How to wash a kitten’s eyes: algorithm of actions at home, medications

Cat owners often encounter the problem of souring or severe watery eyes in their pets. In such cases, it is important to provide them with prompt assistance so that the disorder does not cause loss of vision or the appearance of a severe inflammatory process in the cornea. Small cats require special care for such problems. It is important to know how to wash your kitten's eyes. Not all medications are suitable for them, like children, due to the presence of potent chemical components in their composition.

It is important to know how to wash a kitten's eyes

Peculiarities

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian - a person with medical education and experience will be able to correctly determine the cause of the animal’s illness. After all, even the presence of a foreign object in the eye can sometimes be detected only with the help of special equipment.

You should not wash your cat's eyes for preventive purposes. This is harmful to the cat's health. Without visible signs of illness, veterinarians categorically do not recommend “getting into” an animal’s eyes at all.

When does rinsing become necessary?

Usually, owners begin to worry in two cases: when a pet produces an excessive amount of tears from its eyes or when one or both eyes fester.

Based on some factors, the reason for this deviation can be determined.

Clear or slightly yellowish tears can be caused by soil, dust, or other similar irritants getting into the eyes. The second reason is the common cold. Pets, like people, can catch a cold in a draft.
If your cat's eyes turn sour, you need to take him to the veterinarian. You should also pay attention to whether there is slight redness of the affected area. If the answer is yes, the pet may have damaged the cornea of the eye. And if your pet constantly covers its eyes with its paw, an infectious pathology is quite possible. In any case, a visit to the veterinarian cannot be postponed.

It is worth noting that even people whose pets are not sick need to think about how to wash a cat’s eyes. Such procedures are a mandatory element of animal care.

Necessity of the procedure

It’s not enough to figure out how to wash your cat’s eyes at home. You also need to understand when this is necessary:

An infection has occurred and the organ of vision needs to be cleansed of purulent discharge for subsequent treatment. In this case, it is better to consult a doctor to know for sure than to rinse the cat’s eyes from pus.
Some breeds have a need for flushing due to the structural features of the lacrimal canal. Persians, Scottish Folds, Sphynxes and British Shorthairs do need regular grooming.
A small foreign object has gotten into the cat's eyes and provokes irritation of the mucous membrane.
The eye is injured.
The animal is allergic to pollen or other substances that may have gotten into the eye. Then it makes sense to wash out the irritating substance.

Symptoms and possible eye diseases in kittens

The need to use eye wash solutions in a pet is determined by the nature of the signs of the disorder and the nature of the discharge from the mucous membrane.

The appearance of thick mucus, in which pus is noticeable, is most often associated with fungal infection and infections. The mucus has an unpleasant odor, yellow color and often leads to complete sticking of the eyelids. Cats often develop a fever, weakness, and loss of appetite.
When the mucous membrane or cornea is injured and the allergic reaction spreads, the animal suffers due to the release of watery and clear fluid. At the same time, you can observe redness of the eyes, itching, and constant blinking.
If tears are constantly released from the eyes, which after drying take on a dark or crusty appearance, we can talk about dirt and dust getting into the mucous membrane. With this disorder, eye hyperemia may also occur.

Conjunctivitis in a cat

How to wash your eyes

The products can be prepared at home or purchased at a regular or veterinary pharmacy, but before use you need to make sure that the medicine is safe for your eyes. It is better to consult a specialist.

Most people have no idea what to use to clean a cat's eyes. According to experts, the procedure with Chlorhexidine will bring the best effect. This antiseptic is suitable for first aid for any disease. Concentration safe for eyes is 0.01%. An increased content of the active substance leads to irritation or burns of the mucous membrane.

When answering the question about how to wash a cat’s eyes at home, veterinarians often recommend a solution of “Furacilin” - it gives a good result. But if the concentration is incorrectly calculated, it can cause burns of the mucous membrane and cornea. It is better to use a drug that is sold in finished form. Only a doctor can independently prepare a solution of the required concentration.

If the animal does not have wounds, skin damage or bleeding, Boric acid can be used for washing. It is necessary to dissolve a teaspoon of powder (5 grams) in 200 milligrams of distilled or cooled boiled water.

Saline solution is also suitable for such purposes. It can be prepared at home, but it is difficult to maintain the proportions, so it is best to buy it at the pharmacy.

A solution of potassium permanganate is suitable for washing eyes in a concentration of 1:50000. The liquid must have a very slight pink tint, otherwise chemical burns will occur.

Veterinarians do not advise experimenting with the above drugs. After all, the product “Diamond Eyes”, specially developed for the treatment of eye diseases in cats, is on sale. It contains succinic acid, taurine and chlorhexidine. This medicine is also suitable for washing the eyes.

