Squinting eyes?

[Gregory The Cat]

I'm a Sphynx newbie! We took in a 2 year old male yesterday from a friend of a friend who couldn't care for him.
I've got an appointment with the vet scheduled, but it's still a few days away.

Can anyone answer a few questions?
He squints his eyes. Both of them. Almost constantly.
I used some eye drops and wiped his eyes. Some gunk came out, but he still squints.
Is there something more I could be doing until his vet appointment?
The person I got him from said he's always done that, but it just doesn't sit well with me.
It seems like discomfort.

He doesn't seem interested in the litter box. He used it when I caught him scratching and put him in the box. Could the problem be that it's in the basement? It's probably a few degrees colder down there.

 

[MollysMom]

Until he gets settled, I would put the box where you spend the majority of your time with him. It is easier to move it down there in a few weeks tha it is to correct them going in the wrong areas. It will probably take him some time to feel comfortable in his new home. Can you post a picture of the squinting? There are several different reasons that he could be doing that. Generally sphynx have a bit of clear or brownish eye goop that needs to be wiped away, it is because they have no eyelashes.

 

[Gregory The Cat]

It's hard to get one of his eyes open. They're only open a bit so when the flash goes off, he closes them immediately. Hopefully you can see in the first picture that his eyes are open. That's the widest they get. Even when playing, and stalking a toy his eyes don't open wider. Any suggestions until he goes to the vet?

 

[Catzzzmeow]

@Gregory The Cat We have seen a few eye issues in here, from scratches on the eye to URI (upper respiratory infections), herpes, allergies to litter and a more rare case of the eyelid actually folding under called Entropian) I think the sooner you can get a wellness check with the vet the better to determine the issue. Did the previous owner say there was a problem in their home?

I also want to say congrats on your new baby. It might take a bit for things to settle but your life is forever changed. Welcome to The Lair!

patti

 

[Xandria]

Oh he's a beauty!!! Sending you well wishes and a productive vet visit!

 

[MollysMom]

They don't look red or crusty, which is good... Let us know what the vet says. Good luck!

 

[Jebsmom]

Congrats on your new guy he is gorgeous,and super duper bald <3 Hope he checks out well at the vets and they can give you the answer on his eyes.

 

[Gregory The Cat]

Thanks everyone! I'm really excited to have him, and plan on spoiling him rotten. The previous owner said that he's always been squinty and that the breeder they got him from said that's just the way he is.
His appointment is Tuesday, and I'll post an update. Thanks!!

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Welcome to sphynxlair good to have you.
Like what @Catzzzmeow said it could be many things.
The sooner you get him to the Vet the better.
Keep us updated on him.

 

[Embracing-Joyx4]

My Anastazia was a squinter my daughter was always saying she looks tired. There was nothing wrong but I did think she had allergies so I started her L-lysine 2x daily faithfully and now she is wide eyed.

 

[Gregory The Cat]

Thanks, @Embracing-Joyx4 ! I will mention allergies to the vet, and keep the L-lysine in mind depending on what they say.

 

[andreanar]

Welcome and congrats on your new to you sphynx! He's beautiful. I think he will be fine until his vet appt as long as his eyes aren't red, swollen, drippy and he's not rubbing at them.

 

[Marcin92]

Hi this is Donskoy Cat, their eyes are almond shape and smaller than Canadian Sphynx. Most of the time the Donskoys I have seen kept squinting their eyes, but they were show cats very healthy. I dont think you should worry, however if it makes you feel more comfortable go and see your vet as i could be wrong. Beautiful cat. another 10days till i get my Donskoy girl. Take care and all the best.

 

[Yoda mom]

Congrats and welcome to you and your very handsome boy!
I would keep him confined where you are with the same type box and litter brand. Did he come with his own box and toys from previous owner?

**I had Toby confined to our bedroom with his covered box in the bathroom. I got a bag of treats and when he went in the box I praised him good boy and gave him a treat immediately after walking out of the box. Just positive reinforcement.
I also scoop 3-4 xs a day and sprinkle a bit of new litter to freshen and wash box out every 3 days.

