Help! My kitten has swollen, red, mucus eyes. What can I do at home?

This is a classic presentation of a cat with an upper respiratory disease and conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can be caused by a few different infections, but is commonly caused by a virus that most cats harbor and comes out during times of stress. These infections can become complicated with bacterial infections and cause more problems. Nugget's eyes appear rather infected, so I recommend taking her to the vet for an evaluation. They will be able to better inspect the eye and provide the most appropriate treatment. For now, you can flush the eye 3-4 times a day with saline (can get this at the pharmacy) to help clean and soothe it. Below is a link to a good video that demonstrates how to do this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDGzdUTUdNI You can also help the congestion by giving a steam bath. Below is a link to information about upper respiratory disease in cats and explains how to do the steam bath. http://www.wikihow.com/Help-Your-Cat-Breathe-Easier It's best if you can get Nugget to a vet within the next day or two. The vet would be able to prescribe the necessary treatment to make her feel better and keep the infection from getting worse. I hope this helps and Nugget feels better soon.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely an upper respiratory infection. This is usually treated with antibiotics and eye drops. I recommend that you have Weasley evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for this possibility and start therapy accordingly. Best of luck!

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!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to know exactly what is going on without being able to look at her. This may be due to an infection for example. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to evaluate her and proceed with therapy accordingly. Best of luck!

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thank you for sending pictures as well- this is very helpful. The eyes (right eye especially) do look very infected. Eye infections in kittens are usually caused by a virus and is best treated with antibiotics and sometimes antiviral medications and supplements such as Lysine. Sometimes these infections can cause the kitten to rub excessively around the eyes which can cause the area around the eye to become very red and inflamed. Batshiva does really need to see a veterinarian for this so she can get properly treated. Eye infections can lead to lead to more serious conditions or the eye so it is best that she is seen sooner rather than later. I hope this helps and I hope she can see a veterinarian soon!

Hello. Most of these kitties have a viral infection of the eyes often complicated with a secondary bacterial component. Other than keeping the eyes clear by gently cleaning with warm water a few times a day, there is not much more you can do except having the kitten seen & treated by a veterinarian. With the proper medications, the kitten will start to feel & look better pretty quickly. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor baby Panther! Panther likely has a viral infection or upper respiratory infection and now a secondary bacterial infection in his eyes. The only thing I can tell you to do at home is to gently warm compress his eyes. He sadly needs to see a Vet for antibiotic ointment in the eye. Due to the sensitivity of the eye, a special ointment or drop that is safe for the eye needs to be used. Cats are especially sensitive to certain eye medications. It shouldn't be too expensive to have him seen by a Vet. Also a lot of SPCAs have a low cost Veterinary clinic. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery for Panther!