Dilated Eyes Rescued Cat

[Judithn]

Hello All, I foster cats for a pet rescue organization. This week, we acquired a young cat, between 6 months to 1 year old, with dilated eyes. The cat's vision seems fine, though she does seem to prefer low light conditions. She is an anxious girl, prefers to hide under furniture. It occurs to us here that this may her way of escaping too much light. She does not "play" as much as other kitties and has some little "tics" like constant kneading of her paws and head butting. I have not seen her cleaning herself at all. Also, she does not blink as much as other cats we've had, and only occasionally narrows her eyes. She is a sweet and affectionate cat and seems to be eating fine. One of the more experienced rescue people said they've had kitties come in with this problem and it can be caused by a virus or a head injury in early kittenhood. In my online searching I've turned up many scary reasons for this problem, but the contact at the rescue organization says a brain tumor would be unusual in so young a cat. We are taking her to the veterinary opthalmologist in a few days, but I'm trying to figure out how to keep her comfortable and relaxed until then. Any insights or ideas would be appreciated!  Thanks so much.

[opus88]

now isn't that just wonderful news...health and a home too!!
thanks for the great job there Judithn.

[Jade59]

That is just great news all the way around!  Kitty is healthy AND she has people already waiting for her.    

A job well done, Judith! :)

[Judithn]

Hi Everyone, I got back from the opthamologist this evening and wanted to post to let you know what happened. The doctor, who works pro bono for our rescue cats was so nice. He said that my kitty has normal but poor constriction of her pupils. He thinks it's basically nerves! I told you all that this is a fearful kitty. She's come a long way from the cat who hid all day under the bookshelf, but she is still skittish. The doctor report says that her eyes are probably normal and any possible muscular or neurological defect is probably clinically insignificant. He does not recommend any treatment for this condition, but hopes that as she becomes more comfortable her dilation will improve. The other good news is that last week, a young couple came in to the Petsmart store and fell in love with her! They already let us know they wanted her but were waiting for the results of this medical exam before finalizing the adoption because they already have a pet with a medical condition and didn't feel ready to take on another sick animal. So, that's the final word! Thanks for all your kind words and good ideas! Judy

[zodiacqueen]

She really sounds like she's coming around!  The playing is a great sign that she can see, and she must feel pretty good to even want to play!  My concern after reading your posts is about how much she's eating and drinking.  If you have other kitties in the house, that might not be so easy to tell who's doing the eating.  But, the eating/drinking, playing, and behavior changes are what I look for w/ my cats when I think they might be sick.  Any change in one of these issues, I assume my cat is sick AND I'm usually right.  Is the cat showing any signs of goopy eyes? Or, any sign of possible head trauma?  Is she off balance when she walks sometimes, or any other strange behaviors?  I'm not gonna count the kneading the claws or the head butts.  The head butts are a sign of being affectionate and the claw kneading could be a sign that she was taken away from momma too soon.

I think it's great that she's becoming more sociable!  And, I really think that you're a great person for fostering these kitties.  My mom tried fostering 2 at the same time, and ended up keeping BOTH of them.  LOL  They're just about a year old now, and they are freaking huge-close to 15 lbs each.  They don't miss any meals!  =)

[Judithn]

Today the kitty ventured further out from under the bookshelf and into the center of the room...progress with this gal is measured in inches, not feet!.

But more good news: one of my daughter's friends was over and lying on the floor with her hair spread out all around the kitty came and gave her hair a few swipes, another good sign. Best of all, she jumped onto my desk when I was on the computer and lay right on the keyboard, seeking attention, which was gladly given. She is using her box, tho' she's not good at the niceties (keeping litter in the box, burying the evidence) but it shows something about her digestion, right? I don't see her eating or drinking but it might be because she's doing it when I'm not around. I'm trying to keep tabs on this a little more.

