Kitty's eye is swollen?

Question

Hi there. I just adopted a persian mix cat about a week ago and today her eye seemed to be irritated because she had it half shut. Now I just got home from work and it is swollen shut and a little yellow discharge is coming out. Has anyone had this problem and what can I do to help her? I will take her to the vet asap if this doesn't clear up.

Answer 1

awwwwwww poor kitty. take her to a vet or a animal hospital

Answer 2

um...well you could syringe to flush out her eye with water or take a warm cloth and gently wipe around the eye and try this about twice a day just for safety precautions...if it does not clear up then yes you should take her to the vet...

Answer 3

Your cat could have pink eye. Mine had the same symptoms a few days ago. I put human eye medicine on it and it healed up the next day.

Answer 4

Eye problems don't clear on their own.  And if it's something serious it could lean to blindness.  So please don't wait for this to "clear up" - get this cat the care it needs.

Answer 5

If it's swollen shut you need to take a warm, damp cloth and "DAB" (don't rub) the eye until the cat can open it again.

This will allow the infection to drain out and keep the pressure off the eye.  You really do need to take the cat without hesitation to the vet asap and let them diagnose the problem.  It could be something that simply requires some antibiotic drops or ointment to clear up.  It is very painful for your cat and probably will NOT go away and will only get worse.  IF the eye shuts again just re-apply warm damp clothes to the eye to help keep it open.

Answer 6

Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, or eye tissue) is common in cats that come from catteries or rescue facilities. Upper-respiratory diseases and symptoms often can not be avoided when many cats are kept in small areas, such as rescues. Think of kids in a daycare centre: Eventually, enough kids in the same room, all from different backgrounds, SOMEONE is going to catch the chicken pox, or the common cold, right?  Conjunctivitis can be bacterial or viral in nature - Either way, make sure to keep your hands clean after handling kitty's eye.  Only your vet will be able to tell you for sure what's wrong with your pet, however I can tell you that regardless of the cause, it sounds like your fur-baby needs some TLC - and a little eye ointment. A topical antibiotic sounds like just the thing to help give her some relief.  Also, if the eye infection seems viral in nature you may consider asking your vet about a viral suppressant supplement like Lysine. It comes in a variety of appetizing flavors for cats that have chronic viral infections due to Feline Leukemia or FIV. Consider having your kitty tested for these diseases if she has not been already. Both can cause suppressed immune systems which lead to the body allowing chronic infection and inflammation.

The most important thing to know is that at this stage, THIS WILL NOT CLEAR UP ON ITS OWN. Please, for the sake of your kitty and your wallet, contact your vet ASAP to get it sorted out. If it's allowed to progress, permanant damage may occur to the eye, causing the need for much more intensive (read: expensive) therapies, and/or the potential for vision loss in the eye.

Best of luck to you.