Blindness after dental cleaning

auntcakescats

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I took both my 11 year old cats to the vet for dental cleaning and about 2 hours after the procedure he said Baxter went into pulmonary edema and is now blind.  The other kitty (Bob) had no complications post op but I noticed that night his pupils wouldn't constrict and when I took him in the next morning they agreed that there was no pupil movement.  He moves around ok without running into things but he's very sensitive to light.  The blind kitty had to go back to the vet hospital the night of surgery because he became so agitated I thought his little heart would jump right out of his chest.  They told me it was a 1 in a thousand complication, so how did it happen to both my cats?
 
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mrsgreenjeens

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I have heard of this happening before (very rare), but sometimes it's not actually permanent.  Did the Vet mention that?  I've read that their vision could return in from 3 - 5 weeks, although there is no guarantee. 


Our friends' cat went blind from high blood pressure, and he actually got along just find (he was older too, like your cats).  He only had problems when shoes were left out or in the kitchen when the cabinets were open or the dishwasher was open.  Otherwise he was his normal purr machine self
 

iandack

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My 13 year old cat went to have a tooth removed two days ago and when I went to collect her they said she's stopped breathing while under and struggled to wake up. When she did so her back legs didn't work and she had gone blind. They kept her in overnight and I picked her up yesterday morning. Her legs are fine now but she cannot see, apart from light and dark, which she reacts to. She's just showing me how adaptable cats are. She hasn't panicked at all. She spent a lot of yesterday walking back and forth from room to room and along the walls, as though she was mapping the place, and is already climbing onto the furniture to sleep. She goes to her basket when she wants and she is finding and using the litter tray. I daren't let her in the garden just yet though!
 

white shadow

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Welcome to the forum, iandack!

First, a "disclaimer" - no diagnoses should be expected on this forum. People may suggest issues/factors based on personal experience/knowledge, but no one here is equipped, nor is it possible to go beyond that.

That said, you need to know that what you've described is NOT "normal"...NOT to be expected...POSSIBLY REVERSIBLE.

Sudden loss of vision is most often the result of an increase in blood pressure - high blood pressure (hypertension) can cause retinal detachment.....which, if treated EARLY can be reversed and full vision restored.

Because you also indicated that she "struggled to wake up. When she did so her back legs didn't work"........that might suggest a stroke, again hypertension-related.

There are rare cases of post-anesthesia blindness caused by the loss/lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Sometimes cats will recover vision days or weeks afterwards. One case where there was recovery is related here http://www.thecatsite.com/t/110913/blindness-after-sedation

IF this happened to one of my cats, I would find the closest feline-only Vet clinic and have the cat seen there PRONTO.

IF hypertension-related blindness is treated quickly - within a few days - vision may be restored.

From your description of her recovery from anesthesia, I would have many serious questions centering around a deficiency/lack of blood pressure monitoring during and after the procedure.

UNLESS there are some other critical facts missing from your account *, I would urge you NOT to be complacent with this outcome and to GET A SECOND ASSESSMENT/OPINION from a COMPETENT FELINE VETERINARIAN ASAP.

*if hypertension was considered, assessed and dismissed as the causative factor

IF there is a Veterinary College reasonably nearby, that would be my first choice - you can look here http://www.aavmc.org/Member-Institutions.aspx

In any case, immediate action is key. Today is the third day into this for her....no time to waste, even if it means the ER.

You also said "I daren't let her in the garden just yet".......so long as she is without vision, she should NOT be outside unless on a leash or in an enclosure.
 

iandack

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Thanks for the reply. I had her checked and her blood pressure is normal. This vet said it was probably a mini-stroke. She appears to be healthy. Pupils are reacting properly but her brain isn't processing the information. She seemed to be able to see a tin of food I was holding earlier but this evening was unable to see my hand in front of her face. She's finding her way around okay especially if all the lights are on and is using the litter tray and her basket. It doesn't seem like there is anything I can do apart from wait and see how she does.
 

iandack

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I spent some time escape proofing the garden today and let the cat out for a while, with close supervision. She clearly has some sort of vision as she was able to negotiate / jump over obstacles. I'm very encouraged. After a few minutes she went back inside and has been noticeably happier since. I would never let her out unsupervised though. My garden is surrounded by walls - I blocked the only escape route! She also responded to a laser pointer this morning.
 

white shadow

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So glad that you've replied, "glader" that there appears to be some improvement in her vision! That is so very encouraging! Whether a stroke, hypoxia or a combination...many cats' histories do show slow progressive recoveries.

I'm relieved with what you've said about the garden...I also feel a wee bit embarrassed that I may have over-reacted to what you had originally posted. I felt I had to make the point, however, because we have lots of experience with people who do come here knowing (what seems to be) absolutely nothing about cats!!! In any event, if a cat's welfare is the focus here, I suppose any amount of emphasis used without disrespecting the poster is understandable.

So, what's this kitty's name?
 

iandack

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No, you didn't over-react at all - for all you know my garden could be open to the road! Fortunately it's walled in - the only escape is under a gate, which I've blocked.

I'm so happy that the cat's vision is returning and is better and better each day. She is even able to chase a laser pointer now, as long as I keep the dot close to her. She still can't see things across the room properly. She had a check-up yesterday and the vet was pleased (and relieved) that her 'tracking' vision was back, and she has a follow-up next week. It is almost as if she is very, very, very, very, very short sighted now. She's adapting to life indoors but keeps trying to get out all the same. I take her outside in the garden every afternoon, but I won't let her out alone until I am confident she can see well enough.

The other cat, who dislikes the great outdoors, is delighted that there is now a litter tray in the house!

A week a go I was unable to sleep because I was afraid she wouldn't be coming home from the vets. It's only now I realise how attached I am to both of my cats.
 

iandack

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Just a quick update. My cat now, miraculously, appears to be fully recovered. She is playing like a kitten and back to her old self.

I guess I'll never know what caused the blindness. I'm just thankful the cat got better.

Thanks for your support.
 
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