Kitten eye's opening

Got a question. All 7 cats now have their eyes at least partially open. it's been 19 days now. Shouldn't they all be open all the way?

Most important. I've got one tabby that has his right eye completely open but his left is only about 10% open. it hasn't changed in a week. Should I be concerned?

Tiger and Lily were just over 2 weeks before they opened their eyes. Tiger had his eyes open first but Lily had the same that your little tabby is doing. She had one eye open before the other and it almost looked like she had a problem or something...but everything opened up the way it should.

Thats just my story, not sure if it helps ya at all...and Tiger and Lily were my first experience with it all too...so i am no expert, but im sure you'll get some more expert advice.

But I know that worried feeling about it - I was worried about Lily's eyes as well

Originally Posted by fastnoc

Got a question. All 7 cats now have their eyes at least partially open. it's been 19 days now. Shouldn't they all be open all the way?

Most important. I've got one tabby that has his right eye completely open but his left is only about 10% open. it hasn't changed in a week. Should I be concerned?

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I noticed that in the pictures actually but kept quiet, because it could just be normal. Now, I don't think so. The last pic you posted on the blog looks as if the eye/cheek could be swollen. Get some cotton pads, warm water and try to get the eye open, gently (may take a couple of days). If that doesn't work you need to get him to the vet or get the vet to him.

Hmm.. wow now that you mention it, it might be swollen. i didn't even notice.

Here's a picture from today


I'll take a look now.

There's another one with eyes that are only half open too. i'll see if I can get a pic of that too

After looking i am sure it's not swollen. It must just be the angles. I looked really close and other than being mostly closed it looks OK. I've got cotton balls and I'll use some warm water and start gently working on it.

Thank you

Just wanted to say...nice to see the little black and white not on his back!

lol no kidding. man what a weirdo! he was upside down again just a minute ago. he gets that way then stick his legs straight up in the air. And it seems like there's always another kitten sleeping across his throat. Poor little guy

Originally Posted by fastnoc

After looking i am sure it's not swollen. It must just be the angles. I looked really close and other than being mostly closed it looks OK. I've got cotton balls and I'll use some warm water and start gently working on it.

Thank you

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You're welcome But if the eyes don't open in the next couple of days, I would really recommend a vet consult.

The sucky part is the lady at the rescue center that I'm working with is out of town until Monday. so i need to get by if I can. I can't start paying for vet visits for fosters. I'd go broke with the crowd I have here!

Majority of kittens have eyes open by 14 days. If there is no improvement by Monday, I'd get the kittens into the vet.

well crap now I'm nervous.

Let me show you exactly where I'm at. There's no noticable swelling and there's no eye boogers. but you all think i should start trying to do it myself?

I'd have the vet do it. Not good to be messing around with the eyes. You might tear something and then you are looking at surgery.

Originally Posted by fastnoc

... All 7 cats now have their eyes at least partially open ...

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More so than the kitten you are concerned about?

Originally Posted by fastnoc

... it's been 19 days now. Shouldn't they all be open all the way?

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Not necessarily. While it hasn't been frequent, I have seen it take as long as 3 weeks for eyes to become fully opened in kittens.

Originally Posted by fastnoc

Most important. I've got one tabby that has his right eye completely open but his left is only about 10% open. it hasn't changed in a week. Should I be concerned?

Click to expand...

Again, not necessarily. Is the kitten pawing at the eye or in any other way seem to be in distress about it? You mention below that there is no noticable swelling, no discharge from the open part of the eye ... it is just that the lid hasn't pulled apart fully. There can be many reasons for this, but I think it would be safe for you to wait a few more days before becoming concerned. If this eye hasn't fully opened, or if you see any discharge (no matter what the color or consistancy) coming from the eye, then it would be time for the vet to intervene.

Originally Posted by fastnoc

Let me show you exactly where I'm at. There's no noticable swelling and there's no eye boogers. but you all think i should start trying to do it myself?

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I see nothing obviously wrong with the eye ... the membrane is in the proper retracted position, the iris is in the right place, it looks clean and in no way red or irritated at all.

I would keep working gently with the cotton pads and warm water. Make the pad pretty wet and let it soak in by holding it gently over the closed eye lid for a few moments. Don't squeeze or press or try to force the lid open, just lightly hold the pad in place, then swab it gently downwards ... don't use force, just swab it across the closed part of the lid a few times. Do this several times a day for another couple of days.

If this doesn't help by day two, then go ahead and get a vet's opinion.

Hi Gayef, thanks for responding.

All of the kittens eyes are pretty much completely open except this one. He's the only one.

I'll keep working on it. Actually, and let me verify this, I thought i'd use some new, unused micro fiber towels I have that i buy to clean glass with. Of course I wouldn't use one that's been used at all.

I've got cotton balls too but no pads.

Is it going to be a problem to use the micro fiber? i like this idea just because it won't leave any fibers behind.

If by "microfiber" towels, you are referring to the same ones my husband washes (more accurately, dries) his car with, then no, I am not sure that is a good idea. The reason I like cotton pads or even gauze is because it is sterile. You can't guarantee that with the microfiber towels.

OK i'll dothat. glad I asked actually. I never even thought about sterilization.

Incase you're interested, here's the mom you helped me coach through delivery. The rare picture of her with her eyes almost open.



Ok back to the procedure. slowly wipe down? i'd have thought i should kind of gently spread her eyes open. Glad I didn't just try this

She is beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. While my heart of hearts belongs to the Siamese breed, I love ~all~ cats dearly. I am glad everything went so well that night for you. It is quite an experience, no?

By wiping down, you really aren't pulling on the lid, you are just sort of moving it in the natural direction it should go ... you can also wipe upwards too, even alternating between the two directions. Just don't force it. Follow the line of the lid from side to side a couple of time with a wet gauze or cotton pad, then wipe either downwards or upwards, you choice. Hope that makes sense. It would be easier to show you, but I think you can get it.

Thanks again. Just an update. it's working. the eye has opened a little more now. I think we're on the right track.

it's funny, the cat with the bad eye is by far the most curious of the litter. he's escaped the box 6 times now and no other kittens have even tried. I reconfigured the entry so he can't get out anymore, but he really is assertive

Actually I just went in the room.

Fuzzy, but the answer is there!

Yay! That is such a sweet little kitten face! Even though they look sweet, we know the boogy man checks his closet everynight before he goes to bed to make sure they aren't in there ... *grin*