Third eyelid (nictitating membrane)

All your most important questions about third eyelids and nictitating membranes answered, right here!
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[@gabrielle8068]

"This is Sir Lancelot, and he has kindly volunteered to be a cat today"

[@srinivasanvenkatesh3681]

Sir Lancelot is absolutely adorable and I respect him.

[@Raquel96]

“This is Sir Lancealot, & he’s kindly volunteered to be a cat today” LOL that gave me such a wonderful laugh, thank you for this video 😊

[@78deathface]

Lancelot is like “why’s he touching my eyes? These humans are so weird...”

[@P4brotagonist]

One of my cats sleep with one of his outer eyelids open and has the other one closed while he sleeps. It looks really odd

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Cats are so weird...

[@ZaJaClt]

@@HelpfulVancouverVet Is there a reason two out of my four cats cant stand there back area touched? They react immediately as if it tickles them and bite if you carry on 😔

[@stateofmissouri5651]

This channel inspired me to volunteer at a local cat rescue which Ive been going to twice a week for the past few months, thank you for these great videos!!

[@nelsoncabrera6464]

Humans do have a vestigial third eyelid, it's that millimeter wide flap of tissue closest to your noseward tearduct. It's called the "plica semilunaris". With all the pollution or pollen floating about making my allergies act up I kind of wish this vestige would still work. :)

[@jkishhabi]

Lancelot enjoying being the center of the world for a bit. 😊

[@spookyplaguedoctor5714]

Lancelot is such a beautiful cat. 10/10 would die for.

[@hugheskailey]

when i was a kid i used to open the outer eyelid of my dog while she was asleep lol i thought i had made a significant scientific discovery 💀

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Good to start your biology career early!

[@milkbox103]

the cat snuggles at the end!! oh my god!!

[@lostpockets2227]

My cat closes her third eyelid whenever I scratch her ear. It freaks me out so whenever I scratch her ear I just look away

[@zz-jones]

Thank you for the prolonged zoom on Lancelot's face ❤️

[@CatFighterForce9]

that close up shot of sir lancelot gave me CHILLS DOWN MY SPINE!!!!

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Cat eyes are beautiful, right? Now imagine you're a little mouse...

[@jamesdevine02]

This is one of those things that I completely forgot about but I feel like I've always wanted to know about. Thank you!

[@joaobaptista5307]

Sir Lancelot is a such a gentle, patient cat. He's great.

[@megko7430]

I've always been curious about this! Thank you so much for this, doctor!

[@sarahgabonay7082]

Thank you so much for your service, Sir Lancelot.

[@oyomoyo]

That little clip at the end made an already wonderful video even better ! ❤️ 🥰

[@sotosoul]

I think Dr. Uri plays in Netflix series "Away"! Truly talented man, congratulations!

[@uunikaulus]

This video was exactly what I needed. Thanks, and keep 'em coming!

[@svenmeling6053]

Mhhh, comfortable packaging material at the end. No cat can resist!

[@MouseCakes4]

best outro good video 10/10

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

I try

[@mada5045]

Awesome, useful & simple video! I also noticed that this third eyelid is very visible and permanently pulled over half of the eye when cats are sick and/or having a high fever - I don't have any veterinary training but I noticed it after seeing viral infections in many kittens and also when my cats had a fever.

[@ruby.lovefit]

Squish that cat ❤

[@weird0.0]

What a great Claudia+Pirate update at the end ❤

[@Luna04567]

Could you do a video on how to make life easier for elderly cats? Things you can adjust in your home to make it more friendly for older cats

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

I've got a three part series on this topic. First part is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqm6g4lnlriNpqc

[@christianeraphael9180]

Thank you, I always enjoy getting to know everything about cats and how to keep them happy and healthy. we have four of them 😻😻😻😻. Thank you, too Lancelot! You are adorable.

[@rachelb4398]

Thank you for the extra footage of Mr. Pirate at the end of the video!

[@TheMrsSugar]

Sir Lancelot is such a great volunteer

[@aliciagrau6430]

Very interesting.thank you! I wish I could pet Lancelot from here.He is an amazing colaborator!

[@deanagallatin6974]

Thank you for the info!

[@melbagarcia-ventura]

Silly question when making some of these videos are you able to do these in one take or do you have to re film (or use another cat)? Lol

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Funny you should ask. I usually do all my videos in one take and without a script, although I'm trying to script some of my more complicated, longer videos now. The cats are who they are, which is why you occasionally notice that they walk off in the middle of a vid. I try to accept it and move on, like any good cat collaborator would. I do occasionally pause to wipe hair off my face, and I edit those pauses out.

[@shrek1154]

Can’t wait for the premier

[@meiyuan2134]

my cat came into my room when she heard me watching the video! seems like all cats love you

[@JoolieJulie_]

whenever i watch one of these videos, it's like all of my worries in life magically evaporates temporarly😌

[@flufflepants362]

Mr. Pirate, thank you for volunteering to be a cat today

[@nana-uf5ql]

i was just googling this the other day!!!

