So a small and helpless little bundle was born. Only after a while he will turn into a proud and independent cat or into a beautiful graceful cat. And now this tiny creature has not even opened its eyes yet, relying on the protection of their mother and the help of a caring hostess. It will be about 10 days until the kitten has a rumor. He almost does not react to external stimuli. Many people, watching these defenseless creatures, even worry when they will begin to see the daylight. How does the eyes open in kittens? What problems can lie in wait for these pussies in the first month of life?
Possible problems with eyes in kittens
Let's try to answer some common questions that worry cat lovers, who first took care of newborn kittens. It is impossible to disclose all topics in a small note, so we tried to highlight only those that are associated with eye diseases.
- How many kittens open their eyes? If one takes 5 days or even two weeks, then other kids begin to see the world on the 2nd or 3rd day ( sphinxes , rexes). The time when the kittens open their eyes, depends a little on the breed of the pet. Long-haired pet eyes open later shorthaired. But even if the eyelids are opened, then he sees very little. Most likely, the crumb discerns only obscure light and darkness, and real vision will appear only after some time, when it begins to move more independently and the metabolic processes accelerate. At first, you should keep the baby in a dark place, do not disturb it in vain. Some researchers note that in animals that are in the first two weeks in a dark place, the eyes open slightly faster than in babies who spend time in bright light.
- The kitten has a bad eye. If this process is a little delayed, then you can help him a bit by washing the glued eyelid with infusion of tea or a weak solution of boric acid.
- Change of eye pigmentation. At the very beginning, the cornea in the kittens is turbid, and the eyes are painted in a gray-blue color. But they are slowly changing, starting from the 3rd week, acquiring a natural coloring by 9-12 weeks. Although all these terms are very approximate and also largely depend on the breed of the pet.
- If the kitten was born blind. In animals, which at an early age lost sight, there are strong changes in the brain. The inherent defect in a certain image is compensated by a more developed sense of smell and hearing. It is noted that even the mustache is slightly longer than that of the sighted relatives. If you do not know such a cat since childhood, then you will not be able to quickly distinguish it from a healthy one. It from the outside will look quite normal and be able to navigate well in space.
- How to look after the kitten's eyes? Very often tearing causes various viruses or helminths. A weak baby has not yet developed immunity, so it is very important to comply with hygiene. There are special veterinary drops ("Diamond eyes" or others), which are more effective than tincture of tea, and allow you to provide good care for the organs of sight of your fluffy baby. Put it on your knees, fix it well and lift the head and drip the drug.
It is advisable to use 2 drops twice a day. After the procedure, wipe the eyes with a cotton swab, taking a separate cotton pad or a half for each.
You now know roughly when the kittens open their eyes. If the situation with the eyesight of the baby does not improve, do not tighten and consult a specialist so as not to miss the development of diseases such as chlamydia, mycoplasmosis or herpes. All these infections often begin with conjunctivitis, causing severe lacrimation and subsequently suppuration. The veterinarian will make the necessary analyzes and consult, providing quick, expert help to your furry pet.