Advantages of using miramistin in ophthalmic practice

Ophthalmologists use Miramistin in the eyes in the form of a solution. A solution of a medicinal substance with a concentration of 0.01% is suitable for washing. The drug contains:

active ingredient: Benzyldimethyl-myristoylamino-propylammonium chloride monohydrate;
auxiliary component: water.

Okomistin eye drops are a similar drug, only available in a special small bottle for easy dosing, especially in children. The medicine is produced in volumes of 5, 10 ml. The drug is colorless and foams when shaken.

Eye treatment with Miramistin has its own indications, as well as contraindications for use.

Indications for prescribing the drug:

infectious eye damage (bacterial, viral, fungal infections, including resistant strains);
injury;
chlamydia;
uveitis, corneal ulcers;
purulent process of the anterior part of the organ of vision;
corneal burns;
prevention of infection in the postoperative period, as well as preparation for surgery.

Miramistin for the eyes is contraindicated:

if you have a severe allergic reaction or intolerance to the components of the drug;
during pregnancy, breastfeeding;
children under 3 years old.

The drug has undergone clinical trials at leading ophthalmological hospitals in Russia (Odessa, Moscow, Crimea). It has been proven that it has anti-inflammatory, regenerative, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects. Miramistin does not have an embryotoxic effect, does not irritate the mucous membrane of the organ of vision, and does not cause tumor processes.

Compared to other antiseptics (Furacilin, Chlorhexidine), Miramistin is much more effective. It can also be used to rinse the nose and throat in the presence of ENT diseases.

The drug fully complies with all three basic requirements for the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases:

Acts on the pathogen itself (etiotropic effect), regardless of its nature (bacterium, virus or fungus);

This quality alone is worth a lot - if it is not clear what exactly is the cause of the disease, Miramistin still helps. This eliminates the need to sow flora, select an antibiotic or antifungal agent, not to mention viruses, which are practically unaffected by any other substances.

Strengthens local immunity;
Accelerates the regeneration of mucous membranes.

To achieve these effects, it is necessary to use 3-4 drugs, and some of the effects of miramistin cannot be duplicated.

At the time of injury, in addition to local inflammation, the mucous membrane receives flora from the surface of the foreign body. In addition to the pathogenic (foreign) flora, due to the inflammatory process, one’s own microorganisms (the normal flora of the mucosal surface) can exhibit excessive activity, which aggravates the inflammation. Local immunity is impaired.

Miramistin generally destroys all flora from the surface of the mucous membrane, while the immune system is stimulated, which allows the normal flora to recover quite quickly, and the pathogenic flora misses the opportunity due to strong local protective factors.

Miramistin has many advantages, thanks to which the medicine:

applicable even for newborns;
wide area of active action;
recommended for use in the treatment of various diseases;
increases the effectiveness of medications and is used in complex therapy;
increases local immunity;
prevents complications;
in the case of purulent forms, it is used as an antiseptic;
accelerates healing processes;
dispensed without a doctor's prescription.

To this day, no better analogue used for eye treatment has been found.

Doctors recommend the use of a broad-spectrum antiseptic for the treatment of conjunctivitis of various forms, both for adults and children.

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Conjunctivitis is a fairly common disease in young patients. With this disease, a feeling of discomfort appears. For bacterial diseases, ophthalmologists prescribe treatment with instillation of antibacterial drops. This drug is used in the form of a solution several times a day.

This medicine fully meets three main criteria in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the organs of vision:

acts directly on the causative agent of the disease, regardless of the nature of its occurrence. If it is difficult to determine the causative agent of the disease or its causes, Miramistin will still help. This eliminates the need for bacterial culture, selection of antibiotics and other actions;
helps increase local immunity;
accelerates the regeneration of cells of the mucous membrane of the eye.

Miramistin is available in several forms: 0.5% ointment, 0.01% solution in a 5 ml or 50 ml bottle. A 5 ml bottle is used for ophthalmic treatment. Its second name is Oftamirin or Okomistin.

In case of use:

It is necessary to check the expiration date; note that after opening, the period of use is significantly reduced.
Assess the condition of the bottle itself. If the tip of the bottle is contaminated, it should not be used due to the possibility of microbes getting into the medicine itself.
In case of injury to the eye shell, Miramistin is perfect for providing first aid. If a foreign substance gets into the eye, rinsing with this drug will guarantee the prevention of infection.
Use is possible for children and pregnant women. The main criterion is the absence of allergic reactions to the drug.

The second part of the audience prefers safer, proven products that are fast-acting and hypoallergenic. These include various kinds of antiseptics, drops and antibiotics, of which there are countless in any pharmacy. But the fact is that your pet may have an allergic reaction to some medications, so it is better to consult a veterinarian about this. In the first few days, it is better to opt for antiseptic agents; they will quickly relieve inflammation and swelling and will not harm the cat.