I order eniysyl F lysine in the pump on line and put it on my finger for him when he is hungry in the morning.
I pay $10- some vets charge more than double for it. There are lysine treats too we may try

I don't know why but I always too extra time with male kitties to make sure they had the box thing down..

**When they peed in the box we had a litter party with praise treats! worked like a charm! I did this especially with a retired stud male bengal "Buddha cat -Bedazzled show cat I got as a rehome and had neutered.

Also, is your boy neutered??

Keep is posted on your vet visit for your boy and welcome ! So exciting ! He is sooo handsome! What a face!

 

[Gregory The Cat]

@Marcin92 Thank you so much for the info about Donskoy cats! I looked them up, and that is almost exactly what he does with his eyes. I feel a lot better about it now, though he will still go to the vet to make sure everything else is ok.

@Yoda mom , He is not neutered. I plan on getting that done soon as long as he's in otherwise good health. Could that be why he pees on the floor? He's pooped in the box a few times.
I got very excited during the night when I heard him using it! I'm going to give him some wet food today and this weekend to see if I can increase how often he pees to help him with it.

Last night was our second night with him and it was much better than the first.
He only cried for a few seconds, and then slept in our bed for most of the night.
He got up around 4am (when I heard him in the litter box) and he slept in his own bed (the one he came with from the previous owners) by the heat vent for the rest of the night.

I'm so glad Sphynxlair exists! It's so helpful!

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Good news your second night was better. The wet food is good for them too.
Hope everything gets only greater.

 

[Inflamed]

Hi & welcome to the Lair! Best of luck with your new boy, hopefully the vet can shed some light on the eye situation and make an appointment for his neuter.
The floor peeing may be a result of being intact but it could also be a side effect of the rehoming. Be sure to clean the spots with a good enzyme cleaner and check with a black light to make sure you got it all.

 

[Gregory The Cat]

I was looking into Enzyme cleaners. We have Nature's Miracle around here. Does that work? Is there one you suggest?

 

[andreanar]

Nature's Miracle works good, just make sure you are totally saturating the area. Not being neutered may be a reason he is peeing around the place, could be it is spraying/marking. Also could be that your box is too far away as he is a newbie to your house.

 

[Ollie]

Hope everything checks out okay with your new guy! Our Ollie squints when he has an eye infection. Mycoplasma felis ( kind of like conjunctivitis). We have been battling for over a month with drops and moisture gel. Not saying this is what your guy has, just something to keep in mind. I am sure your vet will give you the best advice, and I have seen lots of photos of sphynx cats who naturally have squinty eyes. Kind of like wrinkles, or hair, every cat is different

 

[susi794]

Welcome to the family! You should always do a vet check when you bring home a new cat...just to make sure all is well. I would neuter him ASAP to stop him from marking his new surroundings. He's a handsome guy! Congrats!

 

[Gregory The Cat]

Gregory had his vet appointment this evening. He's healthy, and his eyes have been much better with daily maintenance. His left eye (the squintier of the two) has a tear on the third eyelid and there is this piece that is soft of flapping a bit into the eye. They gave me some drops to keep him comfortable and will trim the piece that seems to be causing discomfort when they do his neuter surgery. Other than that he got a clean bill of health!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

That is awesome news! I am so happy to hear he is nice and healthy and the issue of the teary eye will be under control. I love these updates!


Patti

 

[andreanar]

Wonderful news.

 

[admin]

I'm a Sphynx newbie! We took in a 2 year old male yesterday from a friend of a friend who couldn't care for him.
I've got an appointment with the vet scheduled, but it's still a few days away.

Can anyone answer a few questions?
He squints his eyes. Both of them. Almost constantly.
I used some eye drops and wiped his eyes. Some gunk came out, but he still squints.
Is there something more I could be doing until his vet appointment?
The person I got him from said he's always done that, but it just doesn't sit well with me.
It seems like discomfort.

He doesn't seem interested in the litter box. He used it when I caught him scratching and put him in the box. Could the problem be that it's in the basement? It's probably a few degrees colder down there.

Welcome! This thread may be helpful, more specific the location piece - http://sphynxlair.com/community/threads/sphynx-pooping-or-peeing-outside-the-litter-box.24319/