However, there are some things you can do to prevent blindness in cats, for example: Prevention of blindness in cats can be complicated, especially if the cause is genetic. Throw a cotton ball in front of the cat and to its sides, if the cat follows the ball it sees correctly, if it does not respond it may be blind. If not, this could be a sign of blindness.įor cats that barely respond to stimuli, the cotton ball test may be a better idea. If the animal sees something, it closes its eyes or throws its head back. Affected animals may bump into obstacles or move reluctantly.Īnother test is the threat test, in which a hand is brought closer to the cat's eye. These tests include walking with and without obstacles in a quiet place, repeated in light and dark conditions. It is important to perform a good neurological examination in addition to a general examination to assess reflexes and mental status, eye and retinal examination to diagnose disease, and specific tests to evaluate the cat's vision. An older cat: blindness is usually related to degenerative or iatrogenic causes rather than infectious causes.A young cat: is more likely to lose vision due to infections such as feline herpesvirus type 1, congenital conditions, deformities or trauma.In order to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of blindness in our cats, it is crucial to gather all the relevant information.ĭepending on the age of the cat, some causes are more likely to be suspected than others. Blindness in cats can also be causes by tumors of the optic nerves and perineural nerves, hypokalemia, liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy), vascular changes such as ischemia, thrombosis, emboli and vascular, neoplastic or inflammatory changes in the eye. Neurological diseases: changes that occur at the level of the neurological system due to infections such as toxoplasmosis, feline infectious peritonitis or cryptococcosis.Retinal degeneration: This is degenerative damage to the retina usually caused by the use of enrofloxacin at doses greater than 5 mg/kg/day, congenital defects, or dietary taurine deficiency due to low consumption of animal protein in vegetarian or homemade diets.If left untreated, it can lead to blindness. Corneal ulcers: A corneal ulcer is an open wound in the outer layer of the cornea.Read on to learn more about uveitis in cats. It affects the iris, ciliary body, pars plana and/or choroid. Uveitis: Uveitis is the inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, located between the sclera on the outside and the retina on the inside.Read on to learn more about glaucoma in cats. As a result, the pressure in the eye increases and begins to damage the optic nerve. Glaucoma: It occurs gradually, when the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should (similar to a clogged drain).Trauma: Some accidents that cause damage such as eye injuries, retinal detachments, or changes in the lens can cause your cat to lose vision or have it impaired.Iatrogenic blindness: in this case the blindness is caused by hypoxia or anoxia during surgery, enucleation of the eye or compression of the arteries when the cat's mouth is wide open for a long time during oral surgery or dental procedures.Read on to learn more about cataracts in cats. Depending on the degree of opacity, blindness is more or less severe. Cataracts: Cataracts are one of the most frequent causes of vision loss and are due to the loss of transparency of the crystalline lens, the eye's natural lens. In cats over 10 years of age it can also be idiopathic or secondary to hormonal problems such as hyperthyroidism, heart disease, elevated intracranial blood pressure or polycythemia. Systemic arterial hypertension: elevation of blood pressure is usually related to chronic kidney disease.The following causes may explain why your cat has gone blind: They range from systemic diseases to eye diseases or accidents that can cause sudden and quite traumatic blindness for the cat. The causes that can cause your cat to lose its vision are many and varied.
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