Sudden onset of eye infection (?) or allergy in kitten

Hi! One of my five-month kittens just came in from literally 20 minutes in the garden/neighbour's garden (while the cleaner did the dreaded hoovering) and seems to suddenly have an eye infection... I'm a bit puzzled as she was totally fine before, and now is squinting, has red eyes and is seeping a little. She's fine otherwise, washing herself and being affectionate. I thought oh, maybe it's FHV, as so many cats are carriers, but I'm just bemused as it seems SO fast for it to come on. 

Her brother is fine, but he just hung out near the door - she got stuck between some fences and I lifted her out over them. Could the stress of that and the hoover have made a herpes infection come on that suddenly?! Or perhaps could she have encountered, I don't know, some poison ivy or a cat equivalent? 

Basically does this seem possible? Or should I be concerned there's something else that has caused it? Could an encounter with another cat have caused it, maybe - or something I should check out in the gardens?

I'm not too concerned right now as she seems pretty normal, but would love some input from anyone with more experience in this so I know for the future whether there's something I should try to have them avoid or ask the neighbours to clear from their garden... 

Thank you!

Are your kittens spayed/neutered yet?

Yes - why?

Also now I look more closely it seems to just be one eye, so maybe it's an injury? Going to see how it is when I get back tonight. 

aclmmb said:

 
Yes - why?

Also now I look more closely it seems to just be one eye, so maybe it's an injury? Going to see how it is when I get back tonight. 

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It sounds like it may be an injury.

aclmmb said:

Yes - why?

Also now I look more closely it seems to just be one eye, so maybe it's an injury? Going to see how it is when I get back tonight. 

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Intact males often fight when outside and females can be injured during mating. It does sound like an injury to me too.

Is there anything I should put in her eye (eg sterile saline solution) to clean it or just leave it to heal itself...? 

And thank you!

aclmmb said:

Is there anything I should put in her eye (eg sterile saline solution) to clean it or just leave it to heal itself...? 

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You can use sterile saline to wipe the eye, but she should see a vet for treatment. It will likely need an antibiotic ointment.

talkingpeanut said:

You can use sterile saline to wipe the eye, but she should see a vet for treatment. It will likely need an antibiotic ointment.

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Ahh ok, thank you - I'll call and book in as soon as they can see us.

There are unfortunately a LOT of cats in the surrounding houses, and even though they're all neutered many of them are quite territorial as think space/territory is at a premium, so maybe she encountered one... perhaps she just got scratched when she was stuck in the fence or climbing a wall though. Usually I hear cat fights!