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16 year old cat - suddenly blind and nearly deaf

First of all, THANKS SO MUCH TO MEDHELP FOR MAKING THE PETS DEPT!!! SUCH A GREAT IDEA!!!

Okay, I have a cat that will be 16 in May. A few weeks ago, she went blind litterally overnight. She also seems like her hearing has gotten pretty bad. Do cats have strokes? I've researched online and I haven't seen anything about that. I read the leading cause of sudden blindess is hypertension. But why would she have gone deaf, too? I haven't taken her to the vet since I'm short on cash...plus, I'm not going to have them run all sorts of tests on her anyway. She's an old lady now. She doesn't seem to be suffering and she's adapting to her loss of vision. I'm just wondering if anyone else has gone through this and if they know what caused it.

I should also add that her pupils are permanently dilated, too.
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Avatar universal
I am going threw this now with my cat Debbie. She is 21 years old and I noticed it to like overnight she went blind and deaf or atleast hard if hearing. She also has arthritis in her front legs.She's lived a good life I will not put her threw tests. It's time to say good bye to her. I just had my snow shoe Siamese killed out in front of my house. That's when I started to notice Fluffy's eyes and hearing. Two cats in a month is to much for me to grasp. I have 9 chihuahua's and she eats on the chest freezer so the dogs can't get it. She doesn't even come down anymore. I refused to watch her suffer any longer. I've had her to long. Hope this helps you.  
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Debbie,

Soo had he been partying too hard Friday night?? Kits and drugs when will they learn.

Sorry, know this is not funny, but you did the right thing in visiting the vet. What did the vet say, besides the simple "looks like he is 100% blind" Yikes that's enough to scare anyone.

I hope he was looking into this further and not just taking a guess and sending you home with your poor baby.

Maybe your cat did get into something toxic--so not that far off from the drug thing. Maybe it was just enough to cause this reaction. Now that it has cleared his system he is back to his old self....and old is what he is. God Bless him and you for taking such good care of the little man. Seventeen years is a big deal. He is a bit over the hill, so he should be having check-ups every 6 months. All kind of things happen to elderly cats and as long as you are monitoring with the vet he should avoid any sudden issues--like permanent blindness. What a terrible diagnosis  to give you without any definitive cause.  I mean you could have diagnosed that. Sometimes I wonder how these vets get licensed.

As long as he can see now and is eating and drinking and loving you--be happy. He is 17! there are going to be some good days and some bad. Let's just hope the bad days do not last long.

Best Wishes,
CML
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Avatar universal
Our 17 year old male cat started acting weird last Saturday. Stopped purring, eyes looked funny, bumping into the furniture and it looked like he was “mapping” out routes across the floors.

Took him to the vet who did some checks and he said he looked like he was blind virtually 100% as his pupils were dilating only very small amounts, so they were still huge discs when light was shown in them.

All week he’s been not wanting to eat, just very small amounts, and just lying on a bed on the floor, not wanting to get up or jump up at all.

This morning he ate all his breakfast and jumped up on to the bed and his pupils were perfectly normal and he can see??!

What causes this please, could it of been an inflammation of some sort? Will it happen again? Have you come across this before?
Many Thanks, Debbie
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Less,

The above post is from July 2015. So not sure people will be looking to answer your post.

I think Smokie ( my mom's cat was named that also) is a very lucky little man to have you come into his live just in the nick of time. He may be the last man standing , but would not have had that luxury if you had not taken him in.

I happen to agree with the vet. If you have had him for 10 years he has probably got a few more years to tack on to that.  So he is a little old man. Still eats and drinks and loves to be loved. Apparently ALL you have to do to make this guy happy is keep loving him the way you have.

Absolutely agree with the vets in leaving well enough alone! He just wants that love you brought to his life to keep him going until he needs to leave you. You will Know when that is. I hope there are many more years, even with his ailments- LOVE will keep him happy!

By the way Smokie sounds like he may be a long haired breed (you mentioned combing his tangled fur.  This is a wonderful thing to keep doing as a cat looses those little barbs on their tongue as they age, so he will be licking but going nowhere. Here is where his mom comes in. He still wants to be handsome and you can help him by grooming him everyday --if you don't already.  Just remember to groom with a soft or rubber brush so as  not to srcatch his skin. A warm heating pad under his blanket for warmth and he is good to go.

Be Happy Smokie ! May you have many more years to be loved.

CML.

