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I want to adopt a cat who has one eye that witha clear ...


Sent to Cat Experts July 07, 2006 4:20 p.m.

I want to adopt a cat who has one eye that witha clear wet discharge. (The other eye looks fine). He is a 3 year old male who has had his shots and has been neutered. His foster person told me it may be his nerves from being moved to the foster home to the pet store. (She moves him to get adopted on weekends and naturally he gets nervous.)
Is the eye discharge normal?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status: Closed   Value: $8   
Answer
July 07, 2006 4:57 p.m. (36 minutes and 12 seconds later)
ACCEPTED Check Mark

Discharge from the eye is not "normal", but may not be anything too serious. If what you are seeing is clear, thin, and wet this is probably his tear film. This may be the result of:
Increased production of tears secondary to irritation.
- The irritation could be distichia- eyelashes that grow abnormally on the inner surface of the lid and rub on the surface of the eye
- Allergy- though both eyes most often affected
- Entropion- the eyelid rolls in a bit toward the eye, rubbing on the surface
- Respiratory infection- VERY common in cats in shelter situations and pet stores. If the discharge becomes thicker, cloudy, yellow, or green, a topical antibiotic eye ointment will be needed
- Corneal ulceration- a small scratch on the surface of the eye. Usually you'll see some squinting, and/ or pawing of the eye associated with this. These also require antibiotic eye ointment while the cornea is healing.

Or, it could be the result of a blocked tear duct or a non-patent tear duct (some animals are born with tear ducts that are never open). As a result, the tears are not drained properly through the ducts and instead spill out onto the face.
Your vet should be able to determine the cause for you and recommend the appropriate treatment, if one is needed. Even if he's had his shots and been neutered, he should be checked out physically and have a feline leukemia and FIV test to make sure he's otherwise healthy.
Hope this was helpful.
PictureRGK  -- Veterinarian -- 100% Positive Feedback on 111 Cat Accepts
6 years experience as small animal vet, 17 years experience in the animal care field

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