Cat needs eye removed

Hello
I just joined this sight as today vet informed me my cat of five years needs his eye removed after a cat fight at the weekend, we had rushed him to the vet and been giving antibiotics but today I knew he was not improving so took him back where they say the eye needs to he removed tomorrow . I am heartbroken to say the least my cat loves playing outside and I have been looking online and read cats with one eye need to be kept inside . If anyone can share any advice on this and what sort of quality of life hd will now have xxthx Emma

There are members here with cats with one eye. Their quality of life is great. I do believe they are all indoor cats now although some were feral rescues.

Maybe you could build a safe enclosure for your cat so he can still enjoy the outdoors but be safe from any predators or other cats? You could also try leash training and take him for walks.

My dog got into a fight and had to have his eye removed too, he was almost a cat, a 3 lb. Yorkie. They stitched his eyelid together, and to tell you the truth, he acted the same and did everything as he did before, including going outside.I don't know why your cat would have to be kept inside, if you are supervising outdoors he could have some sun. Did they say why? Maybe their depth perception would be off, but you could watch him and see. If they are worried about danger, I would think his hearing would pick up on anything coming. I did leash train my cats, that might work too. You will be amazed on how fast he will adjust. Cats accept an injury like this and learn to adjust a LOT faster and better then we do! I would just take it slowly and see how he does. Good luck, and please keep us posted. (and follow your vets advise!) 

Well, my kitties are all indoor-only to begin with, so I really can't help with those concerns (though they are all feral rescues so lived full time outside before being rescued. They adjusted to indoor life just fine! In fact, none of them ever seemed to miss being outside. :lol3: ).

To keep him happy inside, you may need to spend more time with him, playing with interactive toys and such. But many people keep their cats indoors-only, just because it's safer for them. The alternative is enclosing an area outside so he can't roam.

Maybe you could fence in your yard? I don't know where you live or whether that's an option or not, but just putting the idea out there. In the U.S., there are "cat proof" extensions you can add to a fence that prevent other cats from getting in, and your cats getting out. But if his eye needs to be removed from a cat fight, sounds like you'd want to do something to protect him anyway. :rub:

As to his eye being removed, he'll adjust without any trouble! Our Flowerbelle lost her eye to the herpes virus. We fought for some time to keep it, but lost the battle. For her, her energy went up a million percent after having it removed. She did need a few weeks to adjust her understanding of distance and depth (we have cat trees and all kinds of levels set up inside so the cats can really run and jump around vertically, something else you may want to do now that he'll be mostly indoors) - but their whiskers also really help with this, so they don't miss an eye as much as a person would.

Vibes that all goes well with the surgery and recovery! Catspaw also has a kitty with an eye removed. Her recovery wasn't as smooth as Flowerbelle's was; the socket became infected, I think it was? I'm sure he'll be on to share his thoughts and experience. But Flowerbelle didn't even need a cone - she didn't bother the stitches at all, and her eye healed up without any trouble. :cross:

for your kitties surgery. He will be alright. Cats do remarkably well with one eye. Flowerbelle (:rub above is just one excellent example. There are many other members with cats that have had their eye enucleated. I try to make time each day to have a couple of interactive play sessions with my cats. Lots of toys, cat trees and special treats and meals during the day. They are very happy being indoors and are so much safer. I like the idea of a outdoor cat enclosure though and am hoping one day to offer my cats that option. Best to you and your kitty.