Week old kitten questions.

Our kittens were a week old this past Tuesday, there eyes on 3 are starting to open. I know there very light sensitive still so I won't take pictures, but they sorta look like their slightly infected. Now mom delivered them in a pet playpen and she has no health issues at all except possibly tapeworms. Her eyes are 100% healthy, none of the other kitty's have never even seen the newborns and there all healthy as horses. Can I just be overly hypochondriac over the grand babies? Would it be safe to take pics (with the flash wo you can't see anything) our vet says she doesn't want to see them till shot time 11 more weeks, unless they get sick. They're fat, gaining weight and Harley is an amazing mom. So.. Is it all in my head?

You can take photos without flash. It would be helpful to see what you mean.

I hope this works I'm awful with technology.

Is there pus coming out? It's hard to tell but that would be a concern.

No its just a little crust. Could it be because there just starting to open?

It may be pus. Never try to force their eyes open, but you can hold a damp warm cloth over them and wipe a few times a day. If it is pus, they will need eye ointment from the vet. It is very important that you do not let them get crusted closed.

If you can post better pictures of the eyes we can tell you if it's worrying.

talkingpeanut said:

It may be pus. Never try to force their eyes open, but you can hold a damp warm cloth over them and wipe a few times a day. If it is pus, they will need eye ointment from the vet. It is very important that you do not let them get crusted closed.

If you can post better pictures of the eyes we can tell you if it's worrying.

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I knew not to ever force their eyes and that kittens eyes has not yet started to open. I can't get good pictures of the others without turning on the flash, but I'm pretty certain they're not infected. I think I am being a bit overly sensitive.

It's not uncommon for kittens to have eye infections. If you see green or yellow discharge from their eyes they will need treatment from a vet. It's usually an antibiotic opthalmic ointment that comes in a small tube. If you're not sure, it's best to call your vet.

Hopefully someone else can weigh in. Their eyes definitely can be opening at a week old and that picture, and your concerns, make me a bit nervous.

It appears in the picture that the kitten has discharge, which indicates an infection in the eye.

Please call your vet and ask about it right away.

sarthur2 said:

It's not uncommon for kittens to have eye infections. If you see green or yellow discharge from their eyes they will need treatment from a vet. It's usually an antibiotic opthalmic ointment that comes in a small tube. If you're not sure, it's best to call your vet.

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There mom Harley has given them all a really good grooming, and their eyes all look fine now. I think I was just seeing their eyes before bathtime, I will keep an eye on them.I check on them twice a day and weigh them once a week. Thanks again for letting me be kooky. If I see anything again I will take them to our vet's.

We don't think you are being kooky and think you need to take this seriously. Discharge is, from what I know, not normal for kittens who have not opened their eyes. Regardless of whether mom is cleaning, that's not something you want to see.

You came here to ask advice, and the advice is to be concerned enough to contact your vet. At worst you have asked an unnecessary question and at best you have saved your kittens from permanent eye damage.

talkingpeanut said:

We don't think you are being kooky and think you need to take this seriously. Discharge is, from what I know, not normal for kittens who have not opened their eyes. Regardless of whether mom is cleaning, that's not something you want to see.

You came here to ask advice, and the advice is to be concerned enough to contact your vet. At worst you have asked an unnecessary question and at best you have saved your kittens from permanent eye damage.

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I just made them an appointment tomorrow morning. Just to be on the safe side. I'll let everyone know what she says tomorrow. Better safe than sorry, I love being able to book appointments online lol.

That's great. If there's any discharge, let the vet see it.

Great idea. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Ask the vet for terramycin eye ointment.

It's an antibacterial that takes care of this fast and beautifully.

Vet will have it, it's super commonly used on kittens.

You mentioned vet doesn't want to give first vaccines until 12 weeks?! That's risky as heck, they need their first shot at 8 weeks, then 2 more with 3-4 weeks in between.

catwoman707 said:

Ask the vet for terramycin eye ointment.
It's an antibacterial that takes care of this fast and beautifully.

Vet will have it, it's super commonly used on kittens.

You mentioned vet doesn't want to give first vaccines until 12 weeks?! That's risky as heck, they need their first shot at 8 weeks, then 2 more with 3-4 weeks in between.

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Yes there is some sort of shot she won't give till their 12 weeks old, so she told me not to schedule them for a visit till then unless they're sick. I still don't see anymore sign of that stuff in their eyes anymore, but the appointment is made for tomorrow at 10:00 am. So she's going to be seeing them. I'll ask her again what age she will do their shots tomorrow to be sure I heard her correct. I am hard of hearing so I may have misunderstood her.

Even if it is a very mild infection, it's still there and does grow and get worse if not treated though.

A normal clear eyed baby doesn't have eye discharge/drainage or crust at all.

It's the standard FVRCP vaccines that should be started at 8 weeks

catwoman707 said:

Even if it is a very mild infection, it's still there and does grow and get worse if not treated though.
A normal clear eyed baby doesn't have eye discharge/drainage or crust at all.

It's the standard FVRCP vaccines that should be started at 8 weeks

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My husband says that it was 8 weeks not 12 IDK where I got 12. Anyways I am sure she'll check them good in the morning.

Sounds good! Let us know