17 year old near blindness in left eye follow up questions

[sillywoody]

Hi,

I’m so excited to say my beloved longhair domestic cat Silly has gotten to 17...now sadly there has been some deterioration over last 6 months. Not sure what is worth pursuing. My main goals for him are to reduce pain and suffering as much as possible for whatever cost necessary.

He has kidney disease with mostly only some high bp issues. On highest dose of amlodipine possible. He had side effects from other bp meds. Over maybe 3 months I noticed his vision is worse...today at his annual doc said he’s basically blind in his left eye. As long as it’s not painful for him I’m keeping him alive, and I’m happy to be his daily guide if he goes totally blind.

vet suggested he see an ophthalmologist but I don’t want him getting surgery at this stage. If it’s the bp that caused it, and right now there’s nothing we can do for bp other than what we’re doing...I don’t want to spend $200 for a consult to tell me what I already know.

could other important info be learned in consult I’m overlooking?

thank you,

 

[Xena44]

A specialist can let you know if the blindness is from retinal detachment due to the elevated bp or another treatable disease. detached retinas can be treated and there is a possibility of retinal re-attachment. Even a partial re-attachment can result in a little vision. If it is a partial detachment, meds can help prevent or at least slow the process. If you’ve got the $$, I would make the appt. Always better to know so you know what to expect I think.

 

[Xena44]

A specialist can let you know if the blindness is from retinal detachment due to the elevated bp or another treatable disease. detached retinas can be treated and there is a possibility of retinal re-attachment (just thru the healing process, not surgery). Even a partial re-attachment can result in a little vision. If it is a partial detachment, meds can help prevent or at least slow the process. If you’ve got the $$, I would make the appt. Always better to know so you know what to expect I think.

 

[sillywoody]

A specialist can let you know if the blindness is from retinal detachment due to the elevated bp or another treatable disease. detached retinas can be treated and there is a possibility of retinal re-attachment. Even a partial re-attachment can result in a little vision. If it is a partial detachment, meds can help prevent or at least slow the process. If you’ve got the $$, I would make the appt. Always better to know so you know what to expect I think.

thanks for the reply. From what I understand, he’s already on the treatment for retinal reattachment - amlodipine highest dose possible. Is there something else? You mention meds for partial reattachment?

 

[Antonio65]

The cat in my avatar got suddenly blind overnight. She was suffering from renal disease for years. When I rushed her to the vet in the morning, the vet found a high BP and saw that both eyes had a retinal detachment. She gave me a pack of amlodipine. What I noticed was that about 30 minutes after the first pill my cat was able to see again. I thought it was kind of a miracle pill, but later I learned that my cat would have had cycles of good sight and blindness for the next year or so.
She was seen by three different ophtalmologists, they confirmed the retinal detachment, but also the reattachment, they saw scars in the bottom of her eyes. Anyway they weren't able to determine the reason of her coming and going blindness.
I don't think you coud do more than what you are doing. Your cat wil leventually get used to his new condition. The only thing you have to do, but I'm sure you already know this, is to keep the house as tidy as possible and not to move elements of the furniture around. Your cat will map the house quickly and will learn how to move safely.
Best of luck!

 

[Xena44]

thanks for the reply. From what I understand, he’s already on the treatment for retinal reattachment - amlodipine highest dose possible. Is there something else? You mention meds for partial reattachment?

Yes. An ophthalmologist may give meds for the eyes as well as different (or not) bp meds. Getting the bp down is imperative if there is an hope for any sight return. If it was my kitty, I would definitely make an appt with a specialist. A cat I house sit for recently went blind due to high blood pressure. The family who pays her mortgage () saw their regular vet who put her on amlodipine. He rec. a specialist. They saw the ophthalmologist and TinkerBell was put on 2 different anti-inflammatory drops as well as an additional bp med. this kitty did regain a little sight. I’m gathering a blood panel was done to check kidney and thyroid (as well as an overview of all blood values) and all was well?

 

[Xena44]

The cat in my avatar got suddenly blind overnight. She was suffering from renal disease for years. When I rushed her to the vet in the morning, the vet found a high BP and saw that both eyes had a retinal detachment. She gave me a pack of amlodipine. What I noticed was that about 30 minutes after the first pill my cat was able to see again. I thought it was kind of a miracle pill, but later I learned that my cat would have had cycles of good sight and blindness for the next year or so.
She was seen by three different ophtalmologists, they confirmed the retinal detachment, but also the reattachment, they saw scars in the bottom of her eyes. Anyway they weren't able to determine the reason of her coming and going blindness.
I don't think you coud do more than what you are doing. Your cat wil leventually get used to his new condition. The only thing you have to do, but I'm sure you already know this, is to keep the house as tidy as possible and not to move elements of the furniture around. Your cat will map the house quickly and will learn how to move safely.
Best of luck!

Yes! Definitely don’t move the furniture!! It’s amazing how well they do after they lose their sight.