DS Forums

 
 

Struggling with news about my cat


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 23-11-2016, 10:09
Snuffkin88
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 58

My cat whose only 7, has been behaving off recently & we knew something wasn't right so took her to the vets yesterday who told us she's lost her sight due to a detatched retina likely caused by high blood pressure which is likely to be caused by an underlying health problem.
Now I'm just at a loss of what to do. She's gone from being an outdoor happy cat running around to being thoroughly miserable, hiding away, not eating / drinking. The few days she's been sat 24/7 on our dining room table.
She ran out of the house twice in the past week & was out all day in the rain then my husband had to rescue her from the otherside of the fence as he found her sat meowing like she didn't know where she was or how to jump.
I'm completely heartbroken seeing her like this.

I feel like the vet wasn't very clear yesterday & basically seemed to be saying it's completely up to us how much we want to investigate what's wrong with her (some invasive tests etc).
I completely understand blind cats CAN live happy full lives.. but she's not happy & I can't bear to watch her like this.

Has anyone been through similar?
I'm just struggling as my mum thinks it would be kinder to have her PTS than have her miserable Ike this, but then on the flip side maybe if the vets can find out what's wrong & medicate her she might then be better..
But then again we're going to have to put her through numerous tests (some invasive) to try find out , I just don't want to add extra upset / stress for her.

Just feeling at a complete loss.
Snuffkin88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 23-11-2016, 12:42
Deb Arkle
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: I'm an oik!
Posts: 9,572
It sounds to me that she's struggling to adapt to blindness, and when you add in that there's another problem (whatever it may be) which has caused the high blood pressure, I'd go along with your mum TBH.
Deb Arkle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-11-2016, 12:59
mrsgrumpy49
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,365
Well your cat is young and if it was me, I would probably stick with it for a while.
If this is just one eye, is your cat partially sighted rather than completely blind?
It would seem that not all tests are invasive. I would read up on it then check what minimal tests the vet can do and what meds might be needed.
Then you have to weigh up costs.

https://www.vetinfo.com/detached-retina-in-cats.html
http://icatcare.org/advice/cat-healt...blindness-cats

That said I'm biased. My dog was given 3 months to live over 3 years ago. I'm glad I stuck with it but of course it's easy to say in retrospect..
Only you know your cat and there is no right or wrong answer.
Good luck whatever you decide.
mrsgrumpy49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-11-2016, 13:54
Snuffkin88
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 58
Thankyou for your input.
I've called the vets this morning, she's booked in for the day tomorrow for them to get urine / blood sample for testing to see if it's kidneys or thyroid.
She's managed to eat / drink a bit today & I brought her to sit on the sofa with me & she seemed quite content purring.
So will see what vet tests reveal tomorrow.

I don't think it helps that last week we switched the furniture around in the rooms so think that's why she's sat on the table all the time, hopefully she'll readjust soon.
Snuffkin88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-11-2016, 14:00
Deb Arkle
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: I'm an oik!
Posts: 9,572
Oh that could explain it! Perhaps she'll adjust with a little time, in that case.
Deb Arkle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-11-2016, 14:33
Shrike
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 11,472
She's only seven, I'd give her a chance to adapt, though it does also depend on what the underlying health issue is.
Does she have any sight at all? If not you need to concentrate on the senses she does have - rustly, clicky toys; strong smelling food and treats; clear pathways around the house.
Shrike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-11-2016, 23:18
gilesb
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,419
I wouldn't give up, of course she will be miserable at first just as we would be if we suddenly lost our sight. In time she will hopefully adjust but will probably best to be an indoor cat. I am sure there will be people with blind cats who can offer some better advice.
gilesb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-11-2016, 19:38
Snuffkin88
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 58
Just an update, had results back from the vets, so her kidneys / thyroid seem to be ok however they think there is something wrong with her liver, so she's booked in for an ultrasound on Wednesday morning. They said it could be inflamed or be a tumour.. hoping for good news & that it's treatable.
Snuffkin88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-11-2016, 20:37
Mark39London
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London
Posts: 3,847
Good luck, I hope things work out.

Blind cats can live happy lives. I don't know if you followed the story of Flash, but he went from being hit by a van and almost dying to a very perky blind cat.
Mark39London is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 21:57
Snuffkin88
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 58
Just a sad update, unfortunately had to have our lovely cat put to sleep last Wednesday, the scan showed her liver was completely destroyed with no chance of recovery and nothing they could do.
Turned out she was a very poorly cat who'd obviously hidden quite well for some time.

I felt awfully guilty, but I know deep down it was the kindest thing for her. Both my husband and I were with her and it was quick & peaceful.
Will get her ashes back soon.
Snuffkin88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 22:58
Shrike
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 11,472
Sorry to hear that. Don't feel guilty - cats are very good at hiding illness so you weren't to know. In the end it's better she went before life became too painful. She was clearly much loved, and I'm sure she knew that.

RIP Puss.
Shrike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 19:17
blueblade
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Southern East Anglia
Posts: 75,202
Really sorry to hear this awfully sad news, especially as she was only 7.
blueblade is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 15:48
Leicester_Hunk
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Leicester!!!
Posts: 13,012
Just a sad update, unfortunately had to have our lovely cat put to sleep last Wednesday, the scan showed her liver was completely destroyed with no chance of recovery and nothing they could do.
Turned out she was a very poorly cat who'd obviously hidden quite well for some time.

I felt awfully guilty, but I know deep down it was the kindest thing for her. Both my husband and I were with her and it was quick & peaceful.
Will get her ashes back soon.
So sorry for you. It happened to us with our 6 year old British Blue last month. She developed pneumonia and pleural effusion. We have her ashes back - my girlfriend is making a cushion to keep them in. Hope you feel better soon.
Leicester_Hunk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2016, 10:09
yviebabe
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 391
Very sorry to hear that, this is the very high price we pay for loving our beautiful pets. I had to have my cat Squeak PTS last June. He'd become senile and finally stopped eating. I'm upset even now thinking about it. Don't feel guilty though, you obviously gave her a lovely life while she was with you.
yviebabe is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply



Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 10:46.