Cat Problem - Would Appreciate Suggestions!

Hello all,

I'm just writing this post because I have a cat question that I havent been able to answer myself and I dont really feel like going to a vet to get it answered (too expensive!) So, I'm just trying to get some opinions, suggestions or help if anyone has it. It would be greatly appreciated.
I have 4 cats in total, ages ranging from 6-12. The oldest one however, (Sox) who's 12 and is MY BABY (had him since i was 8) has recently been acting...well, differently so to speak. Simply put, one night i heard a
squeak-like noise coming from somewhere and looked around the room, didnt see anything. It stopped. Then it started again and i finally noticed it was coming from Sox! I saw him what looked to be bathing himself using his front paw on his face (love it when they clean their faces by the way, too dam cute!). Anyway, i noticed he was actually not cleaning, but "rubbing" his right eye over and over and with such intensity that it was making this squeak-like noise. Bothered by this, i gently pushed his paw away from his face. Then tonight, i noticed him doing it again. no noise this time. but he continually did this over his right eye....he would do it, look over at me with his right eye shut, then start doing it again, stop, start, stop start....you get the idea. So, my question is:
is something wrong with his eye? I'm assuming its irriating him but I cant figure out why....its not red, its not watering, basically, everything appears to look normal (i've looked at his eye numerious times) theres nothing in his eye that i can see and it's sort of bothering me to know that his eye is obviously bothering him.
Maybe he just feels like doing it...? Is that even possible? Or is it more likely that its irriated by something? Should I take him to the vet...?
I would love some suggestions...I worry too much about him now that he's getting older.
So if anyone could please help me out I would love it and I'm sure Sox would thank-you if he could!

Thanks in advance!

- Maegan

p.s - how can i post a picture of him? and the rest of my cats?

Yes, I would take him to the vet - it might be nothing, but it also might not be nothing, and I'm certain that you don't want to take that risk.

The easiest way to post pics of your kitties is to go to the Cat Lounge forum and it's sub forum Fur Pics Only - you can attach pictures there.

Otherwise you can get a photobucket account and link to the images in your post.

Originally Posted by Flynner85

Hello all,

I'm just writing this post because I have a cat question that I havent been able to answer myself and I dont really feel like going to a vet to get it answered (too expensive!) So, I'm just trying to get some opinions, suggestions or help if anyone has it. It would be greatly appreciated.

I have 4 cats in total, ages ranging from 6-12. The oldest one however, (Sox) who's 12 and is MY BABY (had him since i was 8) has recently been acting...well, differently so to speak.

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First- welcome to the forums

Anytime a cat starts acting differently, or weirdly, or strange it's usually a sign of something going on. Eye problems are many and complicated- there are 100 things that could be going wrong internally that wouldn't be visible by the naked eye. And even though you will find many very experienced and knowledgeable folks here, none of us are prepared (at least I'm not) to try and diagnose long distance, especially where vision is concerned.

Has this cat been given a thorough going over lately?
Once they turn into old guys they need regular geriatric checkups a minimum of once a year, and many people get their senior cats looked at every six months.

Of course you know what I'm going to say- get the eye looked at by your veterinarian. The price of an office visit is nothing compared to the guilt you would feel if something went badly wrong and you neglected it, or the looking at it and worrying every day all day long. I kind of view an office call as a "peace of mind" visit- if it tells me absolutely nothing is wrong then it was worth the price.

And if something is wrong, then the sooner you get on it the less it will cost you to treat it and the more chance you have of a successful outcome.

In the end, of course, it is up to you. But he is consistently rubbing that eye, once to the extent of making squeaking noises, so it's a fair bet it is bothering him. Vision is nothing to take lightly, and eye problems can be very painful so it is my advice to call your veterinarian and have it looked at.

Let us know what happens, and good luck.

Just wanted to say thank-you for welcoming me to the forum, that was very nice!
And also for the suggestions for Sox. I really thought I could just sort of "monitor" it myself and it would go away. I guess not and as I've just learned that could become a problem if it is something serious.
Also, I didnt realize that I should be taking him to the vet to get check-ups...funny how I think cats are invincable and dont need check-ups like us humans...shows what I know! So, I'll get him an appointment to get a check up to see if anything is going on, etc. It worries me though, knowing he's 12, knowing that I can already see myself the signs that hes aging...so I know for a fact the vet will probably find numerous things wrong. (He pukes many times through-out the week, and has been since he was a little guy, something the vet told us just "happens with some cats", so I'm sure his weight will be a factor, although he appears to look fine...and i'm sure there will be stomach issues brought up...and many more things from old age...*sighs*, I really hate that he's getting older)

Oh well, I'll come back with an update, so let's hope nothing is seriously wrong with him.

Thanks again to who replied - it was all very helpful!

Good luck with you little guy at the vet! that its nothing!

Originally Posted by Flynner85

So, I'll get him an appointment to get a check up to see if anything is going on, etc.

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Good Kitty Mommy.... Daddy....

It worries me though, knowing he's 12, knowing that I can already see myself the signs that hes aging...so I know for a fact the vet will probably find numerous things wrong.

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Knowing what you are facing is better than not knowing. And chances are he is fine and just needs a tune up You will likely have many long years left with Sox- all we're trying to do is make sure they are good years, right?

Oh well, I'll come back with an update, so let's hope nothing is seriously wrong with him.

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Please!!
The sqeaky eye mystery must be solved!

Luck to you and Sox

Have you examined the area around his eye (eyebrow, forehead, etc.) for bumps or swellings?

12 is pretty mature for a cat but that doesn't mean it's a death sentence! i've had two cats in my family that lived to be 19 and 20. both lived very happy lives. another that lived to 17. she was also very content. my persian, Quincy, lived to a ripe old age of 14.

but i gotta say...take your cat to the vet regularly! some things heal on their own, but some things DON'T. and a vet visit isn't more than $30. with medicine, a bit more. (where i'm from anyway)

my cat had that just irritatioion but no other visible symptoms it turned out to be conjunctivitis it was easily treated =] good luck at the vets i am sure sox will be fine give sox a hug for me
toodles!