Is this just from stress?

One of my new cats (Walter, tabby and white) has a goopy eye. It wasn't like that when he got here, at least that I noticed anyway. Both of his eyes are pink around the edges and his left eye is watery with some white discharge. I wiped it off (b/c it was starting to run down his face) and it smelled really bad. He's pinching his eye shut now also. Could this be something like herpes?

I contacted the person that runs the rescue (didn't want to call his foster mom, it was too late) by email and she said it is just from stress. Could that be? I haven't technically adopted them yet, they are just here for a "trail run" for a week. Would it still be my responsibility to take him to the vet? I'm calling his foster mom in the morning to see what she says about it.

If it is herpes, could that be passed on to Nora or his brother? So far, Thomas seems to be fine.

At the shelter I adopted my cats, they 'strongly' recommend that you take any adoptees to your own vet within three days of adoption - that way, if something is wrong that their own vet didn't pick up, you can work with the shelter (either returning the pet, or working out medical details). I would strongly urge you to take this baby into your own vet, just for your own peace of mind, and for the health of all of your cats, including Thomas. I know it's tough on Christmas eve, but maybe your vet can squeeze you in.
The stress of adoption could have triggered something, but I'd be more comfortable with my own vet - and keep all the receipts - maybe they'll reimburse you.

My own vet offers free new kitten/puppy exams - actually, any new pet - of course, they hope you continue to use the vet, and shots, etc, aren't free, just the exam. When I got my second, I went to my vet on the way home from Petsmart for a check up - the vet was great at working me in since I wasn't quite sure of the time.

I don't know how it works with just a week trial, but when we had adopted Autumn from the a shelter, we got 1 free vet visit, and it had to be with in 2 weeks. Whatever is wrong with his eyes, could be an allergy, or a cold, or an infection. He probably does need to go to the vet.

Yes, it's very much possibly stress related, esp. since Walter is the more timid & shy baby. As long as the goopy stuff isn't green or red or pussy looking, he should be okay. If you have some lysine, or can get to the store to get some, you can add that to his wet food (grind up the tablets) and it will help. We did this with Tumbles when we first got him and it worked well.

I'll see if I can get out and pick some up. Thanks!! He LOVES wet food. His eye seems better this morning, but he's still squinting a bit. How much should I give him?

I know this is more a behavior question...but should I be concerned if Walter refuses to come out of the carrier? I'm sure he came out last night when we were asleep, but if he hears us outside the bathroom or if we go in there, he won't come out at all. His brother on the other hand refuses to stay in the bathroom. He just wants to explore the house and acts like he's lived here for years. lol Thomas does NOT like my husband and runs away whenever he sees him, though.

Wow, some of you people are really lucky - free visits to vet with new pets! I wish I had those too. Just to give you an idea with what we've dealt with rescued cats. First pair had terrible URI:s when we got them. They had only been at the shelter few days - enough to catch it and fell ill right after coming home. Next cat had diarrhoea, the following one had ear infection. Last one had urinary infection although that masked something way worse

In all of these cases it was OUR responsibility to take the cat to OUR vet. This was explicitly stated in the adoption agreement. In all cases we had the right to return the cat if we did not want him/her - for medical reason or for whatever. However, once we had gotten the cat, the responsibility for the cat's well being had shifted to us. Most places offered consultation if needed but absolutely no vet services. In the case of the last cat mentioned who ended up dying soon after adoption, we were offered consultation (=PTS visit )with another vet for free because of an obvious neglect on the part of the shelter vet.

I, also, think Walther's eyes are most likely gooing up from stress. This happens to my cats when they stress. Herpes is very common with kitties and if Walther has it, Thomas most certainly already has it too. After all you say they have been together this far.

I would not worry at all at this point about him not coming out of the carrier if you can somehow make sure he has come out when you are not there and is eating and going to the potty. I had a very boisterous affectionate kitty who hid in the beginning, he just needed to get his bearings. I would give him several days to couple of weeks and not push him (don't let gazillion people go there disturbing him right now). I am sure being with Thomas makes him feel so much better.

Hi! I don't know if this is the same problem that you're having, but this is what I'm dealing with.
I recently adopted a brother and sister from a local rescue shelter. I've had them for a month, and about a week ago, the male started having a clear discharge from his right eye. Since my adoption was so recent, and they just finsihed medication for a virus that was contracted at the shelter, the shelter has agreed to pick up the medical costs until they are completely healed.
The vet said that the eye problem was herpes and, like humans, the outbreak could have been caused by stress. But the herpes virus was already in their system. A few days ago, the female began having a yellow discharge from her right eye, and I could tell that her eye was inflamed. I immediately called the shelter, and they took both the kittens, (5 months old), to the vet. They returned home with a cream to put in the eye several times a day, and I'm hopeing this will clear it up.
If I were you, I would definitely make sure a vet sees the kitten. And the sooner the better. You don't want the eye to get worse, and it sounds like it is some kind of infection. Good luck, and I wish you and your furry family members a very Merry Christmas. Take care and God Bless you.

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

I'll see if I can get out and pick some up. Thanks!! He LOVES wet food. His eye seems better this morning, but he's still squinting a bit. How much should I give him?

