Is there something wrong with my kitten's eyes?

Hello, I have been raising kittens since May 6th, and there have been a fair share of problems. They all had crust over their eyes for a bit, and I got it treated with Ciprofloxacin. However, one of them has weird looking eyes, despite having gotten rid of the eye crust. Here is a picture of the kitten:


Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Bulging and more blue than usual at this age?  

Clear eyes otherwise?

Does he see?  Are you positively sure of it?

Are the littermates still blue in eyes or had they began to change color?  At about 6 weeks they should start.

Im no great expert.  Bulging eyes is often a problem with pus somewhere inside the eyehole.  Although in such cases, usually something is coming out oozing, so usually you notice.  Also in other ways there is a noticeable problem.

Unnaturally blue eyes may be connected with blindness.   And healthy blue eyes are rare, unless its a point...

So if he does see, its not this.

But if he is more wobbly and clumsy than the others,  that is it.

Of course, if he is a indoor only home pet, it wont matter that much being blind, an he will still have a good life.

The other 3 kittens eyes are perfectly normal and have formed. Their eyes might still be blue, but nowhere like this little guy. He's the only one who's eyes look like this. They're all 6 weeks old as of Thursday.

He doesn't seem to have anything coming out of his eyes. I'm not sure if he can see, but he doesn't seem to bump into anything. He has 4 legs, but a missing foot(been that way since he was born I think). He seems pretty sturdy for having only 3 feet, but that's just my perception. He runs just fine, though obviously not as fast as his siblings.

They are only indoor kittens. I'm raising them(giving them a temporary home), until I can find them loving homes. I hope he isn't blind, because it'll bum me out. Missing a foot, and possible blindness is a pretty crappy way to start.

if your little guy is blind, his other senses will be more acute -- he'll grow up learning to rely on those other senses, hearing and smelling and feeling things. and he'll also not know that he's missing anything, that he's supposed to be able to see.

there's a wonderful book about a cat who is blind, lost both eyes, and how he moves forward in his life. the cat's name is Homer, and he has had a great life. the book is 'Homer's Odyssey' A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Life and Love With a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper.

mickNsnicks2mom is right in saying that if your little kitten is blind then other senses will develop to compensate for this.  Because of this, and how cats are less dependent on sight that humans anyway and use other senses much more than us, it can be very difficult to determine whether they can see or if it is as much as 'normal'.   It also means that if a cat stays indoors / in a controlled and safe environment they can become very familiar with, they can lead very active and fulfilling lives regardless of any visual difficulties.  One thing which is even more important for cats who lack vision is whiskers!   They use their super sensitive whiskers to feel and navigate their environment so it is very important that their whiskers do not get damaged.

If one or both of this kitten's eyes look cloudy there is a high chance of infection or damage inside the eye and because it could be an infection my advice would then be to take this  little one to a vet as soon as possible.

Could we get more pics on him? Tail, the backside of the ears visible.   What if he is after all a point?

Anyway, even if blind and with that foot of his, he should manage nicely as inside home kitty, if he is healthy otherwise.  He is very sweet, even pretty  as far as I can see.

But a vet check up with a vet used to kittens, is wise of course.

@FakeHealer79

@MServant I figured his senses would heighten, it just bums me out that he got such bad luck. I'm a bit of a big softy I guess. He is the only one who looks like that, I plan to take him as soon as I can. Money is very tight at the moment(vets are very overpriced where I live). His whiskers are big, so it might explain how he navigates the house without bumping into anything.

@StefanZ

The plan would be to have him be an inside cat(would never allow him outside). Here are more pics of him:



@mickNsnicks2mom: Thank you for the recommendation & reassurance. I'll have to give that a read sometime. Love the pun of the book title in reference to Greek Mythology.

Tx.  Very sweet tabby, but no point no...   And very nice and good vibrissae.... (where whiskers are these under the nose)    Will help him much  

Very cute little kit', and yes those whiskers do look nice and long - and thick.   Big ears and big paws to go with them too.     I love how the colour and stripes of the coat are so soft and muted.  I'm gessing this little one is going to be much stronger and feisty than the pretty coat suggests.  I do hope so.   Do try to find a vet that will take a look at the kitten's eyes for you, maybe check where you got the Ciproflaxin and say you think one of them still has a problem?  Worth asking if they have payment options too as if it is an infection it might be a lot less treatment now than later on - and possibly save some or all sight.

Are you thinking maybe you will keep this little one @FakeHealer79  ?

Believe it or not, he's part Bengal. Both his mom & dad are part Bengal themselves. What do you mean by "no point?"

I forgot to mention this in my first post(how I forgot is beyond me): The kittens are the product of interbreeding. Before I got the mother cat Prissy(who also happens to be my 1st kitty Lilith's sister), she had been with an evil lady who made her stay outside. Prissy's dad is the one who impregnated her, so I'm wondering if that has something to do with this. However, his brothers & sister turned out fine. Here's what they look like:


*The orange one's eye has been completely healed since this picture*

Also, thank you. He's sweet, just very difficult to give his eye drops. He also meows nice and loud!

@MServant: Thank you, he is a cute little kitty. He's actually sitting with me right at this moment. I didn't plan on it, cause I'm not supposed to have more than 1 cat, but I couldn't let his mother be thrown to the pound while pregnant, or left out in the cold. So I ended up taking her in, and here these kittens came to be. I have homes lined up for two of them, but not for Avenger(the kitty I've been asking about) or his orange brother Viper. So at the moment, they are staying with me, until I can find a home(cause I can't bare to give them to some unknown person that might harm them). I admit though, I'm considering keeping him(even though I shouldn't), because it looks like his mom might be needing to go(cause she is getting vicious with her sister Lilith).

