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kittens mom · Aug 27, 2015

I'm new here.

Both of my cats came down with an URI last week. The one had nothing more than a runny eye and sneeze. My other cat , Kitten had it much worse. Off to the vet right ? The vet was concerned that it was moving into her lungs and felt that supportive care was no longer the best option and started her on an antibiotic.

Until one week ago I had never heard of Baytril. Aside from shots our cats have always been healthy. Long story short. The vet calculated the dose by her pound weight but in kilo dose. She was given over twice the dose for a cat her size. 68mg instead of 30mg. at about 1 am this Wednesday I got up and went to check on her and noticed she was behaving oddly. Her eyes were dilated and she seemed confused. I called my hubs at work and he headed home so we could make the long drive to the nearest city and an ER vet. While waiting I googled this drug and my heart dropped. ASPCA poison control and the vets at the hospital were pretty clear the OD caused retinal degeneration. She has some eyesight left as she will follow your finger of a noiseless object across the floor. The only suggestion was 200 units of vitamin E once a day for a week and to keep her away from any UV light. I'm pretty sure it's something to keep us busy till we adjust.

Kitten is handling it quite well. We keep a normal routine with her and will need to find ways to enrich her life as we go along.

Kitten is eating, drinking water, using the litter box and even had a good run at her scratching post. She engaged in some play last night and even used some purr. Any suggestions to keep moving forward in a positive manner for her are welcomed.

mrsgreenjeens · Aug 28, 2015

So she is not completely blind? I guess there is no way of knowing whether or not the Vit E will work until the 7 day treatment is finished

.

Cats, especially kittens, adjust well to disabilities...much better than we do. If she is totally blind when all is said and done, then I would suggest starting up another thread with that in your thread name, so people who have blind cats can immediately see it and come to your aide. I know we have one Advisor, @StephenQ, who has a blind cat who gets around famously...even climbs ladders! I've tagged him for you.

the the Vit E works

kittens mom · Aug 28, 2015

I'm probably more rational today. Kitten is her name not her age. She's 10 now. Total blindness is still very much on the table. We have not been able to get a reliable answer to how much the vet injected her with this past Saturday. We have started the process of filing a formal complaint with the State Veterinary Board.

The ER vet said that since we were 3 hours from the next dose that she would likely not degenerate further. The VE is supposed to do something or help something in her eyes but to be honest I can't remember.

We have a consult with a vet who can examine her eyes and perhaps give us a clue if what we have is stable. I'm guessing she might need several exams. The ER vet was very clear what is lost is not coming back.

We have decided to treat her as a normal cat and make modifications as needed. Keeping her normal routine we hope will keep her from retreating into a shell.

It's very hard to gauge what she knows, senses and actually sees. Our biggest concern is for her continued quality of life through her eyes not ours.

stephenq · Aug 29, 2015

Kittens Mom said:
I'm probably more rational today. Kitten is her name not her age. She's 10 now. Total blindness is still very much on the table. We have not been able to get a reliable answer to how much the vet injected her with this past Saturday. We have started the process of filing a formal complaint with the State Veterinary Board.

The ER vet said that since we were 3 hours from the next dose that she would likely not degenerate further. The VE is supposed to do something or help something in her eyes but to be honest I can't remember.

We have a consult with a vet who can examine her eyes and perhaps give us a clue if what we have is stable. I'm guessing she might need several exams. The ER vet was very clear what is lost is not coming back.

We have decided to treat her as a normal cat and make modifications as needed. Keeping her normal routine we hope will keep her from retreating into a shell.

It's very hard to gauge what she knows, senses and actually sees. Our biggest concern is for her continued quality of life through her eyes not ours.

Hi

Loss of sight is a known although rare complication to Baytril use in cats, and for that reason its only prescribed when needed, usually for urinary tract infections. URI's usually get Amoxi, or Clavamox or Doxycycline. It sounds like you will be changing vets.

As @mrsgreenjeens said i have a completely blind cat, born that way and her life is normal. Your cat may need some adjustment time as this is new for her, but she should adapt just fine and have a happy life. People often ask me what i do to help my blind cat and other than provide a consistent layout for her, not very much seems needed but we do talk to her constantly to let her know that we are there and where we are. Your cat should learn to create maps in her head that will guide her. In time it may appear that she can almost see, and in a sense she will, there is evidence that sound and spatial memory move into the visual part of the brain, this done from MRI's done on blind people.

