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White Membrane Stuck in the Corner of a Cat Eye: Third Eyelid Causes

๐Ÿšจ Check first

If the white membrane shows in only one eye and, on that same side, the pupil is extremely small, the eyelid droops, or the eye seems slightly sunken, it is a sign of Horner's syndrome, in which nerves in the neck or deep in the ear are damaged (by a middle ear infection, a tumor, or an injury). See a veterinary clinic promptly.

๐Ÿ“Œ The answer in 3 seconds

  1. Hidden in the inner corner of a cat's eye (the corner near the nose) is a thin white membrane that works like a wiper to protect the eye: the nictitating membrane, or third eyelid. Seeing it briefly only right after waking or when your cat is extremely sleepy is normal.
  2. However, if the white membrane sticks out from the inner corner of both eyes, covering about one third to half of the eye, and does not go back even when your cat is wide awake (third eyelid protrusion), it is often a sign of 1) poor health from intestinal parasites, chronic diarrhea, or a virus (haws syndrome), 2) fever or severe dehydration reducing the fat behind the eyes so the eyeballs sink, or 3) weight loss and weakness.
  3. If a white membrane or a red lump shows in only one eye, conjunctivitis or a scratch on the cornea (eye pain), or cherry eye, in which the gland of the third eyelid pops out, is suspected.

๐Ÿ“Š Flowchart

  1. Step 1First, look from the front to see whether the white membrane is showing the same way in both eyes (overall poor health, dehydration, or intestinal trouble) or in only one eye (an eye injury or a nerve problem on one side), and take a smartphone photo of the eyes.
  2. Step 2If it shows in both eyes: Check whether your cat has had soft stools or diarrhea lately, and whether there is loss of appetite, fever (hot ears), or dehydration. If you have fresh stool, wrap it in plastic wrap and bring it to the veterinary clinic.
  3. Step 3If it shows in only one eye or is red and swollen: Put on an Elizabethan collar so your cat cannot rub and injure the eye with a front paw, do not use human eye drops, and have an eye exam at a veterinary clinic.

โญ• Step-by-step fix

  1. Step 1 ยท What you can do at home right now

    First, look from the front to see whether the white membrane is showing the same way in both eyes (overall poor health, dehydration, or intestinal trouble) or in only one eye (an eye injury or a nerve problem on one side), and take a smartphone photo of the eyes.

  2. Step 2

    If it shows in both eyes: Check whether your cat has had soft stools or diarrhea lately, and whether there is loss of appetite, fever (hot ears), or dehydration. If you have fresh stool, wrap it in plastic wrap and bring it to the veterinary clinic.

  3. Step 3

    If it shows in only one eye or is red and swollen: Put on an Elizabethan collar so your cat cannot rub and injure the eye with a front paw, do not use human eye drops, and have an eye exam at a veterinary clinic.

โŒ Never do this

  • Mistaking the white membrane or red bulge at the inner corner for "a big clump of eye discharge or dirt" and pinching and pulling it with your fingers, tweezers, or a tissue (it is an important part of the eye itself, so pulling it causes a serious injury).
  • Leaving it for weeks, thinking "they're just sleepy," even though the white membrane stays out the whole time your cat is awake.

๐Ÿ“‹ Make notes for the vet

Your notes save automatically on this device, so they stay even without a signal at the clinic.

Since when
Symptoms and things to tell the vet
Urine
Stool
Photos and items to bring