Helpful - 0
16108187 tn?1445356582
Not sure how old my boy Smokie is. We've had him about 10 years now. He did belong to someone in the neighborhood but they always left him out on the most frigid winter days. I'd come home from work and he'd be curled up on my balcony. The owners did know someone was feeding him and combing the huge knots out of his fur (they left a note in his collar one day saying thank you). One cold day I couldn't take it anymore so I brought him in and never let him out after that. His owners have since moved. Anyway my boy lost the vision in his right eye about 7 months or so but he managed quite well, then all of a sudden about 2 weeks ago he lost the vision in his left eye, it seemed to happen overnight. At the same time I also noticed that his hearing seems to be impaired and his sense of smell is also off a bit. A couple of times when he wakes up we see him stagger his hind legs. (he does have arthritis). His appetite and thirst have not changed so the vet ruled out diabetes + hypertension. He said most likely attributed to a small stroke. So no meds or treatment as such. He seems to be otherwise a happy boy doing his flip flops on the floor when we lie down beside him and give him his "lovins"  The vet recommended we just leave well enough alone. Does not want to traumatize him with pokes and prods and and all kinds of tests. He said as long as he is eating, drinking and appears to be Ok to let him be.  He can't put a time line,  said it could be 2 months or even 2 years, said just keep on with the TLC.  We had 4 cats and my boy Smokie is the last man standing. I love him to the moon and back. My heart is breaking to see him without vision.  
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2 Comments
I understand that cats do not know they are blind.  They adapt well.
I understand that cats don't know they are blind.  They adapt well.
681148 tn?1437661591
Yes, cats will purr to soothe themselves and not just when they're happy.  My tortoiseshell that died this past September purred like mad even when she was struggling to breathe through congestive heart failure that she had suddenly developed.
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Avatar universal
my cat is 16 years old as well and is blind in one eye and deaf.. she is somewhat distant with my husband and I.. (?)  sits in her room and keeps to herself,, she used to be affectionate and want to sit in our laps,, now she just seems to want to be fed her wet food ..she does seem happy and purrs constantly.. is it true that cats purr even while in pain?
                       Terri
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Avatar universal
Im not sure if your cleo has passed by now or not. I came on this site and will look and research blindness, as my 18 yr old Tiger went blind suddenly two weeks ago. It is very difficult to watch him move around and bump into things that he is so used to. The vet said he had detached retina's probable caused by hypertension. My tiger is the most laid back cat there is and always have been. I don't understand how he could have that. He can be put on meeds for that but his vision is gone. It sounds like Cleo has diabetes.. I urge you to get him to a vet. Meds can help her. Just like humans, they suffer. Their organs shut down and they go into a coma. It is a horrible way to live if not controlled. I know, I am a diabetic. Good luck to all of you and your babies.
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874521 tn?1424116797
Traumatized NOT dramatized...spell check typo, sorry.
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874521 tn?1424116797
well Cleo has certainly lived a long and loving life...20 is a very senior age for a cat and not many live to see that number.

the symptoms you are describing is very likely diabetes....the losing weight and drinking lots also the extreme hunger....she is most likely in alot of discomfort/pain.
I think its really time you had a discussion with your son abt the responsibilities of looking after a pets best interests in times such as this...Cleo will die and possibly a very painful death if she is not given medical care, I urge you to call a Vet clinic, if she is too dramatized to be taken than ask if a Vet will come to your home(many will). If you and the Vet  feel she is too old to treat this disease than I urge you to please put her to sleep, she is suffering and a friend that you've loved for 20 years needs you now more than ever.
bless you all...have that talk with you son, he needs to understand that part of loving a pet is doing what is best for them in their time of need♥
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Avatar universal
My cat Cleo is 20 years old and has recently been losing weight and is drinking a lot of water.  She also seems to have dementia in that you feed her and two minutes later she is at her bowl crying to be fed.   She appears to be deaf and is very slow in getting about.  She always slept on my son's bed but now she sleeps on the floor next to him, I presume because she struggles to jump on the bed.   I dont want to take her to the vets as she seems content in herself and she can be a little wild with strangers and would not take to any vet prodding her about.  I want to leave things to how nature intends and hope she passes in her sleep BUT I dont want my son to be traumatised if he finds her dead (he is 12) what would you suggest?
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1 Comments
My boy is approximately 20-21.  Blind, kidney disease, weak legs, talks to me about all the things he wants s/a food, walk outside with harness & leash,  I have stairs for him that he learned to use so he won’t jump.  He moves slow but is quite content sitting at the window, sometimes on my lap.  He likes to eat.  I give him prescription food, lots of fresh bottled water and clean his litter boxes a few times a day.   As long as he’s eating and drinking water and using his litter box I feel he is ok.  I have much more responsibility for him but he is worth every moment of extra time or work I put in for him.  He’s been my very good companion for 19 years.  
874521 tn?1424116797
hi AL55 and welcome to our forum, your pool kitty, I feel for him and his special needs bless you for looking out for him. he will do okay with alot of assistance from you.
I too am looking at putting a cat acessible door in my window and a 'pet cage' for my Sami to enjoy the outdoors more, he loves it out side and sitting with the birds he would love!!
they have excellent ones at this site, that I will order from, well recommended, but I could try and find info on other sites if you wish.
www.habitathaven.com

good luck to you both, please continue to post with updates or questions.

