What causes Kitten blindness?
What causes Kitten blindness?
Among the diseases that frequently lead to feline blindness, Dr. Kern says, the most common is inflammation of the uvea (uveitis), the middle area of the eye that is made up of the iris, the ciliary body (which produces the fluid inside the eye), and the choroid (which supplies nutrients to the retina).
Why would my cat suddenly go blind?
One of the most common causes of sudden blindness in an elderly cat is due to high blood pressure (hypertension). The increased pressure pushes the light sensitive layer (retina) away from the back of the eye and this can happen literally overnight.
What is wrong with my kittens eyes?
Cats and kittens can get an eye infection known as conjunctivitis. In people, this condition is commonly known as pink eye and has a variety of causes. In cats, it is often caused by viruses like feline viral rhinotracheitis—a herpes virus that only cats get.
Is blindness in cats reversible?
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.
How can you tell if a kitten is blind?
How to tell if a cat is blind
- 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.
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.
What causes cloudy eyes in kittens?
Cats typically develop cataracts due to inflammation, systemic disease, or trauma to the lens rather than old age. Old age causes a thickening of the lens called nuclear sclerosis, but cataracts are a different problem. Cataracts are characterized by cloudy eye and partial to full vision loss.
How can I tell if my kitten has vision problems?
You can also inspect your cat’s eyes to see if they are red, cloudy, milky, or if one pupil is larger than the other. Squinting more than normal could also be an indication that your cat is having trouble with her eyesight6. Any of these symptoms should prompt medical attention.
How can I help my blind kitten?
How to look after blind cats
- Keep your blind cat indoors, ensuring they have access to a safely-fenced garden or run if necessary.
- Encourage your cat to walk around on their own and avoid carrying them.
- When you approach your cat, talk to them as you approach them to avoid startling them.
What do you do with a blind kitten?
7 Tips for Living With a Blind Cat
- Use a blind cat’s other senses to orient her to her home.
- You can move your furniture if you have a blind cat.
- If you pick up a blind cat and move her, place her somewhere she can orient herself.
- Noisy toys are best for blind cats.
- Let your cat know you’re coming.
What does blindness look like in cats?
A normal cat will be dazzled and blink, squint or turn their head away. A blind cat usually continues to stare ahead. Shine a laser light rapidly over the floor or wall in front of your cat, or drop cotton wool balls from a height beside the cat. A normal cat can’t resist watching the movement.
Can cats eyesight come and go?
There are many different things that can cause a cat to go blind, some are treatable and some are not. Sight loss in cats can be gradual or sudden depending on the cause. Fortunately, many cats cope well with blindness, especially if they have lost vision gradually and adapted well.
What causes sudden onset blindness in cats?
Answer: The most common cause of sudden blindness in older cats is probably hypertension (high blood pressure), usually associated with hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes or some other systemic illness.
What are causes of sudden death in cats?
The most common causes of sudden death in cats are heart disease and associated conditions. Feline cardiomyopathy or “heart muscle disease” and feline heartworm disease are the most common causes of sudden death in outwardly healthy cats.
What are signs of blindness in cats?
Bumping into walls and furniture
Why do cats go blind suddenly?
Why cats go blind. One of the most common causes of sudden blindness in an elderly cat is due to high blood pressure (hypertension). The increased pressure pushes the light sensitive layer (retina) away from the back of the eye and this can happen literally overnight.
