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Blind Cat

post #1 of 8
1/26/10 at 3:53pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all, im new here.
I would like to ask anyones opinion of my cats situation,
she is 4 years old, thought she was healthy until recently when she starting falling off things like the window sill and dustbin and being jumpy when any of my other cats or dog ran past her, I thought it was possibly an ear problem so took her to the vets today, well im pleased to say her ears are fine but got told she is blind. that was a total shock as she has always been a mouse catcher and seems to be able to see enough to jump on the table etc.
when the vet was checking her over she could touch the cats eyeball without the cat blinking or trying to move away, so im confused if she couldnt see a finger going towards her eye how can she see where to go etc.
she has to go back to the vets this week for a bloodpressure check.

sorry this is a long one but if anyone has any ideas or opinions please let me know.

thanks alot
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post #2 of 8
1/26/10 at 4:40pm
Your post wasn't long at all.

I have not dealt with a blind cat, but I just wanted to let you know that this is a very caring site. Someone will come along shortly who has had experience with this. I wanted to offer my support and encouragement.

She may not be totally blind. She may have enough sight to make out ok in familiar places.

I have heard of cats being blind, yet able to get around quite well if furniture etc. is not moved around.

I hope she checks out good at the vets. Please don't give up on her. You can be her eyes.
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post #3 of 8
1/26/10 at 4:46pm
There's a best seller out right now, by Gwen Cooper, called Homer's Odyssey: a Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat - Homer even has a facebook page.

Homer lost his sight as a kitten - it's a wonderful story about how Homer changed and deepened Gwen's life, including finding the right guy.

If you can, see if your library has the book or if you can find it another way - reading about how Homer enjoys his life, despite being blind, is totally inspiring.
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post #4 of 8
1/26/10 at 4:57pm
First I'd like to say welcome to the site!

My parents cat Tigger lived to be in his late teens and for the last 5 years of his life he was blind.

Cats are amazingly resilent!

My parents did an indepth kitty proofing. Removing items from his level that might have sharp edges and installing a babygate at the top of the stairs for added safety.

He even enjoyed outdoor visits in the fenced in yard with supervision
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post #5 of 8
1/26/10 at 9:05pm
Welcome to TCS!

My Damita was blind, and she lived for several years with me without a problem. We had to be cautious about moving furniture, etc as she got disoriented easily.

If you have any further or specific questions, feel free to PM me.
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post #6 of 8
1/27/10 at 7:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by yashapop View Post
Hi all, im new here.
I would like to ask anyones opinion of my cats situation,
she is 4 years old, thought she was healthy until recently when she starting falling off things like the window sill and dustbin and being jumpy when any of my other cats or dog ran past her, I thought it was possibly an ear problem so took her to the vets today, well im pleased to say her ears are fine but got told she is blind. that was a total shock as she has always been a mouse catcher and seems to be able to see enough to jump on the table etc.
when the vet was checking her over she could touch the cats eyeball without the cat blinking or trying to move away, so im confused if she couldnt see a finger going towards her eye how can she see where to go etc.
she has to go back to the vets this week for a bloodpressure check.

sorry this is a long one but if anyone has any ideas or opinions please let me know.

thanks alot
He is declared officially blind but can see shadows well enough to not bump into things is my guess. I think the definition of blind does not mean you see nothing but darkness. At least in the state of Washington it dows not for medical claims (my stepdad).
I think the same may be true of cats. Ask him the exact definition of blindness, it does NOT necessarily mean the complete absense of seeing shadows.
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post #7 of 8
1/28/10 at 10:23am
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone, thank you very much for all the welcomes, help and advice you gave.
After seeing the vet today it seems we may have found the cause...
The good news is she is not totally blind, and today she reacted everytime the vet went near her eyes and could see everything that he did to her, after alot of talking and testing it seems she has Toxoplasmosis and is now on antibiotics for it which the vet says should clear it up.
We have to go back again in week for another check up but the vet was very positive about it all.
So with the medication and a change of rules concerning litter trays (to prevent my other cats catching it) and hoping when she is allowed out again that she stops catching mice hopefully she will be fine
Again thank you everyone
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post #8 of 8
1/28/10 at 7:32pm
Marlowe, my first cat, was blind from kittenhood (we think) due to some kind of head trauma. I adopted him after he was overlooked in shelters for two years. He was amazing! As long as you didn't move the furniture too often, you'd never know he was blind. His hearing and sense of touch were extraordinary, even for a cat. IMO, blind kitties are pretty fantastic; it really isn't as psychologically devastating as it is for humans.
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