Some medications that humans use every day are toxic for our feline friends. Today, our Renton vets explain why Neosporin should not be used to treat your cat's eye infection.
Neosporin
Neosporin and Neosporin Ophthalmic are common treatments frequently found in first aid kits across the country.
- Neosporin topical ointment is a treatment commonly used by humans for cuts and scrapes. Neosporin topical ointment and similar triple antibiotic ointments contain 3 active ingredients; neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin.
- Neosporin Ophthalmic eye drops are formulated to treat bacterial eye infections in people and contain gramicidin, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic.
Both of these treatments are very effective in treating humans but are not recommended or approved for use on cats.
Why Neosporin Shouldn't be Used to treat a Cat's Eye Infection
The fact is, that cats are biologically different from humans in countless ways. Many medications that people reach for on a regular basis are extremely toxic to cats. Not only that, their compact size means that even small amounts of a toxic substance can cause severe reactions in cats.
Polymyxin B (one of the active ingredients in Neosporin and other triple antibiotic treatments) has been linked to anaphylaxis and death in cats. While such reactions are rare, most cases have been linked to the ophthalmic products administered to cats to treat eye infections.
Always use medication designed for cats and recommended by your vet. A veterinary office that specializes in ophthalmology can advise you on the best medication to give to your pet in the event of an eye infection or other concern.
Caring for Your Cat's Eyes
When it comes to your cat's eyesight, it is always best to err on the side of caution. If your cat is showing signs of an eye infection call your vet to book an examination. There are a host of causes of eye issues in cats, getting the right treatment for your cat as quickly as possible can help to prevent complications from occurring down the road.