Newly blind cat--need advice
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:41 pm
Hello-
I am glad to have found this site.
My 14 year old cat went blind a couple months ago. I am fortunate to live near a veterinary opthamologist (a great one at that) and it was determined her retinas had detached. I hope I'm remembering the details and terminology correctly (another of my cats was diagnosed with lymphoma at the same time and things were crazy) but the Dr. said there is fluid behind the eye and thought that possibly with antibiotics and a steroid there was a chance her vision could be restored. 3 weeks later the eye looked improved but she was still completely blind. We started a different antibiotic and went for x-rays and an ultrasound to see if there was infection anywhere else in the body-- there was not. Now a few weeks later still no change in her vision and the Dr. recommends pulling fluid from behind the eye for pathology although he doesn't think there is much chance of vision being restored. He thinks the situation is odd in that she is an indoor cat and he's not sure where the infection came from in the first place as this is unusual with an indoor cat (if I'm remembering correctly).
Here are my concerns. Let me preface this by saying that I am a person who does EVERY possible thing when a pet gets sick before I would even consider euthanasia. I have been through chemo with 3 pets, had 2 diabetics for many years, treated for kidney issues, etc. I definitely do everything until there is no hope or the animal will be suffering. The Dr. and others have told me blind cats can have a great quality of life and I remember having one as a child who was able to walk around the house, sit in the sun, etc. However, my Mallory does NOTHING but lay in the bed I set up for her with her food and litter nearby. She only gets up to eat or use the litter. Of course I get her and bring her to bed and give her special attention but as far as her own actions she lays in her bed constantly. She had blood work and her health is good. I can't help but feel bad for her and am questioning her quality of life. She can't see and sleeps constantly, how can she be happy? I am not sure why I'm writing this as I can't even imagine euthanizing her but at the same time I wonder if this is normal in an older blind cat and if she is indeed content? How can i make her life better?
I'm sorry this is so long and I appreciate any thoughts, insight, advice.
Thanks,
Pam
I am glad to have found this site.
My 14 year old cat went blind a couple months ago. I am fortunate to live near a veterinary opthamologist (a great one at that) and it was determined her retinas had detached. I hope I'm remembering the details and terminology correctly (another of my cats was diagnosed with lymphoma at the same time and things were crazy) but the Dr. said there is fluid behind the eye and thought that possibly with antibiotics and a steroid there was a chance her vision could be restored. 3 weeks later the eye looked improved but she was still completely blind. We started a different antibiotic and went for x-rays and an ultrasound to see if there was infection anywhere else in the body-- there was not. Now a few weeks later still no change in her vision and the Dr. recommends pulling fluid from behind the eye for pathology although he doesn't think there is much chance of vision being restored. He thinks the situation is odd in that she is an indoor cat and he's not sure where the infection came from in the first place as this is unusual with an indoor cat (if I'm remembering correctly).
Here are my concerns. Let me preface this by saying that I am a person who does EVERY possible thing when a pet gets sick before I would even consider euthanasia. I have been through chemo with 3 pets, had 2 diabetics for many years, treated for kidney issues, etc. I definitely do everything until there is no hope or the animal will be suffering. The Dr. and others have told me blind cats can have a great quality of life and I remember having one as a child who was able to walk around the house, sit in the sun, etc. However, my Mallory does NOTHING but lay in the bed I set up for her with her food and litter nearby. She only gets up to eat or use the litter. Of course I get her and bring her to bed and give her special attention but as far as her own actions she lays in her bed constantly. She had blood work and her health is good. I can't help but feel bad for her and am questioning her quality of life. She can't see and sleeps constantly, how can she be happy? I am not sure why I'm writing this as I can't even imagine euthanizing her but at the same time I wonder if this is normal in an older blind cat and if she is indeed content? How can i make her life better?
I'm sorry this is so long and I appreciate any thoughts, insight, advice.
Thanks,
Pam