Oh and we keep the toilet lids down. :-)

If you want to see how happy our blind cat is you can view her public facebook page at www.facebook.com/jennytheblindcat - you don't even have to be a user to view it.

I'm sorry for what she's had to go through and i wish you the best. Let me know if you have more questions.

kittens mom · Aug 29, 2015

Thank you. StephenQ.

As you can guess we are heartbroken and angry. We aren't mad at a vet that couldn't fix a problem. We are infuriated that a vet with many years of practice gave our cat over twice the upper limit for her body weight. It's not even a new drug where there is debate about the danger of using it in cats. My cat is blind 100% because of negligence. Whatever we can do legally is going to be done.

Be that as it may she is a hand raised baby and very connected. When I'm upset , she goes on alert. So No more laying on the floor doubled over in a fetal position screaming at the universe. She is not in an urn on the shelf. I may need an occasional foot up the backside to remember that.

The obvious has been done. Update her status on her avid chip and order a medical alert tag , very tiny for her collar. Appointment with a specialist next week. Last night as soon as my head hit the pillow she decided to patrol the house. I followed and as expected she showed me areas that will need further cat proofing. She walks like she always has. Tail up and poofed for maximum display of its glory and a strut. When she's unsure she sits down then proceeds with caution sniffing and feeling with her paw. She also managed to acquire the two 75 dollar down designer pillows on the sofa she's been aiming for since we got them. Plus my hello kitty bathrobe on top.

Sad to say Kitten is coping better than either of us.

You have a lovely FB page. Cats seem to be cats no matter what. We are committed to taking care of her Positive forward momentum right?

I used clicker training on my horses. She had some years ago I'm trying to figure out if that would be beneficial as a way to work with her now ?

stephanietx · Aug 29, 2015

I'm so sorry you're going through this. What a difficult situation for you, though your kitty seems to be adapting well. Keep us posted on her progress and what the specialist says.

kittens mom · Aug 29, 2015

Thank you The support is priceless and I hope to offer the same to others when I'm able to see past my own problem.

stephenq · Aug 30, 2015

Kittens Mom said:
Thank you. StephenQ.

As you can guess we are heartbroken and angry. We aren't mad at a vet that couldn't fix a problem. We are infuriated that a vet with many years of practice gave our cat over twice the upper limit for her body weight. It's not even a new drug where there is debate about the danger of using it in cats. My cat is blind 100% because of negligence. Whatever we can do legally is going to be done.

Be that as it may she is a hand raised baby and very connected. When I'm upset , she goes on alert. So No more laying on the floor doubled over in a fetal position screaming at the universe. She is not in an urn on the shelf. I may need an occasional foot up the backside to remember that.

The obvious has been done. Update her status on her avid chip and order a medical alert tag , very tiny for her collar. Appointment with a specialist next week. Last night as soon as my head hit the pillow she decided to patrol the house. I followed and as expected she showed me areas that will need further cat proofing. She walks like she always has. Tail up and poofed for maximum display of its glory and a strut. When she's unsure she sits down then proceeds with caution sniffing and feeling with her paw. She also managed to acquire the two 75 dollar down designer pillows on the sofa she's been aiming for since we got them. Plus my hello kitty bathrobe on top.

Sad to say Kitten is coping better than either of us.

You have a lovely FB page. Cats seem to be cats no matter what. We are committed to taking care of her Positive forward momentum right?

I used clicker training on my horses. She had some years ago I'm trying to figure out if that would be beneficial as a way to work with her now ?

It sounds like your kitten will be fine, and while things are diminished for her in some ways, in other ways they really aren't, and as medical complications go, this one sounds terrible on paper but in reality may be fine from her POV. Focus on her, there isn't much you can do about the vet, except report to state board, yelp.com might be more effective, but once this has all calmed down, a face to face conversation with the vet with an opportunity for them to apologize and explain may be helpful, either in humanizing them and the error, or showing you that they are idiots, could go either way, but either could be helpful to you.

Clicker training could be great. You've done great.