♥Opus
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Avatar universal
Boy I made a mess of that post but I think you get the idea.
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Avatar universal
My cat is 21years old and went deaf when he was 18.  Now in the past month he has gone blind. I try to only pick him up to live on him, but we have a younger cat and two large dogs in the house that we watch out for. A vet suggested getting one of those 4x4 yard fences to put him in so he kundalini has his own space. It would be big enough for a bed, food, water and litter box. We haven't tried it yet, but may in near future, for his own safety. He would still be let out for his cuddle/grooming time though. Any thoughts?
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Avatar universal
The same thing happened to my 14 year old cat. He has been diagnosed with Hyperthyriodisim and hypertensionn (secondary) - which is what caused the blindness. The hypertension, caused bleeding behnd the eyes and destroyed the nerve endings. It appeared to happen all of a sudden - but there were signs to the hyperthriodisim - overeating and hyperactivty and vomiting.  put it down to cats coming in and eating his food - but sadly, that was a red herring!

The vet has put my cat on 2 tablets - one for the hyperthyriod and the other for the hypertension - both a essential for oreventing heart and kidney failure.

It is unlikely that he will ever gain his sight back - which I am finding so hard to deal with. He seems so unhappy - and it is realy heart-breaking. Although, he is managing ok - he is now relying on his oher senses more and more. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has similar expereinces and knowing how best to cope with this. I want the best for my cat.
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1 Comments
My boy is approximately 20-21.  Blind, kidney disease, weak legs, talks to me about all the things he wants s/a food, walk outside with harness & leash,  I have stairs for him that he learned to use so he won’t jump.  He moves slow but is quite content sitting at the window, sometimes on my lap.  He likes to eat.  I give him prescription food, lots of fresh bottled water and clean his litter boxes a few times a day.   As long as he’s eating and drinking water and using his litter box I feel he is ok.  I have much more responsibility for him but he is worth every moment of extra time or work I put in for him.  He’s been my very good companion for 19 years.  
Avatar universal
I have a sixteen year old cat and she is blind (she gradually became blind). (But she can see shadows and sometimes her pupils adapt to bright light). When we took her to the vet he said that she is perfectly healthy and still had about 3 years. He said that she is going senile (because she randomly starts acting like a kitten and running around and playing) and in a couple of years she will probably go deaf. Smokey (my cat) has lived in this house for 16 years and there haven't been many large changes. She smells everywhere and uses her memory to get around. Don't lift your cat up too much. There is more info on the internet, I suggest you thoroughly research this subject and how to treat 'disabled' cats. BTW: Don't over-protect your cat, cats still want their inner feline independence.
I hope I could help a bit. You'll probably find a solution. And deaf and blind cats should be able to live for a long time.
Hope your cats is happy, considering the condition. (My cat is blind and old and is still very happy, so)
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Avatar universal
Yes cats can have strokes..!
Best Bet Taking Her To The Vet.

Also, try to keep her in one single room. Dont move anything around..Place her food and water in the same place all the time, and she will eventually know exactly where they are. And same goes for her litter box, make sure the location doesnt change so she can always find it.

Im not saying 'keep her locked up'...but i have found that by keeping a blind cat in one specific room-for most of the time, other than if u want to take her out of the room to play or what not-is your best bet!
Good Luck!
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Avatar universal
definitly get her to the vet... it could also be diabetes... and they do have meds to help with that... please let us know how she is doing.
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Avatar universal
Thanks, you guys! I think I'm going to go ahead and take her to the vet then. I was told there wasn't any meds to help with hypertension. I read the only way to help control it was by switching to a low sodium diet. I love my little girl. I want her to live into her 20s like me! I got her when I was 10, so you see we kinda grew up together. So this has been really hard on me! :(
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Avatar universal
FYI hypertension can cause strokes
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Avatar universal
I would definately recommend a trip to the vet. Although she might be getting along great dealing with her blindness there are other complications that can arise from hypertension. If that is what has caused the blindness. There are medications avaible to help manage it and hopefully prevent any further troubles. Unfortunately like us once vision is lost there is not much chance of regaining it. But she can still live an almost normal life without being able to see. Another thought .... you mentioned she is 16, although this is considered her senior years she could still have many more left ahead. I used to work at a vet clinic and we frequently had cats coming in that were in their 20's! With all the advances in vet. medicine pets are living longer and longer these days. I hope you are able to figure out what is going on. Good luck and let us know how she is doing!
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Avatar universal
So sorry to hear about your cat.  Have you taken her to a Vet?  

Sudden blindness in animals is sometimes caused by hypertension.  You really should get the cat to a Vet.  Herpes of the eyes is another common problem in animals.  The only way to find out what is going on is to see a Vet.

Good luck to you and your cat.

Michael
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