Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat's third eyelid is showing, and she's throwing up. Emergency?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Siamese | Female | unspayed

My cat has the third eyelid stuck out and is now throwing up is this an emergency that I need to take her in?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on March 19th, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Vomiting can be observed with conditions such as gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, dietary indiscretion, gastrointestinal foreign body ingestion and obstruction, among other possibilities. For this reason, I highly recommend that you have Google evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment as soon as possible as I am afraid she is likely becoming dehydrated. They would be able to check for these possibilities and also check her hydration status and give her medications to make her feel better. Good luck!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on March 27th, 2020
He needs to be examined by a vet. Common causes of diarrhea in a kitten from a shelter situation would be intestinal parasites (worms, coccidia, giardia). The sneezing and eye discharge are often caused by a viral upper respiratory infection. They generally run their course, but some of them respond to supplementing with L-lysine cat treats.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Anna M., DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 20th, 2017
Congrats on your new kitten! If she's just had one single episode of vomit and diarrhea, you may continue to monitor her. Encourage more water intake by offering her canned kitten food - you may mix a little extra water in to further increase her fluids. One single episode of vomit and diarrhea shouldn't be enough to dehydrate her, but keep a close eye on her. As long as she goes back to normal eating & stool with no further vomiting, I'm not too worried - but if symptoms continue she should go in to the vet.

The 3rd eyelid may be related to an upper respiratory infection. Kittens love to share upper respiratory viruses, and shelters are perfect environments for them to pass these viruses around, so it's common for a new kitten to have mild sneezing, eye discharge, and mild conjunctivitis. Of course, if you feel it's excessive, or accompanied by any other symptoms, I'd recommend having a vet take a look. Hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 2nd, 2018
Kittens that are this young and small can get worse quickly. They can get dehydrated and weak. They should be seen by a veterinarian for an exam and a fecal test. It sounds like they have an upper respiratory infection, eye infection and the diarrhea may be caused by intestinal parasites or coccidia. They should be examined as soon as possible before they get worse.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why is my cat lethargic, shivering, and has visible third eyelids?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. She may be dehydrated with her third eyelid becoming more apparent. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine and have her blood tested to see if there are any explanations on blood work for her behavior. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat's third eyelid is showing after an injury. Is it an emergency?

Cats with really painful eyes (such as from a scratch to the cornea or something stuck in the eyelids) will elevate their third eyelids to help protect the eye. Though some types of neck injuries can damage a nerve to works in the face and can also cause this to happen. Since I am concerned that this beautiful kitty is in pain, I would recommend taking her to the emergency vet. After the examination, discuss financial constraints with the vet to determine what can be done to alleviate pain but still fit within the budget you have set. Many times we are able to come up with plans B and C to do what we can to help the pet!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my kitten throwing up, dehydrated, and not using the litter?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Vomiting can be observed with gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, food sensitivity, foreign body ingestion and obstruction or other conditions such as pancreatitis or kidney disease. I am concerned that she is becoming dehydrated. I do not think this is because of the fish. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include abdominal imaging and general bloodwork. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat threw up after acting strange. Seems better, should I worry?

Time will tell with this one. Since she's eating, drinking, and not lethargic, you certainly don't need to seek emergency care tonight. If tomorrow she still seems out of sorts, or continues to vomit, I would recommend scheduling a vet appointment for exam and x-rays of her abdomen. Good luck and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My kitten has third eyelid, vomiting, loose stool. Should I see a vet?

Little Maggie may be in the beginning stages of an infection. These are generally viral but sometimes bacteria can play a role. Its not an emergency but if she continues to have the eye issues or the lose stool for more than 24 hours, I would take her in for an exam and possible medications. A bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice may help with the soft stool. Make sure Rosie continues to drink well as these young ones can dehydrate quickly. Best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat is vomiting, not eating, breathing fast. Is it an emergency?

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I definitely understand your concern. Vomiting and inappetence are concerning symptoms as they could occur with things like a gastrointestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, dietary indiscretion, among many other possibilities. The fact that he is also breathing fast is also concerning. I recommend that you have Pedrito evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat is throwing up yellow then clear foam. Vet closed, what to do?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Pinkie! Pinkie needs to see a Vet. There is likely an open Emergency hospital in your area. Your Vet, if you call them, should have an answering machine providing emergency clinic numbers. I wouldn't be too sure they are closed Monday. My hospital is open. Causes of vomiting are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, foreign body, dietary indiscretion, toxin ingestion, kidney or liver problems, food allergy/intolerance, coughing from asthma. I hope this helps and I wish Pinkie the best!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share