My Baby is now blind and I don't know what to do. She is sooo confused and I think depressed. My husband lost it yesterday .
Baby is 15 years old diabetic and her kidneys are starting to slow down. We give her fluids in the morning and shots as well.
She had sight when I left for work yesterday, but lost it sometime that afternoon and Bill didn't see it coming. It was that quit. We called our vet, but it wasn't any help.
I don't know what to do.
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Any idea why she suddenly lost her sight? Was it going slowly and now complete?
If it was sudden, I can understand her confusion. If it is has been gradual, then she should be ok as long as you don't move around any furniture.
Hugs,
Kay
Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened. ~ Anatole France
Kathy, I am so sorry for Baby, You & your husband.
I have been in almost the same situation. Not diabetes tho.
I can't tell you what to do. You have to make the decision according to your own feelings.
I would either take her to another vet or let her go to Rainbow Bridge & be healed again. You will be left with the greif of losing her but she would be well again.
My heart goes out to all of you.
I will say a prayer for all of you.
Nancy
Kay,
Thank You for the reply.
I think Baby was loosing her sight a little at a time. I noticed little things and told my husband, so he could ask the vet.
When we talked to our vet yesterday, she wasn't surprised, this I didn't like. I know Baby being 15 years old, she is OLD, but we should have been informed of what could hapen. Our vet said not to move furniture and make sure all areas are safe, but when we see her soo confused and not wanting us to help her, that hurts.
We put our Pookie to rest 11/15/08 and this makes it so much harder, because she is our last one.
They both were strays that we trapped and took in. I love them both so much.
Thank you for the advise.
Cats can get hypertension/high blood pressure, especially when kidneys are not functioning as well as they used to. The problem is the medication to treat the blood pressure can damage other body functions. Has your vet checked her blood pressure? Many do not because cats tend to freak out in the vet's office so an accurate reading is hard to get.
If you have not done so, You should check out the CRF website, which was invaluable when my elderly Pinky was diagnosed with renal insufficiency. Pinky received fluids twice a week and extra attention and monitoring. She lived to just over 20, was pretty deaf and I know her vision was not what it was. But up until the very last week she was happy.
Prayers on the way that your kitty adjusts to her disability.
I thought I would add that maybe while Baby adjusts, she could be confined to a room or area until she can manage to get around it and then gradually expand her territory. Imagine being able to see, and then not. Pets do not question why, but perhaps her other senses will help her adjust over time.
KimW
Thanks for the reply.
The kidneys just started to give her problems. She wasn't eating, but drinking a ton of water. I thought this was her surgar, but the test showed her kidneys were slowing down.
Our Vet never mentioned the hypertension/high blood pressure, but did say something to us yesterday, for the first time.
I work for an insurance agent selling insurance and I take care of my people, teaching them about insurance and what too expect. I wanted the same experience, but that didn't happen.
Where is the CRF website?
We are trying to keep her in a confined area, but my husband is having a hard time with all of this.
She is his little girl. He loves her very much.
Sorry for the delay, I started this at work and now that I'm home, I am tired.
This is the first time I have ever asked for help, thank you all for it.
I'm so sorry your Baby is having so many health problems. It's never easy when the body starts wearing down.
I wonder if this article will help: Caring for blind cats. It has a lot of suggestions for making things easier on Baby, and on you.
You might want to add Baby to the Special Needs list for the Candle Ceremony. Prayer can do wonderful things, and it's healing for us as well. I'm sure Marg, our list keeper, will be glad to add Baby to the list.
Hugs
Marion
www.crf.com is the website. As you read and navagate the site, note the associated symptoms and accompanying conditions with CRF (Chronic Renal Failure). Is she bumping into things or just disoriented? Cats love routines and special needs kitties more so. You can help her know what to expect at certain times. If you have wood or tile floors, perhaps a large area rug will help her find her way around. She will find that carpeted area means she is away from walls and when she is off the rug, the walls will be nearby. Steps can help her get to her favorite furniture. Also pheramone spray might make her a bit more calm, and you can give extra sprays to her favorite bed, resting spot or steps to help her locate them.
If Baby likes lap time, but seems unsure now, perhaps sitting on the floor with her on your lap or if she does not mind, gently picking her up and placing her in your lap for cuddling will soothe her. How much fluids are you giving her?
I know it's hard to do, but try not to stress too much, Baby will feel your worry and it will upset her. Once you get into a routine with her it will help a lot. (Pinky loved whipped cream in a spray can-aka 'fluffy milk, which she got every evening exactly at 6 pm. If I was late she would howl in Siamese fashion until her fluffy milk was delivered to her cushion.)
Dearest Kathy,
I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you, but I will offer you, your husband and your precious Baby the most important thing I can give, and that is prayer.
My first cat, Jumper, developed diabetes and we were on a roller coaster with his weight, his insulin and his blood sugar for about eight months...then the diabetes disappeared. He never lost his sight, but died at 14 of renal failure.
I'm really so sorry you and she must endure this. I truly am. Please know I am asking prayers placing all of you cradled in God's embrace. May you find peace there.
Much love, many prayers and infinite Hope,
Jabi
KimW, Jabi and Marion,
Thank you all for your support, I need it.
KimW I found the website for CRF and it's now in my favorites. It's helping me navigate through this mess we are in.
Today Bill and I gave Baby fluids, but it hasn't helped. She has stopped eating and isn't drinking water that much.
I think going blind has upset so much that she is starting to shut down. My husband is hurting, this is his little girl.
Baby truely loves Bill, she was a stray we trapped and kept in our screen porch. She was a wild thing and so tiny. Baby took to Bill and it took her 2 years to warm up to me.
That was 15 years ago and 2 cats before her. She is our last and I don't think Bill wants to go through this again. I'm not sure I do either.
Thank You all for the help and letting me vent about this.
Have you tried warming her food in the microwave? That releases the odor and will sometimes encourage a cat to eat. One thing that worked for me with my cats was to "Prime the pump" by putting a dab of food on the tip of the cat's nose. They lick it off and often that will get them to eat on their own. Baby food, the strained meat flavors, will sometimes get them started eating again. With the blindness Baby needs to learn to use her other sense to find things, especially her food dish.
Prayers headed your way for a bit more bonus time with Baby.
marion
Marion,
Please light a candle for Baby, she crossed over this afternoon. It was the hardest thing Bill and I have done. We helped Pookie cross over last November 15th and a part of me died then.
I wish we could have kept her forever, but that isn't real. One day Bill and I will be together again with Raven, Pookie and Baby, until then we will have to wait.
Thank You all for your support and love for what we do for our furbabies.
God Speed Baby!
Many hugs for you Kathy and your husband Bill.
Find peace in her being healthy and happy at the Bridge.
My sincere condolences to you & Bill.
Rest in Peace, Baby