I have three week old kittens and their eyes have been crusted shut since just after they were able to open them. two have one eye crusted one has both eye crusted.thats 3 out of 5. any suggestions?
2007-04-01 15:12:12 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
This is a very common thing for kittens, it's a form of pink eye. You need to check with the vet to see if mediated eye drops are advised. You could probably not even have to take them in just ask if you can get the medication, enough for all 5 just in case. For now take a warm moist cotton balls (1 per eye) and wipe each kitten's eyes out. You may need to pull open the eye at first to get the pus out. You might even want to pull the crust off the fur around the eye so it doesn't seal back over. All 5 may end up with this problem. I've gone through this myself with dozens of litters of puppies, kittens, and a few other animals. Main thing is to keep cleaning the eye out every time you see the crusting beginning to appear with a new cotton ball for each eye, using the same one for both eyes is unsanitary and will spread the infection.
2007-04-01 15:27:57 · answer #1 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just use a wet washcloth and wipe the eyes. Post some pics if you have any. Kittens are so cute!
But make sure that the paper towel you're using is soft enough (or, perhaps use cotton balls) and wet it with tepid water, then squeeze out. Be very gentle and perhaps clean them more than once a day, as needed (but don't irritate the area). The 'crusties' may indicate an eye infection and the vet will be able to diagnose and treat this when you bring him in.
try placing a warm (not hot) wet washcloth over the eye. This will loosen up any discharge as well as soothe the conjunctiva and the eye. It will also speed up the blood flow to help clear up the inflammation and infection. Your new kitten probably also came with viral Herpes (species specific, it gives kitties eye infections and URI's). The wash cloth with provide her some comfort but def go to the vet tomorrow as it will most likely not heal on it's own at this point. Some antibiotic eye ointment is needed. Try these possible things...I hope they feel better....
2007-04-01 15:31:34 · answer #2 · answered by <3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a warm wash cloth and gently loosen the crust and force the eyes open. A lot of pus may come out, and after this long, the infection may have eaten the eyeballs...hopefully not. It is a contagious infection to other kittens, but doesn't seem to be to other adults. It sometimes is inherited, and can be passed down to future litters. I have previously had that problem with newborns. You can get an ointment from the vet, but don't use vasoline or thing like that. Just keep them cleaned. They will probably be crusted over everytime they wake up. They will eventually get over it, hopefully with both eyes in tact. I have found that kittens who had it grew up with an excellent immune system and where never sick.
2007-04-01 15:29:45 · answer #3 · answered by Mama_Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happens to kittens quite often. I call it kitten "icky eye" and what I do is wet a cotton ball with lukewarm water, squeeze most of the water out and very gently wipe the kitten's eye starting at the nose. Use a different cotton ball for the other eye. After you've softened it up and wiped most of the goo off you can gently work the eye open. GENTLY. If the eye seems swollen or has pus, a visit to the vet is in order. When you take them to the vet, take momma and all the kittens at the same time.
2007-04-01 21:34:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If at all possible, take them to the vet. They probably have some kind of eye infection and the vet could give you medication to clear it up quickly before it damages their eyesight or the infection spreads, which could result in death. Also, take a clean rag and soak it in warm water. Gently touch this to their eyes and soften the gunk. This will loosen the crusty stuff so they can open their eyes and take away some of their pain. Try to remove as much of the crusty stuff as you can, but again be very gentle. For each kitten use a new, clean rag so that the infection doesn't spread more.
2007-04-01 15:24:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely what Rondard said: Use a warm damp wash cloth to clean the kittens' eyes.
If their eyes stay crusted shut much longer, take them to a vet: There might be an infection involved.
Good luck!
2007-04-01 15:18:45 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try washing them with warm water, and a clean cloth. they may have an eye infection, but I'd try this first
2007-04-01 16:05:09 · answer #7 · answered by somebody cares 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Warm water and a towel cleaning. Be very gentle while doing it. Also - see a vet and get some antibiotics as soon as you can.
2007-04-01 15:17:10 · answer #8 · answered by Chrissy D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wash them out with a clean cloth with warm 3 to 4 times a day .. make sure noone is holding them also ..
2007-04-01 15:16:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe they're still supposed to be shut? of not, is it possible they've got upper respiratory infections? that could be why, and its very serious. other than that, id take them to the vet pretty soon.
2007-04-01 15:37:31 · answer #10 · answered by whoops :) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