Eye Discharge in Cats

It is very common for cats to have watery, goopy or even a little crusty discharge around the eyes. While it typically isn’t something to be concerned about, it can at times indicate an eye problem that needs to be looked at by your veterinarian.

There are a few reasons why your cat will have watery eyes, discharge or even eye boogers (those little pesky, crusty hard pieces on the corner of the eyes!).

A Little Cat Eye Discharge is Normal

If your cat typically has discharge from the eye, which is dry and slightly brown and crusty, it is usually nothing to worry about.  While most eye discharge is caused by airborne allergens, just as with humans, most cases concerning pets do not point to a significant problem.

However, if your kitty has watery eyes all the time and or any discoloration in the discharge, you should make an appointment to see your veterinarian.

Some Cat Breeds Are More Prone to Crust Around the Eyes

Due to the shape of the cats’ face, Persians, Himalayans, Tabbys, and other cats with short noses and large, round eyes might have more eye leakage than other cats. This might be normal, but if your cat’s eye discharge is excessive, ask your vet. In general, a daily wipe around the area is typically all you need.

If your kitty has any of the below symptoms, take your cat to your vet:

The most common signs of cat eye discharge include:

·  Crust formation around the edges of the eye

·  Swollen or red eyes

· Excessive wetness of the face

·  A foul odor

·  Your cat rubs his face against objects or people

·  Your cat’s fur has a red-brown staining under the eyes

· Substance accumulating near the edges of the eyes

·  Fur loss around the eye area

·  Excessive blinking, squinting or having one eye closed (or both)

Atypical eye discharge is, however, a sign of a problem. In some cases, mucus could be caused by a simple cold, or a more serious illness could be the culprit.

The Type of Discharge Can Help Clarify the Cause

· Clear discharge with no redness or pain points toward a problem in the tear duct department.

·  Clear discharge with redness in the eye could indicate conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye), such as from a viral infection.

·  Puslike discharge (green or yellow), sticky and stinky, along with a red eye, could indicate conjunctivitis, such as from a bacterial infection.

·  Discharge accompanied by pain in the eye could be a sign of cornea or inner eye problems. Signs that your cat is in pain may include constantly pawing at her eye, excessive tearing or sensitivity to light.

·  Yellow or green discharge is not normal and indicates a medical issue.

There Are Many Reasons Why Your Cat Might Have Eye Discharge

Cat eye discharge is a sign of many different eye diseases and disorders, including corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis and entropion (an eyelid that rolls inward, allowing the hairs on the skin to irritate the eye). Your veterinarian will examine your cat and possibly perform certain tests to find out what exactly is causing your cat’s eye discharge.

Prevention

Bacteria can breed in mucus and cause eye infections. Check your cat’s eyes often for redness, changes in color or shape, or discharge.

Some tips to safely wipe your cat’s eyes:

1. Use a soft, wet cloth to gently wipe away any discharge. Make sure to find a cleaner that is labeled as safe to be used around the eyes and avoid any product that contains alcohol.

2. Dip a fresh cotton ball in water. Wipe away the eye discharge, starting from the rom the corner of the eye and cleaning outward.  Make sure to use a fresh cotton ball for each eye.

3. Steer clear of any over-the-counter drops or washes unless your vet has prescribed them.