how to treat a cat with conjunctivitis infection without veterinarian antibiotics?

Hello I am looking to find a way to treat my 16 yr old cat naturally for her conjunctivitis infection in one eye so far. Should I still treat both eyes? And what can I do naturally to keep it from spreading?
Thank you.
Roseann Sorrentino

Conjunctivitis usually needs antibiotics to clear up the infection completely and prevent recurrence. They are often given as gel or drops to be used locally in the eye. May I ask why you do not want to take your cat to a vet? Only a professional can be really sure where the seat of the infection lies and what is the best treatment.

I do not work nor do I have any money to give up front to any veterinarian. I am also unable to ask for financial help at the moment through family and friends, when they themselves are having things going on.

May I ask where you live?  Some cities offer low cost programs. Also, you should check with your local humane society which may offer low cost care, or a grant to cover costs.  Look at this link as well http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html

Also this article at thecatsite has many good links for low cost or free care. http://www.thecatsite.com/a/when-you-cant-afford-a-veterinarian

Your cat needs a vet and treatment.

Stephen

I live in Dutchess County about 70 miles north of NYC I am only able to go to local Dutchess County regional clinics and I am unsure if there are any NO KILL programs here. So far that I know, I dont think so. My cat is not in that state either to even think about euthanization. She still acts like her kitten self but of course at age 84 in cat years she doesn't move like her kitten self. They have this cat credit thing (care credit for animals and humans for health insurance costs only as a credit card) and I am unable to apply. There seems to not be many donation funded facilities around. I think I am able to find someone for her eye but now I am unable to find someone for the mouth still. I know that costs between ($650-$1150) and I am unsure if she will probably need all teeth taken out. So her eye is in pair with her mouth so if I bring her anywhere she will need both done. I have seen worse conjunctivitis issues where the eye is saved and her's just happened on Sunday. Her eye is still looking better from that day. But I am still calling around for the past 2 days.

You have to be careful before treating an eye infection with medication, you want to make sure there aren't any ulcers in the eye that medication could potentially make worse. With that being said, you can try using a warm, damp compress on her eye a couple of times a day. It will help to draw out the "goop" and soothe the eye, but may not help much with the actual infection depending on the severity.

If you're absolutely stuck on getting medication without an exam, many tack and farm stores sell the same medications for large animals as are used for small ones but you would be doing everything at your own risk and could definitely harm your cat more than help.

If you have previously had a relationship with a veterinarian for this specific cat, you can always call them and ask if they will dispense medication for your cat's eye or authorize one from an online pharmacy - some will, some won't. I believe you need to have a preexisiting relationship before they will do this (you have to here).

Thank you. I just made an appointment for her vet which I am able to bring her and afford the visit and possible medicine. They will have to book the other procedures on other days. I have just seen Colloidal Silver (also given to babies, children and humans and even most animals) on an animal health website. I have been using the luke warm compresses of water and clean cloth for her eye. I am planning to use an ingesting light formula to kill any harmful bacteria inside her body that may be spreading if there is any spreading in her body and to prevent it. Colloidal silver was a big encouragement that I found, and will check into it after the appointment.

Thank you all for your help.

How long has the eye looked this way?  Are you sure it's an infection and she didn't just get some kind of gunk in her eye?  You could try gently rinsing the eye with an eye rinse and see if it clears up in a few hours.  However, if it's conjunctivitis it needs antibiotics to heal.  Do you have a Care Credit card? Mine has really helped me afford vet care recently.  You could look into applying as I know they give you an immediate decision.

we had just gone to the vet, the day of the last post I sent. I am following up. Her eye apparently to the doctor is fine. It is her mouth. We have an estimate and I do not accept or am I eligible for credit cards. The doctor has prescribed me and we have been using the antibiotic for her mouth and eye that the doctor has sent for me to give to her home. Her eye was only closed for the Sunday. Rest of the days have been open with just cleaning the goupe that the vet told me to keep doing. The vet is always talking about payment and estimates and what she wants to do, I plan on using another vet who would benefit me and my cat now which this vet has practically failed to do. I truly want to see what is going on with the eye just so if I have to get it removed I can. Alley Cats helped out with many foundations to give me. And I may have a local help which I will have to of course wait until I receive money again, since I have used almost all of my grocery money from the week for this.
      So far she enjoys being home and not being cared for, she never liked getting pampered or any medicine, or fixings from the litter box. But of course I have still done it no matter what. She usually even used to scream bloody murder at a young age when she used to get groomed or a bath. *lol* she is a nutty cat but not so bad anymore  :-) The vet even wanted her to lose 3.5 lbs which I thought was absurd. She was 13.5 being a mainecoon mix. Her mother, full blown mainecoon, but her father, a feral short hair short average cat. She has fur like both parents and her dad's face and shortness. her hips, shoulders and tail with some certain lengths of her fur is like her mother. She was the shortest of the liter when I got her 5 weeks old in 2nd week of June 1998. Anyways, obviously this is more of an eye thing now. I also have another thread somewhere if I can find it.

