watery eyes...sneezing

[Tina B and crew]

Hey...well, I had an appointment for Willow to go in tomorrow for her annual but I rescheduled it because this week is kind of hectic for me. That said, i noticed this morning that here eyes were watering just a bit and she sneezed a time or two. I wiped her eyes and it was just watery, no mucus or anything. She's alert, eating, drinking and everything. Well, she just jumped up on the couch and I noticed her eye was running again, but this time it was looking more like mucus, a little yellow. Should I be too concerned? I will call the vet in the morning and see if an appointment is still open but I just wanted to check in here. She is not in contact with other cats and doesn't go outside at all. Could it be allergies? Could she have picked up something from us?

Just wanted to add she is also up to date on all of her vaccinations and all....I just don't like the runny eyes

[Tina B and crew]

hmmm...I just thought of something. I did some heavy duty cleaning out of clutter yesterday and stirred up a bunch of dust...I wonder if that is what is going on? Not to mention it's been so hot we haven't been able to open windows much for fresh air....I'll be glad when fall is here

[Traci]

While it would be relatively rare, it's possible the clinic may have had a URI case or two when you took Gizmo in, and you may have inadvertently transferred via your clothes or hands if you handled Willow soon after handling Gizmo. I understand Gizmo is with your parents, but it was YOU who took him to the vet, yes? So, that's a possibility.

Otherwise, yes, if you know the area you were cleaning was dusty, that in fact could cause the sneezing, and sneezing itself could cause the runny eyes. However, if the eye discharge seems to be coloring at this point, I'd recommend calling your vet and asking if she should be seen and URI ruled out. Try to rule out infectious discharge vs the possibility she had alittle sandy (grit) from waking etc and it just got moist from the watery eyes. Any time the discharge is colored really should be addressed. Your vet may just suggest getting her on a short course of antibiotics just to play it safe, but talk to him first thing tomorrow, as he may suggest keeping the original appointment.

[Tina B and crew]

Yes, it is I who take Gizmo to the vet, and I do of course wear the same clothes around Willow as I had on at the vet. I've been watching her and it seems while her eyes are still watery I'm not seeing the mucus right now. I did stir up dust, I know that for sure (my allergies are are telling me I might have done a bit too much!). Earlier she had that look like she got something in here eye...you know, the squint. She's not doing that now and I haven't heard her sneeze since this morning. I'll keep my eye on her and call the vet to get a sooner appt. if she continues to sneeze and have runny eyes.

[Traci]

You can try to flush the eye to rule out dust debris. Hold her on the kitchen countertop, have a dish of room-temperature clean water, fill a clean teaspoon with a few drops of water, hold her head at an angle, and let the water drip into the OUTER CORNER of the eye, only one or two drops are necessary. Release her. If she seems to feel better within a few hours after this and doesn't rub her eye etc, you may have cleared a slight bit of debris. If she continues to sneeze or the eyes continue to be runny, try flushing again. If she's too fractious or stressed, try placing a slightly cool compress on the closed eyelid for a moment or two (use a cool, damp washcloth and gently wipe the eyelid one or two wipes, do NOT manipulate any further than this, and do NOT flush the eye more than twice). If the problem persists, I'd get her seen.

[Tina B and crew]

Thanks...I'll try that if she seems to be bothered later. Shes curled up on the couch cushion asleep right now, so I won't bother her at the moment. I just took a quiet peek at her and it doesn't look like her eye is running right now. Hopefully it was just a spec of dust and it worked it's way out.

[Traci]

Hopefully, that's all it is, if you feel flushing might help, the water is actually a soothing thing, so it might just help (cool, moist compresses are also soothing, particularly if the conjunctiva is inflammed or the eye is red, etc). Only thing is, if this were an infection, you'd be risking spreading of infection. Just don't manipulate any further than that.

[Tina B and crew]

So far her eyes haven't been running with mucus anymore today. I'll see what they look like in the morning. I've heard her sneeze just once but she's been tearing around playing like crazy...I was worried that she might be getting sick but so far it looks like dust was the culprit. Can you tell I'm paranoid about my cats lately?

[Traci]

Yeah well, aren't we all!! (believe it or not, I'm probably worse than you, Tina )

[Tina B and crew]

Well...I know some who I wish were more paranoid....their dogs they will go out of the way for but cats...forget it *sigh*

All is still good this morning....not goop in the eyes at all!

And Gizmo is loving his new diet AND he's been using the litter box!!