The cat keeps getting a gunky eye; do I have to go the the vets every time?

[Katymac]

Or is there something I can buy over the counter to help him

It's often not sore with just goo in; but since I'm had him less than a year - & twice (this is the third time) his eyes have got quite sore

Poor puss - the vet thinks it's cos his eyes are so deep set (Siamese) - is there anything I can do to prevent it happening?

I don't know but have a similar thing. She's had them looked at three times and drops once but the general consensus is she's just got slightly snotty eyes. I wipe with a soft damp cloth to get rid of the bits. I do wonder if it's hayfever or the cat equivalent as she seems to get worse in the spring and summer. But her actual eyes don't seem inflamed and she doesn't scratch them or seem perturbed by it so I've decided not to worry.

Jack gets sore eyes. Or eye. His tend to go quite red, with some third eyelid show.

Vet has given us chloramphenicol? Also matrixol.

Someone here recommended Optrex infected eyes, for humans. And pussies.

Katymac

Out of interest, have you noticed if the gunky eye is accompanied by any nasal discharge - or even sneezing?

I mention that because Seniorboy has some residual cat flu (my shorthand) and since he hit about 18.5 - when, presumably, his immune system started going downhill - the very first sign that he's getting another attack is heavier than normal discharge in one of his eyes. His vet thinks, after many moons of treatment, that he may well have a polyp in his nose or similar which is flaring up regularly because ABs bring it all under control and the nose and eyes seem to be subject to many similar influences/be closely connected in some way.

If he was a younger cat, we'd probably have our lad in for an exploratory but he's just too old for a GA these days so we're opting for palliative treatment.

I think I'd be inclined in any case to go for the probiotic treatment that Lone mentioned once for cat flu sufferers and to help his immune system. I don't think that that could do any harm to your lad.

Sorry - that would be a nasopharyngeal polyp.

So maybe another visit when it's very bad for an exploratory chat?

H has a gunky eye and I mentioned it to the vet on Monday who said, providing the gunk isn't green or causing him a problem, not to worry. I was told to clean it with cotton wool and warm water if he'll let me but I don't rate my chances there!

Remind me Katymac - has he got both of his eyes?

Yep both eyes

I generally flick out clear goo with a tissue; it's when it goes red & sore I worry

Will he tolerate cooled boiled salted water (one teaspoon salt for a pint of water)? That's what my vet advised for the sort of pre-infection eye gunk DDog gets. However, if it's clear and he has no other symptoms, and it's in both eyes could it just be his natural eye boogers? Perhaps he is pawing at his eye to clear it hence the redness.

The general goo is there most days but recently it's been crusty black stuff (I thought dirt or flies or something) & that seems to make it more sore

But he sits there & lets me pick it out; and actually comes & finds me when it's bad so I can - I'm waiting for him to appear with a tissue in his mouth as I guess that is the next step in him training me

I'd be seeing if you can get to the bottom of it - a bit of deposit is one thing but a really serious encrustation and sore red eyes are something else.

Lone has previously recommended using cold tea by the way - something to do with the tannin reducing inflammation.

Bathe the eyes with cold tea, if they are just a bit gunky. Big Pussy Boy gets this from time to time, and tea usually clears it up quickly. Obviously if it is worse, gets worse, or looks really sore, take him to the vet,