[@K_i_t_t_y84]

Sir Lancelot is a MOO COW ♥

[@Amruta.Kulkarni]

Exciting

[@ClandestineGirl16X]

I love your videos ❤

[@desertfox1986]

Now I know what it is called! Thank you

[@MYTHIICOOL]

Dr. Uri : " now why do some animals have this the humans dont? Well i have no idea" Well that was unexpected

[@CrashPilot1000]

Thank you, didn't know that.

[@unonumero123]

I love these vids

[@joannunemaker6332]

I want to be one of your cats. They are so relaxed!

[@asmahamid7022]

Love the video!

[@kats4682]

Omg my cat has this when I hold his eye open when he’s asleep and it scares me

[@evl457]

OMG I can't concentrate on the eyelid info b/c lancelot is so cute

[@doan2300]

my cat's third eyelid appeared when he woke up suddenly from sleep, i'd not seen it before, that was startling!

[@charliesrandomthings5457]

I love lancey! when I play with my cat, sometimes stuff gets close to his eyes, and he closes his third eyelid

[@SizzleX]

so cute

[@soulkeeperet]

Can you do a Holiday special video where it's just a montage of your kitties playing and lounging?

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

You know, I've been thinking of doing just that!

[@MURZBO]

Hmm very interesting 🤔

[@DimmuDeer]

As my cat had gotten oder, she's lost her bright eyed expression. I was worried something may be bothering her, but everything seems fine. The eyes are not swollen, there's no discharge, the membrane looks fine, sclera looks fine, she's not painful about anything on her face... I guess she's just become wise with age, haha. PS Last time we had visited the vet, they have run a bunch of tests for another issue. Turns out she's completely fine and just needs her diet adjusted.

[@xeniamilovanova3275]

I would literally die for Mr Pirate

[@remfythecatcarolanne7599]

That is so adorable ! They're spooning! I have a question, my cat got knocked in the head when he was a kit. It knocked the lense out of the retina. He's 16 now and I've noticed that eye appears to be shrinking. Dr. Lamb looked at his eyes at his last exam but didn't say anything. Is that because it's normal?

[@pancisigapaniti8435]

Thanks for the video. I was scared when I see that membrane in my cat's eyes while she's sleeping. I thought she was sick..

[@user-vo7ov4gf8e]

YOUR CAT IS VERY CUTE AND I LIKE YOUR VIDEOS HAVE A NICE DAY AND TO THE CUTE CAT TOO❤😤

[@Tiger351]

Good to know about that, would irrtation of the membrane also cause excessive tear production? My cat O.J. ocassionally has tears coming from the corner of his eye near the bridge of his nose making it look almost like a human crying.

[@MC-gt6yp]

My cats ave beautiful eyelashes too 👍

[@asc376]

the first time my dad saw my cat’s third eyelid it was “stuck” over his eyeball and my dad was sure he had just gone blind 😂

[@milkbox103]

so nice of sir lancelot to volunteer to be a cat

[@srinivasanvenkatesh3681]

I've also seen that crocodiles and some other animals have this. Does it have the purpose or is it to prevent water from going into their eyeballs?

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Maybe there are some wildlife biologists in the audience who are better suited to answer your question. I don't belive the third eyelid has a role in underwater vision in crocodiles, but it may in other species. Mostly it acts as an extra layer of protection, light intensity regulator and windshield wiper.

[@bdf2718]

It's fairly common amongst non-mammals. Most reptiles, fish and birds have them. Not so many mammals, and very few primates.

[@srinivasanvenkatesh3681]

@@HelpfulVancouverVet Oh yea, that makes a whole lot of sense. Thanks for taking your time to read and answer my question, I really appreciate it :).

[@srinivasanvenkatesh3681]

@@bdf2718 yea I've seen a lotta animals have em and I wanna know if they mostly serve the same purpose for all or if they differ for every species. Might sound like a dumn question but I just wanna know.

[@srinivasanvenkatesh3681]

@@bdf2718 Thanks for answering btw :)

[@SymphonyTaylor]

Wow I never knew what that was until now 😳

[@unicorngirl3225]

nice

[@shade9592]

Hi Dr. Uri, we have a dog that has *rear* dewclaws. Because of a past incident, it's become difficult for us to trim them. They don't get worn down because they are about 6cm off of the floor when he's standing. What can be done about them? What are our options?

