Blind kitten

[EnderSSoGC]

I'm not sure if you guys remember me, it's been awhile, but I'm glad to be back!

So, last night I was getting ready to go to bed when there's a knock on the door. I answer it and standing there is one of my friends holding a small kitten. She told me she'd found it on the side of the road and didn't know what to do and turned the kitten towards me. At first I stepped back in horror, because this little kitten's eyes bulged, unseeing from her face. They were greenish black and oozing. I'd never seen anything like it in a kitten before and it completely threw me. Feeling sure that the little thing had experienced some sort of trauma to her head and could be in shock, I took her from my friend and rushed her to the emergency vet. I was sure I'd have to have her put to sleep.

But, my vet told me that she hadn't experienced any trauma at all, but a massive eye infection that went untreated. Neglect, plain and simple. My boyfriend thought we should still put her to sleep, so I had the vet give her a more complete health check. Her heart and lungs were normal, her temperature was normal, and she weighed in at 1 lb, 3 oz. which isn't too shabby for a 6 week old kitten. I had to give this little girl a chance at life. She's currently on antibiotics and eye medication, but the vet said she'll most likely never see again. Other than that though, she's a normal kitten who will mangle you for the smell of food on your fingers.

I have no idea how to care for a blind kitten though. I'm so afraid she's going to hurt herself somehow. My first instinct is to carry her everywhere, but I've also been trying to just let her run around and get used to things. So far she won't use the litter box either. Has anyone here ever had to care for a blind cat? I could realy use some tips and pointers to make this kitty's life as comfortable as I can make it.

[e1beth1]

Thank you for giving this little one a chance. I know blind cats can lead a very happy and mostly normal life but I'm sure it will take a lot of extra work and care from you. Hopefully someone else on this forum will have some personal experience that can give you some good advice.

[lindsayanng]

i know someone who has a blind cat and the cat gets along GREAT.. The problem is that you can not do any furniture moving in your house.. And if you do, do it a little at a time and ALWAYS show the cat. Also, but her food and water in the VERY VERT accessable place and get a cat/pet fountain. The litter box as well.. if you can keep EVERYTHING on the same floor that would also be best.. A blind cat going down (basement) stairs is NOT good.

Cats dont drink enough as it is, and they hardly EVER seek out water, but the sound of the running water almost ALWAYS attracts a cat over to it to drink, and with a blind cat it is the same thing.. That is probably the ONLY thing that is NESSESARY for a blind cat that is not nessesary for a cat who sees.. everything else should be the same.

[dlaura]

Welcome back! Thank you for caring for this poor little one. This kitten may surprise you and maybe she will get some sight back - you just never know. I am sorry I have no suggestions to help you with a blind kitten, but I am sure others will be along to offer help.

[special]

You are my HERO!!! Thank you so much for taking in this poor little baby. I don't have anything to add to Lindsay's good advice, except maybe about the litter box..

do you have other cats? If you put some of their litter in her box, so she can smell it, it she might get the idea. Make sure the box has low enough sides so she can get into it easily, you may want to get a small flattish rubbermaid container for her to start

Do you know her name yet?

[nanamouse]

Wow, to think she could have been so sick and the infection didn't spread. That's a cat with a strong will to live!
She's probably been living out of doors, the best way to start her on the litterbox might be a box filled with soil, topped with dead leaves and pine needles. After she starts using it you can start adding litter to it until it's all litter. If she is on a strong dosage of antibiotics it may cause diareah that will make her unable to get to the box in time.
Her other sences will probably become sharper to compensate for her loss of sight, I'd be sure to keep her away from stairways, and block off areas behind appliances, maybe keep background noises like tv and sterio low for a while. Just remember that she can't see you walking and get out of your way, if she doesn't get stepped on she'll probably get along fine as she gets older.
It sounds like an incredible challenge, but so many things that seem impossible at the start work out smoothly in the end. Keep us updated, you'll be learning a lot that we may need to know someday. You go Endor!

[lindsayanng]

oh.. since she is on strong antibiotics, i suggest getting some Bene-Bac. it is something you could get at a pet store in the cats, dogs, birds, small animals, or reptiles section (it is all the same stuff and can be used cross species - my vet said so) and it is filled with live bacterias that live inside of the intestine - antibiotics kill that good bacteria, so giving that stuff will help with ANY and ALL stomach issues caused by antibiotics.. It is very easy to give, it comes in a pastey gel that you can just swipe on her front legs and she will lick it off, or you can mix it into her food.

[jacko]

Aww... thats really good for you taking care of this cat... this might help: http://yourcatcareguide.com/wordpress/?p=120

[Macawpower58]

Yes, we remember you!

This is one lucky cat. You are truly noble to take on this handicapped baby. I have never had or known a blind animal, but from what I've heard they get along very well. The other senses heighten to accommodate the loss of sight. You may find this kitty develops extraordinary hearing.

[EnderSSoGC]

Thanks for the Bene-Bac advice, lindsay! She's been having some trouble with going to the bathroom and that might help. She did have an accident in the floor, but I just transferred it to her litter box and now she'll go every time I put her in it. So, we're getting along with that so far, I think it will be so much easier once she adjusts and learns where everything is.

Her eyes already look so much better than they did, but I really have no hope for her ever getting her sight back. They don't really remotely resemble eyes anymore.

She's adjusting so well though. She's already careful enough not to jump or walk off of things if she can't put a paw down and feel the ground. All she has to do is smell food and she'll cry and cry until you give it to her or she finds it. She even started playing for the first time today and I nearly cried.

I'm trying to get her to make friends with my cat Dexter. Sybil tried to hurt her, but so far Dexter just seems curious. The kitten seems to be extremely anti social with other animals though. She'll hiss and growl like a thing posessed, but I'm hoping she'll eventually give in because I believe her life will be so much easier with a cat companion. Unfortunately I don't get to name her, my friend who found her has agreed to take her once I nurse her back to health and she hasn't thought of a name yet.

I love talking about this little girl though, so I'll definitely keep you guys updated!

[nanamouse]

Poor little thing, she'll have to learn her way around all over again when your friend takes her.
I imagine other animals are pretty scary to her, since she can't see their body language to figure out what their intentions are towards her.
All that is stuff that will probably work itself out once she's healthy and grown, I'm glad it was you she was brought to.

[e1beth1]

Everything is a new experience for her now, she'll have to figure out and adjust to everything, especially other animals. I'm happy she's taken such a good disposition with the litter box, my guess is she'll be able to sniff it out herself after a while. I wish your little one all the best, keep us updated and post some pictures if you can.

[xpalaboyx]

i had a blind cat before but only on one eye... she seems so normal and didnt break anything...

[EnderSSoGC]

I'm working on the pictures and I've decided my friend will just have to use the name I've picked out. I've named her Dinah.

She's definitely developing a personality now and she likes to bathe me, and will hold me still while she does it. Her hearing seems to get better everyday and she can chase after my hand so well I thought she'd magically gotten her sight back!

I do believe I'm spoiling her though. I carry her around everywhere and so far can't get her to come to me calling her or shaking her food dish. So, I probably need to work on that. She knows if she waits long enough, I'll just pick her up and take her to the food.

[e1beth1]

As much fun as it is to carry her, she does need to learn to come on her own. Trust me, if she gets hungry enough, she'll come running. Her hearing and smell will become super sensitive as she grows, it's amazing how animals can compensate like that. OT, but I noticed you have a cat named Freya. I named one of my foster kitties Freya last year and I never thought I would see another one!