Q: Pumpkins eyes

Answered by used_to_be_red_kitty-cat on 9/21/2005, 12:59 pm

A: Pumpkins eyes

> My oldest has had a runny eye for a few days , now its in
> the other eye . Its runny and yellowish , it seems the other
> eye is a little better . She has a apt. tomarrow . I wanted
> to know if this is a cold in her eyes or something more ?
> Does it take care of itself on its own or does it need
> antibiotics? Thanks Alyson
>

Hi, Alyson. If the discharge is yellowish, then it needs antibiotics. This type of discharge is indicative of a bacterial infection that may not resolve on its own. And these can be very dangerous. I have seen cats need to have their eyes removed because the infection was not treated right away. And many bacterial eye infections are also contagious to you, so be sure to wash your hands with an antibacterial if you touch the eye area.

Many times, eye infections are brought on by a viral infection, most notably feline herpes. While herpes is a virus and is not curable, it almost always leaves the cat open to bacterial infections, which is most likely what you are seeing now.

Feline herpes (also called FHV, FVR, and rhinotracheitis) and a few other viruses are sometimes refered to as a 'cold' in cats. They causes the same symptoms as the human cold virus does, but they are completely separate germs. The common cold is not contagious to your kitty, and a viral kitty cold is not contagious to you.

Until tomorrow, make sure to keep the eye area free of crust and discharge by wiping it several times a day with a cotton ball with warm water. If you can, distilled water is best because chlorine in tap water can burn the eyes.