Our poor old cat has gone blind.
Discussion
About 4 weeks ago we noticed that our old cat Webby was moving much slower.
It has become apparent that she was losing her sight.
She is clearly now completely blind and its so sad to see her wondering around bumping in to things.
Shes over 19 years old and so knows her way around the house and we are trying to avoid introducing new obstacles but she seems to be becoming more disorientated by the day.
She has always been very independent and could be quite 'vicious' if too much attention was offered.
Now, she is clearly asking for reassurance and support. Mind she still lets me know when she has had enough.
Really sad to see.
It has become apparent that she was losing her sight.
She is clearly now completely blind and its so sad to see her wondering around bumping in to things.
Shes over 19 years old and so knows her way around the house and we are trying to avoid introducing new obstacles but she seems to be becoming more disorientated by the day.
She has always been very independent and could be quite 'vicious' if too much attention was offered.
Now, she is clearly asking for reassurance and support. Mind she still lets me know when she has had enough.
Really sad to see.
[quote=Who me ?]Again sad to hear of it. Perhaps it's time to think of a "guide " cat to help the older one find life again.
[/quote]
Thanks for the replies.
She is adapting and using her whiskers but occasionally seems to forget and speeds up straight into a door or something.
Over the years we have tried to introduce other cats and she has hated it.
We have had dogs as well constantly over the years who were terrified of her.
The last 4 years we've had a Husky/Malamute cross, huge beast, he looks around doors to make sure the cats not about.
He is a wonderfully good natured dog and I know he would have been a comfort for her but he wont go near her.
I have a line of claw marks across the back of my hand from over fussing her this morning.
[/quote]
Thanks for the replies.
She is adapting and using her whiskers but occasionally seems to forget and speeds up straight into a door or something.
Over the years we have tried to introduce other cats and she has hated it.
We have had dogs as well constantly over the years who were terrified of her.
The last 4 years we've had a Husky/Malamute cross, huge beast, he looks around doors to make sure the cats not about.
He is a wonderfully good natured dog and I know he would have been a comfort for her but he wont go near her.
I have a line of claw marks across the back of my hand from over fussing her this morning.
Has she had a vet check recently, if so hopfully they did some general checks. Blindness can be caused by high blood pressure (due to eg thyroid issues), glaucoma etc. The blindness likely permanent now but it would be worth making sure no underlying condition that could be managed to prevent further issues for as long as poss. (Eg renal failure)
I know she is elderly but trestments can still be beneficial to them even at her age.
I know she is elderly but trestments can still be beneficial to them even at her age.
Never thought about blood pressure, just put it down to her age.
I'll call the Vet today but I'm loath to put her in a travel box.
Just checked her Vaccination Certificate. Her most recent visit to the Vets was 23rd June 2003.
She has never had any problems.
Actually, she hasn't left the house in 10 years.
I'll call the Vet today but I'm loath to put her in a travel box.
Just checked her Vaccination Certificate. Her most recent visit to the Vets was 23rd June 2003.
She has never had any problems.
Actually, she hasn't left the house in 10 years.
We had a cat that went blind and lived for a further 5 years' recommend this book which I purchased when we had her.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-Blind-Cat-Natasha-...
You will notice little black lines on the edges of the doors and furniture as they leave their sent to find objects in front of them.
Ours use to go outside in the summer-time to lay down on the patio and in the front garden and I always noticed that other cats would move out of her way as if they knew she couldn't see.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-Blind-Cat-Natasha-...
You will notice little black lines on the edges of the doors and furniture as they leave their sent to find objects in front of them.
Ours use to go outside in the summer-time to lay down on the patio and in the front garden and I always noticed that other cats would move out of her way as if they knew she couldn't see.
goldieandblackie said:
We had a cat that went blind and lived for a further 5 years' recommend this book which I purchased when we had her.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-Blind-Cat-Natasha-...
You will notice little black lines on the edges of the doors and furniture as they leave their sent to find objects in front of them.
Ours use to go outside in the summer-time to lay down on the patio and in the front garden and I always noticed that other cats would move out of her way as if they knew she couldn't see.
Very interesting.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-Blind-Cat-Natasha-...
You will notice little black lines on the edges of the doors and furniture as they leave their sent to find objects in front of them.
Ours use to go outside in the summer-time to lay down on the patio and in the front garden and I always noticed that other cats would move out of her way as if they knew she couldn't see.
Thanks for the details for the book, I shall look into it.
I guess its a little early regarding the sent marking.
If anything, she appears to be forgetting paths she's trodden for many years and so turning in a confused manner.
We're avoiding introducing new obstacles to minimize but she is struggling.
My cat has been blind since we got him. He gets around very well, but if noisy kids arrive in the garden he's been seen bouncing off flowerpots in his rush to get away. It prevents him catching too many birds, which is good. He has had to put up with a Husky who has come to stay, who is a big old brute. There's no aggression, but there is intense competition for food. And getting through doors. The other day I saw cat walk under dog as one went out and the other came in. Anyway, it's sad about your cat, but he will adapt pretty well, once he has you trained.
Sad to say we lost Webby yesterday.
She would sleep in my office every day in a bed by my feet.
She got up but collapsed behind my seat.
Vet said it was most likely a stroke.
Over the years we have had many cats but Webby is the only one to make it to old age so we are grateful for that.
And so many memories of this little bundle of viciousness.
So a sad farewell.
Some photo's from last week.
One more bite
No, no, I insist, after you, no, I don't mind waiting.
She would sleep in my office every day in a bed by my feet.
She got up but collapsed behind my seat.
Vet said it was most likely a stroke.
Over the years we have had many cats but Webby is the only one to make it to old age so we are grateful for that.
And so many memories of this little bundle of viciousness.
So a sad farewell.
Some photo's from last week.
One more bite
No, no, I insist, after you, no, I don't mind waiting.
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