Eye drops for cats Iris: details of composition and use

Composition and action

Iris drops are antibacterial drugs. The veterinary medicinal product contains gentamicin sulfate, an antibacterial substance active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Drops are used for topical use.

Important!

The drug is ineffective against pathogenic fungi, viruses, protozoa and anaerobic bacteria (which do not require oxygen for development and reproduction).

When applied topically, gentamicin sulfate begins to act quickly. Once on the conjunctival mucosa, the substance penetrates the cornea, then reaches the required concentration in the intraocular environment and has a therapeutic effect.

Table: analogues of Iris eye drops for cats

Photo gallery: veterinary ophthalmic drops

Bars drops are prescribed for the treatment of acute and chronic conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis and blepharitis. Ciprovetin drops are effective against most gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, including strains resistant to gentamicin

Anandin drops have a wound healing effect

Desacid drops, due to the presence of bee jelly, help reduce intraocular pressure Eye drops Diamond eyes are also used to prevent cataracts

Some cat owners use non-veterinary eye drops to combat conjunctivitis in their pets, acting on the principle: what helps us will help the cat. Of course, a therapeutic effect can be achieved. But you still need to take into account that the concentration of active substances in human medications is not intended for use by four-legged pets. This treatment may cause problems with the kidneys, liver, or other organs.

Purpose

Eye drops are used as prescribed by a veterinarian for diseases of the organ of vision if they are caused by aerobic bacteria. The drug has shown its effectiveness in treating cats:

• traumatic eye injuries;
• blepharitis;
• keratitis;
• conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis;
• dacryocystitis;
• iritis and other eye diseases.

For mechanical damage to the cornea and ulcers, Iris is used as a decongestant and healing agent.

Eye diseases in cats

A common eye disease in pets is blepharitis. This is an inflammation of the edges of the eyelids, which has many causes. This:

• bacteria (usually pyogenic cocci);
• food allergies, etc.;
• eye injury;
• the presence of subcutaneous mites;
• helminth infection;
• seborrhea – the presence of dandruff, dry scales on the eyelids;
• problems of the endocrine system, etc.

It is believed that Persian and British breeds (and others with flattened faces) have a genetic predisposition to eyelid inflammation. The reason is the structural features of the lacrimal canals.

The main symptoms of blepharitis are swelling and redness of the eyelids, itching, and constant watery eyes. The cat experiences discomfort and scratches its eyes, thereby injuring them even more.

Inflammation of the cornea, the transparent membrane of the eye, is called keratitis. With it, clouding of the cornea can be observed (the owner may notice a whitish spot on the cat’s eye). Pathology can be acute or chronic. In the first case, the disease develops rapidly. Typically, acute keratitis develops against the background of other diseases - viral enteritis, hepatitis, infectious eye diseases. Manifested by lacrimation, photophobia. If a bacterial infection is added to the pathology, the tear becomes cloudy and mucus and pus appear in it.

Chronic keratitis is often a complication of conjunctivitis, viral diseases, and dry eye syndrome. Lack of treatment can result in decreased vision or complete blindness.

Indications and contraindications for use

The use of this remedy - a drug for the treatment of diseases of the organs of vision - is recommended for the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the eyes, acute and chronic forms of conjunctivitis, keratitis, meibomitis, ulcers and erosions of the cornea, uveitis, blepharitis, keratoconjunctivitis. Can be used to prevent complications after suffering ophthalmological pathologies. It is used for mechanical damage to the eyes, foreign bodies and small debris entering the organs of vision.

The use of the drug is prohibited if the pet is hypersensitive to the components. If the cat is pregnant, you should also stop using these drops and choose another medicine. Before use, consult a veterinarian and read the instructions for the drops.

Side effects are rare. Irritation may occur upon first use. If this happens, you should stop using the drug and contact your veterinarian.

Treatment rules

Treatment results can only be achieved by following the treatment regimen. It involves regular eye drops, 4 times a day at equal intervals. Regardless of the weight of the pet, you need to bury 1 drop in each eye. Even if the inflammatory process affects only one eye, you need to drip into both.

