Kitten eye issue! Scarring?

by Amber Z.
(FL)

Hi,

I posted this under a comment then found this and thought it may be a better place for it.

I rescued two Hemingway kittens at 7 weeks old. One has an eye that has a fleshy like build up that is non painful. His retina still has dilation, he has no discharge and holds the eye normally.

He was at the vet and the Dr thought it may be that his eye didn't open at the right time causing issue with eye. He put him on neomycin and polymyxin B for BID X 7days.

My question is what is it? If it is scarring will it take over the eye? and if so is there anything I can do to prevent this take over?




Dear Amber,

How wonderful of you to rescue the kittens and to seek medical care for them. Unfortunately, without a picture or a more detailed description, I do not know where the "fleshy build-up" is located. Is it protruding from the cornea? Or is it associated with the tissue surrounding the eye - the conjunctiva?

I could give you a better answer if you want to write back and describe it in detail. A picture would be great also.

It if most likely a result of a herpes virus (not contagious to people). If it is protruding from the cornea, there was most likely an ulceration of the cornea that ruptured and the protrusion is a normal attempt by the body to seal the opening.

If it is the tissue around the eye, herpes can also lead to severe infection and inflammation of that part of the eye also.

Long-term antibiotics are indicated in either case. I prefer Tobramycin in such serious cases. Also, anti-viral eye drops would be indicated in either case.

Most cases of herpes in kittens eventually resolve with the above meds, but do leave some scarring. Sometimes the scarring is severe enough that the kitten may not be able to see out of one or both eyes. If treated early and aggressively, the scarring may be minimal and the kitten still have good vision. My best results have ALWAYS been when the kitten receives antibiotics and anti-viral drops for a long period of time.

Feel free to write back and include a picture if possible or more details about the appearance of the eye.

Best of luck,
Dr. Neely