I know this is more a behavior question...but should I be concerned if Walter refuses to come out of the carrier? I'm sure he came out last night when we were asleep, but if he hears us outside the bathroom or if we go in there, he won't come out at all. His brother on the other hand refuses to stay in the bathroom. He just wants to explore the house and acts like he's lived here for years. lol Thomas does NOT like my husband and runs away whenever he sees him, though.

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Right now, you can give him 500mg a day. I just crush the tablets between 2 spoons. Add a bit of water to the food and mix it all together.

Herpes is SO common among kitties, it could just be a little flare-up from stress. They lysine should really do the trick!

Walter is scared and shier than his brother. Cats are territorial, and his whole world has been turned upside down. He feels safe in his carrier right now. This is completely normal and to be expected. Just do as much as you can on a schedule, entice him out with the irresistable (at some point it will be!) movement of a wand toy of some type (that prey instinct will kick in), and let him get comfy at his own pace.

I should add... it won't hurt to get a t-shirt really good and sweaty, and leave treats out for him on it. Or put it in the carrier with him. Or put it under his food when you feed him. It'll help him associate your smell with "good" things.

I just wanted to update and tell you guys that the drainage from his eye started to turn red (like blood) so I asked the owner of the rescue what she thought I should do, if I should take him to the vet (remember, I haven't officially adopted them yet, so I don't think it's my place to make that decision). She is making him an appt for him either tomorrow or Tues, and she said that since he came to me that way, the rescue will pay for the vet visit. Hopefully we get this figured out and he starts to feel better soon.

Good grief! I hope the appt is for TODAY! She doesn't seem too concerned about the whole thing, which is somewhat disconcerting.

We're not going until tomorrow. *shrug* She's having me take both of them in, so they can both get a full spectrum wormer, along with having them look at Walter's eye. She wants me to try to get a stool sample from Walter since he is still having some soft stools. I've been giving Walter the Lysine, and I don't know if it is that or he's just getting over it, but his eye looks MUCH better today. Just a little runny, but mostly clear. Not bloody or even pussy looking anymore. Hopefully they say he's fine. I'm also going to see how much they charge for rabies vaccines and maybe get them while I'm there so I can license them right away, and that's all I will have to pay for.

That's awesmoe about Walter's eye. Even if nothing is wrong with Walter's eye, expect them to give you some Tobramycin or something for it. Hopefully you can get the rabies vaccine pretty cheaply. My vet charged $35 for rabies. I saw the vial he drew from, that entire thing couldn't be $30 wholesale haha. I guess you pay for the vets knowledge of which piece of shoulder flab to inject in.

FYI, my Clyde had a runny eye for years and it was a watery red. I took him to the vet, assuming it was herpes. The vet said no, he just had a blocked tear duct so it would overflow a lot. The red look she said was Cytokines.

Interestingly enough, it was icky and blackish all over his fur under his eye for a year or two after we got him, then he got an abscess on his side and had to go on antibiotics. And would you believe also his eye cleared up???!!! Well, it still overflows, but it's not blackish or reddish anymore. That was about a year ago!

Originally Posted by rad65

That's awesmoe about Walter's eye. Even if nothing is wrong with Walter's eye, expect them to give you some Tobramycin or something for it. Hopefully you can get the rabies vaccine pretty cheaply. My vet charged $35 for rabies. I saw the vial he drew from, that entire thing couldn't be $30 wholesale haha. I guess you pay for the vets knowledge of which piece of shoulder flab to inject in.

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Your vet should be more up to date... Most vets gives rabies in the rear legs now due to sarcoma risk.. ie amputating a leg may not be pretty but it is much easier than a neck or head... Terramycin ..http://www.1800petmeds.com/Terramycin-prod10190.html This is a common one avail over the counter at most feed stores and some pet stores... Ie if the vet is over 20$ your being gouged as it is 15-20 most places .. Yes you pay for the schooling and expertise though you paid ALOT compared to most

Originally Posted by sharky

Your vet should be more up to date... Most vets gives rabies in the rear legs now due to sarcoma risk.. ie amputating a leg may not be pretty but it is much easier than a neck or head... Terramycin ..http://www.1800petmeds.com/Terramycin-prod10190.html This is a common one avail over the counter at most feed stores and some pet stores... Ie if the vet is over 20$ your being gouged as it is 15-20 most places .. Yes you pay for the schooling and expertise though you paid ALOT compared to most

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Ah, you're right. Tails got his rabies vaccine at the same time as his distemper booster. Thinking back, it WAS the rabies in the back leg, distemper in the front. Oh, and that's Wrigleyville (north side Chicago) pricing. When the average house is over $1 million, vets charge more.

I would wait to get the rabies shot if Walter's not well, especially if he's having loose stools. Get that all cleared up and get him healthy before starting the shots.

Originally Posted by stephanietx

I would wait to get the rabies shot if Walter's not well, especially if he's having loose stools. Get that all cleared up and get him healthy before starting the shots.

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I probably will wait to get the rabies, if I even get it at all. They've had all their other shots, but our city wants the owner to get the rabies vaccine in their name, rather than the rescue or shelter. They will be strictly indoors (as is Nora) so I don't really see a need for it.