Eye Discharge in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 11/28/2016Updated: 09/09/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Eye Discharge in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What is Eye Discharge?
While occasional eye discharge may not be a great concern, chronic or long-term recurring eye discharge should be addressed with your veterinarian. Many of the diseases and conditions that cause eye discharge can cause blindness or systemic infection and seeking early veterinary attention can help save the sight of your cat.
Eye discharge in cats is typically a symptom of an underlying condition and not a disease in itself. Eye discharge is usually an indication of an infection, injury, or other problem and can cause serious discomfort for your cat. From seeping discharge to scratching, pain, or irritation, eye discharge is an uncomfortable symptom for your pet. 
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Eye Discharge Average Cost
From 559 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
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Symptoms of Eye Discharge in Cats
Eye discharge in your cat can vary in consistency, frequency and irritation levels. In some cats, eye discharge may occur on its own. In others, it may show up in connection with one or more additional symptoms. Signs of eye discharge and conditions related to eye discharge in your cat may include:
  • Substance accumulating around edges of eyes ranging from thin and watery to thick and mucus-like
  • Crusty formations around edges of eyes indicating dried discharge
  • Cat itching eyes or continuously rubbing face against humans or household objects
  • Red, swollen, or irritated-looking eyes
  • Excessive wetness to tear area on cat’s face
  • Fur loss around the eyes
  • Blepharospasm (squinting)
Causes of Eye Discharge in Cats
Eye discharge in your cat may be a symptom of a number of different conditions. Some of the most common causes of eye discharge may include:
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • Viral or bacterial eye infection
  • Blocked tear ducts
  • Allergies
  • Foreign object in eye
  • Injury of eye
  • Ulcers of the various structures of the eye
  • Uveitis
  • Congenital disease
Diagnosis of Eye Discharge in Cats
Since eye discharge is a symptom shared by a number of underlying diseases and conditions, diagnosis of your cat’s medical issue will require some investigation. Your veterinarian will attempt to rule out the most common causes of the condition until he or she finds an underlying cause that most accurately fits the entirety of your cat’s symptoms. This type of diagnosis will require cat owners to provide as much detail as possible regarding the cat’s condition at the initial veterinary visit. You should inform your veterinarian of when the symptoms first began, whether there has been any worsening or improvement, and whether there are additional symptoms besides eye discharge that may help your veterinarian narrow down the specific underlying cause. 
During your initial visit, your vet will perform a thorough physical exam. Your vet may check your cat’s temperature, check them over for any sore or tender areas and also request a standard blood panel. All of these procedures will help your vet determine whether your cat is suffering from an underlying system-wide infection, or perhaps is having an allergic reaction or suffering from seasonal allergies. 
The most definitive diagnostic tool for determining the underlying cause of eye discharge in your cat will be an exam of the eye using a tool called an ophthalmoscope, the same device used in human eye exams. This will allow your vet to see a magnified view of the eye. Your vet will likely also apply a dye in a procedure known as a fluorescein eye stain test. In this test, harmless eye drops are applied to your cat’s eye which will react under certain lights. This allows your vet to see the contours of your cat’s eye and to check for ulcers or other injury. Saline may be used to flush the surface of the eye and dislodge any foreign bodies.
Treatment of Eye Discharge in Cats
Treatment of eye discharge in your cat will depend on the cause of the symptoms and the underlying condition. In the case of conjunctivitis, your vet may prescribe prescription drops or eye ointment to help fight off infection. They may also prescribe oral medications to help support your cat and fight system-wide infection. 
Eye Flushes may also be performed at your vet’s office to clear the eye of any debris or foreign material. In many cases, this procedure can be done while your cat is awake and alert. Depending on the location and severity of any foreign bodies, sedation may be required in order to completely eliminate the material from your cat’s eyes.
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Recovery of Eye Discharge in Cats
Depending on the underlying condition, the prognosis for recovery from eye discharge is usually very good. Your cat will need supportive home care in order to alleviate symptoms as they heal. Regular cleaning of the eyes should also be performed in order to eliminate as much of the eye discharge as possible and help your cat be more comfortable. In cases of infection, it will be important to closely follow all veterinary instructions regarding drops or ointments as these conditions may recur if not completely healed.
