I can’t get a picture of him right now because he is asleep but this photo is from December where he experienced these symptoms for the first time and is exactly how his eye looks right now other than the fact that this time it is the other eye. When I took him to the vet the first time they said it could possibly be “blunt trauma” that caused the injury and prescribed him a bottle of eyedrops which ultimately cleared his eye right up. Since then there have been a hand full of times where his eye seemed to be red and irritated and I would give him the eyedrops and he would be okay within a day. This time around his eyedrops do not seem to be working and he has been experiencing redness and cloudiness in his right eye. As of tonight 9/19/24, he is lethargic, squinting his eye, and seemingly sensitive to light. I’m extremely worried about him as he’s my first pet on my own as a 19 year old young adult.
I'm really sorry to hear about your cat's condition. The symptoms you're describing—redness, tearing, squinting, holding the eye closed, sensitivity to light, and lethargy—are indeed concerning, especially since the eye drops that previously worked are no longer effective.
Given the persistence and severity of these symptoms, it could be due to a more serious underlying issue such as a viral infection (like feline herpesvirus), a bacterial infection, or even a corneal ulcer. The lethargy and sensitivity to light are particularly worrisome and suggest that your cat is in significant discomfort.
Here are a few steps you can take at home while you arrange for a vet visit:
First, gently clean the affected eye with sterile saline solution. Use a clean, soft cloth or gauze to wipe away any discharge. If your cat is scratching at the eye, consider using an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) to prevent further damage. Additionally, keep an eye out for any other symptoms such as changes in appetite, behavior, or additional signs of illness.
However, given the duration and severity of the symptoms, and the fact that the condition has not improved with the previously effective treatment, I strongly recommend taking your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The vet may need to perform a thorough eye examination, possibly including an eye fluorescence staining test, to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you.
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