You have a kind heart taking the mother in and letting her kitten in your home.  Poor cat.   You may well be right that the in breeding relates to young Avenger's paw, such things are more common with the reduced gene pool that results.  Still, like has been said already, as an indoor cat he can still have a very good and rich life, he just wouldn't be able to feed and defend himself as well in an outdoor environment.

FakeHealer79 said:

*The orange one's eye has been completely healed since this picture*

Also, thank you. He's sweet, just very difficult to give his eye drops. He also meows nice and loud!

@MServant: Thank you, he is a cute little kitty. He's actually sitting with me right at this moment. I didn't plan on it, cause I'm not supposed to have more than 1 cat, but I couldn't let his mother be thrown to the pound while pregnant, or left out in the cold. So I ended up taking her in, and here these kittens came to be. I have homes lined up for two of them, but not for Avenger(the kitty I've been asking about) or his orange brother Viper. So at the moment, they are staying with me, until I can find a home(cause I can't bare to give them to some unknown person that might harm them). I admit though, I'm considering keeping him(even though I shouldn't), because it looks like his mom might be needing to go(cause she is getting vicious with her sister Lilith).

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No point as in not a point patterned cat, no "siamese mix".    IF he were a pointed cat, it would perhaps solve our problem, as points are blue eyed...   But no such luck.

Although, if you didnt write they are bengal mixes of sorts,  I would guess he/they may be descendants of either Orientale, or Siamese, with these rather protruding muzzle and big ears...

A siamese, mixed out, his children will not be points any longer, as the point gene is recessive.

Anyways, these are sweet kittens, it shouldnt be too difficult to find them adoption homes.  Dont forget to take some adoption fee, so you there will sort out the weirdos selling on a "free kitten to a good home" to laboratories or as snake food.

If they pay minimum 20 dollars, such wont be any profitable business for them.

@MServant: Thank you for the compliment. The lady who I got Lilith from loves Prissy, and she's the one who made me aware of the evil lady abusing Prissy. The fact that Lilith lives a life of luxury with me, and that her sister was living in poor conditions hit a moral nerve with me. So despite it being a foolish decision, I morally felt that I was doing the right thing(despite the trouble I can get in). I'm just sorry that I can't keep them all(or afford all of them), and give them all lives of luxury & happiness. It's going to be really hard when I give up her brother Sad Eyes2 & sister Charcoal.

@StefanZ: I see, had no clue. Thanks for the information! The person who is taking Charcoal & Sad Eyes2 is a friend I've known for 16 years, and she is an extreme cat lover. So I know they are going to wonderful homes. As for Avenger & Viper, I'm so paranoid about giving them to unknown people. Due to me knowing about how sociopaths & serial killers torture kittens from all the documentaries I've watched, I'm going to make sure that I actually know the person taking them. Taking them to a shelter is a very last and super desperate resort, which I hope never comes to pass. I don't want some smooth talking kitty abuser to get their hands on my kittens!

The mama cat may be fussing with Lilith because she is being protective of her babies. That situation may resolve as the kittens get bigger. If you have to re-home mama, be sure she goes to a loving home as well.

sarthur2 said:

The mama cat may be fussing with Lilith because she is being protective of her babies. That situation may resolve as the kittens get bigger. If you have to re-home mama, be sure she goes to a loving home as well.

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Good point.  It also won't help if Lilith is spayed and Prissy is intact this also creates a certain dynamic aparently: as neuter cats will always fall to being the least dominant in a group.  Prissy is almost certain to dominate Lilith if this is the situation.

Please don't give avenger away. Keep the poor baby for yourself for his health and happiness.

Extremely long time since I updated this(& been active for that matter), but here's what transpired:

ThunderFoot(SadEyes2), & Shadow(Charcoal) went to live with my friend as planned. They live very happy, spoiled, and fulfilled lives. I get pictures posted of them every so often, so I get to see their progress. Overall, my soul rests easy knowing they're loved!

Oliver(Viper) was initially given to my sister for about 2 years, but due to circumstances I somewhat foresaw(but hoped I was wrong on), he just recently ended up back here with me 3 days ago(because I couldn't bare to have him go to a shelter). He's a sweet cat, beautiful long fur, and a total pig for human food. I'm trying to rationalize affording him and keeping him, but I believe I may have to give him to someone close to me that I trust. He's enjoying salami slices though for the time being.

And of course, the main one I posted about in this thread: Lucipurr(Avenger) ended up staying with me and has been pretty happy. He's a Momma's Boy still, and he's definitely grown big(his twin brother ThunderFoot is ginormous). He gets around extremely well, he's very fast, and a real sweetheart. He's very sensitive to sounds though, so I have to remember to avoid banging noises. He's also recently started being more vocal, which I enjoy. His eyes are still the same, and he can see just a little bit I think, but has a very, very limited range of sight.

Sarthur2 : Lucina(the mom) ended up staying with me as well. Love her meow, she calmed down later(you were right), and well, I couldn't "abandon" her after her horrible first year of life. I'm too sentimental for my own good, what can I say? And I couldn't break up mom & son. So it's been Lilith, Luna, Lucina, & Lucipurr all here with me since this thread(& possibly now, Oliver).

mservant : They all got fixed(as is my policy with cats). Lucina(Prissy) never was able to be the dominant kitty. Lilith ended up taking her throne back and asserted her "royal decree." They get along fine though.

stewball : You got your wish, by the way. It took me way too long to find him a possible home, and since he was so bonded with his mom, I couldn't break up mother and son. My own mom has been gone for 4 years now, so I guess that struck a chord and sentimentality won. I don't regret it, of course. It's sweet to come home and see mom and son hugging, or sleeping on the couch like a Yin Yang.

Picture updates to come soon!

Wow! So nice to hear this update!

Lucipurr
Luna