The duration of therapy will be determined by the veterinarian who monitors the pet during the illness. Typically, antibiotics are prescribed for a course of 5-7 days, the maximum duration of treatment is 10 days.

Drops can be used to prevent complications, prevent inflammatory processes after a foreign body or irritant gets into the eye. In this case, you need to drip for 3 days, four times a day.

Characteristics of Iris eye drops for cats

The drug Iris is a translucent solution of light yellow color, which is intended for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases in cats and dogs. Sold in veterinary pharmacies without a doctor's prescription, can be ordered in online stores. Cost of a bottle (10 ml): from 130 rub. up to 210 rub.

Composition and release form

Iris drops are produced by the domestic Research and Development Plant (AVZ), founded in 1993. The drug is available in 10 ml plastic bottles with a dropper, packed in a cardboard box. It also contains detailed instructions for use.

The active ingredient is gentamicin sulfate (0.4%) - an antibiotic that actively affects many types of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. It penetrates the bacterial cell membrane, changes the structure of the cell's ribosomes, which leads to disruption of the microorganism's protein synthesis and its death. The composition also includes a prolongator (increases the duration of action of the active component) and other excipients. The drug is instilled into the conjunctival sac, it is absorbed by the mucous membrane and penetrates the internal tissues of the eye, providing a local therapeutic effect.

Iris drops are used to treat eye diseases in cats and dogs

Indications for use

Iris is an ophthalmic veterinary remedy. It has a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect, and is used in the treatment of many inflammatory eye diseases:

• conjunctivitis;
• keratitis;
• keratoconjunctivitis;
• ulcers and erosions;
• meibomyitis;
• blepharitis;
• uveitis.

The drug does not affect some types of microorganisms, these include:

• anaerobic bacteria;
• mushrooms;
• viruses;
• protozoa.

Iris drops are the first aid for injuries to the organs of vision, as they protect the body from the development of many types of pathogenic infections.

Directions for use, dosage and side effects

Dosage of the drug Iris for cats is one drop into the conjunctival cavity four times a day . This rate of drug administration is presented in its description on the page of the official website of the AVZ company. The instruction leaflet dated 05/11/2012 states one drop three times a day.

Depending on the purpose, different durations of use are suggested:

• for the treatment of inflammatory processes, therapy is carried out for 1–1.5 weeks;
• as a prophylactic for minor eye injuries or foreign body penetration - three days is enough.

Ophthalmological diseases can have complications with negative consequences (not only blindness, but also death). Treatment is recommended to be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. To properly instill the medicine, the cat's lower eyelid is slightly pulled outward, simply stretching the skin under it with a finger, then the solution is dripped and the eye is lightly stroked. The procedure is performed with an assistant.

Video: how to put drops in a cat’s eyes

Contraindications and side effects when using Iris drops

The instructions indicate that no side effects are observed when the dosage of the drug is taken exactly. Only an allergic reaction is possible if there is intolerance to certain components of the drug. However, the administration of gentamicin sulfate has a negative effect on the functioning of some organs:

• kidney;
• hearing organs;
• vestibular apparatus.

It is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation.

Neurotoxic or nephrotoxic drugs, as well as furosimide, ethacrynic acid and hydrocartisone, should not be administered simultaneously with gentamicin. It is incompatible with beta-lactam antibiotics, heparins, and amphotericin.

All these restrictions apply to a greater extent to the intramuscular administration of gentamicin. When used topically to treat eye tissue, it does not have a significant effect on the body.

If symptoms of overdose appear, the use of the medication should be discontinued. These signs include:

• vomit;
• anemia;
• drowsiness;
• tremor.

In severe cases, you need to contact a veterinary clinic. To quickly remove gentamicin from the body, hemodialysis is recommended.

Conditions and shelf life

The drug is stored in a dry and dark place, separate from feed and food. Children and animals should not have free access to it. Temperature range: from +5 to +25 °C. When the packaging is hermetically sealed, the manufacturer guarantees that the properties of the veterinary product will be preserved for 3 years from the date of release. After opening the bottle, Iris can be used for no more than ten days.

