Today when i got home i noticed that one of my cats had some liquid under one of his eyes. The liquid is clear. His eye is a little watery, but other than that he seems perfectly healthy. He's not sneezing or wheezing. His behavior hasn't changed in the least.
Is this something I should be concerned about?

Hi Kalena
One of my cats has eyes that water once in a while also. Sometimes they can get irritated by dust etc., just like in humans. If your cat is acting ok and eating I wouldn't worry about it. Just wipe your cats eye with a moist cotton ball and keep an eye on it. (no pun intended) Also if the clear discharge turns yellow or green or if you notice your cat squinting and not opening his eye then I would take him to the vet right away.

When my babies get "eye boogers", I wash the eye with a contact lens solution of sterile saline and boric acid- my vet said the balance of that product is perfect for this purpose and it rinses out whatever bit of dirt, hair or dander might be causing the irritation.

I wouldn't use a cotton ball, because it can leave threads in the cats' eye, making it worse. A piece of unscented uncolored un-lotioned toilet paper or tissue or paper towel is fine.
I wouldn't worry about it unless the color changes or it seems to start to bother him.
You could also use Neosporin or Polysporin to clear it out. Just dap a little bit in the corner with a clean fingertip. My mother did this to our cat, on the vets' advice, whenever she (the cat, not my mother) started to get eye goo. Worked like a charm.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. His eye was still watery this morning, but he's still eating and overall seems fine. I'll try rinsing his eye out and see if that helps.
Thank you again for your replies

quote:

Originally posted by Elexina:
I wouldn't use a cotton ball, because it can leave threads in the cats' eye, making it worse. A piece of unscented uncolored un-lotioned toilet paper or tissue or paper towel is fine.
I wouldn't worry about it unless the color changes or it seems to start to bother him.
You could also use Neosporin or Polysporin to clear it out. Just dap a little bit in the corner with a clean fingertip. My mother did this to our cat, on the vets' advice, whenever she (the cat, not my mother) started to get eye goo. Worked like a charm.

Hi Elexina, I saw your post from 01/08/08 about using Neosporin in the corner of your cat's eye & I have a question. I'm not sure if you will see this post since it is now Sept & this Thread is from Jan, but I'll take a chance anyway.
I use Neosporin on my 2 cats (if they get a scrape or something like that), but I have never used it by the eye. I know you must be very careful when applying it to the corner of the eye, but is it really safe to use in that area? I'm asking because my one 11 year old female (part Siamese) has "eye goo". Every day I clean out her eyes with plain old water and either toilet paper or a paper towel. She must have very sensitive eyes or dry eyes, because I noticed that they get red sometimes. When that happens I just use some cool water & the red goes away. The "eye goo" that she gets is a dark color & if not cleaned out it dries & becomes hard. Do you think Neosporin would help with this & if so, how close can I get to the eye. I mean, I know you said to put it in the corner but doesn't it kind of "slide" or "drip" into the eye?

Thanks in advance
Debbie in Chicago

quote:

Originally posted by debcos:

quote:

Originally posted by Elexina:
I wouldn't use a cotton ball, because it can leave threads in the cats' eye, making it worse. A piece of unscented uncolored un-lotioned toilet paper or tissue or paper towel is fine.
I wouldn't worry about it unless the color changes or it seems to start to bother him.
You could also use Neosporin or Polysporin to clear it out. Just dap a little bit in the corner with a clean fingertip. My mother did this to our cat, on the vets' advice, whenever she (the cat, not my mother) started to get eye goo. Worked like a charm.

Hi Elexina, I saw your post from 01/08/08 about using Neosporin in the corner of your cat's eye & I have a question. I'm not sure if you will see this post since it is now Sept & this Thread is from Jan, but I'll take a chance anyway.
I use Neosporin on my 2 cats (if they get a scrape or something like that), but I have never used it by the eye. I know you must be very careful when applying it to the corner of the eye, but is it really safe to use in that area? I'm asking because my one 11 year old female (part Siamese) has "eye goo". Every day I clean out her eyes with plain old water and either toilet paper or a paper towel. She must have very sensitive eyes or dry eyes, because I noticed that they get red sometimes. When that happens I just use some cool water & the red goes away. The "eye goo" that she gets is a dark color & if not cleaned out it dries & becomes hard. Do you think Neosporin would help with this & if so, how close can I get to the eye. I mean, I know you said to put it in the corner but doesn't it kind of "slide" or "drip" into the eye?

Thanks in advance
Debbie in Chicago

I'm not Elexina, but I will answer anyway.

There is a difference between a little bit of clear tearing and what your cat has. I suspect that what your cat has is an tear duct issue or possibly an infection inside the tear duct/sinuses

Since she has red or dry eyes you can bet that the tear duct is clogged. You do not want to put a gel on the tear duct, this will make the problem worse - and if it is infection, the antibiotics in neosporine will not get down to the infection, they will only hit the surface of the area.

Given the age of the cat its most likely chronic dry eye - meaning its going to require either fake tears with essential tear oils and ph balance and salts, or it may require a bit of surgery to open up the tear duct. At any rate a vet should see the cat to rule out infection or to treat the cat for infection and to check to make certain there are no growths in the tear duct or in or behind the eye ball.

Using water only giver temporary relief, and in the long run it leads to more dry eye issues since most water from taps contain chemicals (chlorine) and minerals (hard water deposits).

