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Expert: - 6/2/2010


Question
Hi Jana,

Hopefully you can help with this question.  I'm actually asking here because I am overseas and don't have access to my normal vet in the U.S.  In fact, I don't really have access to any vets here.

I found a stray kitten near where I am staying in Kenya, and it had a hurt leg and a scratched up face.  I've taken it in temporarily to feed it and let it recover.  The cat's leg seems to be getting better--it can now walk without falling over, and the cuts don't seem as bad as I first thought.

However, the kitten has a red eye.  It is completely red, though it doesn't look bloody on the surface.  It actually looks like a clear marble with a red interior, if that makes sense.  It is red enough that it is fairly hard to distinguish her dark pupil from the sclera (the white part of the eye).  I found her 2 and a half days ago and it hasn't gotten any better.

Any ideas?  I might have to try to figure out the time difference and call my vet at home just to ask....although I know they won't want to offer an opinion unless I bring her in.  All I'm looking for is an opinion.....should I try to find eye drops someplace?  Just leave it alone and see if it gets better?  Any ideas?

Thanks, so much, in advance.

Sincerely,
BDP

Answer
Hi,
while you do understand that I am not a vet, I can tell you that it sounds like this eye had some major trauma to it. If the surface is shiny and you can see the iris, that is a very good sign.

The red is from vessels rupturing on the inner surface of the eye- the actual anterior chamber possibly and in the sclera itself.If the anterior chamber has had some major damage she might lose her sight, but once the blood is absorbed she might be able to see again if not 100%.

You can use Neosporin on the surface to help it heal but deep eye trauma usually needs steroid ointments to help clear back the blood vessels.

So you can wait and see if it clears up on its own, or get some kind of sterile eye drops for her-preferably with a steroid. At some point in the healing process you should switch back to a drop/ointment without a steroid.

I hope she makes a recovery and gets well soon! Please keep me posted on how she does.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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