Natural Remedies for Conjunctivitis in Dogs and Cats
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Posted by Tami (Oklahoma City, Ok) on 05/17/2012 ★★★★☆
I have an eight year old German Shepherd who has recently been diagnosed with pannus (it's a disease affecting the cornea and causing membranes to grow over the cornea). The vet first gave me an antibiotic/steroid eye drop. That worked for a while and made the pannus in the right eye recede. Then, in March the disease flared up in both eyes. They itched, had a yellow discharge, and membranes grew over both corneas. She is now virtually blind. I think that colloidal silver has helped to make the discharge run clear, but I am wondering if anyone has succeeded in reversing this.
Have you considered using organic black tea? And/ or goldenseal? You would make the tea with less water for more concentration and soak a cotton ball and squeeze in the eye... goldenseal make a homemade saline solution with a couple drops of goldenseal and do the same. Also look into Lactoferrin.
Posted by Tfmiller71 (St. Louis, Mo, Usa) on 09/06/2011
I LOVE this website. I believe in home remedies especially when incoming money doesn't meet the outgoing!
I tried a cayenne pepper, pumpkin filling, plain rice and boiled chicken diet w/my dog who had diarrhea and today for the first time-solid poop.
He has really had a rough time this year, he's a 10 yr old bischon/poodle mix. I believe he has an eye infection. Conjunctivitis describes his symptoms perfectly. I think it's a spin off of his skin allergy that I am currently remedying through antibiotics (I will backup w/probiotics after the last dosage! ). He's had it for about 6 years and after antibiotics, it just comes back. He is also on prescription dog food since it is believed that he has maybe a food allergy.
Anyway, I will definitely post after trying the Apple Cider Vinegar which I keep in the house for many reasons.
Posted by Sally (Baton Rouge, La.) on 06/06/2011 ★★★★★
I fought conjunctivitus for 3 cats for about a year with eye sav and Lysine orally. I found that feeding them corn free food has cleared it up. I don't know why the vets never suggested it. They said (told by 3 vets) that they would always have it, that there was no cure!
Posted by Cheryl (Richmond, Va) on 12/26/2010 ★★★★★
My cat suffered with chronic conjunctivitis for many months. I felt so helpless. The ointment worked temporarily, clearing the eyes for only three or four days out of the month. I tried vinegar, removed all of the carpets from my home, cleaned my hardwood floors daily and made countless trips to the vet with no long lasting solutions. FINALLY I FOUND THE CULPRIT. Through trial and error, and changing my cats diet, I realized she was allergic to Meow Mix Seafood Medley cat food! I changed brands and she has not had a problem since. That was over 3 months ago and she has been happy and playing since then! What a relief!
A vet told me to stay away from meow mix completely. She said the dyes they use were bad for cats. At the time we were talking about the dry food but if you look at the wet food it does not look natural either, especially the seafood flavors. In any case I would NOT buy any meow mix food for any cat- wet or dry!!! It's purinas attempt to make their cheap crap look a lot better than it really is!!!
The nape is the top of the neck, right? Where the mom would carry kittens in her mouth? The apple cider vinegar sounds like a good thing to try, do you dilute it, or what if your cat tries to lick it off?
Thank you for this post! My boy is an akita, and he is also an absolute nightmare when going to the vet, he hates other dogs other than our female dog. I've been washing his eye with salt water for a day and came across your thread. I've just tried it so fingers crossed x
Posted by Trulyjen (Tucson, Az, Usa) on 09/10/2010
I have been using the Detox Kit from Heel on my pets. It was recommended to me by a naturopath. She said they only needed a few drops per day, (the instructions in the kit call for a much higher number of drops). I have really noticed an improvement in my dogs! Especially my German Shepherd, Gunner. We have been battling Pannis, which is a disease of the eye which causes redness and lesions in the eyes. His eyes are always red and itchy and irritated. The only help for him is prescription drops, that I have to do daily to prevent them from getting worse. Well I realized that I have been forgetting the drops lately, because his eyes aren't red! They look clear and bright and amazing! I would highly recommend this homeopathic detoxing method. Safe and effective.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Posted by Racer (Hampton, Tennessee) on 08/12/2009
What do you think of fish antibiotics that you can buy on line without a prescription for cats and dogs when they have an eye infection... The doses are on the internet. Is this safe? Robyn
Posted by Faith77fairfield (Waterloo, New York) on 01/24/2012
I don't know about the fish stuff. I do know that I have used the Amoxicillian several times on my cat, another time for upper respiratory infection. Worked like a charm. I got the info off an internet site, I don't remember where, but it was vet info on dosage of amoxicillan for cats. My Skippy is doing great, although now he needs to lose a little weight.
Also, I have cured worms in 3 of my cats with diatomaceous earth. Thank God for Earth Clinic.
Posted by Diane (Uniontown, Pa) on 08/02/2009 ★★★★★
I starting using colloidal silver for pinkeye for our cats several years ago. It only takes a drop or two in the eye a couple of times, (not a day, just a couple of times total) and poof! the pinkeye will be gone. It's not any more painful than a drop of water would be. Also works great for humans! Just costs a fraction of what you would pay at the vet or doctor, plus you don't need to pay for a prescription.
Posted by Eric S (Hobart, Tasmania) on 06/26/2009 ★★★☆☆
WORKED TEMPORARILY
my cat was in a fight with another cat and injured his eye lid from a bite its been a week since that happend .his eye started to get stuck together i was cleaning around his eye and droping salty water in his eye this hasnt done anything apart from a little bit of relefe for the cat that lasted about 30min now its in both eyes ..after reading about apple sider vinegar im going to try it out by puting some on his neck ill get back to you to see what will happen thank you for your info hope it makes my cat happy
My pug has a eye infection. I'm going to try the tea bag
I'm just I'm wondering what does the ACV do for the paws and the shoulder??
