Cat with runny eye

[oxcat1]

Brought both the cats (aged 2.5) in earlier today for their dinner - they got out during the day and stay in at night. Was just stroking one of them and I've noticed he has a really weepy eye - his white fur around the eye has brown/bloody? streaks and is all wet. I can't see any sign of a cut or anything, so I'm assuming this must be some sort of infection. He seems otherwise well - ate his dinner etc etc, and the eye doesn't look gummy or particularly sore. He's not rubbing it especially, nor is he sitting with it shut (a favourite trick of his drama queen sister!).

Is it alright just to leave it? Should I try wiping the eye with cooled boiled water or something? Is this the kind of thing that needs a vet appointment or ok to wait and see?

Sorry - first time cat owner and more PFB about them than you could imagine!

My cat recently had a bit of a weepy eye. I wiped it with cotton wool soaked in cooled boiled water and it cleared up the next day.

The only person who can tell you if this is safe to leave is a vet. It is true it may improve with gentle cleaning, but it is also possible if there is scratch causing an ulcer that this could progress if not treated and cause some serious problems. If it is not too sore (blinking a lot or sitting closed) then you probably don't need to rush to anyone tonight, but if it is still not right in the morning you should call the vet and get the cat seem tomorrow in my opinion. You would not often see a scratch on the suface of the eye just by looking - vets use a dye to highlight these things usually (picture a glass in a swimming pool, difficulty seeing it, that type of thing)