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My 20-day-old kitten has a swollen, watery eye. What should I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Persian | Female | unspayed | 19 days old

Hi! My kitten is only 20 days. I noticed that she has a swollen eye. I tried wiping it a few days ago and noticed that it watery again. What should I do?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Kevin Sanada, DVM

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 28th, 2018

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.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 8th, 2017

    I'm sorry that you are having this issue. I know the vets are far away but she really needs to see one. That left eye looks very bad and I'm not sure home treatment will help. The eye looks swollen and you can't even actually see the globe (eyeball) - it may be abnormal/injured. That eye looks painful and the kitten looks very unhappy. Please try to get her to a vet.

    In the meantime, the only thing I can recommend you do is keep the eye rinsed out with saline solution. Like this eye wash:

    http://ph.element14.com/roebuck/e404t/refill-eyewash-first-aid-pk2/dp/1376475

    If you can't get the eye wash you can make some at home by doing the following:

    1. Put one cup of water and ½ teaspoon of salt into a pot. Put the lid on.
    2. Boil for 15 minutes with the lid on (set a timer).
    3. Set the pan aside until cooled to a room temperature. VERY IMPORTANT!
    4. Carefully pour the solution from the pot into a clean jar or bottle and put the lid on to keep it clean.
    5. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and then gently wipe the eye 3-4 times per day.

    Hope this helps. Best wishes.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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