Help Sampson went blind overnight?

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mccat2

mccat2

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Hi Everyone:
I hope that someone can help me out here. On Thursday night I noticed that one of Sampsons pupils was very large and the other only a slit. I called the vet on Friday from work and made and appointment for Saturday morning. On arriving home at approx 7:30, Sampson was completely blind. I had no real warning on this, however, over the last 3 weeks his eyes had been weepy. I asked the vet about it 2 weeks ago and they didn't think it was anything. I took him to the ER last night they said that his blood pressure was very high and they couldn't get an eye pressure reading, Vet said that it could be blood pressure, eye infection or kidney issues. He sent me home with eyedrops neoploydex to administer every 8 hours in the hope that it is an infection. But we are not sure.
Here Sampsons issues:
Transient Diabetic - no longer on insulin Checked blood glucose last week at 186 and 224 both times. No check this week. Seemed to be responded to the flagyl. When I can get him to take the pill. Bit me pretty hard last week. Flagyl Liquid is not an option with him- he retches and throws it up.
Severe IBD - We just can't seem to get it under control. Using Flagyl pills for diarrhea and Budesonide. No flagyl or bude since yesterday morning. I don;t want to stress him out.
Weight loss - 2 lbs in a month & a half. Lost another 3 ounces as of yesterdays reading. Steady weight loss over the last 2 years. He was a 16 lb cat now at 10.3 lbs.
Bladder stones diagnosed about 4 years ago. No change. Period xrays. Had another xray last night just to be safe on that end.
Kidney level at little higher than normal. High is 36 he was at 37 3 weeks ago, full blood panel. Everything else checked out normally.
He is 17 years old. Appetite has been good but has a bowel movement everytime he eats. However since he went blind last night no bowel movement. Has urintated only 3 times since yesterday morning that I can tell (I have 2 cats but can tell the difference usually. Sammy doesn't cover and his is a little sticky.
I am writing this in tears. I can't stand to see him blind, he is walking around scared and when he isn't walking around bumping into things and disorentiented he is hiding in my closet where he feels comfortable. How much more can I put him through? When do say he has had enough? How do I know? He is trying to acclimate himself, he jumps up on the bed and seems to really like my attention but I know he is so scared and I am so very sad to see him like this. Will we ever get to the bottom of the blindness, it was so sudden. Do any of you have any help or support you can lend me on these issues. I am trying everything I can.
I have an appt with my regular vet at 12:00 on Monday, but in speaking to them by phone, the only way to treat high blood pressure is with more pills. I don't want my poor little old guy to suffer. However he does move around and doesn't appear to be in pain but I know cats are very tolerant of pain and discomfort. When do I know how much is enough and how to I make my blind baby comfortable. What can I do? Any suggestions. I feel so bad right now and it's so hard to watch but I am trying to treat him as normally as possible without upsetting him. He is trying, poor little guy. I just sick about this.
Also Mary Jo I got your email message but I really don't know how to use that feature yet and with everything else going on I haven't had the time. But this is the update. It sure isn't good news. I hope Smokie gets better.


Vicki
 
I think that a kitty who has gone blind overnight and who has very high blood pressure should probably start treatment with Amlodipine to reduce the blood pressure. If caught early, blindness due to high blood pressure may be reversible. I would talk to one of the vets again to discuss starting the pills as soon as possible.

Perhaps he is using the litter box less frequently because he is having trouble finding it? I would try to protect him from falls (such as off the bed). He may be more comfortable confined to a small area in the short term.

If you are not making any progress with Budesonide, you may need to consider moving up to a stronger steroid such as Prednisolone.
 
I did not read your whole post but are you saying that no BP meds were started?

Any cat with sudden blindness, dilated pupils, and significantly high blood pressure should be started on amlodipine asap. Was this discussed with you?

A thorough eye exam - focusing on the retina - is a critical component to the overall physical exam. Cats with hypertension often end up blind from detached retinas....which can sometimes partially reattach but only if BP meds are started right away.
 
FWIW, the Amlodipine pills are extremely tiny, even more so if you don't have to give the whole pill. They are so tiny they are a ***** to cut in 1/2 or 1/4.
 
Thank you for your information. I have an appt on mon. What do you think I should do? Is there some way I can help him until then?


Thanks,
 
The longer you wait to get the meds, the higher chance that you won't be able to reverse the blindness unfortunately. Can you take him to an ER clinic tonight or first thing tomorrow morning?
 
He doesn't want to go downstairs & use the litter box. I have been told to keep everything the same. Do you gave any suggestions?


Thanks,
 
mccat2 said:
He doesn't want to go downstairs & use the litter box. I have been told to keep everything the same. Do you gave any suggestions?


Thanks,
Click to expand...

You shouldn't move existing things around, but he may have trouble finding litter box if it's too far away to 'smell'.

Pick him up and place him in the box, if you think he should need to go. And add more boxes wherever
he is hanging out. Place some used litter in the 'new' boxes. He might be able to 'smell' the new boxes.

The faster you get him to a vet, the better chance you have of reversing this.

But let me tell you, cats do adjust to being blind.
 
Vicki i am so sorry Sampson is having so many problems and i know how exhausted you
must be. I hope you can get help for him right away.
God bless, Hugs and Prayers
Maryjo
 
mccat2 said:
I have an appt on mon,
Click to expand...

I am rarely an alarmist/"hurry up" type of person but I would have taken him today and not waited until Monday. Hours count in these situations.

I assume that your ER is open on Sunday.....
 
The ER already saw him this weekend and took his BP. I would call and ask if they would give you some pills for Sunday and Monday. The retinas are detached. If caught within a few days, there is a chance he can get his vision back. This really is an emergency. Dr Lisa is a vet. I would truly take her advice and take action right away.
 
I am so very sorry about Sampson sending beautiful healing green light his way Angels to guide him every day bless you both.I have a 17 year old cat Schooch in renel failure and I thing some times hie eyes are going to but I hope not.We do so much to give them the best we can .Hugssssssssssssssssssssssss
 
My gosh, I am SO sorry to hear what's happened to your poor little guy. Please give us an update when you can. I hope he's better.
 
Went to the vet today. He is concerned about me giving him bp medication on top of all of the other symptoms that we are treating. He did write me a script and I think I want to try. Are there any severe side effects that I should be aware of? My Vet tells me he doesn't think it should hurt him.
 
Oh I forgot to note that his bp was around 170 and his bg was really up at 380 at the Vets. Highest it's been in a long, long time. I don't want to start injecting him with insulin again, he is a transient diabetic and I am at work at lot. 10 hours a day with drive time.


Thanks,
 
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