Feral Showing Third Eye in Both Eyes

lesliel76

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Hi, One of my ferals is showing his I guess it is called third eye in both eyes. The white part is coming up in the corner more then it should. He seems to be fine otherwise, is eating and hanging out in the yard.  I read online that this could mean he is sick and has something wrong with him.  I called around this morning to get him into a vet, and have a few options....all more expensive then I would like even though I am TNR certified.  Also this cat in particular is very aggressive once you cage him, I just had him fixed a few months ago.  Has anyone had this third eye problem?  Is there an antibiotic I can buy online to try rather then go through the stress of trapping bringing him in and then paying a lot of money.

I am also not sure how urgent this is, I don't want my whole colony to get sick.  He is really close to a younger cat.  Of course all the vets said as soon as you can bring him in.

Thanks for any advise!
 
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StefanZ

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Hi, One of my ferals is showing his I guess it is called third eye in both eyes. The white part is coming up in the corner more then it should. He seems to be fine otherwise, is eating and hanging out in the yard.  I read online that this could mean he is sick and has something wrong with him.  I called around this morning to get him into a vet, and have a few options....all more expensive then I would like even though I am TNR certified.  Also this cat in particular is very aggressive once you cage him, I just had him fixed a few months ago.  Has anyone had this third eye problem?  Is there an antibiotic I can buy online to try rather then go through the stress of trapping bringing him in and then paying a lot of money.

I am also not sure how urgent this is, I don't want my whole colony to get sick.  He is really close to a younger cat.  Of course all the vets said as soon as you can bring him in.

Thanks for any advise!
Its called for the third eyelid.

Its usually NOT really an eye problem, but its a sign he has an infection or inflammation somewhere.  It may be almost anything. Sometimes its "just" common worms - although prob rather heavy infection.   So begin with deworming him.

As he seems to look healthy otherwise, its hopefully nothing very dangerous nor contagious. Keep an eye on him, and deworm...

Of course, if you find some useful routine to be able to catch and transport to a vet, its always wise to be prepared.

Including finding a cheap vet you can cooperate with...
 
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lesliel76

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Thank you I am going to try that tonorrow. I spoke with a vet and he seemed optimistic that he was eating running and playing. I will most likely take him in, but going to monitor til Friday. If it still seems bad by then, I'll trap him Friday evening hopefully, and bring him in Saturday morning. The vet said he would see him for free, only having to pay for what is administered. Hoping he will be ok.
 

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Thank you I am going to try that tonorrow. I spoke with a vet and he seemed optimistic that he was eating running and playing. I will most likely take him in, but going to monitor til Friday. If it still seems bad by then, I'll trap him Friday evening hopefully, and bring him in Saturday morning. The vet said he would see him for free, only having to pay for what is administered. Hoping he will be ok.
Very good you managed to find this solution.  You can perhaps get a more steady, long term cooperation with this vet?

Anyway, it was very nice of this vet to give you and your protegé this offer.   If you do have a suitable occasion, please forward to this vet my blessings. I do mean it for real.
 

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I took one of my feral cats in for this same problem and I was told she had the herpes virus. They gave her an antibiotic injection and L-lysine. It took several weeks to clear up. I now give them all l-lysine every day and she has never had an issue with her eyes again. This was back in 2011.
 
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lesliel76

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Hi Thank you , good to know. Depending on what the vet says I might also give them all L-lysine. I read a few things about that.

I have been monitoring him all week hoping it would get better, but it hasn't. He seems ok otherwise so I am optimistic this will be an easy thing. Still playing, eating, climbing trees. I do get the feeling that this guy had a rough start to life and might not be the strongest healthiest cat. He came to me in February and was a year old then. He small and doesn't seem to put on too much weight or muscle.

I got him tapped tonight, which was way easier then I thought, I didn't really even withhold food! I guess he has a certain trust with me since I feed him. Hopefully he won't hate me after this. He is not a happy camper right now.

I am very thankful for this vet and hope to keep a working relationship with them for all my ferals. I guess I know where to go now if I need to. Hoping the rest will keep healthy for a while though.

Will let you know what happens tomorrow.
 
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lesliel76

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So I took him to the vet and they gave him the shot of antibiotics on Saturday morning. They were really great people and even though he was aggressive in the cage they handled him well and only charged for the shot. Got me in and out in a half hour. It was a big dose that I guess would stay with him for 10 days. Since he was agressive in the trap and the only way to do a proper examine on him would be to sedate him. I opted to just do the antibiotics and see what would happen.

I have not seen any improvemet. Wondering how long it was before anyone saw an improvement with this third eyelid if given antibiotics? Any advise would be great. I am getting concerned it's something worse. He is still eating, playing etc. So that is good and gives me hope.

