kittens with sickness in the eyes

Question
dear Jessica i have a one year old cat and she had 4 babies just recently. i still have them living with me since they're still nursing just today i noticed that they're getting this yucky yellow stuff around their eyes what should i do and what is that stuff? i want to make them better but I'm kinda short on cash is there a home remedy i can get to help them out before i give them to their new homes?

Answer
Hi Monique.  A vet really needs to check them out to diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment.  Yellow discharge or crust that accumulates around the eyes can be indicative of bacterial conjunctivitis, which is extremely common in kittens.  This is caused by bacteria that invade the clear lining over the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids.  However, there are numerous other eye problems that could be a factor including viral illnesses and congenital defects.  For now, you should use a cotton ball moistened with warm water to wipe away any crust or discharge you see.  Using a saline eye drop like Tears Naturale 2-3 times a day may help keep the eyes lubricated.  There is an eye ointment called Terramycin that may be used to treat eye infections.  You can purchase it through a number of places online, including amazon.com, drsfostersmith.com, entirelypets.com, calvetsupply.com and others.  If you decide to use this, don't use it immediately before using any saline drops, as you'll wash it all away.