Unfortunately, the first available appointment with the specialist is not until November 9th!  But he is supposed to be the best. By the way, I just wanted to add that the organization as a whole has rescued and found homes for hundreds of kitties, the three I mentioned are only the three I've fostered, which have been adopted in the last couple of months.

Oh, and I totally understand how hard it might be to say good bye to a kitty once you've gotten to know him or her. We are always sad to say goodbye but we know the job we do to socialize them and introduce them to normal family life is important. Every time we see of of our little fuzzy wards adopted we feel like we're doing our job right. The kids in particular take pride though if it gets to the point where they start showing signs of stress, we may have to take a break.

Thanks to everyone for your support and advice! Judy

[zodiacqueen]

That's good to know that the organization deals w/ lots of vet clinics.  I was happy to hear that.  = )  Are you pretty sure that she can see?  Does she seem normal other than that-eating good, litter habits?  It sounds like you're doing a great job w/ her so far.  And, bless you for helping the kitties out and fostering them.  I would LOVE to foster kitties, but I get too attached and would wind up either bawling my butt off or keeping all of them.  LOL

Let us know how things go w/ the kitty.  I've got my fingers crossed that it's just some kind of infection that can be cleared up.

[Jade59]

I think you are wise and intuitive in your hesitation to bring kitty to Petsmart this week.  The lights and change would likely freak her and she wouldn't leave a true impression of how sweet she is.  Once you see the doctor and have a dx for her condition, you would be able to better proceed.  

Poor kitty.  Bless you all for being a foster parent to these kitty's in need.  If I were in better physical condition, fostering cats and getting them ready for their "forever" home is something I've always dreamed of doing.  That's great, your kids are all into it too.  This must be very rewarding for you all :)  

Keep us updated!

[Judithn]

Thanks for the feedback. The kitty is going to see a veterinary opthalmologist in the next week. The rescue organization has good relationships with several local vets and a Petsmart store. There is a network of people fostering the kitties in homes. Then the kitties are brought out to Petmsmart and shown for adoption every Saturday in the store.

Three of the kittens we've fostered have been matched with good homes. There is a system of applications and referrals. But I am not sure how adoptable this kitty with the eye problem is. She is very sweet, once she can be coaxed out from under the bookshelves or the hallway sideboard. She likes to play with a feathery toy at the end of a stick, but has to have someone initiate play. She cannot sustain any interest in toys without a human playmate. I hesitate to bring her to Petsmart this week, I want to concentrate on her rehabilitation and I think the bright lights and change of environment might set her back.

We have made not just one room, but the whole house dim. She prefers to stay in one room though, in the corner.Our whole family (I have older kids) is working to help her relax. We literally play with her or stroke her, 1 on 1 for several hours a day. I am not sure how much of her anxiety is related to her visual condition. I read that cats with limited vision don't actually know they can't see. I think she is anxious because of some past experiences with rough handling and unfriendly living conditions. We are continuing to work with her gently and help improve her confidence enough to interact with people.

I just wish I really knew what she was feeling/thinking so I could be more helpful.

[Jade59]

I was thinking the same as Opus.  Set kitty up in bedroom with the shades drawn until you can see the doctor.  My first kitty's eyes would dilate too and she had a head injury as a kitten so that's a definite possibility.  

Also, maybe her constant kneading and head butting is to help her "feel" her way around?

Good luck and I will hope for the best!

[opus88]

I sure hope the opthamologist can give you some help and its nothing very serious.
the only thing i can think of to do in the mean time is keep kitty in a dimly lit room..I would imagine the lights would be blinding and I know when I get my eyes dilated during an eye exam if I don't wear sunglasses the glare gives me a terrible headache...good luck and let us know how you make out ok.

[zodiacqueen]

Doesn't your organization take the animals to vets for check-ups and routine vaccinations?  A good organization usually does.  The kitten does need to get checked out by a vet.  And, by the way, kneading the paws and head butts are not tics-they are normal behaviors for a cat.  That is not a sign of a head injury, but the dilated pupils can be.