Why does my cat have black eye discharge?
A frequent cause of eye discharge in cats, these can include viruses such as feline calicivirus, a contagious respiratory disease, pneumonitis or rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), bacteria, and protozoa. Symptoms can be mild or progress to something very serious and may include a sticky, pus-like eye discharg.
When should I worry about my cats eye boogers?
Signs that Your Cat Needs to See a Veterinarian
Color and/or consistency of the eye discharge changes (i.e., it goes from a clear in color and a liquid consistency to yellowish/green in color and a mucous consistency). Your cat is squinting, blinking excessively, and/or pawing at or rubbing his/her eyes.
What color should my cat’s eye boogers be?
Goopy or sticky eye discharge is typically a sign of infection. A clear discharge often indicates a viral infection whereas green or yellow discharge suggests that your cat has a bacterial infection.
Should I wipe my cat’s eye boogers?
Generally, you will not need to clean the area around your cat’s eyes. However, if you have a cat with a very flat face, eg. a Persian cat, it may well have eyes which water constantly which will need wiping on a regular basis. Gently wipe with a cotton wool ball dampened with clean water or a little baby oil.
What causes black stuff in cats eyes?
A dark crusty material in the corners of the eyes can also be normal. Tears contain pigments that when exposed to sunlight turn dark. This is not due to blood or infection. Just like many people have “sleep” in their eyes each morning, so do many cats.
What does Brown discharge from a cats eye mean?
What is the cat eye discharge? If you see cat eye discharge that is reddish-brown, this could indicate a yeast infection as a result of your cat’s fur under the eyes being constantly wet. Your cat’s face may have a slight odor, as well.
Why is there black stuff coming out of my cat’s eyes?
Feline upper respiratory infections
Symptoms can include a sticky pus-like eye discharge. And your cat eye discharge may look black. More importantly, these infections are highly contagious amongst cats so the virus needs to be kept under control.
How do I get rid of my cats eye discharge?
You can use warm water and cotton balls or tea bags to get rid of the eye gunk. If you suspect your cat may have an eye infection or a more serious medical issue, you should bring her to the vet for a check up.
Is cat eye discharge serious?
Eye Discharge in Cats: Signs You Need To Bring Your Cat to the Vet. Your cat’s eyes, when healthy, should look clear and bright. However, if you notice anything unusual about them, such as goopy discharge or discolouration, it may be a good idea to bring them to the vet.
When should I take my cat to the vet for eye discharge?
If your cat has watery eyes and is blinking excessively, squinting or pawing at their eyes it’s time for a trip to the vet. Your cat could have a foreign body trapped and irritating the eye, or a blocked nasolacrimal duct (tear duct.
What color eye discharge is normal for cats?
Eye discharge may be clear and runny, or it may be green/yellow and thick. If your cat’s symptoms are mild and he/she has a normal appetite and energy level, and does not have any other symptoms of illness, it is okay to monitor him/her for a few days.
Is cat eye discharge an emergency?
Signs that your cat’s eye issue is an emergency:
Pain – evidenced by pawing at the eye, squinting, sensitivity to light. Swelling of the eyelids accompanied by redness and or discharge, especially yellow or green in color. The sclera (whites of the eyes) are extremely red, accompanied by symptoms of pain noted above.
What should I do if my cat has eye discharge?
If you notice your cat has any issues with their eyes including discharge or discolouration, be sure to visit your vet and have them checked out. If specialized eye care through a veterinary eye specialist or allergy care through a veterinary dermatologist is needed, your vet will be able to assess further steps.
How long does eye discharge last in cats?
Most bacterial and viral infections will resolve within five to fourteen days. In cases that are not improving or where are other pets at risk of infection, further testing will be performed to reach a definitive diagnosis.
What happens if cat eye infection goes untreated?
Eye infections are a treatable condition in cats; however, severe eye infections and eye infections which are left untreated can cause permanent blindness in cats. As well as the risk of blindness, eye infections cause extreme discomfort and pain.
Do I need to take my cat to the vet for an eye infection?
An eye infection can be quite painful for your kitty, so it’s important to get them the proper treatment they need. If you start to notice redness and discharge in your cat’s eyes that doesn’t resolve on its own, bring them to the vet as soon as possible.
How can I help my cats eye discharge?
If your cat allows it, you can try to wipe the eyes clean of the discharge with a moistened cotton ball using a fresh cotton ball for each eye. Avoid using over the counter eye drops on your cat unless a veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so. Observe your cat for other symptoms of illness.