Reviews from veterinarians

Alexey, 32 years old, Chelyabinsk

I often prescribe this drug for the treatment of animals, since adverse reactions occur rarely, the drug is effective and helps well. It is important to follow the dosage and not use the drug after the expiration date: this may worsen the animal’s condition. You must first show your pet to a specialist: in some cases, using an antibiotic will be useless and you will need to select another medicine.

Marina, 44 years old, Novosibirsk

Iris drops are prescribed to dogs and cats for diseases in the field of ophthalmology. They help well if the animal was injured in a fight; If you start using it in a timely manner, you can avoid inflammation. The duration of the course of therapy should be determined by a veterinarian depending on the disease and its severity.

All information posted on the site is provided in accordance with the User Agreement and is not a direct instruction to action. We strongly recommend that before using any product, you must obtain a face-to-face consultation at an accredited veterinary clinic.

How to put drops in a cat's eyes

Medicines are instilled directly into the animal's eyes. First of all, try to calm the cat down. Place her on your lap, pet her, talk quietly and calmly. If the animal behaves nervously and aggressively, you can carefully wrap it in a towel.

If there is purulent or mucous discharge on the eyes, clean them with a cotton pad soaked in lotion.

In some cases, preliminary purification is carried out using the medicine itself. The admissibility of this action is indicated in the instructions.

Then place one palm on the cat's head, lift it up and use your fingers to open the eyelid. Place one drop and allow your pet to close the eye to distribute the product. Another way is to squeeze a few drops of the drug into the corner of a closed eye, then open the cat’s eyelids.

Repeat the procedure if necessary. At the end, praise your cat and give her a rewarding treat.

The break between instilling different types of drops should be at least 20 minutes.

Hygienic lotions are not instilled, but applied to a cotton pad or napkin, after which they wipe the cat’s eyes from the inner corner to the outer.

Please note that a number of hygiene products can cause staining or discoloration of the fur around the eyes, which is especially undesirable for show animals.

In addition to special products, you can use strong black tea or saline solution to clean your eyes.

Chamomile decoction is not recommended. One day, my relatives’ Persian cat began to “cry” more than usual, and they tried to solve the problem with chamomile - but after that, in addition to profuse lacrimation, baldness of the area around the eyes was added. The relatives were frightened, suspecting a skin disease, but, as the veterinarian explained, the cause was precisely the decoction - the substances contained in chamomile, when applied externally, lead to hair loss.

Most cats have their eyes cleaned once a day in the morning. For breeds with a natural tendency to tear, such as Persians or Britons, this procedure may be required more often, up to 2-3 times a day.

Mode of application

Before using Iris drops for a cat, you need to make sure there are no contraindications.

The dosage and course of use should be prescribed by a veterinarian, at least by phone. Otherwise, you can harm the cat without curing the eye disease.

When treating pathologies, it is very important to be able to correctly administer Iris drops to a cat.

A piece of cotton wool should be moistened in a decoction of herbs, boiled water or medicine and wipe the eyes and the area around them.

All crusts and growths must be removed gradually, allowing them to soften a little first. You need to take the drops in one hand and push the cat’s lower eyelid down with the other. After this, you can drop 3-5 drops of Iris into the affected eye. The animal may begin to break free, but it is very important not to let go of it for 3-5 minutes and allow the drug to work. At this time, the animal may experience redness of the eyes, itching and tearing.

But this is only a temporary local reaction to the stimulus, which passes very quickly. The animal's attempts to scratch its eyes must be stopped. After the specified time has passed, the cat needs to be calmed down by simply stroking it gently. Then remove the purulent discharge that appears and drip another 1-2 drops. The procedure should be repeated 3-4 times a day for a week. Hands should be washed with soap after the procedure.

If Iris is used for preventive purposes, then its dose should be reduced to 1 drop twice a day.

