My blind cat's old injured eye looks deflated. Is it ruptured?

This eye looks like it is ruptured. This is a constant source of pain and infection, and this cat will likely succumb to these things and not live a normal happy life. Infection could also lead to sepsis, so I highly recommend helping this stray kitty and getting this eye looked at. If the eye is too far gone, then removal of the eye (enucleation) may be the best course of action to help this poor kitty. Best of luck in caring for this street cat moving forward. Take care.

Hello. I am sorry to see that John is having issues with his eye. It does appear that the eye is severely compromised, and if the white clear discharge seen is the material from inside his eye then yes, it needs to be removed. You can always see an ophthalmologist for their opinion, however if that discharge is from a ruptured globe there is likely very little they will do aside from remove the eye. If the discharge can be 'wiped away' and a normal eye is underneath (unlikely based on what your vet has said and the picture provided) then it could be saved, however this is unlikely. Good luck with John, and remember, animals with 1 eye do exceptionally well, so don't worry about John only having 1 eye, he will do great!

The ruptured eye is not repairable and it is highly unlikely that the other eyes will ever be visual either. It is not normal for eyes to be open so early and it is likely that severe inflammation and infection was the underlying cause. Regular application of artificial tears may help with the discomfort but the only realistic option to prevent pain is to remove the damaged eyes completely

This eye is now blind and is likely to be painful - removal of the eye would be the kindest procedure in this case although anaesthetic is more risky at such a young age. I recommend seeking referral if your local vet is not comfortable with the anaesthetic or procedure in such a young kitten as this eye will be painful until it is removed and is at risk of rupture and serious infection

I am sorry to hear about your kitty. I would recommend an examination by his vet when their office reopens. If your kitty is lethargic, not eating, painful, or has a fever (rectal temperature above 102.5) then a visit to the emergency vet would be recommended. With swelling like this we would worry about residual infection, reaction to suture material, foreign body in the eye, seroma or hematoma in the socket, tumor presence in the eye. In the meantime you can try applying a cool compress/ice pack (wrapped in a thin cloth) over the area if it seems uncomfortable for 10 minutes every few hours.

That is very high pressure in that eye, and if the staining of the cornea showed a "yellow" streak, this suggests an ulcer. Cats are really good at hiding pain, so I think it is difficult to assume that he is not painful. With these findings, I would tend to agree with your veterinarian, that the eye should be removed for the long term comfort of Alex. With the damage to the eye, and the ulcer, it may become more painful over time, or even rupture. If he can't see, he won't miss the eye once it is gone. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Kitty. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian. He needs to be examined and the extent of his injuries determined. His eye will need to evaluated. It appears as though his third eyelid may be elevated and possibly damaged. The veterinarian will determine if medication such as antibiotics are warranted. If there is eye disease, such as a corneal ulcer or scratch across the eye, this will require specific treatment. Surgery is possible if there is an infection under the skin such as an abscess. If he is not as active, this is likely because he does not feel well. In the meantime, encourage him to eat and drink. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to cats. I hope this information helps!