The goo is the stuff that healthy tear ducts usually 'weep' especially when sleeping - the 'sand of sleep'. In people and animals with tear duct issues, or allergies, or infection or sinus issues there is an over production of that material which can either harden to form irritants, or just be produced in such quantities and thickness that it can not be easily 'pushed' out by the tear duct. If it is off color, or smells it is puss and should be seen immediate.

If you take the cat to the vet, try not to wipe the eye clean before the visit, the vet will want to take a sample and look at it through a microscope to see if its infection or even containing parasites or other critters.

Dvd, Thank you for the reply. it was very helpful. I have an appointment for her (Charcoal) to see the Vet tomorrow. Just to clarify, the liquid that comes out of her eyes is clear but when it hardens it turns brown. Usually, about once per day I see what looks like a little brown spot next to the corner of her eyes. Once you wet it, it comes off very easily. I hope I'm, explaining this correctly.
Anyway, I really appreciate what you told me. I didn't realise that using tap water could actually do harm, but what you said about the chemicals in our tap water definately makes a lot of sense.

Thanks again
Debbie

I read a lot into eye goo I guess.

Clear or not it is worth checking it is excessive tearing and things like allergies, sinuses can cause that and in most cases cats and dogs can be treated with 'human' medications from the drug store. For instance our black lab has allergies and we give her an antihistamine twice daily. under direction and dosage as outlined by the vet.

David pretty much covered it (thanks!) but I would just encourage you to take your cat to the vet if you are unsure about anything. I am not a vet or an animal expert by any means, I only spreak from experience.

hi-i was just wondering what the vet had to say about your cats eye. i hope it's nothing serious.

Hello Misty45,

I took "Charcoal" to the Vet on Fri & luckily it is not very serious. She has a Sinus infection and actually all of her blood work came back quite good - her Kidney, Liver, Blood Cell count, etc all came back normal. She is 11 years old & has Arthritus, but I must say that she still acts & has the energy of a kitten. She is what I call "my little trouble maker". She is into everything! She knows how to open cabinets. In my bedroom she is always opening the dressor drawers & doors. They slide open very easily & in addition to drawers they have 2 doors in the middle that open up - she likes to go in there. She also thinks that the towels that are on the towel racks are "toys" for her to pulls down (LOL). I'm always finging them down on the floor. I don't mind it, I think it's cute. It become a "game" that we play. I'll say something like "and what did you do?", but I say it in an "uplifted" "happy" voice so she knows it is something that is OK. I must admit that she knows what "No" means when I say it in a certain voice. If she is starting to get into something that is a no-no then I just say "No" in that voice & she stops. She is part Siamese so that's where she gets her intelligence. Sorry I rattled on like this, but you know how it is with cat lovers.
Debbie

hi debbie-i'm glad charcoal is okay. i'm also a cat lover. i have 8 and boy do they keep me busy. i'm also a dog lover. i have 5. i also have 2 parakeets, two rabbits and a snake, so i guess i am just an all around pet lover.

Hi Misty,
I am the exact same as you - an all around animal lover. If I lived on a farm or in the country, I would have all kinds of animals & I would take in all the strays, but I live in the city right now, so it's just me & my 2 cats, Charcoal - female, 11, & Mr TC - male, 10 years old. Mr TC is a gentle giant - he is a Maine Coon & he follows me around the house. He is always by my side, so loyal. Both cats are very vocal - always "talking" to me.
But, yes, I agree with you - I love all kinds of animals too. I would be in heaven at your house.
Debbie

Misty - I forgot to ask you - what kind of snake do you have? A friend of mine used to have a Boa Constrictor (almost 6 feet long). I spent a weekend at her house once & the Boa had disappeared. Nobody knew where he could be. Well, during the night I woke up, went to the kitchen for something to drink & on the way back to my room, stretched out in the hallway - there was the snake. I had walked right past him in the dark, on my way to the kitchen & then on the way back I had turned on a little light so that was when I saw him. I had been scared of him until that point, but my friend kept telling me how gentle & sweet he was. After that, I was afraid of him anymore. Also, they fiqured out where he had been hiding - in my friends bedroom, up under her bed. He got up in there. And, she had a 4 month old puppy running around & going under the bed, but the snake never once bothered the puppy.

wow!! your friend was really lucky that the boa constrictor did'nt get the puppy. there's no danger of that with my snake. she is a ribbon snake which is in the garter snake family. i've had her about 7 years and she only eats goldfish. that's what the vet said to feed her. i also live in the city, but all my animals except the big dog stay in the house. actually the limit out here is 4 dogs and 4 cats per household unless you have a kennel license, but if i see an animal in need, then i have to help. they are real good company. i lost my husband 2 years ago. he got a bad infection from a spider bite and he was gone quick. the animals help me keep my sanity because i miss him so much.

Oh my goodness, isn't this something - I also lost my husband, in 1999. He had a heart attack during the night. I woke up & in my sleepiness, thought he was snoring & I said "pete you're snoring' & I got up & went out on the sofa to watch some TV, then fell back asleep. The next morning I found him. Looking back, I'm not sure if he was snoring or if that was what they call the "death rattle". I felt very guilty for a long time, but I have come to terms with it. I have learned It is all part of the grief process. I agree - the animals are great company. My cats are my "family".

my husband was a snorer and i was always waking him up and telling him to turn over. if i could have him back, he could snore all he wanted. if i had known that he was dying, there is so much i would have said to him. that is my biggest regret. we were married 27 years.

how old was your husband. mine was 53.

hi debbie-i hope i did'nt say anything to offend you. did charcoals eye clear up.