CAT WENT BLIND OVER WEEKEND ! HELP !

buono1204

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My poor cat went blind over the past week, I noticed her one of her eyes was a lot more dilated than the other, a few days later both eyes were huge and letting in no light.  I also noticed her acting a little defensive so I took her to the Vet, she had all her blood work and her liver and kidneys are fine, everything is good with bloodwork, no high blood pressure.  Then I took her to a vet-Opthamologist and there is nothing wrong with the Iris or the eye itself.  The problem is either the optic nerve or a brain tumor/disease.  She is 15 years old, eats Fancy Feast wet food for last 5 years, salmon, whitefish or cod.  Has anyone had experience with their cat going blind so fast?  Can she live like this?  I'm very worried for her, if anyone had been in a similar situation, please give advice or experience.  Thank you.  

HER EYES ARE NO LONGER GREEN AT ALL, COMPLETELY BLACK.  PUPIL IS LETTING ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHT IN.  
 

Draco

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I think it's all the fish-based food she was eating.. they have no taurine- which is a vitamin for eye health. Sounds like she has taurine deficiency-- though I am not a vet- only a vet can determine that. I suggest a vet to test her blood for this

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_taurine_deficiency

Taurine can be found in non-fish meat (rabbit, cow, birds, etc)
 

peaches08

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Other than the Fancy Feast appetizers, I think all of the Fancy Feast foods are balanced. 

Does she have any other symptoms?  Was blood work done?
 
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buono1204

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OK Got SOME Good news I think.  The Vet called and said that she tested positive for a parasite, Toxoplasmosis, which can cause blindness.  I just gave her the first pill of Clindamycin.  Now does anyone know if the blindness can be reversed?  I hope she can get SOME vision back at least.  She's having a hard time with it obviously, she is walking really slow, she is slightly growling in a low tone sometimes when people go near her, she has bit all of us in the past week which is extremely rare however we were sticking our hands in her face when she was growling to try and pet her or comfort her.  I hope she gets better, she's not happy at all.  Thank you for your fast response
 
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buono1204

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It's Toxoplasmosis, Vet called.  
 

pinkdagger

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She probably feels very disoriented right now, so ensure you're making no or very minimal changes to the layout of your furniture or rooms. She'll need the consistency and familiarity to get around if she doesn't have vision working for her, but cats with low or no vision also adapt very well with time. Approach her slowly, and give her some aural cues that you're nearby to avoid spooking her.

It looks like toxoplasmosis also effects humans, so be cautious about cleanliness too - the symptoms for humans aren't as severe, especially for healthy adults, but surely something you don't want to deal with as well. I did find that when it's treated, it can leave scarring on the eye (for humans) but there is hope for potentially restoring some sight:
Toxoplasmosis affects the retina, the light-sensitive cells lining the back of the eye. Both eyes are usually involved. If the infection settles in the macula, the area of the retina responsible for central vision, good vision is lost forever.

When toxoplasmosis heals, it leaves a scar. The infection may recur years later, sometimes near the previously infected area. Swelling that fights the infection may cause floating spots in one’s vision, red, painful eyes, and poor vision.
source: http://www.virginiaretina.com/wp1/toxoplasmosis/

Fancy Feast is supposed to be balanced and does appear to contain taurine, though I admit when I saw all the fish-based flavours, that was the top suspect in my mind as well. Hoping for the best for your kitty.
 
 
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mrsgreenjeens

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I've known elderly cats that went blind due to high blood pressure, and they DID adjust to it.  As pinkdagger said, just don't rearrange the furniture, try to keep all cabinet doors closed, don't keep the dishwasher door open, etc., and let her know when you are approaching her and she should be okay. 

What did the Vet say about her possibly regain any of her sight back?  Hopefully she will at least get some of it back, but if not, cats do adjust well.  Right now, however, she may be in some pain from it
 

furmonster mom

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Cats have most excellent hearing and smell, so if she loses her sight completely, she will most likely adapt with some time and patience.  As others have said, do try to keep from moving too many objects/furnishings around too much.  Unless it's a very smelly object, she'll most likely run into it. 

It might seem overwhelming, but she still has the potential for a happy life.
 

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Did She regain her sight? I hope so please LMK.. my cat is the same.. thx
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Did She regain her sight? I hope so please LMK.. my cat is the same.. thx
This thread is over 2 years old, so you may not get any response.  You might want to start up your own thread and tell us exactly what happend...what caused the blindness, etc.  Did this happen overnight, over a few days, did pupils dilate at the same time, different days, after a dental, etc.  Also, age of your furbaby.  Just as much info as possible.

 
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