Watery eye

[JackSpratt]

Thanks Sarah. She always blinks quite a lot (naturally nervous, bless her. So constantly sending the "I'm not a threat, I'm not a threat!" signal!) so she does a lot of the cleaning work herself! Just needs wiping gently every so often.

[Sarah477]

Hi - my cat's eye is the same. He had flu as a kitten and the eye, particularly in the winter or when it is windy, weeps more - a sticky red goo. The vet did say he could have his ducts flushed but it wasn't worth it as they were more than likely scarred from the inflammation when he was small, so they don't drain as they should. It doesn't bother him apart from looking a bit messy, but he quite likes having his eye washed now. That eye did seem more susceptible to conjunctivitis but as he's got older the flare ups have gotten less and less. Touch wood , he's not had one for over two years now. 

[JackSpratt]

Thanks, Mark. It's just the one eye. (Her right.) She did have a mild dose of cat flu as a kitten and conjunctivitis, so I guess it could be a reoccurence. Doesn't seem to be bothering her at present. (It's bothering me more, when I notice it looking yucky, I clean it!)

[Mark]

Willow ha the same problem which 3 other vets said was allergic conjunctivitis. My new vet said she probably had cat flu when she was young and that the virus will always come out in tears. It seems to come & go although it never goes completely. She used to have steroid drops but they only relieve it temporarily and can't be used long term - also she hates having it done. My last 2 vets have said the same thing, wipe her eyes with a clean makeup pad with optrex, using a different pad for each eye to avoid potential cross-infection - and as long as the tears are clear (reddish brown) its fine but to watch out for any cloudiness as that will mean there is an infection and to take her in.

[JackSpratt]

Thanks, HippyKitty. Will check out the photo.

I'm starting to think it's grass seeds as my lot keep coming in covered in bits from plants!

*Um, where is the cat gallery? How embarassing, I can't seem to find it!*

[Hippykitty]

Jack, Polly has blocked tear ducts. She has a mucky discharge at the inner corner of her eye. If you click on the pic in the cat gallery, you'll see the mark it leaves even after I've wiped her eyes. Are you cat's like this, or clear?

One of the vets at the practise I go to specialises in eye problems and took a look at Polly, also running some tests. She's okay, apart from the blocked tear ducts caused probably by flu in her feral existence.

Your cat may just have something irritating her eye, like grass seed/pollen, she may even have hayfever.

[JackSpratt]

Thanks, MM. The little guy with gingivitis is actually on antibiotics at the moment. And yup, the fluid is a clear fluid - althouhg I did notice the bit right near her tear duct looked a little thicker.

[Millys Mum]

If you look inside the eye is it pink? That indicates something is brewing. Lola often has clear eye discharge, she has quite shallow eyes and when its dry & dusty outside gets drippy.
Tear ducts can become blocked and need flushing (sounds horrible!)
If its always clear she could have an eyelash iritating things, technical name eludes me at the moment...

You could try Plaque Off for you gingivitis kitty, it seemed to help Simon, his ultimate treatment was extractions which seems to have the trick touch wood.

[JackSpratt]

And take a flask 

Not a terrible idea! She has had conjunctivitis when she was a lot younger, so it could be a bit of a flare up.

She'll definately get a check after the other two have been taken in for their "old cat issues!"

(My little junkie went the other day due to getting gingivitis again! The friend that gives me a lift ought to start charging a fare poor lad!)

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Has it just started to water or is it like that most of the time, on and off?  Jaffa has had conjunctivitis a few times and that usually starts with watery eyes.  Best get her checked out by the vet.  And take a flask 

[JackSpratt]

My youngest cat seems to have one eye that keeps watering. It doesn't appear to be bothering her. (In fact, I think it bothers me more, I keep wiping the excess liquid off for her.)

I've just looked it up and read this:

Watery Eyes
If your cat’s eyes constantly “weep”, or if the fur around them appears “stained”, he may suffer from this inherited defect, in which a malformation of the tear ducts blocks the normal flow of tears.


Is this very common and should any course of action be taken? (If so, two of my older cats need to go for check ups first....gah! They're worth it, but I really wish the vets waiting room had a tea machine!)