Treatment of red, irritated eyes

[MST]

Last week, I noticed my cat developed an eye infection in both eyes. It came on pretty quick; one night I noticed a little too much gunk, and the next day his eyes were really gunked up and red. I also noticed the litterbox had a little diarrhea in it, but cannot be sure it’s his because I have 2 other cats. Other than his eyes and possibly the diarrhea, he had no other symptoms.

My Vet saw him that day, checked him over and then looked to make sure his eyes weren't scratched – they weren’t. He prescribed Neomycin ointment for his eyes, which we've been using as prescribed for the last few days. The redness and gunk is gone, but he appears glassy eyed, and somewhat sensitive to light. He also seems to be a little bit listless (or less playful). It’s possible the glassy-eyed look is a result of the residue from the medicine on the fur around his eyes, but combined with the light sensitivity and lack of energy I’m becoming a little bit concerned. The 3x/day, 5 day prescription ends today.

Do the symptoms, his course of treatment and his response to it sound OK to you? I’ve read on another post that eye infections can be caused by the Herpes virus, but the literature that came with the medicine states that it is contraindicated for some form of the virus. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Other pertinent facts: He’s a 1 ½ year old Maine Coon; one of the other cats in the household is a kitten which we’ve had for 5 weeks; the other cat is a 5yo male. To date, everyone’s been healthy and happy.

Thanks.

[davet]

he could also have s systemic infection that cause the eyes to flair up or the eyes to cause the syemtem to slow down,if no change in two more days, i would zip back to the vet for reevaluation. but as it stands right now this is not unusual depending on the cause of the infection. i would doubt herpes at this point because you would have other more sever symptons.,..but a recheck in two days is imperative if no change..and keep up the neosporin per your instructions

[Mona]

I agree, my five year old girl had an eye infection and along with it she was prescribed oral antibiotics. The vet listened to her lungs and ascertained she had a cold.

You may want to call your vet back or have your kitty rechecked and see if oral antibiotics could clear him up quicker.

Mona, Honeybun and Little Chloe