Cat's eyes dilated

[Furbabycatmom]

Hi everyone, the sore on Marla's chin is gone but now there's a new problem. For the past few days her eyes are very dilated even when she is in a well lit room, and when I give her some catnip she doesn't eat it anymore. Should I take her to the vet?

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. Yes. Pupils that are not responding to light can be caused by different things, but one of the reasons can be unregulated high blood pressure.

 

[Antonio65]

I agree with S silent meowlook , totally dilated pupils that don't respond well or at all to light might even mean that your cat might be blind.
This is what happened to my cat Lola (avatar). One morning in February 2016 I noticed she had her pupils completely dilated. I rushed her to an ophthalmologist and the response was that she had a dual retina detachment due to a BP spike.

 

[Furbabycatmom]

She can use the litter box and eat and drink water with help from me. I did make a appointment for her, Im very worried that history is repeating itself.

 

[FeebysOwner]

You have to have a vet check for pupil responsiveness in different conditions. My cat has dilated pupils, and her pupils do not respond under certain tests, but it was determined that she sees just fine. She was diagnosed with iris atrophy with a lack of pupillary restriction. Her retinal exam was normal. These tests were done by an internal med specialist.

There may be other reasons for why you have to help your cat with her normal routines. So, a complete and thorough exam is necessary to see what else might be going on.

 

[Antonio65]

You have to have a vet check for pupil responsiveness in different conditions. My cat has dilated pupils, and her pupils do not respond under certain tests, but it was determined that she sees just fine. She was diagnosed with iris atrophy with a lack of pupillary restriction. Her retinal exam was normal. These tests were done by an internal med specialist.

There may be other reasons for why you have to help your cat with her normal routines. So, a complete and thorough exam is necessary to see what else might be going on.

My Lola, as I said above, was diagnosed with a dual retina detachment on the very morning I saw her pupils dilated.
She was put on a med for BP, Amlodipine. The first pill was given at noon that very day, half an hour later she could see fine again. Her eyesight would come and go. She could see fine for a week, or a month, then suddenly go blind again for a day or a week, and so on.
She was seen by three different ophthalmologist, they all agreed with the diagnosis, but they were unable to explain how my Lola was able to see on certain days.
The last specialist was adamant that she could not see at all, but he was quickly proved wrong when during the specialist visit, Lola was exploring the room without walking into anything. He said Lola was just lucky

 

[silent meowlook]

My Lola, as I said above, was diagnosed with a dual retina detachment on the very morning I saw her pupils dilated.
She was put on a med for BP, Amlodipine. The first pill was given at noon that very day, half an hour later she could see fine again. Her eyesight would come and go. She could see fine for a week, or a month, then suddenly go blind again for a day or a week, and so on.
She was seen by three different ophthalmologist, they all agreed with the diagnosis, but they were unable to explain how my Lola was able to see on certain days.
The last specialist was adamant that she could not see at all, but he was quickly proved wrong when during the specialist visit, Lola was exploring the room without walking into anything. He said Lola was just lucky

Cats don’t read veterinary books. They are amazing creatures because usually retinas don’t reattach on their own. Cats never cease to amaze me.

 

[Furbabycatmom]

She is doing good today she used the litter box and ate her dinner. But she still hasn't had any water today, should I spoon water into her mouth or use a syringe instead? She only had wet food to eat today.

 

[Furbabycatmom]

I checked her and I don't think she's dehydrated.

 

[FeebysOwner]

She may be getting enough moisture through her food. If you are worried about her water intake, you can try to add a little bit of water to her wet food. I think if she gets thirsty, she will drink. Make sure you have many water dishes around so that she passes by them when she is wandering about.

 

[Furbabycatmom]

Ok, thanks I figured as much.

 

[Furbabycatmom]

I'm having trouble coping with the fact that another one of my cats is blind.

 

[Furbabycatmom]

She hasn't eaten since yesterday and I usually feed her at 6:00 am everyday should I be worried? Should I just wait and see if she will eat? Let me know ASAP!

 

[Furbabycatmom]

I need some advice, if I can't find any free clinics or shelters available today do you think my best option is to surrender marla? I know that if I do I probably wouldn't get her remains back.

 

[Antonio65]

It is possible that I missed some bits of info about Marla's history.
Do you think that her inability to see has anything to do with her lack of appetite? Or is this another issue altogether?
You should have a vet look into this problem and understand why Marla isn't eating.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. Your cat needs to be seen by a veterinarian ASAP. I know this is a financial issue. Try the local humane society and see if there are any organizations that can help you. Call or stop by any snd every hospital and ask for help. Be honest and up front about your financial situation and see if one may help. You never know, it’s worth a try. Talk to any friends or relatives for help.

If you cannot find a way to get her vet care and you thin she is suffering then you will have to make some hard decisions. I know getting ashes back, to me, would not be a factor when it comes to making the right choice for my cat. That said, I do think you should try other methods of getting her help.

Others on here might have some insight.

i am sorry for you and your cat’s situation. Truly sorry.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Can I ask an honest question? I hope so, because here goes - is your issue with not yet taking her to a vet because of finances? This link (see below) offers some national and local organizations, and other options you could look into. I would be happy to search further if I knew your basic location (city, state - assuming you are in the US).
No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat's Life - TheCatSite

Aside from that - your cat's eyes need to be evaluated to see what is going on. At that time, you can explain to a vet that it appears this might be leading to her being less than willing to eat. There are many things that can be done to help with the latter, and having more investigation into the former might also help with that aspect as well.

This might not be as dire as you fear, which is what many of us do when our cats become unwell. But you can't know for sure until you can get her to a vet, and you certainly can't help her if you don't. I would not want to see you surrender her if you don't have to.

 

[fionasmom]

You can try searching for "low cost vet care in (your area)" or "cat rescues (in your area)". Calling nearby veterinary offices is also a good idea as someone may be able to make some financial arrangements with you or at least do a basic evaluation of Marla.

 

[iPappy]

Furbabycatmom just checking to see that you didn't apply and new flea or tick meds before this happened?

 

[BeccaCat]

Our local emergency clinic has a program for people experiencing financial hardship, so that they can get vet care for their pets. Definitely call around. I hope your kitty feels better soon