Found tiny kitty, he's blind...

Any updates on the little one?

I've been meaning to write but only just got the chance.

He came back from the vet on Saturday. I'm still putting antibiotic cream on his eyes. He is still blind and most probably will stay that way but vet says he's still too young to tell what will become of his eyes, will they be removed? etc...
He's eating very well and has put on a bit of weight. His arms are a little bit thicker and he feels more full to the touch.

We're still on vacation in the small town we found him and will be heading back home on Monday. I'll be posting his pix after that.

He's so much better in terms of attitude! He's Mr; Purrrrrr He loves everyone and everyone loves him. He even plays in the garden. He hops after us when we meow at him but won't come when called by name or he won't respond to "here kitty" He likes to reach out with his paws and gently touch our lips and chins when we talk

No such luck with the other cats. Both the adults hiss at him and run away when they see him from a distance. I don't want them to get close yet, he can't see them so he doesn't know what's going on and he's still too weak and young.

That's about it for now. Thank you all, really, for your support and positive thoughts and prayers!

I'll write back again when things progress.

Thank you for the update. He's a little trooper Wishing him a miracle of some vision returning.

Awww...he sounds like such a cutie!

As far as being blind...my foster cat Damita is mostly blind. I have 4 other cats & 2 large dogs. One dog is still puppy, a 50 lb.s Lab, & the other is a very energetic breed, she dances a lot, a 90 lb. GSP/Lab mix. Damita gets along fine with them. I think that once Zatoichi(sorry if I spelled it wrong) learns to get around your house, there won't be any problems. Actually, right now Damita is beating up the bigger dog!

(((((((((((((((Zatoichi)))))))))))))))))))))

Hugs to you to momma.

He sounds so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy about that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And his little purr motor is going - it just melts the heart, doesn't it? Awwww - I'm just so happy about all the good news!

Funny about his reaching out with his paws. I wonder if he's deaf, and there's something about the "meow" that hits a frequency he can hear? Since his eye problem is viral, I wonder if it affected his ears?

We think that's what happened with Flowerbelle. She is definitely deaf - but she can hear certain frequencies. She doesn't respond to anything, and we were never disciplined enough to train her by "thumping". But she apparently can hear a noise we make by "clicking" with our tongue along our cheek - kind of a "chk chk chk" noise. But deaf cats communicate almost universally with the waving or outstretched touching paw. And Flowerbelle can speak, and does - and we wonder if she can hear herself?

Waving Flowerbelle (lying down):



To figure out if he's deaf, you have to figure a way to create noise that would make him look to see what it was if he could hear - but he can't be looking at you.

All of our other cats would look up if we shouted out a really loud "HI" if we were standing at the other end of the room from them. Unless Flowerbelle saw one of them turn their head sharply, she wouldn't look.

Oh - the ultimate test. She's not scared of the vaccuum cleaner, lol!

I don't know how we figured out she could hear that particular noise. But when we noticed that she would react to it, we did train her to associate it with her by putting down treats and making the noise. She learned real fast to come running.

So - in real life, Flowerbelle's "name" is "chk chk chk"

Thank you for the update - this sounds really quite promising.

Don't worry too much about the older cats - it can take time for them to come around. Don't forget to read up on the old introduction threads.

I'm wondering if you're home from your vacation - and I'm wondering how things are going? It sounded like everything was going fine - or going to be fine. And I know you wanted to adopt him out if you could find a suitable home... So many questions!

...and I hope you had a terrific vacation, despite the disruption of the rescue!

Hello Everyone,

I'm sorry I couldn't update before.

By the way, I'd love to post some pictures, I just haven't figured out how. Sorry am so tired these days, please feel free to guide me like the moron that I am and help me to post the little images.

Anyway, I wish I had good news but sadly I don't. After a visit to the vet today, it has been decided that his right eye should be removed on Monday. It has grown and swollen into a big opaque eye and they say it'll only cause Zato pain and it will grow and become only worse.

The other eye is more complicated. It isn't swollen but it's definitely deformed. They'll be getting a better look at it when Zatoichi is being operated on the other eye.

We gave him three drops, four times a day but still we lost the right eye. They say he'll be better off without it. Otherwise it would cause constant headaches and it's basically an infected organ. That way the body can use it's energy to heal and get stronger instead of trying to heal an eye which is constantly getting worse...

Now my only hope is that the operation goes well and we can not only save the other eye but we can get him to at least see a little bit.

Please keep sweet Zatoichi in your thoughts...

Just dropped in to catch up on how things have been going for you and Zatoichi
Phew.................I feel the intense energy and efforts of love and compassion so .............heres sending lots of vibes and special thoughts for all of you.
I am sure once he is on the right track (like little Flowerbell) he will be such a loving and special baby in your life and you will just know that it was all very, very much worth while you have been amazing !!

I'm so sorry he's losing the right eye. We battled with Flowerbelle, too. In the end, I really wish we'd had the eye removed sooner than we did, so I'm sure you're doing the right thing, taking the vet's advice. Her energy levels went up 1000% after we took that step. It was obviously a tough battle her body was fighting.

I hope little Zatoichi is doing well after surgery!

(((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

Laurie

I am only just seeing this thread now, what a sweet story and what a lucky little kitty your Zatoichi is to have found you.
Whatever happens with his sight, it is for the best, he will still live a full and happy life even if he can't see. It's delightful to hear the love in your words espescially since he probably wouldn't have made it had you not come across him that night I hope his operation goes well and the poor baby starts to feel better soon and enjoy his 'kittenhood' like every cat should.

Hello Everyone,

Just a reminder: Zatoichi is having his operation tomorrow! The right eye is being removed.

Please keep him in your thoughts and wish us luck!

Many thanks to you all for all your support and for caring.

I will definitely keep you posted on how it goes!

He'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck little one!

Zatoichi is definitely in my thoughts today. Hope everything goes well.

I hope everything went well for the little guy! Sending lots of healthy vibes to him!

Zatoichi's operation went well. They removed the eye and he'll probably be home tomorrow afternoon.

He purrs softly when I pick him up and wants to play even now!

They left the other eye alone and said so long as it doesn't deform, leak, become reddened etc. then it could stay. We all doubt he has any vision in that eye at all though.

He'll start getting his vaccinations after recovery and from there he'll be on his way to be a big strong cat.

Sweet little kitten, glad to hear he'll be home with you tomorrow. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

I just found this thread today. Zatoichi and Flowerbelle are such lucky kitties. They both found someone willing to help and care for them. It takes special people to do that.

I hope that Zatoichi continues to improve and that you can find a way to keep him at home with you.

Great news about Zatoichis op.......and it sounds like he is getting stronger and healthier every day and purring awh, well he obviously s his mommy !!