Why is my kitten's eye red, covered, and discharging? Is it serious?

Question

I have a Male kitten, a little over a month old, who's eye has become covered in a reddish tissue(?) within the last 3 days. Less than a 1/3 of the eye is unaffected and there is a small amount of dark discharge around it. What could it potentially be and should he be kept separate from the rest of the litter? Thank you. Pet's info: Cat | American Longhair | Male | 1 month old | 2 lbs

Shaneez Wallani, DVM · Accepted Answer

It is very important that Chowder be seen by a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment of his eye to determine if this is an infection, if it is due to allergies or trauma, if it is a corneal ulcer( a scratch on the eye), or another condition that may need to be treated in a completely different manner.Kittens and young cats are prone to infections that can cause the symptoms you are describing. These are often viral, but can be mixed with bacterial infections as well, and can lead to the third eyelid protruding, which is what it looks like is happening in the pictures. Over-the-counter medications are not recommended for use in treatment without a vet visit, as some types of eye ointments and drops contain steroids that can severely damage an eye that has sustained a corneal ulcer or trauma. His vet will need to evaluate his eye, and a Fluorescein stain to check for scratches, tonometry to test the eye pressures, and a Schirmer tear test to evaluate tear production may be needed, based on the vet’s ophthalmic exam findings.

Why is my kitten's eye red, covered, and discharging? Is it serious?

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