Kitten with third eyelid?

One of our barn cats had kittens and all 3 are basically healthy, except one has a problem with his eyes. We've used terramycin on him 3 times a day and he has them open but it looks like his third eyelid is still covering his eyes. He can see some because he can follow my finger and bat at it, but his eyes still have that film over them. We have moved Mommy and the litter into our bathroom until we can figure out what to do. Mommy is actually a very sweet cat and used to us so she doesn't mind being inside, so that part is good.

My question is, can a cat survive looking through his third eyelid? I know the first advice will be to take it to the vet, but with finances the way they are right now, that won't happen until next pay day.

Any advice would be helpful.

The problem is, third eyelid is usually not an eye problem, but a symptom for something else... Compare with a high temp...

And this can be almost anything... Not so seldom worms (a rather heavy worm infection, of course).

So, think wider than eyes. If you dont get good answers, I think a visit with a decent vet is necessary.

Do at least phone a vet you think answers questions on telephone.

If you were paying patient with some vet - try with this. As ex-paying patient you do have some plus punkts there.


Good luck!

How old are they?

If the vet knows you - you perhaps his old patient, try to get some schedule to pay later, when the pay days comes, as you tell us. Many vets accept this.

Thanks Stefan! He's still in the bathroom and we'll be calling the vet first thing tomorrow and see what he says. His eyes are actually a little clearer after being inside for a day (maybe allergies?) but they still are milky looking and the third eyelid is still covering most of them. We'll see what the vet says. Mommy and the other two are back outside for now and he seems to be doing fine on his own. We also notices his brother "play attacks" him hard, and got his eye a few times today so maybe a break from the play would help.

The bad thing is I'm really getting attached to the little sucker.