HELP! I found a blind kitten last night...

I hate to make a newbie post like this, but I need help.

I found a blind kitten last night -- I found him crying cold and wet in the dark. His eyes look normal (clear and green) but he can't see. Otherwise he appears to be in good health except for some scrapes on one of his ears.

He's weaned and I've gotten him to eat dry cat food moistened with water. He hasn't drank anything yet and he has NOT gone potty yet either. Although, he does make very ackward attempts to grrom himself.

Also, he walks around very ackwardly (stiff like Frankenstein) and he doesn't have very good balance.

He's very timid, gentle and loving. He purrs like a motorboat and nuzzles if you let him. He like to have his belly rubbed too.

PLEASE help with any insights suggestions or advice -- I'm not new to cats/kittens but I've never had a blind one before.

Thanks!
Jeff

I would say he needs to see a vet as soon as possible.

And go to the kitten care thread, there are "sticky" posts at the top with lots of info on kitten care. The awkward stiff gait, and poor balance may indicate he is very young, and needs kitten formula.

Best of luck with this tiny guy!

how do you know he is blind?

First thing you should do is have him checked out by a vet, then they can tell you the best coarse of action from there.

Originally Posted by fwan

how do you know he is blind?

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He has no reaction to light or motion.

There are no vets open today or tomorrow in our town.

Definitely take this kitten to a vet. It may have some disease, that can be transmitted to humans or other pets. You didn't say if you have other pets but, if you do, keep this one isolated from them and wash your hands thoroughly, after handling the kitten.

What about an emergency animal hospital. Or if you call an actual vet office, they ususally have an after hours emergency line to call. You dont have to take him in, but you could call and get some more advice and see what they recommend.

Originally Posted by JuDGe

There are no vets open today or tomorrow in our town.

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There aren't any vets open in our town today or tomorrow...

Originally Posted by JuDGe

There aren't any vets open in our town today or tomorrow...

Click to expand...

Try and get him to a vet on Tuesday, to rule out any diseases. Keep him inside, too, and crawl around your place, looking for potential dangers (dangling cords, open toilet seats, etc.) You might want to restrict him to one room right now, and gradually let him explore others. Don't rearrange your furniture. Blindness isn't a major obstacle to most dogs or cats, since their hearing and sense of smell is much better than humans'. BTW, he's absolutely adorable!

He looks very thin - It might be just the photos but he seems a bit too bony. Try and get some high energy kitten food into him over the next couple of days and get a checkup as soon as you can. Keep him warm too.
And yes, blindness is not always such a big thing for cats - My parents cat is has gone completely blind and still catches mice outside in the long grass!!
Smell and touch and sound will be extra important to him though - keep that in mind
Goodluck, he looks like a sweetie!!

Are you sure he is blind? His pupils are not dilated. Blind cats often have dilated pupils.

He looks lovely. Im sure he will be Ok until you can find a vet open. It sounds like you are willing to look after him until then. Just keep him warm and well fed in the meantime. Let us all know what the vet says when you finally manage to get him there.

He is a cutie. Thank you for taking him in. Hopefully when you are able to get him to the vet everything will check out ok. I've also heard that blind cats and dogs get around quite well and live full, happy lives. He's so cute and tiny!

Update:

The kitten isn't blind afterall. He does, however, have neurological damage -- the Vet said it was probably from a virus he contracted while still in the womb.

One of the Vet's technicians has a rescue and she offered to take him so that's where he's at now and forever.

Originally Posted by JuDGe

Update:

The kitten isn't blind afterall. He does, however, have neurological damage -- the Vet said it was probably from a virus he contracted while still in the womb.

One of the Vet's technicians has a rescue and she offered to take him so that's where he's at now and forever.

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What a great ending to this little guys' story! Obviously you found a terrific vet clinic! Thanks for taking care of this special little boy.

Glad he got a good home!

Awww Jeff what a lovely ending. I would've had to keep him tho!! I'm so pleased you picked him up.. a lot of others (no one in this forum mind) would've just left him...