TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Cats 3rd eyelid??
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Cats 3rd eyelid??

post #1 of 9
7/9/10 at 12:08pm
Thread Starter 
HI all I noticed yesterday that Floss had what looked like a kind of a skin in both her eyes, I asked my mum and she said she had seen it before in her cats and come to me remembering my old cat Tabitha used to et this in really hot weather. Well I googled it and it turned out that its her 3rd eyelid. Ok I have never heard of this and I am confused, she is fine in herself, eating and drinking and doing all normal things why on earth has this appeared?? thanks.xx
Reply
post #2 of 9
7/9/10 at 12:18pm
It's usually only visible when a cat is unwell, has something irritating an eye(s), or in a really sleepy cat that hasn't fully woke up yet.

If your cat is walking around with her third eyelids visible, it's a good chance that something is wrong.
Reply
post #3 of 9
7/9/10 at 12:57pm
Thread Starter 
Like I said she is her absolute normal self but I will indeed take her to the vets incase there is anything underlying, is it possible she could get hayfever? Its really bad here this year. Thanks for your advice I will ring my vet, they are open in the morning. I thought she had something in her eye until I realised it was both eyes, I am glad I googled it now. x
Reply
post #4 of 9
7/9/10 at 1:52pm
Well you know how secretive cats are. She's not going to advertise that she's unwell.

But yes, it could be anything even allergies. I hope that the vet figures this out and it's nothing major.
Reply
post #5 of 9
7/9/10 at 2:13pm
is it visable all of the time or have you noticed it at certain times after floos has been sleepin eating etc...

i know i see Sootys quite regular especially if i wake him when he doesnt want to be woke, flash's i see rarely
Reply
post #6 of 9
7/9/10 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
Mainly I just notice it when she is out in the garden with me, when she is in and asleep on our bed (ahem...her bed) and she wakes up she is ok, thats why I thought it could be allergy related. This heat that we have lately seems to be really unsettling all the cats. I know cats do not advertise the fact that they are ill but I saw on my google results that it could be down to illness but I thought if she was ill then she would show some signs. I will phone the vets in the morning, I should be able to get her in, vets seem better at giving out appointments than our own doctors.Fingers crossed it's nothing serious. I feel so dumb now, not knowin about this 3rd eyelid.x
Reply
post #7 of 9
7/9/10 at 7:22pm
The third eyelid can pop up for various reasons like several people have mentioned. My cats will often have them up when sleeping, they keep their main eyelids "cracked" open with the third eyelid across -- kinda creepy-looking! Eye/nose infections and allergies can also cause it to be visible. If it only happens sporadically through the day and they eyes (and nose) aren't red, crusty, runny, or "angry" looking, it's probably nothing to worry about.

Most animal species have a third eyelid (a.k.a nictitating membrane). It adds an extra layer of protection to the eyeball and acts as a "windshield wiper" to clear the eye and spread the tearfilm across the eye. Often the first time people see them they become alarmed, and may feel like their pet's eyes have "rolled back in its head."
Reply
post #8 of 9
7/10/10 at 8:33am
Thread Starter 
Well been to the vets and he was a bit baffled as I thought it would not be visible when I took her-typical! She is in fine health, he has put it down to an allergy, to what he does not know, I suggested hayfever and he said it could be possible. He just basically told me to bring her back if her symptoms get worse.
Thing is we are back home now and they are visible again, its mainly when she comes out in the garden, I think I will try and keep her in to see if it makes a difference, it could be possible it could be an allergic reaction to a plant or something? x
Reply
post #9 of 9
7/10/10 at 8:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruthyb View Post
Mainly I just notice it when she is out in the garden with me, when she is in and asleep on our bed (ahem...her bed) and she wakes up she is ok, thats why I thought it could be allergy related. This heat that we have lately seems to be really unsettling all the cats. I know cats do not advertise the fact that they are ill but I saw on my google results that it could be down to illness but I thought if she was ill then she would show some signs. I will phone the vets in the morning, I should be able to get her in, vets seem better at giving out appointments than our own doctors.Fingers crossed it's nothing serious. I feel so dumb now, not knowin about this 3rd eyelid.x

This (in reply to bolded part of your message) IS the sign. Whether it's allergy related or just feeling the weather, it is still a sign.

Cats are the masters of hiding illness, so sometimes we have to watch for these little involuntary hints to know something is not right.

I think it could be your weather though, making her feel a bit puny. Keep her inside where it's cool and dry and see how she does.

Tolly's third eye lid shows too, when he is feeling a bit off, and the weather will do it, as he is a barometer when it comes to heavy weather patterns.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cat Health
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Cats 3rd eyelid??