Conjunctivitis Eye Ointment

skycatproject

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My cat just came home yesterday after being spayed plus a checkup and it turns out what the shelter had thought was allergies was conjunctivitis. They gave her a 2week antibiotics shot and some antibiotic eye ointment for me to apply on her. However, she was born a feral and keeps the attitude of one around anyone who upsets her or she doesn't know and will most definitely fight me over the ointment.
I'm just looking for any advice to make this easier on her without having to chase her around the room, trying to bundle her into a towel everyday for the next week while also ruining our relationship.
So if anyone knows any tips or tricks or any advice- that would be wonderful, please share.
 

stephenq

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If they gave you antibiotics in pill form, I'd swap it out for the liquid version and try putting it in her food.  The eye cream is a different story obviously, youtube has good videos on how to apply it.  Swaddling her in a towel will help.
 

stephanietx

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If they gave her the Convenia shot, watch her for side effects. Many members have had problems with this medication and their cats. 

Most eye meds don't come in pill form or liquid form, so you might need to wrap her up like a burrito to get it in her eye.  Give her some treats (or if she likes cheese, a couple of bites of cheese before & after medicating) when you bundle her up.
 
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skycatproject

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@StephenQ  Would oral antibiotics work for her eyes? I would totally go back in for them if they would in a second. Otherwise it seems I'll be armed with eye cream and a towel, at least, for sure.

@stephanietx  What would the side effects be? I don't know exactly what they gave her since it was done at the shelter but she has been (or at least seemed?) nauseous all day, smacking her mouth and refusing food and hiding under the nightstand. I'll definitely have to try the cheese for treats idea once she has her appetite back though

Thank you guys so much for your replies
 

stephenq

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@skycatproject

Absolutely not! Oral antibiotics (meant to be swallowed) would be a medical disaster and probably an emergency if placed in the eyes. DO NOT DO THIS.  OK, are we clear? :-)
 
@StephenQ  Would oral antibiotics work for her eyes? I would totally go back in for them if they would in a second. Otherwise it seems I'll be armed with eye cream and a towel, at least, for sure.

@stephanietx  What would the side effects be? I don't know exactly what they gave her since it was done at the shelter but she has been (or at least seemed?) nauseous all day, smacking her mouth and refusing food and hiding under the nightstand. I'll definitely have to try the cheese for treats idea once she has her appetite back though

Thank you guys so much for your replies
 
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skycatproject

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@skycatproject


Absolutely not! Oral antibiotics (meant to be swallowed) would be a medical disaster and probably an emergency if placed in the eyes. DO NOT DO THIS.  OK, are we clear? :-)
No no no no. Sorry, I phrased that badly- Would oral antibiotics given orally help with her eyes? Sorry about that- But I am trying to avoid putting stuff in her eyes, not find other things to put in there and you can rest assured that she won't be getting any oral antibiotics in her eyes.
 
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skycatproject

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@stephanietx Okay, I'll make sure to read up on that, thank you. And no paperwork on either of the two shots she was given- She had just been returned to the shelter from the vet's and was still passed out when I got there to pick her up when they gave her the shots.
 

stephenq

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Ah lol ok phew! So not really. The oral meds won't help the eyes directly but the eyes could benefit from a shorter duration cold thanks to the oral Meds. But without the eyeless the eyes can get worse, scar tissue can form....
 

stephanietx

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She's already on an antibiotic, so I'm not sure if you need to ask for another antibiotic.
 

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Most eye infections need local antibiotic in gel or liquid form to clear up. some cats are easier to medicate with drops than with ointment, you may need to try both.
 

42cattier

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We had a similar problem with newly adopted cat, and were prescribed with eye drops. First tetracycline (mycoplasms are usually first suspect), it made things much worse, we had to stop it. Then another kind of drops, different spectrum, didn't help too. When I had to corner veterinarian, she added anti-viral drops to the second drops and this did the trick almost immediately. Even if eye infections test come negative for 3 major causes of conjunctivitis, I believe for micoplasma, chlamidia and viral herpes. It was a fight with cat every time, even with towel, and it did affect relationships, but there was no other choice.

Later I noticed that in vet clinic they do not whap the cat, but come to him from the back, turn his head and administer what they have to do. But cats are more tolerants/scared in unfamiliar surroundings.
 

jennyr

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Later I noticed that in vet clinic they do not whap the cat, but come to him from the back, turn his head and administer what they have to do. But cats are more tolerants/scared in unfamiliar surroundings.

Just as with pilling, there is a knack to giving eye medicines. I put the cat on a table and then tuck it under under my arm, so it can't back away. Then |I approach the eye with the other hand, from the back and as low as possible, so the cat can't see the dropper/tube. At the same time I open the eye with two fingers of the hand that is holding the cat and very quickly put the medicine in. |It sounds complicated but it is actually quite easy. My vet showed me how to do it this way and it works (almost!) every time if you are fast enough.
 
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