Sudden Swollen Eye

[Emmypeps]

Hello fellow cat lovers! I’m hoping someone on here can help provide advise on my kitty’s swollen eye. We’ve had a long history of health issues with our baby (6/7 mo old tuxie) she’s been on steroids for neuropathy for 2+ months. We woke up this morning and noticed her eye ball is extremely inflamed — seems to be different than conjunctivitis, which she has had previously. As it’s Christmas Eve we don’t have access to our vet. If it is an injury, is it possible to heal on its own? We have leftover Terramycin from her conjunctivitis, would it be harmful to use those in the interim? Any thoughts, suggestions, anything would be SO very appreciated!

 

[Emmypeps]

Additional photo—- seems to have gotten a little worse and is oozing green discharge

 

[neely]

Welcome to TCS! I'm sorry your tuxedo cat is experiencing a problem with her eye but any health issue with the eyes should be taken seriously. If your vet is not open can you bring her to an emergency vet clinic? Personally I wouldn't put anything on it until a vet has been able to examine her. We had a cat who accidentally scratched his cornea but we never saw it happen. We ended up having to take him to a veterinary ophthalmology specialist. I'm not saying that's what this is but just trying to explain that it could be something other than conjunctivitis and since we cannot give medical advice on the site it would be best for her to be seen by a vet.

In the meantime, here is a TCS Article with some information that might be helpful for you:
Eye Problems In Cats - What Every Owner Needs To Know - TheCatSite
Best of luck and please keep us posted on her progress. BTW, she's adorable!

 

[Emmypeps]

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it. We are on our way to the emergency vet. Please keep our Rue in your thoughts and prayers.

 

[stephanietx]

Eye problems are always scary for me because they can come up so quickly. Keep us updated on what you find out.

 

[Emmypeps]

Update— ER visit went “well”.. Rue got dye in her eye and there is no apparent scratch (not necessarily meaning there isn’t one) she is prescribed the same meds she was for her conjunctivitis except for every 6 hrs.. having a hard time keeping a cone on her as suggested. She won’t move with it, breaks my heart, I end up taking it off if it doesn’t show signs of getting better we have to go back and possibly put her on topical steroids. This poor kitty has been thru hell and back in her less than a year of life. It’s heart wrenching

 

[stephanietx]

I'm glad it wasn't a scratch. One of my kitties used to rub her eye when seasonal allergies flared up and then we'd go to the vet and get meds. You might try a soft cone, available from pet stores or Amazon (after Christmas). That might work better for her.

 

[neely]

if it doesn’t show signs of getting better we have to go back and possibly put her on topical steroids. This poor kitty has been thru hell and back in her less than a year of life. It’s heart wrenching

Fingers crossed her eye will improve and she won't need the topical steroids. But glad you were able to take her to the ER and the exam went well. Please keep us posted on her progress.

 

[Emmypeps]

Unfortunately Rue has gotten worse over night. She was whining all night (assuming In discomfort) has diarrhea, and her other eye is now infected. We called the ER and they said to monitor her today (as if we weren’t already ) I have a bad feeling and feel so helpless for this poor baby. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers

 

[fionasmom]

I am sorry that you are going through this, and on Christmas Day at that. Are you able to see your vet tomorrow?

 

[Emmypeps]

I’m sending an email to our primary vet with photos and the progression of her sickness. We’ve kept the soft cone on her as she will rub her eyes if we don’t. Currently her right eye is completely enclosed… despite the ER saying to monitor, we may take her there anyways as she seems to be on a steady rapid decline.

 

[fionasmom]

I don't blame you for taking her if you make that decision. ERs often say to monitor, and not because they are bad doctors or don't want to help, so take her if you need to.

 

[Emmypeps]

Thank you for the reassuranceIt’s a hard call to make especially when the experts say to not act today.. my heart and soul is telling me she needs help asap. Her eyeballs are no longer visible

 

[fionasmom]

They may be able to do something to make her more comfortable. You certainly can make the call as to what to allow and what you might not want an ER to do.

 

[Emmypeps]

We’re at the ER right now. Very frustrating, they sent out a tech saying there’s not much they can do and we can leave and not be charged.. I told them she’s had unexplainable ailments in her less than a year of life (her neuropathy — “diagnosed” from her back legs being paralyzed out of the blue a few weeks after we got her / testing blood, X-rays, mri, spinal tap)… her blood pressure went down a few times while she was under for the testing I wonder if that compromised her immune system even more… anyways I expressed her behavior is out of the norm, she’s never had loose stool even during her prior issues… never yelped in pain everytime you pick her up… etc. I hope and pray they find something I’ll spend my whole life savings on her

 

[fionasmom]

You have certainly done your due diligence if she has had MRIs and spinal taps. You must be so frustrated along with upset for what she is going through. What are they doing now?

 

[Emmypeps]

Update: she had a fever and was given IV liquids. The presumed illness is ocular herpes. God willing in time with probiotics, terramycin, and the cone will heal her, and moving forward we have to find a way to manage her stress for potential outbreaks. We switched her to a hard cone and she seems to be doing better with it verses the soft cone.

I’m so grateful for this community of fellow cat lovers and the support, it has been a Christmas blessing

 

[fionasmom]

I’m very glad to hear that they were able to do something for her and I hope that she might be a little bit more comfortable now.

 

[neely]

I’m very glad to hear that they were able to do something for her and I hope that she might be a little bit more comfortable now.

I completely agree! Is it possible to consult with a veterinary internal medical specialist? It sounds as though she may need a specialty vet for further diagnosis and treatment. Glad the hard cone has been helping and she's doing better. Healing vibes being sent your way.

 

[Emmypeps]

Update: Rue’s stool has slowly gotten a little firmer (thank goodness) I came home from work today and her eyes looked amazing!!! Tonight we noticed her 3rd eyelid is back out & she seems to have a fever?… I heard if a cats ears are warm / hot to the touch that can indicative of a fever… tested with our other kitty Rory and her ears a cold. Soooo frustrating this roller coaster of ups and downs