blind cat

Question
My 5 year old cat turned blind overnight. Took him to vet he said it could a number of reasons. Gave him antibiotics and lasics.is there anything I can do to make him more active as he was an outdoor cat and now he is inside. All he does is sleep.I have depression and its like looking at myself. He use to be so active when he was an outdoor cat.

Answer
Hi Brenda.  I would suspect that your kitty's change in behavior could have a physical cause, and the only real way to get him more active again if that's the case would be to resolve that issue.  An illness that could cause blindness would definitely be enough to cause him to feel under the weather altogether.  Hopefully antibiotics will have him feeling better.

Was your kitty tested for feline leukemia and feline AIDS?  These two diseases are viruses that can cause neurological signs like sudden blindness.  There's also a disease called FIP (feline infectious peritonitis).  There isn't a good test for this disease, but since sudden blindness is a common symptom, the vet could check to see if your cat is carrying antibodies against the group of viruses that causes this disease.  A large number of antibodies could indicate he is positive for the disease.  None of these three diseases are treatable, but it would give you an answer.  Sometimes prednisone will alleviate symptoms of FIP for a while.

Do you know if your kitty's eye pressure was tested?  If he has glaucoma, then this condition is very painful, and it will cause a migraine-like headache.  A cat with this type of pain will be very inactive.  Sometimes a variety of eye drops to relieve eye pressure can help.  One of my cats had glaucoma, and after consulting one of the top ophthalmologists on the east coast and months of treatment didn't work, we opted to have the affected eye removed.  It was amazing how her personality bounced back.  Since most cats who go blind from glaucoma will never regain their sight and the eyes only continue to be a chronic problem, this may be the best choice if glaucoma is the diagnosis.

If his inactivity is due to his uncertainty of his whereabouts, then only time will help.  I would encourage him to be more active by offering him some food that he likes.  Each time, encourage him to walk longer distances to get it.  This should help him branch out a little.  You can encourage him to play with catnip-treated toys, so he can smell them, and toys like balls with bells in them, so he can hear them.  My cats like catnip pillows.  This lady's stuff is the best - http://www.cattyshack.net/   You can renew the strength of the toys' catnip scent by storing them in a container of catnip for a few days.  

Antidepressants are an option if a couple months go by and no physical cause is found for his behavior.  Some of my cats have been on a couple different ones.  We have tried Prozac and Elavil.  Prozac has fewer side effects.  None of my cats have needed treatment for more than 6 months.  

Hope he's feeling better soon.

Jessica