Miramistin for conjunctivitis will be an excellent adjuvant treatment. This drug has a wide range of applications and has an antiseptic effect, destroying pathogenic microflora.

Many people are interested in whether it is advisable to use the solution to treat children and whether it is safe in this case. It should be understood in more detail.

Home care products

Many people don’t know how to wash a cat’s eyes at home. First aid is a procedure with tea. It should be infused for about 12 hours, without any chemical additives, including sugar.

Also suitable for rinsing are decoctions of various herbs: chamomile, sage, elderberry, linden, string, yarrow, calendula or others that have an anti-inflammatory effect. The concentration of the decoction should be weak: 1 teaspoon per glass of boiling water. The infusion is carefully filtered and cooled to room temperature. Too hot or cold tea will not cure, but will only worsen the disease.

Many breeders are interested in how to wash a cat’s eyes at home. Experts note that boiled or simply distilled water at room temperature is perfect for these purposes, especially for allergic reactions.

Contraindications and side effects

A side effect may occur in the form of a short-term itching or burning sensation. Due to the absence of contraindications for use, use during pregnancy and lactation of females is allowed. An allergy to the composition is possible (in rare cases). The advantage of the drug is that while it negatively affects parasitic or pathogenic bacteria, it does not affect healthy cells of the body.

Did you know? Cats' kidneys have the ability to filter out salt. Thanks to this, the animal can quench its thirst with sea water.

How to properly wash your eyes

High-quality washing relieves pain, relieves itching and greatly alleviates the animal’s condition. As a result, access to wounds or damaged areas is opened.

The procedure must be carried out using clean medical gloves.

Washing steps:

Fixation of the animal. You can use a helper to hold the cat, or wrap the animal in a strong cloth, such as a towel.
Along with the rinsing solution, you need to prepare cotton swabs, or better yet, sterile bandage swabs. You can use a syringe without a needle. Each eye is washed with a new swab. As it becomes dirty, it is also replaced with a new one.
The tampon is soaked in liquid, which is squeezed out onto the eye. If the pus has dried, you can blot your eyes without pressing hard. The more liquid, the better the effect.
To remove soaked crusts, pass over the eye with a gentle movement in the direction from the ear to the nose, removing all excess. If your eyelids are stuck together, you need to move in the opposite direction. You cannot begin treatment until the eyes are completely clear.
Touching the cornea is very unpleasant for the animal. These actions should be avoided if possible.
After the eyelids open, the liquid is poured onto the cornea. It is convenient to do this with a tampon. If there is a foreign object in the eye that cannot be washed out with liquid, under no circumstances should you remove it yourself. This must be done by a veterinarian using instruments.
After the procedure, the remaining pus is wiped off with a dry swab or cotton pad. The cornea cannot be touched, only the area of the upper and lower eyelids. Regular cotton wool leaves lint and is not recommended for use.
After the solution has entered the eye, the eyelids must be closed with your hands to allow the medicine to be evenly distributed throughout the mucous membrane.

General rules and recommendations for eye treatment and eye drops

Veterinarians' advice on this matter is always the same. Since the kitten will definitely not like such manipulations, it is necessary to carry out the procedure quickly, without distraction. Additionally, the following rules are observed.

Before starting the procedure, the owner should wash their hands well with soap to avoid introducing additional infection and dirt into the kitten’s eyes.

Before procedures, wash your hands with soap

It is better to carry out processing in pairs. One owner should place the pet on its back, placing it most comfortably on its lap. At the same time, it is important to secure the cat’s paws well so that he does not cause additional injuries to himself.
The pet should lie down so that its head is higher than the rest of the body.
The maximum temperature of the solution for washing and instillation should not exceed +37 degrees, otherwise the mucous membrane will be severely burned, which can lead to complete loss of vision.
The bottle with the drug and the pipette are kept at a distance of at least 1 cm from the eyeball. If necessary, you can instill the medication using a sterile syringe without a needle.
If the kitten's eyelids are very stuck together, you need to first squeeze a small amount of medicine onto them. After waiting a little, the mucus is removed using a clean swab. As soon as the eyes are opened, eye drops are instilled.
When opening stuck eyelids, movements after using the medicine must be carried out from the bridge of the nose to the temples. Do not press hard or rub the sore spot, this will only increase irritation and cause pain to your pet.
After opening the eyes, it is recommended to wipe them again with a dry swab to dry the fur a little.

We wipe the kitten's eyes with a cotton swab

Under no circumstances touch the mucous membrane of your pet's eye with dry objects, they remove the top layer of corneal cells, provoke inflammation and cause severe pain. In addition, lint from a dry swab can remain on the eye, increasing unpleasant symptoms.
Also, you should not touch the surface of the eye with your hands; any debris is removed with a wet swab with light blotting movements.

Video - Treating a cat's eye

Attention! To achieve maximum effect, veterinarians advise bringing the lower and upper eyelids together after using eye drops. This is required for complete distribution of the drug throughout the mucosa.

