Cat With Third Eyelid Showing

nansiludie

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One of the little colony members has shown up for the past several days with tearing that progressively worsened so I went ahead and took him to the Vet and he was sent home with oral antibiotic drops, some topical eye ointment and I am to give them both twice daily. His eye itself looks fine, I hope to keep it that way, its just his third eyelid which is pinkish, and a little swollen. I cannot e-collar him as he is an outdoor kitty and he wouldn't tolerate one even if I tried to keep him in for a bit. Its a good thing he's on scheduled meals so he shows up twice daily and hangs around my porch. So I am wondering is there anything else I might be able to do for him, as his eye sometimes crusts shut. Since starting the antibiotics today, it has not yet crusted shut. I am a bit of a worrier if you will, because of one time when I'd found a kitten with his eyes so terribly bad, there was nothing that could be done for him. As such, it has me a bit jumpy when any of mine display any eye issues.
 

momofmaxwell

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Hi Nansiludie.It is hard and I have had many with eye issues.But when it gets crusty or if just when you know he's out there you could in a bowl of warm water try to moisten the area to get the crust off gently.  .Hopefully the A/B & stuff you got from your vet with kick in & help.Pay attention to the other eye & make sure the 3 rd eyelid doesn't start to show any symptoms.Do not use the same cloth on any other kitt or any other part of the body.No soap of any kind.Hugs C.
 
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nansiludie

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Hi Nansiludie.It is hard and I have had many with eye issues.But when it gets crusty or if just when you know he's out there you could in a bowl of warm water try to moisten the area to get the crust off gently.  .Hopefully the A/B & stuff you got from your vet with kick in & help.Pay attention to the other eye & make sure the 3 rd eyelid doesn't start to show any symptoms.Do not use the same cloth on any other kitt or any other part of the body.No soap of any kind.Hugs C.
Yes, I've gone out with a little pan of warm water and some soft facial tissue and cleaned him up best I could.  So far its just on the left eye. Has anyone used sterile saline solution as an eye wash? I know that it can be made from boiled water and salt but would it work well for his eye? I know the salt kills some bacteria but I'm a little hesitant to try it as I've not tried it before, now that I've thought of it, I cannot even call up to see about since the Vet is closed until after Monday since its Columbus Day.
 
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momofmaxwell

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Sorry when it comes to eyes i only go by veterinarian meds for the eyes & never use anything else.Just warm water.:) Could never risk anything online...
 

betsygee

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I have used a saline solution for my cat's eyes.  She used to get herpes infection and her eyes would get gooey and crusty.  The groomer actually suggested it.  I didn't put it IN her eyes but I used it around her eyes to clean the crusty stuff.
 
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nansiludie

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Well, it was looking better but I think he's been rubbing it with his paws, cleaning his face. His eye itself still looks fine, for which I'm grateful, its just the third eyelid that's very irritated. I've been keeping it clean and its not having anymore icky discharge, just clear tearing. Still  I've read that it might be the feline herpes, I wonder if it is? I did start today giving him some lysine treats I had for one of my house kitties.
 
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nansiludie

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@catwoman707   Do you have any other tips for me and him? It is only his left eye and not the other. Which is why I'm starting to think it could be herpes. He's had the antibiotics for  two days but I've not really noticed much of a difference other than the lessening of icky discharge.
 

catwoman707

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@catwoman707   Do you have any other tips for me and him? It is only his left eye and not the other. Which is why I'm starting to think it could be herpes. He's had the antibiotics for  two days but I've not really noticed much of a difference other than the lessening of icky discharge.
That's really all you will see as it improves, other than when it heals enough that the inner lid retracts again, and it will as soon as there is no more inflammation.

I'd say it's a pretty good guess that it is herpesvirus. Sometimes as kittens, well actually most of the time when kitten aged, they will get the virus full on, then later just the random occasional outbreak that will affect only the eyes or sometimes like a lightweight cold.

But some who catch the virus only get a milder version with one or both eyes having discharge, so this doesn't sound like anything to worry about, simply continue the antibiotic and especially continue with the eye ointment.

I'm hoping you caught one of my lectures about using the eye ointment, not straight from the tube but squeeze some on your wrist then recap it. This prevents it from continuing to ooze out and wasting it, and even more importantly is not contaminating the tube for future use :)

No worries, it takes maybe a week or so for it to get back to normal :)
 

momofmaxwell

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Hi Nansiludie.I think that is a great idea.Many kitties are exposed at one time or another to the herpes virus.I always had lysine here for flareups.Lysine is very good.Sounds like the eye is getting better but takes time.Good Job!!!C.
 
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nansiludie

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That's really all you will see as it improves, other than when it heals enough that the inner lid retracts again, and it will as soon as there is no more inflammation.

I'd say it's a pretty good guess that it is herpesvirus. Sometimes as kittens, well actually most of the time when kitten aged, they will get the virus full on, then later just the random occasional outbreak that will affect only the eyes or sometimes like a lightweight cold.

But some who catch the virus only get a milder version with one or both eyes having discharge, so this doesn't sound like anything to worry about, simply continue the antibiotic and especially continue with the eye ointment.

I'm hoping you caught one of my lectures about using the eye ointment, not straight from the tube but squeeze some on your wrist then recap it. This prevents it from continuing to ooze out and wasting it, and even more importantly is not contaminating the tube for future use :)

No worries, it takes maybe a week or so for it to get back to normal :)
Thank you. Today it seems less squinty and more open. I'd not saw your posting about not straight from the tube but I wash my hands very well, then apply it to my finger, very carefully, not touching anything else and gently putting the bit on the lower lid. He's actually about close, to two yrs old. He's always been a very small fellow, about 4 or so pounds but a feisty 4 pounds.
 
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nansiludie

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Glad to report the swelling is much less, just the little bit of third eyelid showing. No more squinting and just very light tearing. Will continue treatment for 3 days after all redness and tearing is gone. 
 
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