Cat with really bad eyelid infection, anything I can do?

Obviously I will have to take him to a vet. But I'm wondering if there is anything I can do possibly reduce the swelling, it has pretty much swelled up over his whole eye. What are the chances he'll even make it through this? Because right now, it's bad.

Any insight? Remedies? Anything like that in the meantime?

Sorry to hear about your cat. several of mine had a 3rd eyelid infection. It only caused the white inner lid to stay partially closed and lots of discharge and eye buggers. The rest of the eye was normal. The vet prescribed an eye drop that help clear the infection in about 6 days.

Your case sounds different. Vet is probably the only option at this point.

How do you know it's an infection?  Could it be from a bug bite?  That could definitely cause his eyelid to swell shut.  Is there more happening than just the eyelid being swollen? 

Maybe something in this article will be helpful in at least trying to determine what it is that is wrong:  http://pets.webmd.com/cats/eyelid-problems-squinting-cats

From what I understood today, the infection or swelling of the eyelid is somehow caused by a laceration found on the eye. They said that the cut wasn't serious enough to need surgery. I can't recall what they said had begun to form on the eye, but they said that they did not think his vision would be effected too seriously by this. He was given an antibiotic and I was a given an ointment to apply to his eye every 6 hours.

Problem is, I'm not too sure how to apply it. In his current state, his third eyelid is basically swollen over top of his eye. They had to use a small utensil to pull it down and show me the eye. So I'm not sure, does it work all the same if I apply it to the eyelid, or does it need to actually get on his eye to work?

Anyone been down this path before? It's coming up on time for his first dose.

OK, now that you have been to the Vet you (and your cat), must be feeling better knowing what it is

As far as the ointment goes, if the scratch is directly on the eyeball, I would think it needs to be applied directly to the eyeball.  This is a question you need to ask the Vet, and possibly have a Vet Tech show you how to apply.  I'm kind of surprised they didn't show you when you were there.  Since you were just in the office very recently, you might be able to take him back in today for a Vet Tech appointment and have them show you how to put in the ointment for no charge.

Here are a couple of links about applying ointment to cats' eyes.  I have had to do this with Mouse a couple of times and it's safe to say he hates it and struggles unlike with any other medications I have to give him.  Beware flying ointment if your cat manages to shake their head before the ointment is rubbed gently so it sticks a little to their eyelids. Also that you move the tube away quickly so they don't catch themself on the tube - you do not want the tube to touch the infected area as you want to keep it clear from the infected area.

Article:    http://www.vetinfo.com/apply-cat-eye-ointment.html#b

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