r/devonrex • u/Melopix • 16d ago
Is this normal?
I’ve just recently adopted a Devon Rex kitten! She’s female and 6 months old. I’m told she’s on her “ugly duckling” stage as the breeder called it. Her fur should grow in soon haha. Anyways I noticed she has a leaky eye and it crusts. I clean it everyday but was told it was due to feline herpes she got from her mother. Now her other eye (the good one) has almost like a film on it. It’s foggy and I’m really worried!! She seems to be acting just fine. Purring and playing with her brother, but is this normal for Devon’s or did she just get unlucky and this is the symptom of the herpes? Would love to know if any veteran Devon owners experienced this! Thank you! 😊
9
u/curlyqtips 16d ago
Any eye issues need veterinary care, short of fairly normal slight eye crusties. You definitely need to get her to the Vet.
Most cats have been exposed to herpes in their lives and it is not an issue until their immune system is stressed. A new home assuredly would be a stress. Again, a Vet would be able to determine if she needs treatment.
And yes, many Devon "molt" around four months of age when their adult coat begins.
7
u/Melopix 16d ago
Thank you! I’m taking her in today just wanted to ask just in case there was anything I needed to know! The breeder wasn’t too informative about her eye and I never experienced a cat with this so wasn’t sure what to do!
6
u/curlyqtips 16d ago
Great! Eye issues are painful and the damage can be permanent, so it always needs a trip to the doctor. She's beautiful, but Devon kittens do go through some awkward ages!
3
u/mwfairc 16d ago
One of our Devon Rex's had a similar issue when we first got them. Took about a month to clear up with the medicine we got. We went to a Vet Specific eye specialist called Animal Eye Guys in Miami. See if you can find an animal eye specialist in your area. May not in fact be herpes, may just be some sort of conjunctivitis, which is what our cat had and easily cleared up with meds. Haven't had any problems since.
4
u/CraftyLemon773 16d ago
She is a sweetie! I see no ugly duckling! They do go through a molt. My devons get eye boogers but they are small and i can easily remove them with my finger.
When i first got them from their breeder, they had respiratory issues and one had tummy problems. It could be stress from adjusting to their new home. They got antibiotics and I changed their food to raw. They are now 4 yrs old and healthy.
1
u/MattieShoes 16d ago
Devons tend to have small heads and big eyes, so it's... not uncommon? But definitely talk to a vet.
1
u/skullandsquid 16d ago
Our Devon had an ear infection that turned into an upper respiratory infection and caused her eyes face to swell and eyes to water like this.
We treated her with a course of oral antibiotics and antibiotic eyedrops and she was all better!
But yes like everyone else is saying, she’ll need to see a vet.
1
u/Emotional_Hand_8908 16d ago
Yes it can happen regarding the foggyness but it’s not normal. Went to specialist and vet and they both agreed she had Uveitis and required lots of eye drops. The risk is that if it’s swollen she may need it removed if not cared for properly. My Devon is 100% fine now after a round of drops. It appeared to be idopathic with no reason for it. Didn’t seem to have feline viru
1
u/farmreader11 15d ago
97% of cats in the US have been exposed to feline herpes virus. many are carriers with no symptoms and some have symptoms that flare up due to stress throughout their lives. Absolutely go to Vet immediately for any eye issue and thank you for sharing that there are eye specialist in the veterinary world. I have had many many devons in my life and have not experienced herpes but once, but have seen friends with Devon’s, who manage it throughout their lives with occasional drops and gentle, warm water and gauze taps.
1
u/Rgraeter 14d ago
One of our Devon’s had a chronic weepy eye. Lived 15 years without issue. We just gently wiped his face with a paper towel and warm water from time to time.
1
u/not2sleepy 16d ago
My Devon kitties has similar issues. Get some lysine to add to their food to help boost their immune system and help with the herpes. I have had three Devon kitties through the years and they all sort of grow out of the eye flare ups. One still gets the crusties and I use a moistened Kleenex to clean them away each day.
But definitely visit the vet, you will get some eye ointment and also get some viralysis lysine powder to add to food, it helps them as they build their immune system.
-1
16d ago
[deleted]
0
u/Melopix 16d ago
Oh no not at all! I’m just using that phrase because that’s what the breeder called it! I love my baby she is the cutest 🥺 thank you for the healthy wishes!
0
u/MettaRed 16d ago
Just saying 😘 I used to call myself that, I used to say "I am so clumsy" when I trained myself to stop it made a huge difference in my life. I get it. P.s Devon is only breed of cat I ever wanted... Is she as precocius as "regular" cats? Lol
1
u/Melopix 16d ago
I have a regular cat and of course the little baby in the post and the difference between the two is pretty big! I used to think all cats differ but with Devon’s I’ve never met one that isn’t nice and charming. She is a Velcro kitty with so much love to give! Of course she has the kitten tendencies to be wild and playful but she’s curious and a huge cuddle bug. I would very much recommend it if you’re looking for your first time cat! 😊
1
20
u/AmeliaNZ 16d ago
I don't know specifics but when I cared for a Devon with herpes we had to put drops in her eye when she had a flare up.
My advice is a vet visit. It's probably best to mention her condition before arrival too.