I have a litter of 13-day old kittens. Their eyes are open except that one of them has one eye open and one eye only partially open. I don't see any pus or drainage. It just looks like there is still some skin holding it closed around the outer edge. Is this a birth defect or will it eventually open. Or should I try to open it? Thank you!! MelindaOptional Information: Age: <1; Female; Breed: short hair kitten
You can try rinsing the eye with a mild boric acid eye drop or sterile saline to see if that helps it open. I would not force the eye open. Give it another day and rinse the eye a couple of times and see if that does it. If the eye shuts (make sure you know which eye it is) then you would want to get meds from the vet for infection. Sometimes a kitten is just a little slower than siblings in finishing those eyes. 10-14 days is pretty normal for eye opening. Probably by tomorrow night it will be wide open like the other one. Hope this helps you!
Experience: 30+ years cat owner, rescue, breeding, study of behavior & health care