I also started the L-lysion yesterday. Hoping that will help too.

I bought some dewormer, but am a little scared to use I read some scary reviews about it making their cat sicker. Got the sure shot sergeants dewormer. Has anyone used this?

Thanks!
 

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So I took him to the vet and they gave him the shot of antibiotics on Saturday morning. They were really great people and even though he was aggressive in the cage they handled him well and only charged for the shot. Got me in and out in a half hour. It was a big dose that I guess would stay with him for 10 days. Since he was agressive in the trap and the only way to do a proper examine on him would be to sedate him. I opted to just do the antibiotics and see what would happen.

I have not seen any improvemet. Wondering how long it was before anyone saw an improvement with this third eyelid if given antibiotics? Any advise would be great. I am getting concerned it's something worse. He is still eating, playing etc. So that is good and gives me hope.

I also started the L-lysion yesterday. Hoping that will help too.

I bought some dewormer, but am a little scared to use I read some scary reviews about it making their cat sicker. Got the sure shot sergeants dewormer. Has anyone used this?

Thanks!
I have a suspiction the sergeants are one of the " less reliable" companies... If not knowing the OTC brands, use some of either a mayor human medical industry, alike  Bayer, or some who is doing much for the vets and vets hospitals...

So, unless you hear something else, DONT use THIS dewormer.
 

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Im reusing a sheet I wrote once with some of my remarks.

The recommendation to you for now would be Milbomax or Drontal...

Observe, some of these medicines may have other names in different countries, so google on these you are interested in.

"

Dewormers and other useful medicines for practical use.

Which?  If unsure, products made by companies who also make human medicines, for example Bayer, are safe and good.  They don’t  afford any bad reputation.

Similar is for companies producing for veterinarians and veterinary hospitals.  Also their products may be considered as safe.

These are typically sold in pharmacias and at vet offices.  Although they MAY be sold also in well sorted pet shops.  They can also often be  bought by Amazon or Ebay.

Companies producing for sale OverTheCount  in pet shops, directly to the end consumer the pet owner, are often less reliable, sometimes directly unsuitable.

So, don’t buy OTC in the pet shop, unless you know for sure this is good and safe stuff.

Terramycin paste, much useful for infected eyes.  Very common with ferale kittens.  Terramycin Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment for anything near the eye

L-Lysin, often useful against virus infections, useful for humans too.

Milbomax, a mild all round dewormed. Useful also for young kittens.

Drontal, an useful all round dewormer.  One pill should be enough.  Although may be necessary to repeat a couple of weeks later, as is usual in deworming.

Capstar,  kills all adult fleas  practically at once.  Harmless for mammals. (although they can react, because the dying fleas embarrass them).  Useful if you for example take home a just rescued cat with lots of fleas.  But it must be a follow up with a more normal  flea-killer, as the larvae and eggs aren’t  killed.

Droncit, a tape worm killer.  Useful as complement to for example Revolution spot on, which kills all outer parasites and round worms.

Spots on:

Revolution, kills all outer parasites including mites and fleas,  and round worms.  The big advantage is the ease of use.   There are also variations for high pregs and nursing.

Advantage Multi – similar usage as Revolution.

Advocate – similar usage as Revolution and Advantage Multi. The sheet contains lotsa of warnings…If it is an inferior product compared to above, or the company is more expressive and honest, I don’t know.

Advantage II.  Mostly against just fleas. Effective and can be used also on pregnant females and quite young kittens.

Pyrantel poaomate, or often just Pyrantel.  This is the active substance in many dewormers against roundworm. Safe and fairly effective.  Is sold in many brands, often also OTC. Three examples:

Banminth, sold among other in Sweden, is wellknown as mild and safe also for small kittens 2+weeks.

Seasoned rescuers, and owners of many cats,  sometimes buys full bottles of Pyrantel Poamoate sold for horses.   Its essentially exactly the same as for cats, its “only” to know the exact dosage for cats, how much to mix down.

One forumist in India got the advice from her vet to use a Pyrantel preparate, sold for cows.  It should be the similar as mentioned above.  BUT. This brand had apparently also some additions, which made it very dubious for cats….  So look exactly on the label of contains.  And if in doubt google or ask at a good cat forum.

T

K9 Advantix II for dogs – all outer parasites, including mosquitos, lices, biting flies. NOT for cats.

Seresto for  cats.  A color protecting against ticks and fleas, several months. Its made by Bayer, so it should be much safer then the usual OTC sold anti-flea collars, who are often directly poisoneous both for cats and dogs, but also poisoning water if they do bathe in a lake."
 
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