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Why is my cat's eye draining, painful, cloudy, and he's sneezing?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 3 years and 3 months old | 7 lbs

He started with sneezing and both eyes draining, now he only had one eye draining. It seems to be painful and he is wanting to hide from the other cats. The drainage looks like it could have some blood? Brownish in tint. It also looks like it could be infected. When I try to open the eye it looks like it could be cloudy, but I'm not sure with the third lid. I am on a fixed income and worried sick about him. Is there anything you think could be causing it and can be treated? Could it be an ulcer?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on February 14th, 2018

Sneezing and eye discharge make me suspicious of a viral infection, especially feline herpes virus. Herpes virus can cause a myriad of eye problems including ulcers, conjunctivitis, and keratitis. I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by a veterinarian soon as you don’t want the problem to get worse. In the meantime I would use a warm water compress on the eye several times a day for 5 minutes at a time. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

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    Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

    Published on

    I would be worried that Roosafie has an upper respiratory infection. Cats commonly have both nasal signs (sneezing and congestion) as well as eye signs (tearing eyes and conjunctivitis). They can also develop ulcers in their eyes as well. Increased tearing often results in a dark brown discoloration of the fur on the inside corner of the eye which can look like blood, but is just a pigment in their tears. I would really recommend having Roosafie examined by a veterinarian due to his keeping his eye shut. Eye problems can become severe quickly, so it is better to be safe than sorry. Until his eye can be examined, I would not recommend putting anything in his eye other than sterile saline. I am attaching a handout on upper respiratory infections and herpes virus infection which can cause eye problems below. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=613 https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1327 Good luck. I hope that was helpful and that Roosafie feels better soon. Thanks for using PetCoach.

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