What do you do when an old cat goes blind?
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What do you do when an old cat goes blind?
Visiting the Vet If you suspect your elderly kitty is suffering from any sort of vision loss, get him examined by a vet. She’ll perform a physical exam of your little one’s eyes and will likely perform tests, including a blood test, to check for any underlying illness that could be causing your kitty’s blindness.
Is it common for old cats to go blind?
It is not at all uncommon for pets, particularly older ones, to suffer vision loss. Just as people over the age of 40 tend to need reading glasses, the same vision changes start to develop in almost all cats over the age of six.
Can blindness be reversed in a cat?
Treatment and prognosis In some cases the underlying cause of the blindness will be reversible and normal vision may return. However, in other cases, even if the underlying cause is resolved, the damage to the sight may be permanent and there may be no change or improvement in the cat’s vision.
Is it cruel to keep a blind cat alive?
It is not cruel to allow your pet to function as a blind pet. In fact, blind pets are not nearly as concerned about their deficit as most owners. When your pet becomes blind, the cat will just rely on its sense of smell and hearing.
What do you do when your cat goes blind?
How to look after blind cats
What causes elderly cats to go blind?
The ones with so-called sudden blindness that we see tend to be elderly cats with chronic hypertension, says Dr. Kern, which can cause eventual detachment of the retina and bleeding in the back of the eye.
How can you tell if your elderly cat is going blind?
The signs that your cat has become visually impaired may be quite obvious. The animal may, for example, start bumping into furniture, trip as it climbs up or down a flight of stairs, or appear to have trouble finding its litter box or food bowl
What can you do for a cat going blind?
Blind cats are easily disorientated, so helping them not to get lost is a priority. Keep them indoors, or with access to a secure garden, so they don’t roam too far. You might even want to take them out with a lead attached to their collar or harness, which many cats take to very well.
What would cause a cat to go blind suddenly?
It is not cruel to allow your pet to function as a blind pet. In fact, blind pets are not nearly as concerned about their deficit as most owners. When your pet becomes blind, the cat will just rely on its sense of smell and hearing.
What do cats eyes look like when they go blind?
Conditions such as trauma, infections, inflammation and tumors are the primary underlying causes. Diseases of the lens such as cataracts and dislocated lenses are relatively uncommon and though they result in impaired vision they don’t necessarily mean the cat is blind.
Can a blind cat live a happy life?
While they need a little extra attention, blind cats can live a full and happy life and provide plenty of affection to their owners.
Can a blind cat be left alone?
Consider crate training your blind pet if they’ll be left alone for long periods of time or confine them to a small space when you leave. Provide noise-making toys that they’ll be able to easily find or give them treat-dispensing toys that they can find by smell.
Is it hard to care for a blind cat?
Caring for a blind cat isn’t as difficult as you’d imagine. In fact, it’s not much different from caring for a sighted kittyyou just need to have a few extra considerations.
How can I help my cat who is going blind?
It is not cruel to allow your pet to function as a blind pet. In fact, blind pets are not nearly as concerned about their deficit as most owners. When your pet becomes blind, the cat will just rely on its sense of smell and hearing.
What do cats do when they are blind?
Here are some ways to help.
How do you make a blind cat happy?
Signs often include:
- Cloudy eyes.
- Uneven or very wide pupils.
- Disorientation and bumping into things, especially in low light.
- Walking slowly/cautiously with their legs wider apart than usual.
- Reluctance to jump.
- Hiding away and becoming nervous.
- Reluctance to go out at night.
- Changes in their behaviour.
Why did my elderly cat go blind?
Visiting the Vet If you suspect your elderly kitty is suffering from any sort of vision loss, get him examined by a vet. She’ll perform a physical exam of your little one’s eyes and will likely perform tests, including a blood test, to check for any underlying illness that could be causing your kitty’s blindness.
Can sudden blindness in cats be reversed?
Medical causes for adult or senior cats losing their sight are more common than genetic ones. These include trauma, neurological problems, and high blood pressure. Cats compensate for impaired vision by relying more on their remaining senses, especially smell.
How do you check a cat’s eyesight?
How can I test my cat’s vision?
How do you tell if a cat is starting to go blind?
Signs often include:
Can you fix blindness in cats?
Here are some ways to help.
Can a cat regain its sight?
As is true for virtually all feline disease, the earlier a cat’s vision problems are diagnosed, the better they may be treatedunless, of course, an animal’s blindness has already become irreversible by the time veterinary care is pursued.
What happens when cats start to go blind?
In some instances, prompt and proper veterinary treatment can restore partial vision to a cat with a retinal detachment, but in most cases, permanent blindness will result.
Can blindness in cats be temporary?
Liver failure can cause temporary intermittent blindness. Sudden loss of vision in your pet is an emergency, and requires immediate evaluation by a veterinarian. With prompt treatment, some blindness may be reversible.
Can cat blindness be reversed?
How to look after blind cats