Kitty with weepy eyes

[ccjlld]

Does any regularly have to deal with a kitty with weepy eyes? Tucker has had weepy eyes ever since he had the kitty flu shortly after we got him (about 3 years ago). I wipe his eyes off all the time with a warm damp washcloth. That seems to keep it from getting really bad.

When it gets really bad and the gunk is really red, the vet gives me eye drops that usually clear it up for about a week, but nothing seems to get rid of it completely. We thought for a while that it was exposure to cigarette smoke but we quit smoking in the house about 5 months ago, so he is no longer exposed to the smoke.

Tucker spends a lot of time outside so I wonder if he has some sort of allergy. He nose isn't gunked up though.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. I just feel so bad for the little guy cause I know his eyes really bug him and he just looks so uncomfortable sometimes. He takes the washcloth with great patience, but he's not crazy about eyedrops.

[roguevalley]

1. I had one of those. Its allergies. House cat anyone?

[Eurobabe]

2. Have you looked to kitty's diet? Perhaps he is allergic to

what he is eating? Or cat litter? Or cleaning supplies in house. Could be any of those...

Maybe try getting him on an organic cat food.

Just thinking out loud. Best of luck!

[sleepyhead]

3. Sometimes when young kitties have viral respiratory infections

They will end up with chronic weepy eyes and/or sniffles. Most of the time it is due to chronic herpes virus infection and can be aggravated by stress or allergies. It can often be helpful to get some L-lysine from your local health food store and give 250-500 mg (depending on the size of the cat) twice daily. L-lysine is an amino acid that competes with the virus's natural food source and stalls its replication. It is very safe and easy to give. Just open up a capsule and sprinkle in the food twice a day. It may not completely solve the problem, but will usually make the episodes less frequent and much milder.