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  #1  
Old March 15th, 2012, 05:11 PM
Yamcha Yamcha is offline
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Cat Tearing in Both Eyes..

Hi Guys,

For some reason today my cat has begun tearing from both of his eyes, there is no discharge, just clear tears.. He is eating and drinking, basically everything is normal.. Not sure what is irritating his eyes.. Also It doesn't always occur, has happened three times today, but goes away..

Could it possible It's caused by new Orange fruit based soap I'm using? If it persists I'll be taking him to the vet on Saturday..

But any recommendations? Appreciate any help =D

PS: He is 100% Indoor cat..
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  #2  
Old March 16th, 2012, 11:27 AM
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marko marko is offline
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I think that is possible. I know many cats hate citrus but I do not know if a strong 'citrusy' smell can make them tear.

I know my cat cries clear tears when we make onions.

You could always try a test. Take another shower and use a non fragrant soap and see if the reaction stops immediately.

I agree though that a vet visit is safest. Good luck!
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  #3  
Old March 23rd, 2012, 03:13 AM
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sandyrivers sandyrivers is offline
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The soap...

Hi,

Yep, it could very well be the new soap! We humans may like the smell, but it can be too strong for cats...
My cats like to lay in the bathtub in summer, nice and fresh for them, but last summer when my friend stayed a few days with us and used heavy perfumed soap in the shower, as well as other strong smelling body hygiene products; they would not even enter the bathroom!
If all is well with your cat and it goes away after you stopped using the soap, that was probably the cause, otherwise, if the condition persists, I would take her to the vet just to be on the safe side!
Keep us posted!

sandyrivers
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Old April 10th, 2012, 01:03 PM
Yamcha Yamcha is offline
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Took my cat Monty to the vet about 2 weeks ago, and the vet said that he is very healthy, and she didn't find anything unusual in the eyeballs.. She prescribed antibiotic eye drops, which I'm having an incredibly difficult time giving him, he doesn't stay still..

Anyway I've given it a few times, so far It still seems to be returning after a couple days, the vet told me some cats eyes flare up in certain conditions..

So I'm not 100% If its a serious problem or not, my cat isn't acting unusual, hes still very active, eating just as much as before.. Nothing unusual just clear tearing, and this happens to both eyes, usually alternating..

Anyway, I'm just going to keep giving him the eyedrops, and If it doesn't stop I guess i'll have to go to the vet again..

Has anyone else experienced this problem? I'm not sure If its a respiratory infection, he doesn't sneeze too much, sure in some occasions..
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  #5  
Old April 15th, 2012, 01:25 AM
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Dr Lee Dr Lee is offline
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Yamcha,

What causes watery eyes? 1) increased production of tears, 2) decreased or inability to drain. Increased production can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Drainage issues typically occurs more often with dogs but can occur in cats due to chronic inflammatory causes, trauma, etc.

Citrus. I think marko and sandyrivers gave some great suggestions. While allergies and some soaps/sprays/etc can lead to mild eye inflammation and secondary watering; this seems less likely. I would follow the recommendations that marko and sandyrivers gave to rule that in or out.

Antibiotics drops.... If this is to work, it will work fairly quickly. The one concern I have is that the discharge from both eyes is clear. As a general rule, the discharge will be green; at least from one eye. Also once a bacterial infection is present it does not come and go on its own. It will stay there until it is treated. Either way, if it is present, antibiotic drops will show improvement within a few treatments. Full resolution may take longer - so follow your vet's recommendation on duration.

The most common cause for cats is viral. Viruses like herpes are a common cause of recurrent clear ocular discharge. Once a cat has a herpes infection (which many, many do), then the clinical signs of ocular discharge can happen again once, never or off an on. Some things can bring them on like stress which can be as simple as a male cat in the neighborhood - the phermones can come through the screen. Diet can sometimes be an underlying cause or exacerbating cause - especially diets that may have either too low a lysine level or a low lysine to arginine ratio. Sometimes it can just flare up or be made worse with allergies. There are some great medications for herpes that are safe and inexpensive. Like idoxyuridine drops or dietary lysine supplementation.

Other causes... allergies (which could include the soap), other viruses or inappropriate hairs growing from the eyelids.

There are other causes that can cause watery eyes but may be more common with unilateral (one sided) ocular discharge.


It sounds like you have a plan with your vet. I would try to the drops. If some rapid improvement is not made, then re-evaluation is needed.

I hope that this helps.
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