   Thank you again.

omgosh. so yeah just got off the phone with vet again today, luckily I dont have to bring her to get ANOTHER antibiotic for her to take at home. But I dont know why she didn't give me the antibiotic in the first place when I was there. Her eye hasn't gotten worse but it is still better than it was on Sunday. It is continually the same as the rest of the week has been. So I'm happy to pick up her antibiotic eye drops as well today for her right eye. AND unfortunately My veterinarian (which I am planning to change for my cat's procedures) does not except Kitty Magic for anesthesia. Sooo yeah. I have heard that Kitty Magic works well for a NO KILL rescue foundation for blind cats. And if that is the case with my cat I would like them to do what they have to do in order for her to live with or without an eye and if they need to do any other procedures. My vet apparently doesn't do procedures like that she says. WHATEVER! And yet she has not even really tried helping with other recommendations.. Too many stories I hear from this vet that she has put down animals that she does not do or discuss any other recommendations, but her own.

Hi,I've had many rescues that have had pussing,bleeding eyes that did very very well and healed with triple antibiotic ointment applied 3xs daily .While this costs a couple of dollars at walgreens walmart etc.It is the same thing as ointment given to me by the vet(costing $30 for a fraction of size) except it isn't 'cleared' by FDA for optical use.I tried it on myself before applying to the cat and there was no problems .I've save many cats,kittens eyesight with this med.Before the VETS start having fits ,know that one gave me this tidbit.Make sure there is no rupture or ulcers and follow with application to each eye.Be sure not to cross contaminate between the eyes infections and continue for a week after clearing up to be sure no pathogens remain to start back infecting even worse.Good luck in all your endeavors

thank you Loopycann. I did purchase the eye drops for $32 at my vet this past friday. her eye just looks like a scab is the scabbing normal? She hates me touching the eye. My current veterinarian thinks it either is an absess or a tumor in the back of the eye.. Which is odd cause last year I wanted that same vet to look at that eye and she told me there was nothing wrong, when she barely looked at it at the time. Apparently in my area people say this vet is the best, which I find her not the best. She doesn't give the best recommendations while she really only recommends herself and may recommend one person who is of course still no help and I have found the help on my own. Only thing is now is the financing part. Already tried Carecredit I do not have an income. We are also paying into our replacement necessary utilities for our home and many people I know are having financial struggle as well. Hopefully two other financial aid organizations are still able to help for her emergency. Which is interesting if the oncologist plans to do more but is 50-50% I think I am just going to take care of my cat at home. She has no problem with it. She likes being herself as usual, the same ol cat as she has been since she was a baby. So there's nothing wrong with her personality, behavoir, eating habits too much, and she's a regular bathroom kitty. Her eye she pretty much hates but of course I'm doing what I can to bring her to professional care and of course see what they say. No Kill when pets are still absolutely coherent and still the same animal.

the eye is well less pussy.. its clearing up with barely any scabbing around the eye BUT the eye is now cloudy. My current vet does not do any other procedures although she specializes and is the only particular feline veterinarian in the area. All others work with feline, dogs, and other animals. I'm still using the antibiotics prescribed by the vet and have a later appointment booked. This vet after seeing wasnt sure if my cat had a tumor (since she doesn't specialize in that) or an absess. So we went with absess for now. I wouldn't have to think that I would need an oncologist to have my cat's eye removed if needed... but I am planning to ask this new facility as many questions before I see them in person so it better helps my visit there. The facilities only allow you to see them if you have payment. They usually do not bill you or you have to try care credit. I do not have an income so that doesn't work.