Question:
My cat, Sandy, is about 20 months old. She was a stray I caught and spayed last year. Ever since I've had her, her eyes "weep."They are a bit red, and the liquid that I wipe off is sometimes tinted reddish-brown. She blinks a lot but doesn't seem to rub them. I've taken her to the vet twice and we've tried some antibiotics. The doctor thought it might be respiratory in nature, although she doesn't sneeze or have any nasal discharge and has no fever. I've even given her lysine, which did help one of my other cats who would occasionally have an eye discharge. There are times when she doesn't weep as much as others, so could it be seasonal allergies?What else can I do? I don't want her to continue weeping and I am limited as to the time I can treat her. She's part of a multi-cat household and it's hard to provide separate meals.
S.G., Littlestown, Pa Nov 14, 2004
Answer:
During kittenhood, cats -- especially if they are stressed by early weaning or abandonment -- can develop upper-respiratory problems as a result of a viral infection. They are often left with a weakened immune system and chronic bacterial infection in the eyes, sinuses and respiratory system.The tear ducts could also be blocked, thus causing your cat's eyes to tear down her face. Such a blockage can be flushed clear under a general anesthetic. Herbal extract of eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) can help alleviate your cat's chronic conjunctivitis. Also, give her a multivitamin/multi-mineral supplement to boost her immune system; your veterinarian can supply one.DOGS AREN'T COLORBLINDBehavioral studies at the University of California have shown that dogs are only partially colorblind. They see shades of blue and violet the same way humans do; yellow, orange and red as shades of pale yellow; and greens as gray.Wolves, the dog's wild ancestors, have yet to be tested, but probably have a similar visual sensitivi
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