Stay in touch and thanks for liking Jenny's page, hopefully it shows you that a happy life filled with potential is just as available to your kitten.

mrsgreenjeens · Aug 30, 2015

So it sounds like she's definitely adapting better than you are

. You'll get there, especially as you see how well SHE'S doing. I just had to laugh at your post about the down pillows. They certainly know how to wrap us around their little paws, don't they? Blind or not

Anyway, our best friends' cat went blind due to high blood pressure, and he also did very well, even though it happened at a fairly advanced age, and the only thing that caused any issues at all was if they inadvertently left the dishwasher door down, or a cabinet door open, while working around in the kitchen. Because, naturally, if they were in the kitchen, DJ would be hanging out there with them, and sometimes he would bump into the aforementioned items if they weren't in their proper place (closed

). This all goes along with what StephenQ said about "providing a consistent layout". After that, the sky is the limit, as you could see from Jenny's FB page.

stephenq · Aug 30, 2015

I will add that we've taught her to pretty much stop moving if she's about to bump into something by using her name in a very stern voice "jenny no!" Which I believe we've been able to teach her this because we never use that voice for any other reason.

If we encourage her to follow us it's always in a clear path so we won't lead her to bump into things.

Yes we take her outside on vacation as you can see from her fb page but it's a very safe place and we're always with her. She doesn't run off....because she's blind

And she has claws of course, even more important for a blind cat to help prevent falls etc.

And if you pick her up and carry her around your home it's always good to either set her down in the same spot or a place she will clearly recognize by touch or smell etc.

At the beginning you can help orient her in the home with sound and scent like a small water fountain or some potpourri strategically located. A change in texture is really good at a place where an important "intersection" is like a staircase as an example so if the base of the stairs was hardwood, a thin mat (carpet, vinyl etc) at the base of the stairs will clearly teach her that she is at the stairs and can turn.

But regardless she will map your home in her own way.

We are blessed to have a blind cat, she has taught us so much and while I would never wish this on anyone I confident that all of you will have a great life together. And if you make her/him her own fb page then s/he and jenny can become friends.

stephanietx · Aug 30, 2015

If you're not familiar with Blind Cat Rescue and Oskar, the Blind Cat, you might want to do some research and look them up. I think you would be encouraged by both and see how well blind cats can function.

kittens mom · Aug 30, 2015

StephenQ said:
It sounds like your kitten will be fine, and while things are diminished for her in some ways, in other ways they really aren't, and as medical complications go, this one sounds terrible on paper but in reality may be fine from her POV. Focus on her, there isn't much you can do about the vet, except report to state board, yelp.com might be more effective, but once this has all calmed down, a face to face conversation with the vet with an opportunity for them to apologize and explain may be helpful, either in humanizing them and the error, or showing you that they are idiots, could go either way, but either could be helpful to you.

Clicker training could be great. You've done great.

Stay in touch and thanks for liking Jenny's page, hopefully it shows you that a happy life filled with potential is just as available to your kitten.

Oddly I quite like this woman and her ability to handle cats. I don't see her as an ogre or incompetent. She did make one heck of a mistake. Sorry is a cheap word when it isn't followed up by action. In this case it needs to be her check book She caused permanent injury through neglect. What I want to know from her is what did she take away from this ? The fact that our Kitten, My Gumdrop of Happiness, My Sugar Pot Pie is adjusting doesn't mitigate the seriousness of the situation.

I realized today that without realizing it I tap the surface of everything when I want them to go to a spot. She followed that tap Both cats answer to their names.

I read on one of your FB posts that Jenny got scared when you were gone. How do you handle it when no one is home. Is she free to roam ? Do you confine her ? She is used to being crated and it does not stress her. Right now would it be better to do that if we aren't home for a few hours. I work from home. Not forever but for the present ? We've already spoken to our regular cat sitter. He didn't run screaming.

stephanietx · Aug 30, 2015

If you have other kitties in the house, one might become a "seeing companion" for your blind girl. It will be interesting to see how things develop for your kitty family. You might try calming agents such as Feliway or Rescue Remedy or some of the Spirit Essences products.

kittens mom · Aug 30, 2015

stephanietx said:
If you have other kitties in the house, one might become a "seeing companion" for your blind girl. It will be interesting to see how things develop for your kitty family. You might try calming agents such as Feliway or Rescue Remedy or some of the Spirit Essences products.

