Caring for a blind cat?

[Tim25]

Hi, one of my cats Button's has been ill for quite some time now.

He had hypertension, and has kidney problems so is on medication and a prescription diet. When we first realised he was ill it was because he suddenly went blind, which was from a detached retina. Once we had him on medication and some TLC he was pretty much back to normal and his sight returned.

Unfortunately over the last couple of days his sight has deteriorated to the point where he is blind again :(. He is nearly 15, and I'm worried sick of what the vet will say when we take him in tomorrow.

Does anyone here have or care for a blind cat? I don't want to put him down, I've had him and his sister since they were kittens when we moved here 14 years ago. I'm hopeful that his sight might miraculously return again, but I'm not sure this time.

He has got pretty fussy about taking his tablets lately, if any of you could recommend ways of getting him to take his medication I would be grateful.

Cheers

Tim

[Tink]

Animals can do quite well at adapting to blindness. The thing you will want to be vigilant of is keeping his environment mostly the same and not go rearranging things as he will most likely start to memorize the arrangement of your household.
I have had a partially blind cat and a ferret as well and read up on a lot of stories where animals can be perfectly happy with this disability. I don't think your doctor would advise putting him down unless he is having some kind of other medical issues that cannot be managed.
Also, keep in mind you may want to talk to him and alert him of your whereabouts with your voice.
There will of course be an adjustment period if this was sudden but if it has been a problem before he might already have a head start on that. You may even notice his sister doing things to assist him.
Good luck!

[Tim25]

I've put a litter tray out for him, as he didn't seem to want to do anything outside when I watched him in the garden. As soon as I placed him by the litter tray he went to the loo, which is good hes curled up in his bed now.

I'm hoping he will adjust ok, but hes never seemed to be completely 100% upstairs... so I guess only time will tell. He seems very unsettled but I guess thats only natural if you've just lost your sight!

I just hope his kidneys haven't deteriorated too :'(.

[borderdawn]

Cats do fine blind, I have one, she is 21, and has been blind for almost 2yrs. Their whiskers are excellent, they dont bump into things like dogs do, they do very well.

[yola]

I have a friend who had a blind cat, not blind from birth but it came on with age - again, he adjusted very well. As he was old he wasn't inclined to move around much anyway, but he did pootle about in her small (and secured) back garden and managed to get around the house without too much trouble.

[Tim25]

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm a little upset that hes lost his sight... but at least he might be able to adjust ok to it.

[Shelley123]

Hope Buttons goes on alright at the vets Tim25, it's such a worry when they're ill.
Cant realy add to the excellent advice you have already been given, exept to reinforce that you are probably more upset about it than him. Animals wont think oh no i'm blind he will just get on with it once he adjusts. You never know his sight may return.

[Mags]

Good luck with Button's vet visit tomorrow, please let us know how you get on, Tim.

[Elaine]

As already said, cats adjust very well to blindness. Here are a few links for you which may be of interest. Alot of very good info on CRF, Hypertension and on medicating our cat.
My old fella had CRF and hypertension came later, we managed to keep the hypertension under control and he didnt go blind. He is sadly long gone now.
Good luck at the vets tomorrow. xxx

http://www.felinecrf.org/treatments.htm#control_of_blood_pressure

[dandysmom]

They adapt marvellously. My Misty went blind at about 18, she was so clever at getting around I did not realize for a bit that she'd lost her sight. Yes, don't rearrange furniture too much as they do seem to memorize and know where things are. Cats don't think about the past or worry about the future the way we do, they live in the present. Misty was a happy cat till she went in her sleep at almost 20.

[angieh]

Good luck at the vet tomorrow Tim and Buttons.

[Tim25]

Hi guys, just got back from the vets. His BP was high, which has lead to some burst blood vessels at the back of his eye, which is affecting his vision. They've taken some bloods to test his kidney function which I should get later today. Hopefully hes ok. They showed me how to pretty much force feed him the tablets as he wont take them voluntary! Feels a bit mean doing it that way but its for the best I guess!

[Shelley123]

Thanks for the update, hope the blood test results are ok.
Have you tried giving him his tablets in a piece of chicken or cheese. I know they're probably not what he should be eating but you should only need a bit.
I but frozen chicked strips to medicate my Tom.

