Thread: Eye discharge

After searching for some information on runny eyes on the interwebs i came across another forum (non mainecoon specific) and a post on runny eyes in persian cats and how it can be pretty regular and require daily face washes.

Now im wondering if maine coons suffer something similar or if my schrodo does.

I've noticed (as did the vet - to which she said to monitor it) that he gets a clearish discharge forming in the corner of his eyes that ends up going a crusty dark colour that looks rusty when we wipe it. As he's a red silver its quite noticable on his face (it sometimes looks like someones dunked his face in his food). Am I being overly worried about this or is it something natural? After only having his highness for a week im new to all this.

Originally Posted by ayeizajedi

I've noticed (as did the vet - to which she said to monitor it) that he gets a clearish discharge forming in the corner of his eyes that ends up going a crusty dark colour that looks rusty when we wipe it. As he's a red silver its quite noticable on his face (it sometimes looks like someones dunked his face in his food). Am I being overly worried about this or is it something natural? After only having his highness for a week im new to all this.

Our red cats have always gotten little dark crusty things in the corners of their eyes, and I others have said the same. Actually if you look very carefully on the our other cats you can often find them, but due to the dark coloration around those cats eyes they are not really visible. Only very occasionally do we see actual (clear) fluid/discharge, though I seem to remember that our boy Remy did have that when he was a kitten, and we were concerned for a while. It seems worse when they get into dusty areas so may be allergy related. We simply brush/flick off the little crusties every day or two (if the cat doesn't wipe them off). Probably normal unless discharge becomes heavy and/or not clear.

Our Minnie used to have some eye discharge that went brownish in colour as well. The vet said the discoloration was due to dirt and dust. It has for the most part cleared up, but every once in a while there's a little bit in the corner of her eye which I wipe with a cotton wool pad soaked in saline solution.

Teething very often causes discharge from an eye or eyes....

Thanks for the replies everyone, its put my mind at rest at least. I'll continue to look out for any coloured discharge from his eyes.

Glad to see he's not worried, he just gave me cuddles (with claws!) and lots of face kisses... eeeh honestly!!! he wont leave me along this afternoon!

While he's watching the soprano's (the washing machine) im gonna go clean, thanks again

My MC's the same, although her colouring means you can't always see it. The vet told me it's not uncommon (not sure if he was referring to cats in general or the MC breed) and it never seems to cause Freyja any discomfort. I got some eye wipes from Pets At Home, they're quite nicely moisturised and a firm-but-careful wipe down from the eye towards the nose/ cheek seems to do the trick. She's got so used to it now that she doesn't wriggle when the cloths appear.