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Original poster

So sad for my DCat.

25 replies

DrMadelineMaxwell · 04/09/2017 18:10

He's only two, but we've noticed he seems a bit quiet for himself recently. He's not purring or exploring as much as he normally does. And DD said he had 'really big eyes' .

The vet says he's lost his sight. Sad

We are paying for some tests (blood pressure, eye pressure in case of glaucoma) that the vets can do, but will then have to consider whether to explore getting an opinion from a specialist, which will be pricey. Of course, he's not insured which is our own fault.

I'm feeling very sad for him. We hope he will adjust but don't know if he will.

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 04/09/2017 18:31

This happened to my friend's cat and he's adapted very well. She had a catio built for him so he can't get out of the garden and doesn't move things around but she said you'd never know he was blind, especially when he climbs the netting of the catio!

Fingers crossed your boy adapts as well Flowers

MsMims · 04/09/2017 18:32

Ah poor thing Sad

He should adjust well in time, it will just be a case of not moving furniture around too much so he can get his bearings.

Is he allowed outdoors?

Original poster
DrMadelineMaxwell · 04/09/2017 18:37

Luckily DH has already spent the holidays enclosing the garden with traditional fencing because we were trying to improve the garden. It is a large garden and he is still mooching out there from time to time. He's sitting under the trampoline at the moment.

It's just not nice to see him acting so wary. Obv it's all new to him and he's not a happy chappy at present. I wouldn't like to start keeping him in as he'd be unhappy. So we will look at making sure the garden is even more secure so he can still go out safely.

I miss watching him climb the trees.

OP posts:
Original poster
DrMadelineMaxwell · 04/09/2017 18:40

Bailey in his friskier days as a little kitten.

So sad for my DCat.
OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 04/09/2017 18:46

Poor lad & he's so young too!.

No wonder he's feeling sad. He might learn to adapt, I wonder if you can get sensory toys for cats?.

dailydance · 04/09/2017 19:50

I had a cat with cataracts - so blind for several years. They adapt so quickly. I'm sure he'll be fine. The only thing we had to be aware of was moving furniture (better off avoiding doing that if you can or he'll bump into it for a while).. and never move his tray.

IrritatedUser1960 · 04/09/2017 19:55

I wouldn't worry too much, that's what they have whiskers for, to find their way around. As long as everything is left in the same place he will soon get his bearings but might need some encouragement. Calling him over from different parts of the house and so on.
i had a blind older cat and he was fine, was very disorientated at the beginning but soon got used to it.

Maudlinmaud · 04/09/2017 20:01

Hi op I have a visually impaired cat, blind in one eye and very poor sight in the other. He's much happier outside and only comes in for food, sleep and cuddles during the day. Believe me I would much rather he stayed indoors all the time. I'm sure Bailey will adapt to his new circumstances given time. He's lovely.

Want2beme · 04/09/2017 21:41

Ah, poor poppet. He'll adjust with lots of help from his family. Hope the specialists can help, though.

Original poster
DrMadelineMaxwell · 06/09/2017 21:58

Bailey hasn't got a tray, as soon as he was allowed to go out, he stopped wanting to use his tray and we retired it.

I'm a bit worried about him because he's staying in one place a lot, not eating much and not drinking unless we put it right under his nose. But we are offering food and water often to see if he's tempted.

Tests at the vets tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
DrMadelineMaxwell · 07/09/2017 22:57

Oh dear. It's not looking good. Sad

Tests revealed no high blood pressure. But high levels of creatinine which could mean his kidneys are in trouble. But other levels that would be high due to kidney problems are ok, so the vet is a bit confused. I reminded them that he isn't eating/drinking much so he's hoping it might be that his wonky electrolyte level could be down to that rather than something else. The vet did raise the possibility of acute poisoning as being a possible cause of the blindness, that could also then make him deteriorate. But no idea what or where he could have got that from.

He's being kept in for IV fluids and to have his blood tests repeated. If the levels are better then hopefully he could pick up once they've flushed out his kidneys a bit. And then we'll be discussing what further tests might be on the cards to find out why he's gone blind.

Looking at him though, I'd be amazed if he improves. If he hasn't, then it's time for 'the difficult conversation' tomorrow afternoon.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 08/09/2017 15:35

I'm so sorry. Poor cat.

LivingInMidnight · 08/09/2017 16:55

Oh no. I'm sorry. Poor little man. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Dolceandgabbana14 · 08/09/2017 23:49

Read your post this morning, poor cat Sad Hope you've had some positive news.

Original poster
DrMadelineMaxwell · 08/09/2017 23:51

Thanks. He's improved, but not markedly. He should have shown more of an improvement after a day on fluids. Still has very high sodium levels which haven't really come down. The vet doesn't really know why either. He was hinting again about it being the decision to either give him more treatment for a few days to see what happens, or to go in and have him PTS. DH wants to give him a chance and asked for another day on fluids and the vet is going to increase the rate to see if that helps with the improvement, too.

OP posts:
Dolceandgabbana14 · 09/09/2017 06:33

Keeping everything crossed for him. Hope he improves and makes a good recovery.

Original poster
DrMadelineMaxwell · 09/09/2017 21:19

Thanks for the lovely messages. Sadly, it wasn't to be. Bailey's bloods were worse, not better. The vet thought that the initial drop was because he was likely v dehydrated when he came in, so the fluids helped by diluting things a bit, but the levels kept on rising. Most likely reason being a brain tumour - which would also explain his blindness.

We did the kind thing and had him pts. It was calm and he went peacefully.

DD2 is breaking her heart. He loved sleeping on her bed (and draped all over her) the most, so she spent most time with him.

So sad for my DCat.
OP posts:
paq · 09/09/2017 21:31

SadFlowersso sorry, he looked a lovely cat

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/09/2017 21:35

I'm so sorry, you weren't to know he had a brain tumour & you got him treatment to ease his discomfort Flowers

Dolceandgabbana14 · 09/09/2017 21:45

I am so sorry. I have lost two cats within eighteen months of each other, they both had neurological conditions which seemed to affect their sight. It is so hard to come to terms with but you have done everything you could for your cat. Thinking if you and your daughter.

Oncewaswho · 09/09/2017 22:45

I'm sorry, he was a beautiful boy Flowers.

LivingInMidnight · 10/09/2017 10:22

I'm so sorry Flowers Sad

Original poster
DrMadelineMaxwell · 10/09/2017 19:01

He's home from the crem. Has a lovely little box and is on the shelf next to Bruce, our previous cat, who lived to a ripe old age of 19!

OP posts:
CrazyHairSister · 10/09/2017 19:10

Flowers so sorry OP

Seeingadistance · 10/09/2017 19:30

I'm so sorry. Flowers

It's so much harder, especially for children, when pets die so young.

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