[Elaine]

What medication is he on currently? I assumed they were already treating him for the high blood pressure...
I havent met many cats that will take any meds "voluntary" tbh.
Please keep us informed.
http://www.catsey.com/showthread.php?t=35475

[angieh]

I bought a pill taker from the vet yesterday after a demonstration from the maestro (vet) of giving Kizzy a worm tablet!!! I have yet to try it myself of course.

Hope you can find a good way of medicating Buttons. Can you call on any help? I find two people makes it far easier.

[dandysmom]

I agree with Angie, you really need two if your cat's "Won't" power is stronger than the owner's will power! Good luck with Buttons, do let us know how he's doing.

[Tim25]

Hey guys. He's on Istin for his blood pressure, and Ferkitor or whatever for his kidneys. He's been breathing differently today and lastnight the vet said he couldn't hear anything wrong but I'm worried sick. I just tried to give him his tablets wrapping him in a towel like they showed me but he got scared and started breathing really hard almost like he was struggling for air, I thought he was going to go there and then. He's calmed down now but I'm sure there is something wrong. I know I'm no vet but my gut instinct tells me something isn't right at all.

Not sure what I should do keep thinking I'm going to go up to him later tonight or tomorrow and find he's gone.

[dandysmom]

I'd give the vet a call and see if Buttons needs to be seen again ... don't like that about the breathing ........

[Shelley123]

Have you tried to give his tablets in chicken ? If he will take them like that it will be much less stressfull for you and Buttons.
As Eileen has said if your not happy i'd call the vet again tomorrow.

[Elaine]

I would also suggest giving the vet a call. It might be because he already has high bp, the stress of trying to pill him has made that worse. I'd suggest as little stress as possible.
What is his favorite foods? Maybe try hiding the pills in that, although cats are pretty good at spitting them out when your back is turned. Primula cheese is often a good way to get cats to take pills. Can you not place him between your knees, head facing away from you, open his mouth and pop the pills in, close his mouth and gently rub his throat until you feel him swallow?

[Elaine]

How to Pill a Cat

It is important to pill a cat correctly, because getting it wrong may cause aspiration pneumonia. Pet Place (http://www.petplace.com/cats/aspiration-pneumonia-in-cats/page1.aspx) has more information on this.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/pill_or_capsule/) has a video on how to give a cat pills or capsules.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/liquid_medications/) has a video on how to give a cat liquid medications.
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/clientED/cat_meds.aspx) has a series of photos showing how to give oral medications to a cat.
The Humane Society of the United States (http://files.hsus.org/web-files/HSI/E_Library_PDFs/eng_ht_pill_cat.pdf) has a series of diagrams showing how to give a cat a pill.
Pet Place (http://www.petplace.com/cats/how-to-give-your-cat-a-pill/page1.aspx) describes how to give a pill.
Pagewise (http://co.essortment.com/howtogiveyour_rsom.htm) also has a description of how to pill a cat.
Ben (http://home.planet.nl/~boe00645/marga/benmeds-usa.html), a CRF List member cat, happily receives his moistened gelcap (gelatin capsule) containing his medications.

The Importance of a Water Chaser

Recent studies have shown that cats find it much easier to swallow pills if they are given some water immediately afterwards. You may want to keep a bottle of water (the sort used for feeding kittens can be useful) and give your cat a little water every time you pill him/her, or perhaps follow pills with some watered-down syringed food. It may also help to give a little water before giving a cat a pill. Below (http://www.felinecrf.org/medicating_your_cat.htm#pillshooter) are links to pillshooters which enable you to give water immediately after the pill. Alternatively you could give a little moist food, such as a spoonful of baby food (http://www.felinecrf.org/persuading_cat_to_eat.htm#baby_food).

[farthing]

Our Spice is on Istin, she gets a quarter and is doing well on it, and it gives us some leeway to increase if needed.
I would agree with Elaine and think it is probably the high blood pressure affecting his breathing, especially if it happens when he is stressed, but it is still worth talking to the vet for reassurance.

I don't know if sight recovers after such damage, I do know of one cat who had high blood pressure and was blind, and it never recovered, but as said before they adapt wonderfully.
Mustard, one of our cats,was blind as well as having neurological problems and he coped very well. His did stop jumping and I wouldn't let a bind cat out to wander, they should become house cats or be supervised when in a secure garden.
Best of luck and I hope his blood pressure settles. I would imagine it must make then feel very poorly with a constant headache.

[borderdawn]

My Cat is also on Istin.