My cat has a watery eye. Should I reuse old eye infection meds?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 5 lbs
my cat has one watery eye. she can still open it and is behaving normally. she has had an eye infection a few weeks ago and we're prescribed erythromycin gel. should we use that again?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 27th, 2016
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).
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 21st, 2020
Terramycin or Tobramycin probably would be the best thing to use in the eye. In the meantime you can use the eye drops you already have to keep the eye lubricated and more comfortable. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=110533 You should also consider putting her on a lysine supplement. Typically when they have an eye that looks like that it is due to a recurrent herpes virus and lysine helps to boost the immune system. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/site/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?s=lysine&hierarchy=&sort=score%20desc Hope this helps. Best wishes!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on May 11th, 2017
Poor girl. Typically I give these pets an anti-viral supplement (Lysine powder) since this is typically caused by a virus. You can give this long term also. The eye discomfort and secondary infection should be completely resolved within 7 days, with a drastic improvement of the eye seen in as little as 48-72 hrs. However since this is a virus and can't be completely resolved, the watery discharge can come back again and again as your pet goes in and out of latent periods. You can help limit these flare-ups by giving the Lysine powder I mentioned earlier on a consistent basis. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on June 7th, 2018
Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If an infection is present in the eye (discharge, squinting of the eye, rubbing or pawing at eye, redness, swelling), Andy will need antibiotic eye drops from his veterinarian. You can try sterile saline eye drops for cats which are available at your local pet store, which can help soothe the eye but this will likely not help with an infection. Often times recurrent eye infections in cats is caused by the feline herpes virus. Giving lysine powder on top of their food or paste once or twice daily (I like the product called Viralys) can help decrease viral replication which can help lessen the recurrent eye infections. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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