told you to give 1 to 2 mls (yes, ML is the same as CC) of the liquid which is a concentration of 12.5mg per 5ml (that means each 1 ml = 2.5mg). If you're to give 1-2mls, that would mean giving 2.5mg (1ml) or 5mg (2ml).

So what I would do is, go out and buy some children's Benadryl chewables (12.5mg per tablet). To make it easy, I'd give 1/4 of a 12.5mg tab (which would be just a little over 3mg.

I did this once for my one kitty who has allergies (she wouldn't stop itching).

also, it's unlikely kitty really "got" any of the liquid you gave, so if you're giving the chewable tab.....that would mean it's the first time kitty is getting it. I'd maybe keep a close eye on her after giving it (usually takes about 30 to absorb), to make sure she doesn't have any strange reactions. Not sure if it causes drowsiness in cats like it does in humans...so if you notice kitty seeming a little lethargic, that could be why.

cosmo02 · May 10, 2014

Hi! I just saw your post while looking for information about my cat's itchy eye. It looks the exact same as your cat. His eye looks perfectly normal (no redness, tears, mucess) but he is always scratching//rubbing his eye and now his eye lid is red like that. I was wondering if you still took your cat in and if you remember what they said and what the treatment was. I just had to put down my other cat on Wednesday and bury him today so I am a little nervous about what could be going on. He is 10 years old and I would say about 13 lbs. Thanks

woodruffem · Sep 5, 2014

My cat has the same problem. Only on the outside. She has red rings in her fur around her eyes. She is not rubbing at them. Just looks different. I was wondering how your kitty was doing? Thanks!

achievedvictory · Feb 6, 2016

To everyone with itchy eye cats - I feel your pain. If it's accompanied by tiny hard bumps, and random other bumps, it could be gnats. Those tiny flies that like fruit. I squished one and it had blood in it. Got rid of the gnats, finished a very long, expensive, depressing and frustrating battle in victory. NO MORE ITCHING until it bleeds. She looks great.

2016-02-06_05-13-07.jpg

achievedvictory
Feb 6, 2016

2016-02-06_05-12-34.jpg

achievedvictory
Feb 6, 2016

This happened because she rubbed blood all over her head, I put the cap on not realizing I should have washed her head first (couldn't really see it except it was slightly shiny when fresh). It dried into a horrible crust that took hours a day, day after day for over a week to delicately remove.

2016-02-06_05-27-40.jpg

achievedvictory
Feb 6, 2016

She also had a major issue with a scab on her ear she wouldn't leave alone.

So, get rid of the gnats! Hunt them. Make DIY traps with water and dried fig. It's basically a bottle with a paper funnel tapped in the mouth of the bottle.

Trust me, I did the food thing (she loves raw goat now), many tests, feeder game, operations, internal echo, revolution, deworming, cortisone shots, cortisone lotion, aloe, coconut oil, salves, natural medicinal plant topical treatment, the kitty has seen it all.

IMG_20160202_114728757.jpg

achievedvictory
Feb 6, 2016

>>>> Yesterday!!!
I seriously considered having to euthanize her at one point because it seemed so hopeless. It kept happening and took so long to heal, plus she would get the cap off and destroy herself. So disheartening. Don't give up!!!!!!!

Itching eye till red - should I give benadryl?

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