2 Week Old Kittens Eyes Crusted Shut
It s important to get the kitten to a veterinarian to determine the cause of the crusted and matted eyes.
2 week old kittens eyes crusted shut. Upper and lower eyelids are stuck together due to dried and crusted discharge. While crusties are one symptom of eye infection they are not the only one human companions should pay attention to according to vetinfo. Red irritated eyes shedding cloudy yellow or green discharge could be signs of an eye infection in newborn kittens. If left untreated infections of this nature can lead to permanent blindness.
You may see the upper and lower eyelids become stuck together and even swell outward. Eye may develop conjunctivitis with inflammation redness and discharge of the conjunctiva. Make extra sure each kitten is nursing pink in color warm and grunts or mews regularly. Sometimes eye infections are the start of a respiratory infection.
Wrap your kitten in a blanket with its head exposed. Sometimes kittens will develop crusted and matted eyes. The herpes virus is also a common cause of eye infection in kittens. If your new kittens still have their eyes shut at 2 weeks and you are seeing yellow pus then they likely have a bacterial infection in their eyes.
In severe cases eye infections can cause corneal ulcers in kittens which are sores on the outer surface of the eyeball. Kittens can go blind if eye infections are left untreated. While a kitten who has not opened its eyes at all within two weeks should be taken to the veterinarian you can help a kitten that has one eye open but not the other. Crustiness building up on the skin around the eyes.
If you have clean gloves put them on. Red or watery eyes accompanied by swelling sealed eyelids puss and an unpleasant odor are all signals that something irritating and potentially hazardous to your kitten s long term eyesight is present. Both of the cat s eyes may be infected. Then again this may be the result of a bacteria or viral infection.
How to clean crusty matted kitten eyes. Wrap your kitten in a blanket with its head exposed and hold the ophthalmic eye solution in your free hand. Discharge from the eyes that can be clear white yellow or green. Eyes that are glued shut with discharge.
If you can t find just plain saline solution ask a pharmacist. Unfortunately they will need to get antibiotics prescribed by their vet. Inspect the closed eye. Most kittens open their eyes within eight days of being born while some kittens take as long as two weeks.