It is not recommended to interrupt the course of treatment with the drug. If such a situation does occur, then it should be resumed urgently in the previously indicated dosages.

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If an allergic reaction occurs in a cat, you should immediately go to a medical facility, taking with you a bottle of the product or a box of it.

Antibacterial properties

Gentamicin in drops is an antibiotic of the second generation aminoglycoside class. It penetrates the bacterial cell membrane, disrupts protein synthesis in ribosomes and causes the death of microorganisms.

A wide range of aerobic bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are sensitive to gentamicin. After instillation, the medicine penetrates the stratum corneum and remains in a therapeutic concentration in the tissues of the eye. When applied externally, the antibiotic does not enter the bloodstream and therefore does not affect internal organs and systems.

Gentamicin is powerless against anaerobic bacteria, viruses, protozoan microorganisms, and fungi.

Analogs

Other antibacterial drops are available in veterinary pharmacies:

• Decta 2. In addition to gentamicin, it contains dexamethasone. This is a synthetic corticosteroid, an analogue of prednisolone, which suppresses the inflammatory and allergic reaction. Decta 2 is contraindicated in the development of glaucoma or corneal ulcers.
• Desacid. The solution also includes gentamicin and 2 anti-inflammatory components - succinic acid and royal jelly. The salt composition in the drops effectively washes away harmful metabolic products of microorganisms and accelerates tissue regeneration.
• Desacid Forte. Drops for nose and eyes. Contains 2 complementary antibiotics - gentamicin, chloramphenicol and succinic acid.
• Tsiprovet. One-component ophthalmic drug with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. The antibacterial effect applies to almost all pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria resistant to gentamicin. Tsiprovet is a stronger drug, but in the first minutes after instillation, a burning sensation often occurs and lacrimation increases.
• Leopard eye. The solution contains 2 active components: the bacteriostatic antibiotic chloramphenicol and the antiseptic furatsilin. Unlike other ophthalmic antibacterial drugs, Bars can be used both for treatment and for everyday hygiene.

Human ophthalmic solutions with antibiotics are not recommended for use without a doctor's prescription.

Release form and storage

In veterinary pharmacies, Iris can be found in cardboard boxes, inside of which there is a bottle with a capacity of 10, 15, 20, 30 ml, or pipettes with 1, 3, 5 ml of the product.

The drug should be stored in a dark and dry place at a temperature of +18..+25 degrees, away from children and animals, away from food.

The shelf life of Iris is 3 years. But from the moment of opening it is reduced to 10 days. Unused medicine must be disposed of.

At the end of the course of use, the packaging must be disposed of. Its use for domestic purposes is prohibited.

Features of the drug's action

Iris eye drops, penetrating into the conjunctival cavity, are completely absorbed by the connective membrane. They then enter the cornea area. Due to the special composition and texture of the drug, it is evenly distributed throughout all cells of the visual organs. Drops destroy pathogens during infection. In addition, they have a positive effect on the condition of the cornea and connective membrane, as well as the internal structures of the eyes. The drug is used not only as a means of therapy.

It is also used as a prophylaxis against deterioration of the condition after suffering ophthalmological pathologies. In what cases do veterinarians recommend using Iris eye drops? This is covered in the next section.

Types of eye drops

There are several main types of eye drops:

• Antimicrobial. These include agents that suppress the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms or destroy them. They can be universal or highly specialized, that is, they kill only certain types of bacteria, viruses or fungi. Most often, the main active ingredient of such drugs is local antibiotics.
• Immunomodulatory. They correct the functioning of the immune system, thereby suppressing the development of viruses and other pathogens. The main active ingredient can be synthetic or natural.
• Anti-allergenic. Such drugs relieve allergy symptoms, reduce swelling and lacrimation. Contain substances that suppress the body's immune response to an irritant. Please note that these drugs do not treat allergies themselves.
• Moisturizing. These products ensure regular and uniform wetting of the eye. Often, succinic or hyaluronic acid is used to create them.
• Metabolic. Accelerate the healing of damaged tissues due to injuries, keratitis, and corneal erosion.