On labor day, I was welcomed with 5 newborn kittens in my TV cabinet, much to my surprise. It's been around 4 days and two hours ago I noticed that one of the kittens has a swollen, red eye. They have not opened their eyes yet, so I'm not sure if my vet (whom, by the way, is a new doctor for my pets and I) can prescribe eye drops for his unopened eye. I've scheduled an appointment with the vet tomorrow, but I'm very worried. I have found no help on the internet yet; could anyone provide me with some information?
Is this possibly an eye infection? Are newborn kittens commonly affected with such a thing? Should my kitten be okay with such a massive, swollen eye until tomorrow afternoon? Is it anything to really worry about?
I'm very anxious, and this will be plaguing me throughout the day until I can get him/her to the vet. :(
Edit: Someone suggested one of it's brothers or sisters might have scratched in the eye! Will this cause any permanent damage?
2007-09-06 14:16:28 · 5 answers · asked by Rachel 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
There's really nothing you can do until the vet has a look at it. The vet should be able to give you something for the eye as they normally open between 5 and 8 days after birth. Right now, the best thing to do is to keep the mother cat comfortable and she'll have to take care of the kitten until the vet sees it. It would be a good idea to take all of them in so that the vet can make sure it's not contagious in case more of them have it.
2007-09-06 14:30:56 · answer #1 · answered by kcpaull 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bottom line, of course, is that you cannot know what it is until the vet tells you. But if it is an angry red or hot pink, it could indeed be an infection and it does indeed require immediate attention.
Because this kitten is so tiny, and has virtually no immune system, it really would be helpful if you could get him in to the vet before tomorrow afternoon. Infection can rage through a little guy like this, and you worry, with an eye, of it moving into his brain or really swelling up and crushing the eyeball. I know these are some very scary thoughts, but they are real possibilities, IF this is the conjunctivitis it sounds like you are describing.
If you have an emergency veterinary facility in your area, call them and tell them about this and see what they say.
In the meantime, get warm compresses and hold them against the eye. This can relieve some of the discomfort.
And do get this little guy to the vet as absolutely soon as you can.
2007-09-06 15:21:32 · answer #2 · answered by Mercy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the swelling in the lid? If so, something irritated it and it's easy to wash out with saline solution. Only your vet can be sure if the lens was scratched. My bet is that the dusty conditions of the TV cabinet got in her eye.
Eye infections are common among young strays, but not hopeless to cure. Most clear up in a few days. Fortunately, you have a vet appointment soon, so the kit's future is not as drastic as you fear. She's already in good, caring hands.
2007-09-06 14:35:59 · answer #3 · answered by Salem Binx 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, eye infections are relatively common in young kittens - more so if they come from outside, but even house cats can get them. It might be an injury from another kitten; in which case it should be treatable so long as the eye itself isn't damaged. In some cases the eye becomes abscessed, in which case the eye usually can't be saved. Your vet will be able to tell you more.
2007-09-06 17:34:05 · answer #4 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely it is a condition called cherry eye which is basically and irritation of the third eye lid gland. Once irritated it can cause conjunctivitis.
It may go away on it's own, otherwise your vet should know how to treat it as it is pretty common. God luck!
http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/cherry-eye-dogs-cats.aspx
2007-09-06 15:19:34 · answer #5 · answered by Reba 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