felis can cross species, although this is not common, humans (particularly those with compromised immune systems) can catch it from infected cats. But bacteria can be the primary pathogen as well, although bacterial conjunctivitis is less frequent than viral. While many cats recover, others will become lifelong carriers.īacterial Conjunctivitis-Frequently, cats with viral conjunctivitis will experience a secondary bacterial infection.

It’s primarily shed in nose, eye, and mouth secretions, though it can be found in other body fluids. It is, however, highly contagious to other cats in close contact. It’s similar to the human herpesvirus-1, but this family of viruses is species-specific, so FHV-1 cannot infect humans. The virus hides in the nervous system and activates at times of stress or illness. Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is the most common cause of conjunctivitis, especially chronic or recurrent cases.Viral Conjunctivitis-Most cases of conjunctivitis in cats are viral. To determine a formal diagnosis, veterinarians must first break cases down into infectious or noninfectious. There are many possible causes of conjunctivitis.

In addition to seeing symptoms in your cat’s eyes, it’s also common to see signs of an upper respiratory infection. The eyes and the skin around them may be itchy or losing hair. There may be clear discharge, mucous, or bloody material coming from the eye. The conjunctival tissues can be inflamed and swollen, causing excessive blinking, squinting, and the inability to fully open and close the eye.

Signs of conjunctivitis in cats can range from mild redness around the eyes to much more severe disease: It is one of the most common eye diseases affecting cats. The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines a cat’s upper and lower eyelids, their third eyelid, and the globe of their eye (the eyeball).Ĭonjunctivitis in cats often occurs acutely (as a short-term condition) and is considered painful. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the eye’s conjunctiva.

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