Conjunctivitis medicine that can be bought from chemist

[Gillian Harvey]

I think also the possible side effects relate more to the tablets and powder taken orally, than eye drops.

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

Totally take your point on board and it is aways useful to know exactly what medicines do but there are possible side effects with any drug. I must admit that I did ask a few questions when the vet said it was a predominantly human medicine and he assured me that it is suitable for cats and much more effective than other similar drugs.
I have read the article you suggested but have also read others that suggest that although these side effects are obviously somethng to be aware of, they are usually only observed after more than 2 weeks continuous use, hence vets prescribing them for up to 10 days. Definately something to think about but they are definately having a much better effect on my cats than what was previously prescribed and after only days their eyes are pretty much back to normal.

[Mark]

Sorry to be the fly in the ointment (no pun) - but I had to point out what I read about it.

SIDE EFFECTS
In some individuals, chloramphenicol use may induce what are called blood dyscrasias. This means that abnormal blood cells can be produced or that production of normal cells can be halted due to an action of chloramphenicol on patient bone marrow. This reaction is especially of concern in cats and chloramphenicol should be used with caution in this species (special dosing, perhaps even some blood monitoring).

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_chloramphenicol.html

I found it when Susanne was looking for something for Jaffa's eye recently as I had heard Infected eyes drops.

[Gillian Harvey]

Yes, I posted about Optrex infected eyes before - I've used them for the cats and they work a treat - always supposing you can get drops into the eyes in the first place LOL!  Not used the ointment though.

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

They ahve to be given 3-4 times a day which seems to have helped in itself as they lubricate the eye. I am definately going to keep a tube in the cupboard just in case.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

That's good to know.  Jaffa has had an eye problem a few times over the years.  Vet has always said it was conjunctivitis but this last time the vet said it wasn't because the discharge wasn't greenish in colour.  He always gets given eye drops (exocin which are suitable for people but I'm not sure whether they are available without prescription).  They clear it up but Jaffa gets very stressed going to the vet so I usually wait until it's obvious it isn't going to clear up on it's own when I'd probably be better off getting drops into him straight away.  The active ingredient in exocin seems to be ofloxacin 0,3%

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

Well for anyone that's not seen my other threads- we've had a conjunctivitis out break in my house- all 3 cats caught it from each other. Previous vet gave us fulcithalmic drops which were very slow to clear it up (but were doing the job- just about). well we have recently changed vets and when i took Layla to see the new vet about her cold and mentioned that the conjunctivitis hadn't completely cleared up, he explained that he had some better drops that were in fact the same as humans take for the infection. He also was kind enough to advise me that should I run out or ever have another cat with it that they can be purchased from a chemist, over the counter. The ointment drops contain chloranphenicol (1%) and if you get them from the chemist are branded as either 'Optrex Infected eyes' or 'golden eye' (ointment). You can get actual drops under the same brands but it's the ointment that is the product needed. I went straight to the chemist to get a spare tube just in case and they were only £4.50 which is cheaper than at the vets.
Thought this would be handy to know for anyone who's cat has a tendency to get conjunctivitis. I can also say that these drops have really worked well.