Conference misery::feline_v1

    The third eyelid being up can be a sign of some illness.  Has your vet
    seen your cats like this or did you just describe it to him?  The third
    eyelid is slightly visible in the inner corner of the eye of a normal
    healthy cat, is that what you are talking about?  Or do you mean that
    the eyelid is coming up and covering the cats cornea?
    
    Do you only notice this just after the cats have woken from a nap, or
    is it the same all day long, day in and day out.  Some eye infections
    will cause the third eyelid to come up, even though the cat may not
    show any other signs of infection like sneezing, runny nose, etc.
    
    Jo

    Yes, I am talking about the third eyelid in the inner corner of the
    eye.  It is showing on all 4 of them, but it is not covering the
    cornea.  It was my understanding that it should not be showing at all. 
    I could be wrong.  All 4 of them are indoor cats, the never go outside
    and they are completely flea-free.  They are up to date on all of their
    shots.  
    
    When I was breeding, my mentor told me that the third eyelid showing is
    a sign of worms.  I was wondering if this is true.
    
    Thanks,
    Karen

    I haven't heard that the third eyelid showing was a sign of worms.  I
    have had occassional problems with chlamydia in my cattery, and that
    will cause a very slight elevation of the third eyelid in the corner
    of the eye even in a very mild case of chlamydia.
    
    If you are worried about it, take one of them into the vet and have him
    see what you are talking about.  Will only cost you about $20 if the
    cat is healthy, but it will be worth it in peace of mind.
    
    Jo

    Thanks Jo.  This has bothered me for quite awhile now.  I think I will
    go back to my old vet (which is about 30 miles away).  He listens.  I
    will have them checked for chlamydia.
    
    Karen

    Karen -
    
    I just experienced this with my kitten Mike.  His third eyelid was
    showing for about a week and then he started with diarrhea.  The vet
    diagnosed it as a virus.  He said the rule of thumb is the third eyelid
    showing all the time means a sick cat.  It's very common for it to show
    when the cat is tired/sleepy or just waking up, but not all the time. 
    A trip to the vet is worth it.  I gave Mike Flagyl and fed him Tender
    Vittles to help firm up his stool and he was fine in about a week.
    
    Good luck,
    
    Terry + 4
    

    When Isis was a kitten we had a flea problem (that we didn't know
    we had) and that caused Feline Infectious Anemia.  The ONLY symptom
    Isis had was elevated third eyelids.  Mao had been off her feed and
    lethargic and that's what prompted us to take her to the vet.  Because
    Isis's eyelids were up too he performed a bloodtest that showed 
    her and Mao to be anemic.  They were put on B-12 which had NO effect
    until he discovered the fleas.  Once we knocked out the fleas the
    anemia cleared up in no time.  
    
    Bumpy never had any problem.
     
    It is my understanding that a chronically elevated third eyelid is
    a sign of illness.  Worms would certainly qualify.
    

    I took Katie into the vet tonight for sinusitis.  I asked her why the
    haws would be up, mentioned what was said in this file, and she said
    no, it was because their teeth needed to be cleaned.  That gingivities
    causes that.  Yes, their teeth do need to be cleaned, but I doubt this
    is the cause.  Any advice?  Should I consult another vet?  
    
    Karen

    re .6
    I didn't see your reply until after my last reply.  My cats don't have
    fleas, not a one.  When I first moved into this condo, 3 years ago, the
    place was infested with them.  But thanks to the condo assocation
    spraying regularly now for carpenter ants, and my diligence in getting
    rid of the nasty little things, they don't have any.  Their haws came
    up about 6 months ago.  In all of them at the same time.  About that time
    Cleo was due for her shots.  When I mentioned it then, the vet
    discounted the problem.  I'm really at a loss as to what to do here.
    
    Karen

    The only thing you could do to find out if the vet was right is to have
    her teeth cleaned and then see if the third eyelids receed.  I imagine
    that NDC is right, any kind of chronic problem could cause the third
    eyelids to go up.  Chronic gingivitis would qualify.  
    
    Jo

    Charm had cronic gingivitus and her third eyelid never
    came up.  In fact, even a few days before she died, it
    never showed.
    
    Dream on the other hand, had chalymidia (sp?) as a kitten,
    and almost always has the third eyelid showing, worse during
    recurrent bouts (and after two penicillin shots, 10 days
    of opthamlic ointment and 10 more days of cefatabs to go,
    I'm about ready to pick her up and tell her to put those
    darn eyelids back where they belong!), but she also has
    the extremely deep-set eyes of an oriental shorthair, and
    the vet said she is very susceptible to infections.
    
    Mary-Michael

    Well, I'm currently dealing with URI's in my 10 week old kittens
    and their nictating membranes are up.  In fact, I can tell that
    the black kitten is on the mend because his went down again.