[@JuhoSprite]

Funny, recently I noticed that my kittens have this when they were sleeping and their eyes were a bit open

[@iseaperoin650]

my cat has a small fur in her eye and I don't know how I can take it out. I hope you could help me

[@billkormas3460]

i thought they had it for extra protection in case they get in a fight or something like that

[@kimmycassie]

It's funny because I just searched this a few days ago since my cats seems to have problems with their eyes but now their quite ok

[@mistiffiecation]

It's kinda funny to observe this membrane while a cat "supervises" me chopping onions and starts squinting at me but is still sniffing what the hell is that devilish thing. At least we know they can't handle all the sulfur from onion either. :)

[@kushegga95]

I've heard that the third eyelid is there to help block sand from getting in

[@ineenja]

now i see why my cat seems to sleep with almost opened eyes

[@paulbryant8403]

Inrelated but how important is it to switch cat foods when your cat gets older. Like to senior cat food or something..?

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

It is a good idea, but diet changes have a lot more to do with your cat's health status than purely age. Are they obese? Do they have dental problems? Do they have a chronic illness? All questions that may lead to a different food choice and your veterinarian is the only person who can help you answer those questions accurately.

[@gregweatherup9596]

Woah! I’ve been around cats my whole life, how have I never seen one of these? From the episode title I thought it was going to some mutation maybe found in certaint breeds or something, but your saying all cats have this? 🤯

[@capiche1992]

My cat recently had a cut by his eye and now that membrane is consistently more forward (as in covering more of his inner eye) - is this just to help with healing or is there a problem?

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

You should definitely go to a see a veterinarian immediately, and if your cat has already seen a vet, then get a recheck immediately.

[@aashishverma7247]

Please help, my cat starts shouting whenever I hold up her with my hands onto her arms also she shouts in pain as if I hold up her from her back legs too. I don't understand her Situation and feeling very bad for her . please tell me what could be the problem she is facing

[@sergevolkoff8650]

I tell you what's weird: seeing no dislikes under the KZbin video - that is weird!

[@lalaider3912]

Once my cat hit his head so hard that the third eye was always there and I freaked out and took him to the urgency vet

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Good job! Neurologic injury, such as from head trauma, can affect the nerves that control the eyelids, or the muscle cats use to retract their eye (yes, they can do that) and a protruding nictitating membrane is an important neurologic exam finding.

[@roiq5263]

Squish the button and the cat.

[@muffinandlatte6586]

Hi

[@maia_0613]

I've heard it said that if the membranes are quite clearly showing on a cat that is awake, it's a sign it doesn't feel well. Is that true?

[@redacted2871]

Hey ! Actually, humans have these too, but as a vestigial character, so it's not functional nor very developed, but... it's there !

[@brianobey4368]

I really like you

[@beaut-ful-d-saster]

Please tell Sir Lancelot he is a very handsome boy, and a very good boy.

[@Christine-nh3jg]

Why do they say if the cat is ill you will see the third eye? Is that true?

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

The third eyelid can protrude if a cat is very dehydrated or sedated. Sick cats are often dehydrated so yeah, its a possible sign.

[@Xeldiane]

Hi Doctor, my cat is having frequent nightmares and wakes up really violently from her naps, she jumps, almost hurt herself when she jumps everywhere for 10-20 secondes :'( What can I do?

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Enjoy the fact that you have a normal cat.

[@stephlrideout]

Humans do actually have a third eyelid but it's vestigial now!

[@Emylisis]

The first time I saw my cat sleeping with only his third eyelids closed I freaked out and thought something awful had happened to his eyes. He's the first cat I've ever had that sleeps that way. It still looks like he's been possessed by a demon but I guess it must be comfortable?

[@gaylecheung3087]

I miss read the header I was waiting to see three eyed cat would you be very very scary and sad

[@lauriesell7934]

Vancouver vet is cute, I wonder if he’s married? I could use a vet visit.

[@barak363363]

1:41

[@beatingaroundthebooks]

I didn't use to know about this until one of our rescue cats got a terrible eye inflammation 😱 Luckily we got to the vet immediately, so everything was fine. Random question: Would you consider endorsing a cat rescue, even if it isn't local to you? The lovely lady who rescued our cats in Bulgaria is running hers as a "one woman show", everything runs on donations and her own wages, and because of Covid-19 a lot of the donations have run dry and she's accumulated some debt with the local vet clinic.

[@bdf2718]

"Nicitating membrane"? That would be the Canadian spelling, eh? :)

[@wonderingwanderer9161]

Meow

[@s.garabet1677]

Would a cat winking (and holding that wink for a few seconds) mean that he's losing vision?

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

No. Painful squints are literally that, a squinting eye that is markedly different from the other eye and stays squinted. Very different from the slow blink, which can happen with one eye (Mr. Pirate does that when he looks at me, and I melt inside every time).

[@s.garabet1677]

@@HelpfulVancouverVet Thank you.

[@marymayer4875]

I think humans have a remnant of the nictitating membrane, but it has no use. :-)

[@bayleybrunck8237]

Correct! It is called the plica semilunaris

[@CalebDB]

My cat died yesterday :( He was only 4

[@sylviaavila3870]

Sorry for your loss.