Purrs and/or Advice Needed

Earlier this week we took Hobo to the vet for his checkup/tests for
his kidney and diabetes problems. He seems to be managing both pretty
well so far. Although the vet didn't mention it, I've been suspicious
that Hobo is going blind so asked her point-blank. She acknowledged
that he *is* indeed but it's a fairly slow process and there's nothing
that can be done to stop it. He has some seeing time left and she

MaryL...

Thanks, Lee.

assured me that blind kitties do very well. Maybe so, but....

Julie and Sam...

I don't have any advice to offer but we're sending purrs that Hobo
adjusts to his blindness with little effort and gentle headbutts to his
worried Meowmy as well.

Julie, Hobbes, Lacey, Sam and Barnabus

Marina...

I know how bad that feels - I think Frank was deaf or nearly deaf during
his last year, and I felt so bad for him. But you know, I don't think
cats 'miss' a sense that they've lost. They're hard-wired to just get on
with it, whatever their disability. I think I felt worse than Frank did
about his hearing. Purrs that Hobo will not miss his sight too much. He
will still be able to listen to the birds and to the household. Glad to
hear his diabetes and kidneys are under control.

Victor Martinez...

Lots of purrs for Hobo.

I know that Lori and Mary have blind kitties that seem OK with it but
I'm distressed that poor old Hobo won't be able to watch his birds and
squirrels from his window or bat around his fur-mouse or see what's
going on in his household or have as much fun in his life. Bad enough
he has to fight two potentially life-threatening illnesses. Of
course, the vet advised not moving furniture, keeping his food/water
dishes in the same place, etc, etc. Which we pretty much do anyway
but I'm sure there are other things we have to look out for. How long
would it take him to adjust?

Jo Firey...

If he is like our poodles were, he will adjust faster than he loses his
sight. He will be able to see thing that move longer than things that are
stationery. And he will see much better is the brighter light of daytime
than he will at night. I'd also guess that since cats have better night
vision to start with, he will do better in lower light than a human would
even with his loss of sight.

It will make him more likely to seem clumsy. To trip over or bump into
things. And will probably make him more reluctant to jump on and off
things. He will definitely need to stay inside and have easy clear access
to his litter box, food and water. Worst case, you may need to take him to
the litter box at the appropriate times but I doubt it will come to that.

Our last dog was completely blind and deaf for the last year. But her nose
still worked, she still loved her food and her treats. She knew what the

Stormmee...

else,

MaryL...

Yes, it does work for cats. In fact, that is one of the techniques I used
when I first adopted Duffy. I kept a radio in "his room" -- tuned to a
classical or easy-listending station -- until he became acclimated to the
house. That way, he could easily find his way back to "home base." I also
used it to provide companionship for him until I was able to leave Holly and
Duffy together. That is a useful tool to help even sighted cats.

grass was for when we carried her out and set her down. She cuddled with us
on the sofa, and looked forward to going to bed. I think in part because
with one of us on each side she didn't need to worry about falling off. And
she played with the cat when he would come and coax her to play.

Remember, animals are also more sensitive to vibration than we are, so they
can feel a lot of what we can only see and hear.

Thanks for listening.

Christina Websell...

I feel qualified to answer as I've had old dogs that were losing sight as
they aged, and have had pretty severe sight problems myself.
I doubt he will take any time at all to adjust as his sight is reducing
slowly he will get used to it gradually with no trauma at all. It will seem
"normal" to him.
Yes, keep his food and water dish where he expects them to be, and also his
bed and litter box. Don't change the position of any. He will manage fine
if you do this.
If he likes to go outside, you don't need me to tell you that it will now
have to be supervised only.
Another thing, don't suddenly touch a person/animal who is blind with no
warning of your approach. It is totally freaking. Speak first and warn.

CATherine...

Over the last couple years my dog has gone blind and deaf. I think she
still sees a bright light at night, when she goes out, and maybe she
hears high pitched sounds a bit. But she copes well. However, when I
am boning a chicken and giving out bits and peices, I have to touch
the food to her nose; if I just put it on the floor in front of her
she wouldn't know it was there and Sheba would get it. But she has no
trouble finding her dish as it is in the same place as always. Outside
she navigates by smell.

I am sure Hobo still has a good sense of smell. A cracked open window
could maybe give him the smell of the birds and squirrels and the
outdoors, which would be pleasurable for him. And maybe lace his toys
with catnip. Feathers on a stick could have something added to make a
bit of noise for him to hear it. or maybe just catnip is enough for
him to find it.

polonca12000...

I'm so sorry to hear Hobo is going blind, but we send lots and lots of
purrs and best wishes for him to adapt well and hugs for you Jeanne,

Tish...

Coming into this thread late; you have already had some great advice.
Ted (RB) was mostly blind for the last several years of her life. She
could determine strong contrasts - bright outside and shadow, which
helped her navigate around the edge of the house, find doors, etc, but
otherwise she was blind. To be honest, only DH and I knew - everyone
else who visited or stayed with us never noticed because Ted behaved
normally in every way. DH and I only noticed when we occasionally
shifted furniture around, but even then Ted's whiskers did a very good
job as an early-warning system. By that time Ted was old enough that
she no longer hooned around the place, so her whiskers gave her
adequate warning that an object had appeared in her path. Of course,
once we knew she was blind we avoided changing the furniture. Having
said that, she coped with not one, but *two* house moves just fine. As
far as we could tell, she never missed being able to see, except when
the kittens got excited about birds outside, and even then she couldn't
be bothered to get het-up. Never underestimate the power of a cat's
whiskers!

Joy...

Purrs for Hobo, and for you. I've never had a blind cat, but I had a toy
Schnauzer that went blind. She adjusted just fine. It is usually a gradual
process, so the adjustment is ongoing. If they were suddenly stricken
blind, they'd no doubt have a hard time, just as a person would, but since
it happens so gradually, adjustments are made as they go along, and it isn't
that traumatic.

Adrian A...

Purrs for Hobo, I'm sure he'll adjust well. I've only met one blind cat, he
was 23 years old. I was sitting on the floor where normally he had a clear
run, I think he was surprised to find a lap there, he climbed up and purred
up a storm.

Karen...

You might get some bird and insect sounds on tape and start playing
them. Sometimes they can be very happy just hearing noises.

jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt...

Africam! :)

Polonca and Soncek