Babies Have Goop in Eyes

I have been fostering kittens for 3 weeks now and they have developed ooze coming out of eyes that has spread to all kittens now. There is no sneezing and they are eating just fine and are fat and happy. (Out side of eyes) I was told by the shelter to give them L lsing but I can only find it in tablet form not a powder. Any suggestions on how much because they said there is no set amount. Also any other advice would be great. Thank you this is our first litter being this young and it is much more challenging.

Hi there and welcome!

Eye infections are very common in young kittens.

They can be healed well with terramycin, an antibacterial eye ointment.

Fast and simple to apply.

Be sure that the eyes don't get stuck closed as they will not be able to drain and cause swelling and the drainage to build up around and behind the eye, causing much bigger problems.

Use a wet warm washcloth and hold it on the eye for a bit, then move on to the next kitten with a stuck shut eye and do the same.

Once done you can go back to the first one and the goop has softened enough to gently wipe the eye clean so it will open.

Never pry open the eye! This causes the sensitive tissue around the eyes to tear easily.

Also, be careful to not use the same area of the washcloth on the next kitten, you don't want to transfer the bacteria on to the next kitten, who may not have it as bad as the prior.

The same goes for the eye med tube, squirt an amt on your wrist then cap the tube.

This prevents wasting the med since it keeps coming out after you stop squeezing, and also prevents contamination of the tube

Just swipe it off of your wrist with your fingertip then apply.

I use this brand of powdered L-Lysine. It is easily mixed in wet food with no taste. Even my picky Perla will readily eat it mixed in.

For kittens I would start at 1/8 tsp. (250 mg.) twice daily. Adults 1/4 tsp. (500 mg.) twice daily. Actually, my cat's eye specialist recommends the 500 mg. as a maintenance dose and to keep my herpes kitties on it all the time. I used to think 250 mg. was a recommended maintaining dose but for chronic Herpetic cases Dr. Lindley recommends the 500 mg. 2x per day.

Best of everything to you taking care of those foster babies. :cross:

I bought a tube of l lysine gel / paste that they will lick off the finger. I got it from the vets office although I don't think they require a prescription for it. Just buy it over the counter. I also bought a tube from one of the big pet store chains but I can't remember which one. Try googling Vetoquinol Viralys (L-Lysine) Oral Gel for Cats.

Just as an fyi-lysine will not cure them.

This is simply an immune supplement that over time will help prevent future viral breakouts of herpesvirus.

It will not clear up their eyes at all.

catwoman707 said:

Just as an fyi-lysine will not cure them.
This is simply an immune supplement that over time will help prevent future viral breakouts of herpesvirus.
It will not clear up their eyes at all.

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Exactly. It only helps to boost immunity to hopefully lessen the severity of flare-ups but is not a cure at all. Perla still has chronic eye issues and needs her eye doc once in awhile for special meds. The Lysine is hopefully keeping any of her flare-ups on the mild side. :cross:

My kitten is also got goop coming out his eyes and its clear and he plays and is very active and uses bathroom perfectly fine what can i do???

shannon321 said:

My kitten is also got goop coming out his eyes and its clear and he plays and is very active and uses bathroom perfectly fine what can i do???

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Get a tube of terramycin for him, it will cut out the bacteria and clear his eyes up.

Vet office or online.