Potential eye issue!

Hello everyone!
I've never really posted on a forum before but I find them quite useful for getting answers. I have a wonderful orange furball and his eye randomly started troubling him today. He was sleeping and then woke up with a lot of squinting and some swelling. He does paw at it and there are some issues opening/closing. I used a tiny amount of salt water and cotton swab to try to keep bacteria at bay. There is no third eyelid yet. Should I rush him to the ER? OR can it wait for a vet appt tomorrow? I've been up all night not sure what to do! Any help is appreciated!

Given that there's swelling, my instinct would be to get him to the vet ASAP. In my book, there are two things you don't take any chances with - sight issues and breathing issues.

Took him to the vet this morning and it was conjunctivitis. The eye was better this morning. I just administered his antibiotic eye drop and his eye is squinty but I guess it would be after a drop. He is interested in food water and is playful (using scratching post etc). I think he is okay for now vet will be checking in on Monday!

Good to hear it was nothing more serious. Hope he's fully recovered soon

Hey Thanks for the response!

He was recovering nicely - playing, eating, litter habits normal. Yesterday he sneezed 3 times in a row - thought it was dust.

Today I came home from work and he had a very raspy and hoarse meow (while whining for his food).

I looked it up and it could potentially be a respiratory infection (as hoarseness, conjunctivitis and discharge are all symptoms)

My regular vet is closed tomorrow, I know this isn't an emergency but it is a breathing issue so I am a little worried that a day will make a difference.

Any advice would be appreciated!

If his breathing is basically ok, one day shouldn't matter too much. I say this in view of the fact that he was seen by a vet very recently - if there'd been anything major brewing it would likely have been evident then. I'd definitely call the vet on Thursday though.

If he's still himself, still hungry, playing etc then I definitely wouldn't panic. If he seems congested spending time in a steamy bathroom may ease things a little.

Hope its nothing more than a cold

Thank you for your response! I am not usually such a worried cat owner but in his short 2 years of life - he's had several blockages, ripped out a nail, conjunctivitis etc so anything slightly different makes me quite worried. I will keep an eye on his breathing - cats hearts usually beat fast right? What do I exactly look out for in terms of breathing...

Yeah, cats hearts beat faster than humans. With breathing, normal congestion sounds similar to people - louder breathing, snoring etc. The time to worry is if you see strong abdominal breathing - you'll see an increased, more laboured respiration (normal is 20-30 breaths a minute) and most likely open mouth breathing/wheezing...usually with the neck straight and head thrust forward. A cough can be present too. That's a sign of fluid on the lungs (as in asthma or chf) and is a veterinary emergency. It's highly unlikely you'll see it though...it really does sound more like a cold than anything else.

I know what it's like...I was a really chilled cat owner until I got Asha. She was in such a bad state that I've got overprotective, and freak at every little thing :lol3: She's fine now, but that doesn't stop me...

Okay, that sounds like something I can keep an eye out for. He's so quiet (when it is not close or around food time) so I am not sure if he is still hoarse or not.

But he's eating with gusto and responding appropriately when I try to play (interest if not actual play). Lol - once they fall sick once you just want to protect them all the time! I don't know why I never joined a forum before this has been so helpful!

It all sounds pretty ok to me. It makes sense to me to stick with the vet who last saw him for treatment - they're in a position to make a direct comparison from your last visit, and so can more accurately gauge treatment. I tend to wait for my vet of choice (I use a large practice with several vets on staff) unless I have an emergency situation.

Trust your instincts - you'll know if it get urgent.

I agree with the above advice.  Your kitty may have a low-grade infection that is manifesting itself this way.  Let us know please what the next visit shows. 

So he just threw up - I am getting concerned. Someone help? Has this happened to you?

Sometimes cats with a respiratory infection will throw up because they gag themselves on phlegm. That happened to my cat when he was sick.

Sophie

Keep a close eye on him. If the vomiting continues get him to a vet today...especially if he starts to act sicker. I don't think it's a cause to panic, but it does sound like whatever he's got is getting worse. Particularly given his veterinary history, getting him checked over soon rather than later is a good idea...if only to put your mind at rest.

Yeah, it seems to be several issues with him - I can't help but think there is an underlying cause.

He did not throw up through the night and ate his morning meal (not sure if he'll throw it up)

He drank A LOT of water last night, seemed to be so dehdrayted and at first wouldn't even touch his food.

He has not peed or pooed since 1030pm last night and cats usually go 2-4 times in an 8-10 period and he is on wet only diet.

He does have FUS in his medical history but maybe because he was dehydrated his kidneys held the pee as water retention - not sure, just guessing here.

I am hoping it isn't FUS as the last time we took him to the emergency for it they prescribed him the wrong meds and it was quite the affair.  I am hoping he makes it through today without incident and then I can take him in to see his regular vet tomorrow.

I hope he stays stable through today :cross: Really hope that whatever's wrong is easily treatable

So he has been done. He ate slowly last night and this morning back to usual. No throwing up. But his last pee was 11 hours ago and there's just little clumps aside from that. I am worried he is blocked again. He should have gone more by now. I was out for a few hours so not sure if he was straining. Otherwise his behavior is normal and I tried to check his bladder but to be honest I can't tell. If he hasn't gone by tonight do I take him to emergency?

If there's any chance he's blocking at least call the vet for advice. It's far better to catch it early and so avoid cathaterisation. If you can boost his fluid intake then you may be able to help flush his bladder out that way. Is he on a prescription urinary diet? Those can really help with breaking down crystals. I'm sorry if I'm just saying stuff you already know. I've been through FUS myself, and I know how scary it can be.

I will call them tonight. The last time I went to the er I had to demand an apology. Not only did he get medication that were anti depressants (and I was told they were anti spasmotics) she made me feel bad for wondering what to do (in my panic) and said he was gonna die. My vet is closed for a holiday today so I will monitor him. I left the tap running and have 3 fresh water bowls out. He just peed about 20 mins ago. He hasn't pooed yet though. He hasn't gone in multiple times and doesn't strain as the clump was sizeable. He just ate again so at this point I am just watching him and hoping he's not blocked. Sorry for all my messages!

No need to apologise. I fully understand the worry and stress involved...especially when you've had such a bad er experience and your regular vet is closed. As he's not straining and his last pee was a decent size I think it's perfectly ok to monitor for today. I hope he stays stable, and that he isn't starting to block