Blind cats/cats with no eyes help!!!

RE: Blind cats/cats with no eyes help!!!

jojofruits — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 14:04:52 GMT

We had a blind housecat with micropthalmia when I worked in Bermuda! she was fine!

RE: Blind cats/cats with no eyes help!!!

fiona eldridge — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 21:54:10 GMT

Thanks everyone... you know when you have that moment and think... is this really the right thing? Now I think YES!! I took him to work today as he had a gunky bit on his enumerated eye where a bit of stitch had popped through. So we sedated him to sort that out.... then had a good look at his other remaining eye... looks worse than before but will continue treatment at the moment. If he can keep it better for him... but if not? Well it goes. I think he still sees some kind of shadows but nothing else, but then mostly I think he sees nothing! He gets around the house great, playing jumping around, but my husband put his wellies inside this morning and I did notice he ran straight into them!! This handsome little man has stolen my heart and if he wants to sleep in between me and my husband in our bed he can!! Hahaha

RE: Blind cats/cats with no eyes help!!!

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:15:56 GMT

Hi,

There's a visiting ophthalmologist specialist (Gary Lewin - a lovely lovely chap) that attends once a week to one of my former practices... Bishopton Veterinary Group in Ripon. 01765 602396. He is resident at Paragon Vets in Penrith so might be a good idea even to contact him there first?

http://www.bishoptonvets.co.uk/

http://www.paragonvet.com/

He is a specialist so might be expensive.. but worth a call to see if he can do a pro-bono exam/look at photos maybe?

Fingers crossed for Elvis. xxx

(Check out 'Homer Blind WonderCat' on facebook... )

ali

RE: Blind cats/cats with no eyes help!!!

alanthecat — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 10:30:48 GMT

Hi Fiona,

I fostered a cat with no eyes couple years ago- called him Stevie :) he was apx 2yo, came in as a stray with purulent discharge around eye area but no visible eyeballs- on GA and exam he in fact had very tiny eyes sunken back into the globes- these were removed and the eyelids sewn shut. After his op I fostered him (same as you- weak moment!) and was really surprised at how well he coped- was fully prepared to have to tip-toe around him, never move furniture etc but he was jumping up on the bed/windowsills, using litter tray, finding his food and water etc all on the first day. He seemed to make a 'mind map' of the house really quickly and would run around really confidently once he knew where everything was. I can only assume he would have been blind from birth and I this helps them to cope as they don't know any different- I think for your little one being so young he will adjust just fine. I would possibly question the ethics of keeping an older cat that has been used to independence and going out etc being suddenly blind as it could be really stressful and may just not cope well (obviously each case on its own merits)- I think in this case it is absolutely fair to give him a go- I am sure he will surprise you with how normal he is in behaviour etc. My little one was rehomed after 8months with me and now has a full life, he goes out in a walled garden and is absolutely adored by his new owner- would have been such a shame if he had been PTS just because he couldn't see!

Good luck little Elvis, fingers crossed the other eye can be saved!

Emily xx

RE: Blind cats/cats with no eyes help!!!

molladog — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 09:17:07 GMT

Hi,

I rescued a kitten with terrible eyes, one had burst and prolapsed which we removed, the other one was closed and had the biggest ulcer ever but I put chloramphenicol (way back in the day !!) in every hour for 4 days and the eye healed and was fine so don't give up hope,

RE: Blind cats/cats with no eyes help!!!

Sal the 1st — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 22:19:38 GMT

I used to have one - lost one eye to airgun pellet then lost his sight in the other a few years later (which was later removed, glaucoma). He did very well as long as I didn't move things around too much in the flat and seemed to enjoy life - apart from having no eyes he was pretty much a normal cat, pretty playful and up to all sorts of mischief. He could manage the stairs no problem and amazingly even with no eyes was one of those cats who could balance on the top of a door (how the hell he got up there was anybody's guess) - never under estimate a blind cat! I was like you with him already having lost one eye and then losing the sight in the other I did wonder if it was fair but then as the vet I was working with at the time said 'what is the difference to the cat if he is already blind? is it him that has a problem with him having no eyes or is it you?'

Nearest eye specialist to you is probably going to be AMC or Abbey House in Leeds or possibly Stamford