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My 12-week kitten is sneezing with a teary, closed eye. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 0.5 lbs

12 week old kitten keeps sneezing all of a sudden. He's eating well and using the bathroom, but as you can see, one of his eyes is teary and closed. What can I do to help him?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on July 12th, 2019

Kitten needs to be examined by the veterinarian today. Many cats will get viral infections that cause sneezing and upper respiratory symptoms. Some of these kittens will get viral infections that also affect the eye and can cause painful ulcers which can progress and dive deeper into the eye (which is not good). Lysine supplements for cats may help with viral infections in general but your kitten still needs to be examined today. The doctor needs to check the eye for an ulcer, scratch or perhaps a foreign object trapped under the eye lid. You must also protect the eye from any scratching with an elizabethan collar. I hope this helps and best of luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on August 4th, 2019
Upper respiratory tract infections are pretty common in kittens. As long as Bear is eating and drinking well and doesn't seem uncomfortable in the eye (such as staying in dark places or squinting), I would just point it out to the vet before the vaccination appointment. The vet may decide to delay the vaccines and treat the symptoms first, depending on what they see on examination.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on October 30th, 2017
Many shelter kittens are exposed to various bacteria and viruses, and upper respiratory infections are common. I recommend that you help Nesquick keep the eye clean by using a warm wet wash cloth to gently wipe away the discharge. If the eyelids or conjunctiva appears swollen, then he should be checked out by a vet. Some viral infections of the eye can lead to blindness.

Since most of these infections are viral, they will need time to run their course. Antibiotics may be used even with primary viral infections to make sure that we are helping the body fight off any secondary bacterial invaders. I would make sure that Nesquick sees a vet if he has a poor appetite, is progressively lethargic, or has a rectal temperature over 103.

Here is some more information:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=613
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on December 19th, 2016
Yes, I would recommend taking him in sooner than that - he needs to be vaccinated for feline distemper and feline leukemia, and it sounds like he also needs an exam since he is still sneezing and has a goopy eye. He may need another round of antibiotics or medicated eye ointment. The vet will let you know when it's safe to vaccinate him, since this can't be done while he's sick.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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