Indications for use

Miramistin is used as a first aid remedy for various injuries in cats. The drug can be used in many cases:

wound treatment;
burn treatment;
in inflammatory processes - in the mouth, eyes, ears, genitals;
prevention before planned mating;
with a runny nose in cats;
from insect bites;
for skin irritations;
treatment of sutures after surgery - only if prescribed by a veterinarian.

Kittens can be treated with the drug from two weeks of age.

Veterinarians themselves often prescribe Miramistin for cats, which can be used for various animal injuries.

It is important! It is not recommended to use the product for more than 2 weeks. The substances contained in the medicine can completely wash away the microflora of the mucous membranes.

Instructions for use

Okomistin is sold in 10 ml bottles. The bottles are equipped with a special dropper to make it convenient to administer the medicine into the eye. Before dropping the medicine, you need to wash your hands thoroughly.

The tip of the bottle should not come into contact with the skin, mucous membranes and tissues of the eye. If several family members are sick, it is advisable for everyone to use their own bottle.

After operation

Okomistin is prescribed before and after surgery. If the operation is planned, then the drug begins to be dripped three days before the operation, the last injection is no earlier than 5 hours before the operation. After the intervention, the drug is dripped for another 15 days.

For injuries

In case of injuries or burns to the eyes, the first thing you need to do is make sure that no foreign object has gotten into it. For small particles (sand, dust), washing the eyes will help; it is not advisable to remove large objects yourself; it is safer to seek help from a doctor.

After the first examination, you need to instill Miramistin, then drip it every 5 minutes for 2 hours. During this time, either the consequences of the injury will completely pass, or the patient must be taken to a doctor (the victim must be accompanied by someone).

For diseases

In case of illness, the medicine is administered until complete recovery. Unlike antibiotics, Okomistin can be used in courses of any duration; microorganisms do not develop resistance to it.

What kind of drug

Miramistin is an antiseptic (not an antibiotic!). The drug is intended for external use - it is used to treat wounds on the skin and mucous membranes, inflamed areas.

You can rinse your teeth, throat, nose with miramistin, and wash yourself in case of diseases of the genital area. A separate type of drug is used for the eyes - Okomistin.

Composition, properties

The pharmacological properties of miramistin are bactericidal. It destroys microorganisms of various groups - gram-positive, gram-negative, single and combined in groups. What makes the drug particularly valuable is that it is effective against hospital strains - microorganisms that live in hospitals and are resistant to most drugs.

The composition of the drug includes miramistin itself, the active substance, and water.

The effectiveness of the drug for eye diseases

Is it possible to rinse the eye with Miramistin? The manufacturer does not prohibit such use of the drug. But why are such actions needed? What is the effectiveness of an antiseptic when used in ophthalmology?

Miramistin solution has a wide spectrum of action. It is effective against various bacteria, fungi and viruses. Often, before prescribing a drug, ophthalmologists prescribe a culture for the patient. This analysis allows you to identify the pathogen, and the doctor, in turn, prescribes an effective medicine.

Since the declared antiseptic is effective against almost all microbes, it can be used even without preliminary analysis. There is a high probability that he will help you. Practice shows that patients use Miramistin to wash the eyes for conjunctivitis caused by gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The composition is also used for fungal diseases and viral infections of the organs of vision.

How to give Miramistin to a cat?

Miramistin for cats is used similarly to chlorhexidine, which is a powerful antiseptic. Wounds on the body, as well as damaged, inflamed mucous membranes should be treated with the drug. To the question whether a cat can have Miramistin, the answer is yes.

The drug is effective against streptococci and staphylococci, as well as various bacterial pathogens. In addition, the product has a destructive effect on many fungi and protozoa. It is also allowed to use antiseptics in veterinary medicine to eliminate inflammation caused by anaerobic and aerobic, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

In what cases is the drug suitable for the eyes?

The product is used mainly to prevent infection. In such situations, this is one of the best drugs. The second situation when Okomistin is prescribed is as part of a complex treatment of infectious processes in the eye.

The main remedy is antibiotics that are effective against the identified pathogen, and Miramistin enhances the effectiveness of treatment. Improvement occurs faster, the likelihood of relapse and complications is reduced. However, the course of antibiotic treatment cannot last less than 5 days.

When does a cat need to clean its eyes?

A tiny kitten should be immediately accustomed to regular hygiene practices. For medicinal purposes, purulent and watery eyes are washed at the first sign. The medicine is prescribed by the veterinarian based on the cause of the lacrimation.

Symptoms that indicate that your cat needs to have its eyes cleaned and taken in for an examination:

regular mucous discharge;
they contain pus, which “glues” the eyes together;
the cat is constantly squinting;
she tries to scratch her eyes with her paw.