I have found 4 very young kittens that have crusty eyes (nearly closed from the gunk). I think the irritation is from gnats, as there are a lot swarming. Can someone help me to treat their eyes? They are not mine and I can't afford a vet, but don't want to see them suffering.
By Nelwyn Mills from Bunkie, LA
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Go to your vet and ask for a tube of Terramycin ointment. Don't ask what to do for gunky eyes because they will tell you to bring them in. They can't diagnosis without seeing and charging. Wash the eyes from the inside corner to the outside and use a clean cloth for each eye. Old scraps of sheets work well. Just use warm water. Apply a bit of the ointment to each eye a couple of times a day. This should really help.
Do what Glensmon said (the Terramycin ointment). She knows what she's talking about from experience, & the Terramycin is safer. If you can't get the Terramycin ointment at one vet, try another. Each vet has their own "rules". They also sell it at Feed Stores if you have one near by.
My advice would only be a last alternative if you simply can not get the Terramycin Ointment.
My neighbor successfully treated a stray cats eye infection with Neosporin Ointment. You'd want the ointment & not the cream! Also, you would never use the Neosporin "plus" because it has an extra ingredient that's not good for their eyes. Never buy the Dollar Store brand of Neosporin as you never know what you get in the stuff that comes from China (a store-brand of Neosporin is okay). Neosporin won't hurt them if used only once or twice, I have used it to treat infection in my own eye & also to treat an eye infection in my horse's eye.
But these are little, tiny newborns, so Neosporin Ointment may be a bit harsh for them. You may want to first call your local "Humane Society" because they may treat them for free, especially if you tell them they are strays.
Can't you have whoever owns them bring them inside away from the flys & gnats? They are too young for a flea collar, but if you put a flea collar on the mama-cat it may help keep the gnats & fly's away from the kittens. Call a vet & ask about the flea collar & at what age one can be used.
This may not be an infection, but more of an "irritation". In that case you would not need to use Neosporin & could just wash their eyes out with a saline solution made for eyes, from the drug store. Do not use Visine & be sure not to touch the kitten's eye with the bottle of saline. Because if there is an infection, that can spread the infection from one eye to another, or from one kitten to another & be sure you wipe their eyes with a very clean cloth. I would use a soft paper towel & wash your hands thoroughly before & after because if it is an infection it can be spread!
I had a a little dog with the same problem. But he was diagnosed with seasonal conjuctivitis. I went to my local doctor and got some prescribed drops. The doctor said they won't hurt him. A vet maybe able to help you being as they are not yours.
Terramycin eye ointment is available from valleyvet.com (click on cats) It costs about $11.00. Good luck.
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