My kitten has a squint, why?

Question

This kitten is one of four, they're only 2 and a half weeks old, but one has a little squint. His one eye is wide open, yet the other, he seems to blink a lot and doesn't open it as wide. I've had a closer look and nothing seems amiss, and it's not running. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't like this when they started opening their eyes. None of the others have any problems, just this one. Is it worth taking him to the vets, or just should I just have patience and leave him alone for a while?

Answer 1

I would watch him closely for a few days and if there is no improvement (or if he gets worse), I would check with my vet.

Good Luck with the little ones!

Answer 2

i'd wait a bit before taking him to the vet, chances are he just hurt it playing. I nearly took my kitten to te vet this morning cos he was limping, but 10 minutes later he was bombing round the house like a crazy thing, kittens are like kids, they get hurt whilst they're playing, and you wouldn't take a child to the doctor for every little thing

I think wait a bit and keep an eye on it, if it doesn't get better then take him in a few days, but the trauma of going to the vet would probably outweigh the trauma of being squint for a day!

Answer 3

i had this problem with my cat the vet said she had conjunctivitis a type of eye infection its nothing serious and can be treated with eye drops from vet. Hope that helped

Answer 4

Hmmm.. Maybe during nursing the kitten got his eye scratched by a litter mate. It happens fairly often since those kittens go nuts on each other while fighting for a nipple! Other than that it could be the beginning of a viral eye infection, or just a bacterial one. I foster kittens and 4 I have now have a viral eye infection problem, on the advice of someone on here, I called my vet and inquired about Polysporin eye drops. The vet gave me the okay and I used them, it cleared their eyes up right away, within one day of use! You can use that on your kitten just in case, it won't hurt if she doesn't have an eye infection and if she does it should clear it up. Make sure they are Polysporin eye/ear DROPS, not the eye ointment.. it has to be the drops. If you discover that all or more of the kittens develop eye problems I would suggest giving them all L-lysine as a supplement, you can get it at any pharmacy and it boosts the immune system. Call your vet or do a search online for dosage. I am also giving lysine to my foster kittens and they haven't had a relapse with the eye infections yet so it does work!

As I said if that is the only kitten with a wonky eye, most likely it got injured fighting for a nipple those little claws are sharp! but if you notice any other kittens showing the same symptoms you may need to consider it could be a viral eye infection such as Chlamydia or Feline herpes.. in which case you can't cure it you can only treat the symptoms and prevent secondary bacterial infection by using eye drops either polysporin or something similar from your vet. If I were you I'd get the Polysporin drops and use them just in case.. if the eye gets worse or doesn't get better within a day or two you'll know kitty needs to go to the vet.

I agree with you that not everything should make you run to the vet, you can often take care of minor problems at home. The vet is expensive and sometimes you can do it yourself with the same results for less money. That doesn't mean the kittens "aren't worth it" it just means you don't have to waste money running to the vet for every little problem that might not be a problem! I usually research things online, ask questions and then call and inquire at the vet for simple advice or confirmation. Many times the vets themselves tell me things I can do at home, and then signs to watch for that means the kittens do need to see a vet.  

Answer 5

in the course of playing  his eye may have gotten scratched. wait anoyher week and keep your eye on it. if it still is having an issue then i would go to the vet. good luck.

Answer 6

I think I would take the little thing in.  My reason is that if it is something starting that is contagious, the sooner you nip it in the bud, the better for the whole family.  And I guess I would just be a bit afraid to take that chance and wait a day or so to find out.   Good Luck  :)

Answer 7

HEY FISTY GIRL!

I liked your "additonal details"

I am glad you found out that this wasn't a big thing... and that you asked just in case.

good for you for taking in little miss PG... and that you are having her spayed soon.

good going and good luck >^..^<

ehjude's cat ans.

Answer 8

"Worth" taking them to the vets?  If you though the kittens lives were "worth" anything you wouldn't be asking this question.

Take this entire to the vet to be checked out.  And while you're there ask how soon you can bget the mother cat spayed.  And schedule these kittens to be spayed/neutered once they're eight weeks in age and two pounds in weight.  It's bad enough you just killed four cats or kittens at your local shelter by letting your cat breed.  If you give these kittens away unaltered them you could end responsible for THOUSANDS of unwanted litters as these kittens breed and their kittens breed and so on and so on and so on.