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Kitten has crusty eye: antibiotic ointment or warm compresses?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I took in a pregnant feral cat. Two days later she gave birth to her babies. They are 11 days today. I just noticed one has a very crusty eye while the other one is fully open. Is it too soon to apply antibiotic ointment to the kitten? Should I just continue with warm compresses and cleaning with saline solution? Just to be clear, I will take her to the vet if the condition worsens.

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 29th, 2018

I would not put antibiotic ointment on the eye without consulting your vet. Moist compresses on the eye in order to soften the crusts and then wipe them off should suffice. If the eye starts to get a yellow or greenish discharge, take the kitten to the vet for an exam and some prescription antibiotics.

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