My cat has running eyes. Is Ciprofloxacin a good treatment option?

It's not recommended to put antibiotic eye drops before having it checked by a vet first, it's important to check the eyes and make sure there is no ulcer or other damage before starting any topical treatment.

If the eye discharge is clear then an infection is not present, so you don't have to use the eye gel (erythromycin). Instead you should use an anti-viral supplement such as Lysine gel/powder from your local pet store or vet clinic. Cats are prone to viral infections which can cause watery eye discharge and reddish discharge. The use of antibiotics is only needed when a secondary infection is also present. Lysine powder/gel can be given throughout Richard's lifespan to help boost her immune system and help ward off future viral infections (i.e. herpesvirus).

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Yes, it is safe to use the Cipro drops. There is actually very little communication between the eyes & the rest of the body, so there is very little chance of absorption of the medication by the developing kittens. In addition, a fetus is most susceptible to drugs in the first trimester, so for a cat, this is the first 3 weeks of a pregnancy. You need to treat the eye to prevent further infection & possible permanent damage to your cat's eye.. The kittens will be fine. Take care.

It is never recommended to medicate a pet without the advice of your veterinarian. A physical exam is strongly recommended to confirm infection so the appropriate antibiotic can be used. Inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to resistant bacteria and may complicate any underlying conditions. If you choose to use this medication, chloramphenicol can cause serious blood abnormalities, thus should be handled with caution.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I only recommend erythromycin or terramycin be used in a cats eye. I recommend, if Riley is having an issue with her eyes, that you see a Veterinarian before putting anything in them. You don't want to do more harm than good. Cats are very sensitive and can react to many eye medications and can react to them all! I hope this helps and I wish you the best!

It could be that your cat is suffering from chlamydia, which manifests in cats as weepy eyes. Don't work, it cannot be transmitted to you! Doxycycline treats weepy eyes in cats with chlamydia, and I would speak to your vet to see if that helps with his eye discharge. It's not sexually transmitted as in humans, mother cats can give it to their kittens, and it's transmitted via the air in close cat quarters or via bedding and the feeding area. You can also try giving him an on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight.

Terramycin is an antibiotic that can be used for bacterial conjunctivitis. But runny eyes doesn’t mean infection. I would have Penelope examined by a vet to determine the cause to start an appropriate treatment.