My cat has had runny eyes since he was purchased. The vet had said that it would probably go away after a while, but it still hasn’t. I have had the cat since august. My other cat, (they are brothers) has never had this problem, but he does routinely clean the other’s face by licking off all the delicious eye slime. So, why are my cat’s eyes runny, and will it stop?
My girl has had runny eyes for five years. I’ve taken her to the vet about it since we’ve had her, for that same five years. They all say the same thing - she’s fine. It bugs the hell out of me, too, and I wipe her eyes constantly (to the point where she makes a run for it when she sees Mommy with a tissue), but it’s not hurting her. I wouldn’t worry - I think some of their eyes just run naturally.
Ava
According to my vet, cats often suffer from deformities in the lachrymal (sp?) gland (or it may be a duct, it’s been a while). Anyway, the glandy-ducty-thingy doesn’t drain properly so fluids accumulate. My vet concurs that it is harmless unless the discharge changes color or consistency drastically.
Sounds like you’ve already gotten lots of good fact based replies so I figured I contribute some unfounded old wives tales.
I always heard that was an indicator of worms, especially in kittens. I’m used to seeing it in kittens just before they are old enough for OTC wormers. And the condition usually cleared up shortly after worming.
But I’d listen to avabeth and otto, since all my cats have been outdoor pets who didn’t see the vet much.
rainy
My cat too has one eye that doesn’t drain properly. The vet told me there was some early damage to the tear duct, and that scarring during the healing process now makes it difficult for his eye to drain excess tears…thus they flow out his eye onto his face. As he’s grown older, the amount that leaks has considerably dwindled (it was bad the first year or two…but now it’s not bad at all).
Jman
Runny eyes can be a sign of upper respiratory infection, but if he’s been checked and cleared, it’s just an abnormality that’s normal for him. I’ve never seen, heard, or read anything that would suggest any sort of connection with the digestive tract or worm infestation. Small kittens are prone to URI’s, though.