My cat has clear, watery eye discharge, but seems fine. What is it?

Hello. It is very common for an upper respiratory tract infection to also cause eye symptoms. This may include a clear watery discharge and inflammation of the eyelids and conjunctiva. If the discharge becomes thick and yellow/ green or your cat squints or is holding the eye closed, she should be rechecked and started in eye medication as well. If the symptoms are mild as they are now, it may resolve on its own when the virus runs its course and goes away. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

Clear eye discharge is not uncommon. I would not be worried about this unless the discharge turns yellow or green which would indicate an infection. You can use saline solution or a commercial eye wash to rinse the eyes out daily if he will let you. Otherwise just wiping the discharge away when you see it is fine. I would use a cotton ball soaked in warm water to wipe the eyes and not a Q-tip. They also have pre-made eye wipes for cats if you would rather use that. ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-cat-eye-wipes ) ( https://www.petco.com/category/cat/cat-health-and-wellness/cat-ear-and-eye-care ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

White discharge can be a sign of dry eye, especially if it is continuous. However, dry eye is not very common in cats. If the eyes continue to have this discharge as well as redness of the sclera (white part of the eye), then its best to have her checked by your vet. If the discharge resolves, then it is likely just a weepy eye and nothing to worry about. Best of luck with your pet Lucy moving forward. Take care!

I'm sorry Mango hasn't been feeling well! (He's a cutie). Watery eyes can be caused by a number of things, so if this is a new symptom or one that hasn't resolved, a vet checkup is always best to figure out the exact cause. If the watery discharge is clear, it could be eye irritation from something such as a dust allergy or other environmental allergens. Keeping Mango in a well-ventilated room away from potential allergens may help the discharge clear up, as well as keeping his eyes clean and dry. Particles in the eye such as dust or an irritant if you've been cleaning or burning candles/aromatherapy items may also cause eye discharge like this, and Mango should be removed from any rooms they're in use in. If the discharge becomes cloudy, green, or yellow, this could indicate something more serious such as an infection of the eyes, a respiratory virus, or a chronic health condition such as herpesvirus that may be flaring. You may notice other signs and symptoms such as lethargy, fever, or loss of appetite. it's a good idea to schedule a vet visit with any new symptom, even if it's only for peace of mind. Keeping an eye on Mango and watching for any other symptoms or changes to the discharge can also help you and your vet figure out if the cause is serious.

Sneezing and clear eye discharge can indicate the beginnings of something, or may be allergy related. Keeping the eyes and nose clear with a clean washcloth may help. If the discharge changes to yellow or green, Pinta becomes congested, or she becomes feverish, lethargic, or stops eating, those are all signs of something more serious such as an upper respiratory infection that requires veterinary care.

Gently try to wipe the eye to see if that is just some discharge. If it does not come out, it may be a mass and she should see her veterinarian. If it is discharge, as long as she seems normal, you may monitor her for a few days to see if this is a one time thing. If it progresses or worsens, have her seen by her veterinarian. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

It could be minor infection (bacterial or viral), foreign body, stray eye lash or even an obstructed tear duct. Without a physical exam, it is difficult to determine definitively what the underlying cause may be. If the discharge persists, consider an exam with your veterinarian. If Ruth is rubbing ornpawing at the eye, place an e-collar (cone) on her until she sees the doctor.