Why does my cat have eye mucus, lethargy, and barely open eyes?

You could use a warm washcloth to get some of the mucous off of Cat's eye and hopefully allow it to open, but I wouldn't try too hard to open it. It is possible that she is holding it shut because it is painful as well. It sounds like she could have an upper respiratory infection, which is usually viral however if there is eye discharge she could have a secondary bacterial infection. I would recommend seeing a veterinarian so they can examine her eye and prescribe antibiotics or topical eye medication if necessary.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Cas. Yes, I do recommend seeking care for him this weekend if there is an emergency veterinarian nearby. Squinting typically means the eye is painful as does the lethargy. From your pictures, the underside of the eyelid appears swollen and his third eyelid is elevated. He could have an eye infection. It can happen alone or be part of an upper respiratory tract infection. He may start with other symptoms such as sneezing and a decreased appetite. Another possibility is a corneal ulcer or scratch across the surface of the eye. This is very painful. The doctor will examine him and may recommend a test to look for an ulcer. Based o these results, treatment will be started. I hope this information helps!

Hello there, This white film is the third eyelid. This can be raised for eye pain, conjunctivitis, infections, or herpes viral flares. I also see that Gussie's eye is being held closed. This is called blepharospasm and is a sign of pain. Many cats will become lethargic during viral flares, so if Gussie has experienced herpetic conjunctivitis flares like this before it may be a self resolving situation. I do always recommend using some type of lubricating +/- antibiotic ointment or drop on their eyes during these flares to prevent an ulcer or serious secondary infection from occurring, as well as for pain relief and faster healing. These flares commonly occur during times of stress, such as a move or a new person or pet in the home. However, these flares can also be a signal of underlying immune suppression, such as that from disease or cancer. I'd recommend having Gussie seen by his vet tomorrow so that you can be sure there is no underlying disease predisposing to this. Hopefully it will just be an exam and picking up some eye medications for him.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to an upper respiratory infection. This is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops and cats usually respond well to therapy. I recommend that you have Bubbles evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. If they agree that based on an examination, that seems to be the issue, they will likely prescribe medications to make him feel better. Good luck and best wishes!

If he is blinking this eye excessively also, then I would recommend taking him to your vet to have the eye examined. It is very likely he has an eye infection and in need of antibiotic eye ointment to help clear things up. Eye infections are common in cats and can be caused by a mild scratch or ulcer on the eye. They can also be caused by mild viral infections (i.e. Herpesvirus, Calicivirus). I hope your furry friends eye issue resolves soon! Best wishes and take care.

Poor Sweets! He could have injured his eye, or could he have a severe eye infection. This is something that needs to be treated promptly by a vet, as leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I would have your daughter take him into a vet now. Best of luck.

It is likely that Curdles has an upper respiratory infection, which is pretty common in kittens. He needs to see a veterinarian so that an appropriate medication can be prescribed. Clavamox is often used for routine symptoms, but the eyes should be checked immediately for corneal ulcers, as these are quite complicated and need specific eye medications.