EC: Hi Nanny, the poster from 2008 probably meant that she was going to apply ACV topically to the area in between the shoulder blades and on the paws to treat the eye infection. Learn more about the topical ACV method here: https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/acvfordogs.html
My dog has a thick strong smelling discharge coming from both his eyes and I wanted to try the Colloidal Silver on him. How much should I give him, he is a 7 lbs yorkie/poo.
Posted by Linda (York County, Maine) on 05/08/2009
Katelyn - for myself, when I thought I had conjunctivitis, I would put a drop or two in the affected eye a couple of times a day. Within 3 days, my eye was clear.
Can I use colloidal silver on cats? One has a skin rash between eye and ear...reddish and itches her..if not any other suggestions..this really bothers her and I can't seem to clear it up..
Posted by Nicole (Redding, California) on 09/16/2008 ★★★★★
I have seven cats and most of them, at one time or another, have suffered from conjuntivitis or other eye ailments. In the past I spent a fortune going to the vet for pills and creams, some of which did not work too well. Then someone told me to try saline solution. Since I am a contact lens wearer and this is something I always have on hand, I decided to give it a try. Thus far, it has always worked like a charm! I just soak a cotton ball with saline solution and then clean the cat's eye with it. For the first couple of days, I try to do this at least 3 times per day, and then once it starts to clear up, I do it once a day for about 5 days. It's not only a more effective remedy, but it is a lot easier to administer to an angry cat than creams and ointments.
kitten/conjunctivitis: my vet refused to treat male 5.5 wks old kitten due to flat chest syndrome so I quickly found your website. used a diluted 2/1 mix of sterile water to honey applying twice a day alternating with warm compresses, for 10min. time in thrre hour intervals. the following day I saw Kit drinking milk- cream -egg yolk, mix.I then tried stepping it up a bit, on day three and used diluted ACV [Apple Cider Vinegar] but seems too strong. Now after concocting a mixture of tea bag (tepid) soaked in honey as a compress Kit is roaming aroud with affected eye opened more then closed. Rubbing me to distraction. HOPE THIS HELPS!
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I am sorry to hear of the Clostridium Dificile in your girl. I wonder if humic acid would help to restore the balance in your rag doll's intestines. Check out Ted's postings under Crohn's disease.
Not getting whole story here, but I understand CD can be treated and is short term. Goldenseal is an anti-microbial, and effectively clears up bacterial and viral infections in humans and animals. I have never heard of a problem where it destroys healthy flora. And I've used G for decades, personally, for family members, children and animals; for viral and bacterial infections (including severe flu). I have spent thousands of dollars on two cats, where ultimately the vet still didn't know what the sickness or infection was; to finally go home and treat my sick cats myself; very happily and successfully with Goldenseal, and when called for, including Echinacea (for treating allergy, and immune related conditions). Both cats had nearly died before treatment. I have found a safe and effective dosage for cats is 3 drops of G diluted in about a teaspoon or less of water, given orally though a syringe (8-10 cc) . Only administer small squirts (about 2 cc) at a time in corner of mouth. Give the cat time to handle between each. (Best to wrap your cat in a big towel, snug (not too tight) around neck) administer twice a day. You'll see improvement every day. Depending on severity of infection, should take one to two weeks to clear up. A recent story: One of my cats was suspected for an immunity deficiency. Vet suggested more testing to confirm. That would have cost $1000 and counting. She had been diagnosed anorexic after blood test etc that showed nothing. A 9 month old cat, she was down from 10-1/2 to 5 pounds. I force fed her for two months. Finally, I started administering G twice a day. One week later she was eating on her own. She is now bright eyed, agile, playful, completely healthy, and weighs 10-11 pounds.
Posted by Maria (Milton, Florida) on 06/23/2008 ★★★★★
Who would have thought that in a million years, a tea bag would help cure the lump on my 6 day old kittens eyes. We think that the 2 kittens had Conjunctivitis. Like everyone else we didn't have any money for the vet and so we decided to try searching the internet. We found the wonderful Earth Clinic and tried making some tea. We cooled the bags off and squeezed them onto the kittens eyes that have the lumps in them. I woke up this morning and the lump is 90% gone. It's definitely amazing!!! Their eyes are not yet opened because they are a few days too young, but hopefully the tea will continue to help them.
Posted by raymarie (atlanta, usa) on 09/07/2007 ★★★★★
2 week old kittens each had one eye crusted shut. Vet sister, who lives in another state, suspected conjunctivitis (common in newborn kittens). I steeped a chamomile tea bag, let the water cool and added 2 drops lavender essential oil. Soaked a soft cloth and bathed (do not rub) the eye area until the extra crud was removed. I repeated the process 3x per day until it cleared up! Worked awesome!
Eye infection.. I just purchased a dog, upon his arrival I noticed some buildup around his eyes. I immediately used lukewarm water and soaked two tea bags, one for each eye. I wrapped him in a towel so he couldn't squirm around and placed a slightly dripping tea bag on each eye for a moment. It must have felt good as he didn't move. I did this a couple times a day for the weekend. I always recommend a vet for eye problems, but this will work in a jiffy until you can get to the vet.
Another solution, you can boil 1 qt of water for a 10 mins to sterilize and mix in a tbsp of boric acid, not borax.. After the water cools, you can use it to wash out the eyes carefully. You can do this two or three times a day.. If the infection is in both eyes, use two separate cloths or cotton balls, one for each eye.
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