Marius's eye

[wolflady]

Ok, this will probably be sort of a dumb question, but I noticed that Marius has had a lot of "eye bugars" lately. Particularly in the corner of his left eye. Now, I know all animals get "tear stains" and marks in the corner of their eyes, but I always wipe his face off daily. It just seems to be worse, and since he's a white cat, it's really noticable...since it's crusty and dark colored. Is this normal? Is there something wrong with him? Should I not be wiping these things out?

Also, his coat doesn't look as good as it normally does. He has a very close-lying coat, but now it's hard to explain...but it looks "choppy". I have been feeding diet hard food in the morning, some wet food at night, and diet hard food again at bedtime. Is this a food thing, or is it because the weather is changing?
I'm probably just worrying too much, but his little tear marks are bothering me a bit, so I thought I would check with you all.

Thanks!
**hugs**
Karen

My Maya also has lots of those!!
You may wipe those off! I also do this with Maya; she doesn't like me doing that very much, but I do it anyway! She suffered from an eye-infection last Fall; it was SOOOO difficult to cure, so I don't take anymore chances, and clean does thingies away as soon as I notice them!!

[moosmom]

Wolflady,

Eye coogies (as I call them) are common in stray cats (according to my vet). You might want to try a warm compress.

As far as his coat is concerned, cats are starting to shed their winter coats. My American Curl Carley's coat is also looking a bit uneven. If he lets you comb him, that will get rid of all the old fur.

Good luck.

[HayleyRosie]

Mandy has some dark colored "eye bugars" occasionally. I asked the vet about it when I had her in last and she told me that it was normal. She said when she got a bit bigger she would do better at cleaning this away herself. Mandy is still really tiny. She weighs 1.87 pounds now!

[jenluckenbach]

Some cats get more eye boogers as they age. When it is a hard crust it is just an accumulation of the wet tears that dried up and not wiped. You may need to wipe more often. I wipe eyes 3 to 4 times a day, more if necessary. The dark color under the eye happens in very light colored animals and is not a worry. A lot of people do not like the looks of it but there is not much to prevent it from happening.
If one eye is watering more than the other he may have poked it or has a clogged tear duct, but if it doeas not water REALLY bad, I'd just wipe it more.

Now his coat is probably suffering from the diet food. It will not have enough fat in the diet to keep the "sheen" in the coat. If they are not overweight you may want to give them a fattier food. Or at least at one meal.

[NoahsMommy]

Basie's right eye always waters, the vet diagnosed him with allergies.

Maybe cutie Marius has spring allergies right now? Are his tears clear?

[jenluckenbach]

How's Marius?

[krazyaboutkatz]

Karen, all 3 of my cats also get eye boogers. I just wipe them away. I also think it might be due to allergies. I also get this and I have allergies too. I wouldn't worry about it too much. BTW it was great to see you on Saturday. We'll have to meet again soon.

[Barbara]

If they are bigger and a little yellowish and look as if blood would be in there, it could be an infection. Filou had that 2 times and he needed antibiotic cream. (He needed it and he got it but he definitely didn't want it )

[Pam]

Marius how are you doing today you handsome guy you? Even with an occasional eye bugger and some bad hair day problems I know you are still the coolest cat on the block. (Your Friend, Andy)

Seriously, Karen I hope there is nothing more to his problems than what has been suggested. Maybe it's the food and maybe the sandman is just giving Marius an extra sprinkle while he is sleeping. Is he acting OK? Peeing, pooping OK? (Only cat mommies feel free to ask these questions...hehe!) Give that little guy a few skritches from me.

[Rocky'smomma]

we get the eye boogies here too..maybe she just has seasonal allergies since Spring is here now.. just an idea....

[wolflady]

**hugs**
Thanks everyone! Maybe it could be allergies. I hadn't thought of that. I have been a very bad cat meowmie, and haven't taken Marius to the vet since his "episode" with the routine shots...oh...over a year ago now!

I'm really tempted just to find a new vet and give him a regular check up. Does that make sense? Do you all think it would be a good idea?

His eye boogies are blackish looking and crusty...but they've always been that way. I have just been wiping his face more lately than I used to. Who knows...even I have been experiencing allergies this year...and I never had allergies before when I lived in Indiana! So, it's new for me too. Hopefully that's all it is. He seems otherwise normal!

Marius sends purrs and headbumpies to all of you

KAK, it was great to see you this weekend! You must come down and meet the kids soon!

**hugs**
Karen

[slick]

Speckles just recently starting getting eye boogers too but I just put it down to age. When she lets me, I will wipe down her eyes with a warm, wet cotton ball. Doesn't see to do her any harm at all. And Max, well, Persians always need their facies wiped.

[marysmerrycats]

how is Marius? I think you should take him to the vet if it has been over a year... aren't they suposed to go once a year?