Eye Discharge Average Cost
From 559 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
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Eye Discharge Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Kitten
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2 months
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0 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Green Gunk In Eyes , Coughing , Irregular Urine , Dehydrated
What does the green gunk mean could it be from a respiratory problem? I think he has mange from the hair loss on his face & ears , which has progressed to the rest of his body & I can’t explain what the urine looked like I do have a picture. I got him @ sometime around 2:00 07/21/2020 and it is now 3:40 in the morning and his belly is still full. I scheduled an appointment for next Thursday but I don’t know if I should push for sooner ? He also won’t fully open his eyes but I’ve been cleaning out his eyes with Q-Tips
July 22, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question . The green color means it is infected, and from your description, I think I would push for a sooner appointment. Explain how sick the kitten is looking and that you are not sure that he will make it and that the mange is worsening. I hope that he is okay.
July 22, 2020
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domestic short hair
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Toulouse
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3 Months
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Discharge
I rescued a kitten a week ago from the humane society. He is a DSH. He had had an eye removed when arriving to the shelter because of an corneial ulcer. About two days ago I started noticinf discharge from his eye. It’s clear, it has cause the fur underneath the eye to be crusty. In the corner of the eye there is a yellow bogey but that’s they only sign of yellow discharge.
Sept. 22, 2018
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Unkown
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Hoshi
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5 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Watery Eyes,
Watery Eyes, Discharge
Watery Eyes, Discharge, Squinting
I just adopted a 5 year old cat a few days ago and the people at the shelter said he was healthy, with the exception of being treated for diarrhea a week prior,which was thought to be from stress. He has some greenish discharge and squints the eye a little. I’m not sure if its a side effect from the meds he was taking or is it something else.
Sept. 10, 2018
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tabby
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Tamar
dog-age-icon
8 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Discharge
My cat has had eye discharge since I rescued her from the shdischat7hI took her to the vet & as the person at the shelter said she may have some respiratory problems. Well the vet said she was fine & to give her benadryl. Needless to say my cat hates that & her eyes still discharge. She has white fur so the discharge stains her fur. However she shows no kind of discomfort or anything,she's a normal cat. Her eyes are not red or irritated it's just the constant discharge that I wipe away daily.
Aug. 28, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Without seeing Tamar, I can't say for sure what might be going on with her, but she may need an ointment to help with the discharge. It would be a good idea to call the veterinarian that you saw, let them know that the Benadryl isn't helping her, and see if there is another medication that they might recommend.
Aug. 28, 2018
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tabby
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Kc
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16 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Watery Eye
Our 16 yo kitty has a discharge from her eye. It seems more watery than usual and is leaving her fur stained on the side of her nose. She also was not eating the food we had bought so we bought some new food which she practically gulps down. Don’t know if the 2 are related somehow. I don’t notice any other symptoms.
Aug. 12, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
KC might be having a problem with allergies, or an infection in that eye, or a problem with the tear duct. I'm not sure that the eye drainage is related to her new food, but I'm glad that she is eating better. If the drainage is enough that it is staining her hair on her nose, it would probably be a good idea to have her examined by a veterinarian, as they can check her eyes closely and make sure that nothing serious is happening, and get her medication if needed.
Aug. 12, 2018
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American Short Hair
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Dove
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19 Years
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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Brown Crusty Eyes And Vomiting
My cat is a neutered 19 year old housecat, inside only. While temporarily staying at son's home my cat contracted an eye infection from their cats. It was treated and seemed resolved, but as time passed his eyes continued to have a brown crusty discharge worsening over the last 4 years. 4 years ago he received a cortisone injection and some cortisone eyedrops, which helped minimally and was too expensive to maintain over time. The injection seemed to help the most, which also seemed to decrease the frequent vomiting he has,( sometimes vomits up to 4 times a day). As time passes the brown crusty gunk has to be wiped from his eyes 3 or more times a day. It just seems to keep worsening. It is never a wet or moist discharge, it is dry crust that piles up in the inner corners of his eyes, only occasionally will there be a bit of it at the outer eye corners. I have found that if he follows me to the kitchen or near his food bowl-if i do not give him a few bites of canned food it is almost guaranteed he will vomit within a few minutes. If I feed him a bit of wet food I can often head off the vomiting. I am truly worried about the eye thing and every month I hope I will somehow have enough money (disabled on fixed income) to take him to the vet. Sadly, I just cannot come up with the extra. It hurts and makes me feel like an awful cat mom to not be able to help him. He is my best friend and has put up with me longer than any humans have. He deserves better.
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domestic short hair
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Bobby
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12 Years
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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Clouding
My 12-year-old male cat is having black "boogers" in the corners of his ayes above his nose. I usually take a tissue and clean it out. I usually check his eyes because he may close one up or squint. This happens almost every day and I figured it was normal for his age. However, I decided to look it up just in case. He has an appointment with the vet in 2 days, but I would welcome any ideas.
Eye Discharge Average Cost
From 559 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
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