Hello cat friends :)

Hi all!

I joined this site as I am desperately in need of support as a generally new cat mom!

I have two cats Kiko and Merp.

I got Merp over a year ago and he was already a fully grown, independent and healthy cat. He was roughly two years old and given to me by a friend who had to move away.


He is a very proud and loving cat and requires very basic care from me!

Kiko on the other hand is much different.


Kiko was a stray cat that I brought in roughly four months ago. I'm pretty sure she is about 9 months old. Kiko was diagnosed with feline herpes and recently she lost her eye.

I feel absolutely awful about this. She is still in recovery mode. Back to the vets on tuesday and will have her stitches removed on Friday.

Merps independence led me to believe that she would be similar. This is my first time owning cats so I've no prior experience into their care

Kikos other eye is scarred due to a previous ulcer on her eye. The vet said if she loses her second eye then she will need to be put down.

I really feel as though its my fault she lost her eye in the first place. Her eye was sore and she was treated with tablets and drops but it didnt get better and instead became infected.

Then I also read online that a change in routine can cause the cat to get sick. Kiko has been with me all summer and I wonder is my return to college causing her some anxiety.

I don't want her to get sick again so I'm here to get as much advice as possible in keeping her happy and healthy.

thank you

Sarah 

xxx

Hi Sarak. Welcome to the cat site! Your kitties are beautiful!

Please don't feel guilty about Kiko's eye. Your heart was in the right place.

And putting a blind kitty to sleep sounds a bit strange to me, I'd assume she would just need to be an indoors cat and you'd need to help her out a bit more. 

My new kitten passed on the Feline Calicivirus awhile ago even though she was inoculated against it. I'm sure you have both cats shots up to date?

Herpes can flare up with stress or if they are feeling under the weather. As you know, vets perscribe anti- virals. 

I've heard from members that L-lysine supplementation helps their cats when they have outbreaks.  

You may want to try playing some soothing kitty music for the cats, at least while you're away for the day.

Virgin Coconut Oil will protect against most infections, and is also a natural anti-inflammatory.

Does Music Help Alleviate Your Pet's Stress?

 - The Right Music can Help Pets Heal

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/03/28/music-healing-effects.aspx#!

"Coconut Oil in Your Pet's Diet"

- Dr. Karen Becker DVM discusses the importance of Coconut oil in your pet's diet. 

moorspede said:

And putting a blind kitty to sleep sounds a bit strange to me, I'd assume she would just need to be an indoors cat and you'd need to help her out a bit more. 

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Please do post in the Health forum for help with Kiko's health issues.  Here's an article about blind kitties you might find interesting.  Best of luck with your kitties and welcome to TCS.     

MOD NOTE:  Just a reminder about alternative treatments.  Please read our guidelines here  and be sure to check with your vet before starting any treatment for your cat.

Welcome! Both are beautiful cats. Kiko has a beautiful tail too!!

I am sure Kiko will do fine without an eye.. not your fault!

Welcome.  I'm the cat father of a wonderful little girl with no eyes due to an infection she developed while still living in a feral colony before someone rescued her.  She's my avatar picture.  Lizzy lived on the streets for three years prior to someone trapping her and she's become an absolutely wonderful loving little girl since we brought her home.  If there are no other health issues then please don't listen to the vet's advice on putting her down.  She can absolutely live a happy life without her eyes.  I'd recommend not moving the furniture frequently  but when we make a change we generally 'show' it to her and she learns quickly where things are.   Folks coming over to visit would never guess she is blind based on how fast she runs through the house.