Help - colleague wont take cat to vet, possible conjunctivitis?

Hi All

I went to a colleagues house last night and her cat has a sore eye. It is a bit gooey and red and he is keeping it closed alot (it was difficult to get a good look) He has no other symptoms and is still eating and doesn't appear to be in pain at all.

The problem is my colleague cant afford much at all right now and is basically not going to take him to the vet, he has had this for 2 weeks already

I have suggested she wash his eye with some warm water, and tried to see if I could get some eye drops but looks like you need a prescription for everything. Is there anything you can buy without a prescription??? Any other advice would be appreciated. I had bad dreams about it last night, Im worried about the poor thing but its a very awkward situation.

Help appreciated. xx

If it is caused by feline herpes you can supplement lysine. I don't remember the dosage so try google.It is an amino acid and is usually safe as long as you don't overdose.

If the eye is scratched it will get infected. you can try triple antibiotic ointment. Make sure not to get the one with added pain relief or other ingredients.

If it is allergy related you need a steroid antibiotic eye gel which needs a prescription.

Examine the eye with a flashlight. Sometimes they get hair in their eye which is irritating. Sometimes you can see scratches on the eye itself. Be sure to shine the flashlight at an angle so not to blind your cat. Sometimes a bright room helps as the flashlight may cause pain especially if there is sensitivity to light.

Saline eye wash is safe and can be found otc.

I believe lubricating eye drops may be safe. My cat was on them at one point before switching to steroids. Avoid any eye drops for allergies or redness removers. I believe my cat was on thera tears.

It really depends on what you think the problem is and what your friend is willing to do.

Gels or ointment are usually much easier to get in the eye. Eye drops are difficult as cats hate them!

collidial silver? I've not tried it, but have read a lot about it's benefits..this site that sells it talks about using it for eye infections in pets..
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com/2013/08/colloidal-silver-diy-treatment-for-dogs.html

You know what, and I'm just venting, but my first thought is that if you're colleague has a job (and probably a cell phone, cable, and eats out) you need to tell her she needs to suck it up and take the cat to the vet.   (If only that worked, but it never does!)

So anyway do you think helping her frame it in a different way would help?  As in:   it's a poor plan to take your chances with an infection when the animal might have to be put down if it gets more serious.   How cats don't show pain, etc.

You know mobile vet that I use charges the same as a brick and mortar vet visit believe it or not.  I always think that she's perfect for situations where there's an eye infection or something where the animal needs antibiotics.   You could, with the caveat that I realize this suggestion is really out there and beyond most people's means, but you could get her a mobile vet visit gift certificate for Christmas. 
 

I just can't see this woman being proactive enough to try all the alternative treatments, nochalant is the feeling I get from your post.  Let me know if I'm way of base here.

And BTW you're a wonderful person for worrying about this animal when you don't have to.  Please keep us posted.