Increased eye discharge and difficulty opening the eyes in cats can be caused by bacterial conjunctivitis, viral infections (such as herpesvirus), or foreign body irritation. If the discharge is yellowish-green and purulent, accompanied by conjunctival redness and swelling, it is mostly a bacterial infection. In this case, eye drops containing levofloxacin or tylosin should be used 3-4 times a day, and the discharge around the eyes should be cleaned.
If sneezing and runny nose are present, herpesvirus infection should be ruled out. In this case, antiviral eye drops (such as those containing acyclovir) and oral lysine supplements should be used, while maintaining a dry and clean environment. Foreign body irritation (such as hair or dust) requires rinsing the eyes with saline solution and checking for ingrown eyelashes or entropion. An Elizabethan collar should be worn during treatment to prevent scratching and worsening of the infection. If there is no improvement after 3-5 days of medication, or if corneal ulcers (such as sunken eyeballs) appear, immediate veterinary attention is necessary, which may require surgical repair. Regular cleaning around the cat's eyes is essential, avoiding the use of irritating cleaning products.