I've had excellent results with rescue remedy in horses. There is lovely woman who formulates them by hand nearby. Our other cat is quite observant of her right now. Knows something is different.

stephenq · Aug 31, 2015

Kittens Mom said:
Oddly I quite like this woman and her ability to handle cats. I don't see her as an ogre or incompetent. She did make one heck of a mistake. Sorry is a cheap word when it isn't followed up by action. In this case it needs to be her check book She caused permanent injury through neglect. What I want to know from her is what did she take away from this ? The fact that our Kitten, My Gumdrop of Happiness, My Sugar Pot Pie is adjusting doesn't mitigate the seriousness of the situation.

I realized today that without realizing it I tap the surface of everything when I want them to go to a spot. She followed that tap Both cats answer to their names.

I read on one of your FB posts that Jenny got scared when you were gone. How do you handle it when no one is home. Is she free to roam ? Do you confine her ? She is used to being crated and it does not stress her. Right now would it be better to do that if we aren't home for a few hours. I work from home. Not forever but for the present ? We've already spoken to our regular cat sitter. He didn't run screaming.

I agree, a refund at the least, and perhaps some additional some future consideration like some wellness visits would be a nice gesture.

Re: Jenny, first let tell you that the incident when she got scared was an outlier, we never found the cause, and she has never reacted that way before or after in almost 4 years. No we don't confine her when we're ot, she would hate it, and it would serve no useful purpose. She is completely adapted to the home. The only thing i would want to be confident about in your case before i left her alone would be to make sure there was nothing she could get into, and particularly on top of that would cause her to become stuck.

stephenq · Aug 31, 2015

There is also a great book about a blind cat named Homer called Homer's Odyssey see:

kittens mom · Aug 31, 2015

I do block off several rooms at night so I can sleep. I really need sleep. I really , really need some consecutive hours of sleep.

She has stopped laying in the litter box room. It's pretty clean in there but still. I guess it felt safe. She has moved off the floor and is back on one of her rotating favorite perches.

She has found an alternate route off the kitchen bar, which is theirs by default , that is easier.

She just went to jump up and got muddled. Circled came back and made it up fine.

I have no idea how this vet is going to behave. I hope it is a royal kick in the pants to never get complacent about what you think you know. As a lifelong horse trainer I know everything about horses once the current one is going well. And nothing when starting a new one.

All that said right now and probably here someone's heart is torn out because their cat has passed. It feels truly disrespectful to be wallowing.

stephanietx · Aug 31, 2015

You are also grieving the loss of your kitty's sight and the full trust and faith in your vet. I think we all agree to that and you're not wallowing. It's a shock, for sure, and we're here to help you walk through it.

kittens mom · Aug 31, 2015

I diligently burrito wrapped my cat and stuffed a toxic dose of medication down her throat for three days.

my logical mind knows I was following the vets directions.

My heart feels like a black hole for blinding my cat.

Today was the ophthalmologist

She has more vision in her right than left.

Barring any complications sudden onset blindness from baytril , the retinal degeneration ceases when the drug is removed.

Due to the effects of the URI the vet prescribed antibiotic eye ointment. and an anti viral. The anti viral was our option to try and avoid any further complications.

The vet wanted to run 1400 dollars worth of tests. I get it but the vet hospital is way overpriced. I am thankful for it being there don't get me wrong. I am thankful it was there. And that it is staffed with vets who specialize. Not an easy find here.

Do you know what the worst part of the day was. Stopping at PetSmart and finding out they don't carry PitterPats anymore. The one freaking treat this cat will do something for.

stephenq · Sep 1, 2015

Kittens Mom said:

Many flavors at Amazon if this is what you're looking for
and petsmart online http://www.petsmart.com/cat/crunchy...ath-cat-treats-zid36-3081/cat-36-catid-200051

I agree with @stephanietx, you're not wallowing you're grieving, and we will try and help. The woman who answers the phone at the ASPCA Grief Hotline is a friend of mine, she is amazing, and she takes all sorts of calls and has heard it all. The service is free. (877) GRIEF-10. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-loss

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Every Life Should Have Nine Cats

Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Every Life Should Have Nine Cats

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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