Cat has gone blind

[RueDeWakening]

We took our cat to the vet today after noticing she wasn't right - bumping into things, seeming cautious, not moving around like normal.

She's lost all sight in both eyes, very suddenly. She's had bloods taken to check for kidney issues, thyroid, and BP and we're waiting for the results back tomorrow or Saturday.

She's a rescue cat, we've had her since 2002 but don't really know how old she is. I'm devastated and could do with a hand hold.

Oh, fingers' crossed it's just an age thing. If she's mainly an indoors cat might find she adjusts fine and will be with you for a good few more years.

I'm really hoping it's not a sinister sign. Can cats get glaucoma or macular degeneration? I remember reading the story of Homer the blind cat. Gorgeous black puss.

She's a mostly indoor cat in the winter, that's one good thing I suppose. I think we'll get some wind chimes or something for near the cat flap so she can find her way back again when she does go out.

Not heard back from the vet yet, wish they'd hurry up!

If she is blind I wouldnt let her go out at all to be honest.

She can't go outside if she's totally blind! Keep her in.

poor thing - hope they can find a cause and treatment - but keep her in for now x

Sorry to hear about your cat. I had a similar situation and felt very shocked and guilty that I hadn't noticed sooner. My old cat went blind at 17 due to retinal haemorrhages (high blood pressure). He adapted pretty well and he was able to go in and out via the cat flap, but we have a small yard with high walls, no way he could get out, so all he did was find a sunny patch and sit in it. He would not have been safe to let roam around. We kept all furniture, food bowls etc in the same places & we talked to him a lot so that he knew where we were, it was actually ok once we had all got used to him being blind. He used his whiskers a lot when judging distances. We had another year or so with him after he went blind. I hope you can get things sorted out for your cat.

It might be a blood pressure issue, which can be treated if not left too long.

I would keep her in, it is dangerous enough outside for a sighted cat, a blind one would not stand a chance.

I hope she is OK.

One of my cats went blind a few years back - and she coped perfectly well, indoors and out, for several more years until she eventually died of old age. Cats are pretty good at compensating for a loss of sight. You might be surprised how well she copes.

Sorry to hear this about your cat. One of my dear cats went blind at around 15 or 16, we still let him out for a wander around (supervised though he wasn't too happy about me hovering anxiously in the background) he was amazing, feeling the different surfaces and steps carefully with his paws and walking all the way around the house and back to same the door he went out from. As PP says cats can cope with blindness very well. It might not be advisable to let him out if you're near s busy area/road though?

It helps them a lot if you keep things inside the house in the same position and no unexpected obstacles in their way. I hope the news from the vet isn't too awful.

The vet seemed to assume we'd carry on letting her out, so it hadn't occurred to us not to tbh - she's coping very well so far, though sticking close to home. Fortunately we live on a quiet road with very little through traffic, so that's not such a worry.

No news from the vet yet - the test results are back, but the vet couldn't speak to us today. Apparently she will call tomorrow to discuss. I'm hoping that if it was urgent, she'd have found time before now to let us know?

My friends cat is blind and it goes out in the back garden

Hope it is just age , fingers crossed for you

My poor girl went blind a few months ago. She was mainly an outdoor cat and she was terrified. The vet tried her on steroids for a weekend but he said it was kinder to let her go.
I really hope you get better news

I'm sorry but if she actually has no sight you can't let her out. She wouldn't be able to see any threat.

Aww poor thing.

www.gwencooper.com/living-with-a-blind-cat

Stumbled upon this website which gives you tips for living with a blind cat.

My dear cat went completely blind at the age of 6 for no apparent reason, he was very much an outdoor cat, so the vet said to continue letting him out if he wanted to, otherwise his quality of life would be compromised.

He lived until 14 (pts due to cancer), spent most of his time still outdoors, he didn't venture far and enjoyed sunbathing on top of the shed .

We learnt to keep the house tidy and not move things around, so he could easily find his way about. We also bought him some balls with bells in that he loved.

We have a cat that's been blind from birth. She's amazing, and you'd really not notice from how she acts the vast majority of the time (except for walking into doors occasionally!). She does stay indoors, unless I'm there to supervise outdoor time, but she's very content, and can run rings around our sighted cat. They adapt far better than humans do.

It's going to be tough, but she'll adapt amazingly, and can live a full and happy life.

Btw, if she likes playing, noisy toys that she can track will help keep her simulated.

Cats can often be very adaptable if they lose their sight.

When I was growing up my mum had a Siamese cat who went blind from glaucoma at around the age of 10 (I think, though I was very young so could be wrong).

He adapted very well and lived a happy life both indoors and out. He went on for quite a few years and died at the age of 17.

Give him time. I suspect you will find that the bumping into things will get much less as he learns to cope.

Hopefully yes, the fact she didn't call to tell you straightaway is a good sign. Will keep fingers' crossed for tomorrow.

So sad to hear this...but she will cope. Google Homer Blind Wondercat for inspiration.

My one cat is only 2 and now fully blind, she has PRA. I feel sorry for her as she is grumpy because she can't see where the other cats are and gets upset when she bumps into them. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to tell she was blind from looking at her. They adapt very well. Here's my girl.

Wow ginauk,she's gorgeous.bengal?

Yes bengal, she has always been a housecat so at least it's easy to keep her in rather than a cat that has been outdoors having to keep it in must be hard, I know my moggie hates it if he has to stay in for longer than a few hours!

Yeah it must be so hard for cats that are used to outdoor life.