# Kitten Trouble - Help Please **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 1, 2003, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-trouble-help-please/185537 "2003-07-01T08:11:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@Beech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beech)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-trouble-help-please/185537/1 "2003-07-01T08:11:43Z")
We have a 10month old Burmese kitten & over the last couple of days, her ‘3rd eyelid’ (didn’t know they had one until I saw it!) on each eye has partially closed. There is no discharge at all from either eye, & she seems healthy in every other way, also eating normally. (i.e. lots!). She is best friends with our German Shepherd dog, and still has loads of energy chasing & ‘attacking’ him at any given opportunity. Really grateful to any Dopers that can give any idea on why this should happen and what we should do. Thanx ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-trouble-help-please/185537/2 "2003-07-01T08:23:14Z")
It’s a non-specific indication of illness. There’s something wrong, but there’s no way to tell what it is just from that symptom. ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-trouble-help-please/185537/3 "2003-07-01T09:49:36Z")
What Desmo said. Check her nose for coolness and make sure she’s eating and drinking (especially the latter) properly. If you can, try to check that she’s not suffering from diarrhea (sp) too. If any of the above apply, I suggest ringing your vet for advice. If not, then keep an eye on her until the membrane retracts again. ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-trouble-help-please/185537/4 "2003-07-01T09:52:29Z")
Oops - was still editing when I pressed send. I meant to add that I think the proper name for the third eyelid is ‘nictitating membrane’. Very detailed stuff on cats and cat illness can be found here (but don’t get scared by it!): [http://maxshouse.com/protrusion\_of\_the\_feline\_nictita.htm](http://maxshouse.com/protrusion_of_the_feline_nictita.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Beech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@Beech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beech)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-trouble-help-please/185537/5 "2003-07-01T10:29:26Z")
Many thanks guys - Especially Martiju for the very informative link. Maybe best not to panic then, will keep careful watch over her for the next few days and whisk of to the vets if any other symptoms appear. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-trouble-help-please/185537/6 "2003-07-01T10:47:26Z")
No problem - pleased to help. Hope your little kitty is ok. J. ---
**Author:** ![j.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@j.c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j.c)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-trouble-help-please/185537/7 "2003-07-03T22:19:13Z")
A kitten? They can crash quickly. It’s most likely just one of those things, but given the age of teh critter, I’d get to a vet. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-trouble-help-please/185537/8 "2003-07-03T22:42:18Z")
It’s indicative of something potentially bad, possibly weight loss or dehydration. It could be nothing, but err on the side of caution and check with the vet.