My Cat Has Gone Blind Overnight, Anybody Had This Before?

[Cletus Van Damme]

For a couple of days my cat whom I believe is about 17 years old (came from a shelter 16 years ago) has been a bit a bit under the weather and not eating a great deal. As this happens every now and again and she then recovers I thought just leave it a couple of days and if no better take to the vets. Yesterday when I got back in I noticed her eyes looked funny, kind of like a dull slight white glaze over the pupils. When I held her face up to the light her pupils did not shrink as usual. Also when watching her she seems disorientated and confused and bumps into the odd thing. I am obviously taking her to the vets as soon as I get out of work today, I feel shoot for not taking her earlier to be honest but I hadn't a clue things like this can happen to old cats. Hopefully it can be treated and she will cope with being blind. Has anybody else had this or has had/has a blind cat ot a dog?

 

[MarkF]

Sounds like a cataract, they don't happen overnight though. At 17, I don't think an op is viable, they are not without risks. Maybe you'll just have to keep her inside and as comfortable as possible, cats don't worry about stuff.

Next door's cat has them, they are getting progressively worse, she is old and always bumping into things, she lives in our house during the day because we feel sorry for her, they badly neglect her. This is why I won't cut the leylandi.

 

[Sara_H]

For a couple of days my cat whom I believe is about 17 years old (came from a shelter 16 years ago) has been a bit a bit under the weather and not eating a great deal. As this happens every now and again and she then recovers I thought just leave it a couple of days and if no better take to the vets. Yesterday when I got back in I noticed her eyes looked funny, kind of like a dull slight white glaze over the pupils. When I held her face up to the light her pupils did not shrink as usual. Also when watching her she seems disorientated and confused and bumps into the odd thing. I am obviously taking her to the vets as soon as I get out of work today, I feel s*** for not taking her earlier to be honest but I hadn't a clue things like this can happen to old cats. Hopefully it can be treated and she will cope with being blind. Has anybody else had this or has had/has a blind cat ot a dog?

Sorry to say this, but I think something has happened to her brain rather than her eyes.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

yes, from a stroke.

 

[Linford]

Our dog has them now, is totally blind as well as deaf.
She bumps into things all the time, and will go and bark at the kitchen table in the hope that someone will be sat there with food and throw her a scrap.
Nothing you can do realisticaly

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Thanks for the replies. Just have to see what the vet says, it's an old cat and these things do happen.

 

[Linford]

I'd say as long as your cat is still eating well, then you have to let it out regularly, and keep an eye on it. Our dog has a lot of health problems, but still happy enough in herself...she is hard work though.

 

[Cuchilo]

Sorry to hear about your cat My 18 year old Tom is sitting on my lap as I type . He was run over last year and had to have his pelvis bolted back together . The op was very expensive and I was getting looks from people as if to say is it worth it but hes my mate so worth every penny

 

[Sara_H]

Thanks for the replies. Just have to see what the vet says, it's an old cat and these things do happen.

Let us know how you get on

 

[PaulB]

Our cat went blind. It didn't seem to bother it much though. It would walk into your legs and behave as if it was your problem and walk on unconcerned.

 

[Cuchilo]

Our cat went blind. It didn't seem to bother it much though. It would walk into your legs and behave as if it was your problem and walk on unconcerned.

Mine does that and he can see very well

 

[hopless500]

Thanks for the replies. Just have to see what the vet says, it's an old cat and these things do happen.

Good luck

 

[Hill Wimp]

Sorry to hear this. It happened to my Cairn Terrier and after much investigation it turned out to be a brain tumour and I had to have him put down. He actually did cope well but he had other complications and symptoms.

 

[numbnuts]

I knew a man that went blind over night, before that he worked in Fawley refinery and use to repair all the bikes (in those days workman use to ride bikes around the site).
Later he carried on repairing bikes still working for the refinery, he was known as blind Bill, this was in the 80s

 

[jhawk]

Sorry to hear about your cat My 18 year old Tom is sitting on my lap as I type . He was run over last year and had to have his pelvis bolted back together . The op was very expensive and I was getting looks from people as if to say is it worth it but hes my mate so worth every penny

I've had the same situation in the last six months with my dog, Akaya. He fractured his pelvis in two places after being hit by a car. So glad that it didn't require an operation - just some good rest and he's back to his usual jumpy, annoying, loveable, spring-in-his-step, lick-your-face-so-much-you-can't-breathe type self.