Cat head tilt, unbalanced, blood in eye

[scrange]

Hello, I am hoping you can advise me on my cats illness. We took on a pair of rescue cats from our local RSPCA 6 years ago (we believe the cats are roughly 12 years old). We also have a 2 year old kitten. One of the rescue cats (Fudge) has had high blood pressure for a couple of years now and we also feel that she has gone almost totally blind due to the blood pressure issue, on top of this she has recently had a large mass of fluid removed from her side. We now have further more distressing issues with Fudge, she has been holding her head on a tilt (like she has a bad neck ache) for the past few weeks and has now become very unbalanced, has been walking into things and falls often, She is not showing any signs of pain but does appear confused and scared. This weekend one of her eyes appears to have filled up with blood (this has occured previously with the high blood pressure). We have now taken her to the vets three times on this matter but they seem to be guessing what the illness maybe and so far we have only been given a spray to plug in to calm her nerves. So far we have been told it could be an ear infection, high blood pressure, a stroke, a tumor, an injury but nothing conclusive. Please help us find out what is causing this and how we can help her.

Thanks

 

[momofmany]

I know you don't want to hear this, but I have to be honest here. No one on the internet can diagnose your cat based on her symptoms. At her age and previous health issues, it could easily be anything on the list that your vet suggested. If you want questions to take to your vet, we can help you with those. She needs to be seen by a vet. A plug in isn't an answer for what Fudge is experiencing.

If she is bumping into things and has blood in her eye, chances are that her sight is severely impaired. What did the vet do to test her eye sight? Was there blood drawn and if so, what did they test for (can rule out bacterial infections, diabetes, renal failure, other diseases)? Xrays or ultrasounds (looking for internal abnormalties)?

Is she walking in circles (indicates stroke)? How is her water intake, appetite and litter box habits (might isolate diseases)? Did the vet ask you these questions and did they respond based on your answers?

I get a sense that you don't trust your vet otherwise you wouldn't be seeking support here. If this is the case, try to find a cat specialist in your area.

Will keep you in my thoughts. Please keep us updated on how Fudge is doing.

 

[scrange]

Hello and thank you very much for your response. A little update first - Fudge is back in the vets today for blood pressure monitoring and the redness / blood in her eye seems to be improving. They have now told us that all these issues appear to be caused by high blood pressure, the head tilt and the eyes are caused by nerve damage due to the blood pressure. The vets have given her some tablets to hopefully ease this.

In answers to your questions.
The vets have done nothing to test her eye sight but have told us firstly that it was cataracts and then that due to the high blood pressure her eyes have seperated ?? and although the retinas could reattach it now seems unlikely.

To my knowledge the vets have never taken any blood for testing from Fudge also no scans have taken place as they feel it would cause her too much distress.

Fudge is not walking in circles but does try and walk alot / never seems to settle down which is difficult with her sight and then just parks herself in the middle of a room where she used to hide or find one of the many cat beds around the house.

I am unsure on our local vets, it always seems like they are simply after your money. i.e four visits and finally they have given us some meds. They have even suggested we pay £400 to have her teeth cleaned as she has a small amount of plaque. so yes I am dubious.

Thanks again for your help

 

[Draco]

Do you have any other vets in the area? I'd try going somewhere else if you are unsure about the current vet.

second opinions always helps.

Good luck, keep us posted!