One of my barn cats had a litter of kittens, and their eyes are stuck shut. They are all crusty and I don't know how to open them. Any tips that are pretty simple?
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Kitten's Eyes Are "glued" Stuck
- Thread starter olivial
- Start Date
They need medicine from a vet. Many kittens loose their eyesight from infections at that age.
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- #3
They are just barn cats. My parents won't bring them to the vet.
You can try calling the vet and seeing if they will give you medicine without a visit.
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- #5
Ok, but is there any way that I can open their eyes in the mean time?
Warm wash cloth. Wipe them gently but don't pick at the crusties. There really aren't any OTC human medicines that are suitable for cats eyes (at least to my knowledge). Cleaning them is probably the only safe thing to do. If you can find a cat rescue or foster parent in your area they might have some eye medicine on hand. It is common enough that most foster moms I know have some on hand at all times for minor infections.
Cost for the medicine is typically under $30.
Cost for the medicine is typically under $30.
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- #7
Ok, thank you. I just feel bad for them because they can't see.
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- #9
I am not 100% sure, but their eyes and ears are open. There is one kitten that does not have to eye problem, and its eyes are open
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They need a warm, damp cloth over the eyes as often as needed. They also need teramycin eye ointment. You can get this over the counter in a supply store. They are going to be in tremendous pain if the pressure is allowed to build behind their eyes. This is an emergency.
Will your parents help to get these cats spayed and neutered? It's cruel to leave them to reproduce and suffer in your barn. They are living creatures, not "just" barn cats.
Will your parents help to get these cats spayed and neutered? It's cruel to leave them to reproduce and suffer in your barn. They are living creatures, not "just" barn cats.
O.k., sorry. Then yes, do what kieka said and very gently wipe them with a warm towel. You can get tarramycin at a feed store. (that's where I get mine). This will help with an eye inflammation since you cannot get them to a vet. Or, contact a vet and see what he recommends.
Use a damp, warm cloth and gently wipe at the crust. Let it soften first with the warm water.
You need terramycin. Do you have a farm or tractor store nearby? They usually sell it. It's an antibiotic ointment that clears eye infections in cats.
Thank you for caring for these kittens. Their eyes do need to be open and kept clean.
You need terramycin. Do you have a farm or tractor store nearby? They usually sell it. It's an antibiotic ointment that clears eye infections in cats.
Thank you for caring for these kittens. Their eyes do need to be open and kept clean.
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- #13
I have to convince my parents to let me get the medicine for them.
It is not expensive at tractor stores.
Have you cleaned the kittens' eyes yet?
Have you cleaned the kittens' eyes yet?
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- #16
I am gently wiping their eyes with a warm wet cloth. There are 4 out of the 5 that have this
Do you have livestock in your barn? Could you possibly safely move mom and babies to another safe area? The dust, shavings, urine and feces of the livestock could be agitating the eyes. Not to mention the flies, mouse droppings or other irritants.
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- #18
She had them in the large carrier, and I already moved them into one of our well shed. It is completely clean, no mice, no livestock.
Would they consider spaying their female cats? It is horrible for a female cat to have endless litters. Barn cats deserve a decent life too.
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- #20
I don't know. They don't really want to spend the money because most of them just run off
