symptoms of conjunctivitis in Ragdoll cats

The main symptoms of conjunctivitis in Ragdoll cats are red, swollen, and congested conjunctiva, tear overflow, reluctance to open the eyes, and increased eye secretions. The eye secretions can range from white mucus to yellow-green mucus. Some cats may exhibit behaviors of scratching their eyes, further causing eye discomfort, sneezing, and nasal discharge, which may occur simultaneously with eye lesions. Severe infections can lead to permanent scars on the cornea and conjunctiva, and sometimes affect the tear drainage pathway, eventually resulting in long-term tear overflow.

Causes of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis in cats may be bacterial, caused by dust or hair entering the eyes, which usually causes redness of the conjunctiva. Cats with severe cases may scratch their eyes with their claws. It can also be caused by viral infections, such as herpesvirus and coronavirus.

Recovery Time for Conjunctivitis

The recovery time depends on the cat's physical condition and the cause of the disease. If the conjunctivitis is caused by a simple bacterial infection, it can recover within about 7 days after treatment. However, if the conjunctivitis is caused by a secondary viral infection, the course of the disease will be slightly longer, and the cat can completely recover after removing the cause, ranging from one week to one month.

Treatment of Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments. For viral infections, more expensive antiviral drugs are needed. Secondary bacterial infections can be treated with tetracycline and chloramphenicol drugs, and anti-inflammatory drugs can both relieve inflammation and promote wound healing. Severe infections require injection or oral administration of antibiotics.