eye crusties

so Isis has always had the tiniest little eye crusties (always meaning, since we got her a year ago. dunno what she was like before then haha). but now they have changed color to a darker almost bloody color. is this something that should worry me or will it go away on their own? I've seen those dogs that have the tear stains that are that reddish brown, and this seems similar in color. sort of. I always have a hard time convincing DH that there is a problem with one of our animals, since he thinks that I worry too much. Should I be taking her to the vet for this or is it diet related? we haven't changed her diet though, so I don't see how that could be the problem. any advice welcome, thanks!

Reddish brown is the normal color. If there's always quite a bit, consult the vet. Is Isis do for a yearly check up soon?

Possible things that irritate eyes are the same for cats as they are humans: Household irritants (chemicals) and allergens. Sometimes ridding the home of them as much as possible can help.

ah. it's not more than normal, it's just darkened from the color it used to be. it used to be like human and bunny eye crusties, more of a clearish white color, and it's darkened now to the brownish coloring. I have been cleaning the house more than usual lately, and have felt my own allergies act up in result to this. Maybe that's it? Her yearly check up isn't until May.

*a little off topic, but why do the vet offices recommend a twice yearly check up on cats??? especially if they are both only about 2 years old?

Mine only suggests an annual. Once a year is required, twice a year is better if you can and once a cat gets older it's a must.

It may just be your particular clinic's practices, or maybe they hope to get a bit more cash out of office visit charges on an exam that doesn't need anything else done. Depends on how much they charge for you for the visit alone.

What are you cleaning with? Do you have carpet? What sort of heating?

yeah, right now I take them to the local banfield vet office (petsmart vet), only because they have the most flexible hours, and I had a coupon for a free vet visit there for both my cats. I'm going to be shopping around soon for a better vet though, Banfield loves to push their care package thing too much. although the visits are only like $35 for a regular exam... all the other vets that I have taken animals to (granted they're rabbits and tortoises), and have more like $50 a pop, which does hurt a little when I have 2 rabbits and one tortoise.

I am just doing more vacuuming than usual, although my vacuum has hepa filtering and like 2 different actual filters on the thing. the heating is forced air, and we turn on the gas fireplace for the kitties to keep extra warm next to it. it doesn't really heat anything that isn't like 3 feet from it, it's more for show I think. but they love it!

Check your filter(s) on your forced air. Cats, especially fluffy ones, plug up those filters quickly. Maybe check your vacuum cleaner filters, too.

What sort of cleaners? Any scented things in the home?


And you take your tortoise to Banfield?! Have you seen what Petsmart does to the reptiles they sell? Terrible care, sometimes sick, and if Banfield is vetting them (as they claim they do), well...

(Bit of info for those that don't know. Mars Petcare owns 90 -something % of Banfield. Banfield is responsible for all their food trials)

we just changed the filters a month ago, so I don't know if it would be that. I also clean the filters on the vacuum quite regularly. maybe it's the rabbits shedding? and there's nothing scented in the home, we don't like funny smells haha.

oh, no, I don't take the tortoise or the rabbits there! I have to drive 1 1/2 hours to their vet office, since I have to have specialists look at them. People make sooooo many mistakes with animals that are not dogs or cats that I can't trust most of the vets that are within a 1/2 hour radius, and those that I can aren't open late enough, or on weekends.

is Mars Petcare have the same parent company as the Mars Candy bar people? I don't know if I can trust any vet office that is owned by companies that have an interest in the vet office promoting their products above others....

Originally Posted by twobananaz

oh, no, I don't take the tortoise or the rabbits there! I have to drive 1 1/2 hours to their vet office, since I have to have specialists look at them. People make sooooo many mistakes with animals that are not dogs or cats that I can't trust most of the vets that are within a 1/2 hour radius, and those that I can aren't open late enough, or on weekends.

is Mars Petcare have the same parent company as the Mars Candy bar people? I don't know if I can trust any vet office that is owned by companies that have an interest in the vet office promoting their products above others....

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That's good to know! And you're right, rabbits and reptiles need specialists.

Mars Petcare is a division of Mars, which makes candy, food, and other items. They've actually made petfood for quite a while (Pedigree and Whiskas sort of being what they started with). Now, they don't own all of Banfield, just most. Mars itself is a private (not publicly traded) company. Who knows the story behind Banfield, maybe they needed the money. That said, yes a vested interest but money can go to research and training - hopefully. Take Blue Buffalo for example, they fund cancer research. (that said, I wouldn't use a Banfield by choice - but in a pinch it's fine for your very basic checkups so no offense to those who used them to save a little money but still get their dog or cat vetted)

Also good to know that you don't use scented stuff. It's not good for anyone really.
It could be from dander in the air, it could be from dry air - in which you can try adding a humidifier or two to help. But if there's quite a bit of discharge on average compared to other cats or you have the chance to ask the vet, do so. Some kitties can have allergies (to odd things), some have herpes virus which can cause eye discharge, and some kitties can have tear duct issues.

great, the candy bar company owns a lot of the banfields.... if I wanted a candy bar, I'd buy a candy bar. when I want vet advice, I want unbiased vet advice. looks like I'm going to have to start researching vet offices in my area, read reviews, and ask the right questions to test their doctors...sad, I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this again. it was bad enough with the "exotics" pets, I was hoping cats were easier! <sigh>....have to remind myself, that nothing is ever easy. oh well. that's life.

but yeah, my house doesn't smell bad, and I rather like the smell of hay that permeates it because of the rabbits (the are house rabbits), and the DH and I can never agree on a smell anyway. if we needed our house to smell like something, then we're not cleaning enough! we do need to invest in a air purifier though. and maybe I can find some humidifiers on craigslist for cheap (although I think they're pretty cheap already....hmmm....). anything to make my animals' lives better!