We recently adopted a blind cat from a shelter. (I have 9 other cats, but was unable to resist her). Her back story was so sad (she had been adopted a couple of years ago and the woman, after two+ years returned her saying that she and the cat failed to bond). Really! It took you two years to realize this!
Anyway, the organization that she was returned to was the same organization that had originally adopted her out to this woman, and in the original adoption records there is no mention of blindness, so it is assumed that she became blind while in this womans' care. I fell in love with her almost immediately. I took her to an eye specialist to try to figure out what caused her to go blind (some blindness in cats is reversible, and I was hoping this might be the case). I was told that they could see no obvious reason for her blindness. The Doctor concluded that it was most likely either a disconnect between the nerves and blood vessels that connect her eyes to her brain, or worse yet, that maybe she had suffered brain damage. The Doctor also said that further testing would be invasive and would probably yield no further information than to determine the exact cause of her blindness, and would offer little hope of restoring her sight.
While still at the shelter she had a full veterinarian workup. (I was given all the paperwork regarding her vet visit at the time I adopted her). In addition, I have taken her to the specialist who can see no obvious reason her blindness. She has short stubby legs and a short stubby tail so I believe she may have the gene that causes dwarfism in cats.
The problem I am having is that she rarely gets out of her bed and I am worried about her quality of life. I bought special toys for her, ones with lots of textures and that make noise. She has her own room, cat tower, and scratching post, as well as her own toys (she does mingle with my other cats, but for her safety, only supervised due to her impairment). Yet she mostly lays in her cat bed. She does use her liter box, and comes out for food and water. If I go sit down near her (provided I am no more than a couple of feet away) she will come to me to be petted. But other than that she spend probably 22 hours out of a 24 hour day in her bed.
I have no previous experience with blind cats, but have done extensive research. From what I've learned blind cats typically behave just as cats with sight do, they adapt to the disability and use their other senses to "see", so to speak. So the fact that she is not behaving as a typical blind cat would makes me think that there is something else going on.
I would appreciate any suggestions, thoughts, or ideas on what may be causing her to behave like this. She displays no other signs of illness. I have bonded with her (I spend time reading to her, singing to her, etc.) and want to provide her with a good life but am unsure of how to proceed. I believe she has bonded with me as well. My kids are amazed by the fact that just the sound of my voice sets her off into purring.
I am desperate to help this poor little kitty so any suggestions will be more than welcome. She deserves more out of life than this!
Anyway, the organization that she was returned to was the same organization that had originally adopted her out to this woman, and in the original adoption records there is no mention of blindness, so it is assumed that she became blind while in this womans' care. I fell in love with her almost immediately. I took her to an eye specialist to try to figure out what caused her to go blind (some blindness in cats is reversible, and I was hoping this might be the case). I was told that they could see no obvious reason for her blindness. The Doctor concluded that it was most likely either a disconnect between the nerves and blood vessels that connect her eyes to her brain, or worse yet, that maybe she had suffered brain damage. The Doctor also said that further testing would be invasive and would probably yield no further information than to determine the exact cause of her blindness, and would offer little hope of restoring her sight.
While still at the shelter she had a full veterinarian workup. (I was given all the paperwork regarding her vet visit at the time I adopted her). In addition, I have taken her to the specialist who can see no obvious reason her blindness. She has short stubby legs and a short stubby tail so I believe she may have the gene that causes dwarfism in cats.
The problem I am having is that she rarely gets out of her bed and I am worried about her quality of life. I bought special toys for her, ones with lots of textures and that make noise. She has her own room, cat tower, and scratching post, as well as her own toys (she does mingle with my other cats, but for her safety, only supervised due to her impairment). Yet she mostly lays in her cat bed. She does use her liter box, and comes out for food and water. If I go sit down near her (provided I am no more than a couple of feet away) she will come to me to be petted. But other than that she spend probably 22 hours out of a 24 hour day in her bed.
I have no previous experience with blind cats, but have done extensive research. From what I've learned blind cats typically behave just as cats with sight do, they adapt to the disability and use their other senses to "see", so to speak. So the fact that she is not behaving as a typical blind cat would makes me think that there is something else going on.
I would appreciate any suggestions, thoughts, or ideas on what may be causing her to behave like this. She displays no other signs of illness. I have bonded with her (I spend time reading to her, singing to her, etc.) and want to provide her with a good life but am unsure of how to proceed. I believe she has bonded with me as well. My kids are amazed by the fact that just the sound of my voice sets her off into purring.
I am desperate to help this poor little kitty so any suggestions will be more than welcome. She deserves more out of life than this!
