Cat Renal Failure + Sudden Blindness - advice?
Discussion
Hi all,
Some of you may remember that a few months ago, Tribble, one of my cats, went without water for a few days and ended up in the vets on an IV drip for a looong weekend.
He recovered from that reasonably well, since that he's been quite a bit weaker and less active, but still enjoyed life, food, treats, milk, cuddles, all the good things.
Today I noticed he's got very obvious vision problems, really can't see anything unless there's a large contrast in brightness, I'm having to tell him there's food out by tapping the bowl. (his sense of smell has always been very poor)
Reading up about it, it looks like he's got hypertension which has gotten to the point his eyesight has failed (I don't think completely, but by 80% or more at a guess).
The things I've read say that hypertension may go on and cause renal failure, and in the next paragraph say that for cats that have had renal failure you should keep an eye out for signs of hypertension, so I'm a bit confused if the renal failure caused the hypertension, or the other way around, or neither?
The current situation seems to be, assuming the vets can get the hypertension under control with pills and his eyesight doesn't recover, that he's mostly blind now, very, very poor sense of smell, deaf as a post (maybe 25% hearing left), weak bottom & hind legs.
I know cats seem to love nothing but eating and sleeping, but I am thinking he hasn't got much quality of life left now. Can't go exploring round the garden now, can't play with Sqweek (the little they do play when they're old), and it was always Tribble looking / cleaning Sqweek, not the other way around, either very weak back end or it hurts when he moves (I think it's pain and not weakeness because he ran properly when he nicked a sausage roll from my lunch when my back was turned, and I shouted at him)
Food, a cuddle from me in the evenings (can you call a cat lying on you for an hour a cuddle?) and lying in front of the gas fire.
I'll see if he perks up once the blood pressure is bought under control, but I know it won't be long now.
Some of you may remember that a few months ago, Tribble, one of my cats, went without water for a few days and ended up in the vets on an IV drip for a looong weekend.
He recovered from that reasonably well, since that he's been quite a bit weaker and less active, but still enjoyed life, food, treats, milk, cuddles, all the good things.
Today I noticed he's got very obvious vision problems, really can't see anything unless there's a large contrast in brightness, I'm having to tell him there's food out by tapping the bowl. (his sense of smell has always been very poor)
Reading up about it, it looks like he's got hypertension which has gotten to the point his eyesight has failed (I don't think completely, but by 80% or more at a guess).
The things I've read say that hypertension may go on and cause renal failure, and in the next paragraph say that for cats that have had renal failure you should keep an eye out for signs of hypertension, so I'm a bit confused if the renal failure caused the hypertension, or the other way around, or neither?
The current situation seems to be, assuming the vets can get the hypertension under control with pills and his eyesight doesn't recover, that he's mostly blind now, very, very poor sense of smell, deaf as a post (maybe 25% hearing left), weak bottom & hind legs.
I know cats seem to love nothing but eating and sleeping, but I am thinking he hasn't got much quality of life left now. Can't go exploring round the garden now, can't play with Sqweek (the little they do play when they're old), and it was always Tribble looking / cleaning Sqweek, not the other way around, either very weak back end or it hurts when he moves (I think it's pain and not weakeness because he ran properly when he nicked a sausage roll from my lunch when my back was turned, and I shouted at him)
Food, a cuddle from me in the evenings (can you call a cat lying on you for an hour a cuddle?) and lying in front of the gas fire.
I'll see if he perks up once the blood pressure is bought under control, but I know it won't be long now.
I don't know alot about cats but assuming their ocular anatomy is similar to humans hypertensive retinopathy is not a quick thing but chronic. The degree of visual loss is dependent on level of hypertension and duration. http://www.optometry.co.uk/uploads/exams/articles/...
If its seems very sudden I'd be looking for other issues too.
If its seems very sudden I'd be looking for other issues too.
Cats can suffer sudden onset blindness with hypertension. Speed is of the essence in achieving recovery of sight but it's often poor due to the often advanced stage of the hypertension. This and renal issues tend to go together.
I'm so sorry to hear that Tribble has taken a turn for the worse, it isn't good news and you will know fairly soon if there is a response to treatment.
Whilst eating, sleeping rest fully and being clean are useful indicators of whether a cat is suffering or not, they are not the only indicators, you know Dribble and you will know what sort of life he is having.
I really hope she can pick up from this though.
I'm so sorry to hear that Tribble has taken a turn for the worse, it isn't good news and you will know fairly soon if there is a response to treatment.
Whilst eating, sleeping rest fully and being clean are useful indicators of whether a cat is suffering or not, they are not the only indicators, you know Dribble and you will know what sort of life he is having.
I really hope she can pick up from this though.
Edited by bexVN on Monday 25th March 11:47
Edited by bexVN on Monday 25th March 11:49
The vets confirmed partial retinal detachment and mild cateracts, and I know the chances of sight recovering by any reasonable amount once the hypertension is sorted is very slim.
That, plus everything else, and considering his ongoing QOL I decided the best option for him was to let him go.
RIP Tribble. 18 and a bit years old, only a cat but a great friend and companion.
That, plus everything else, and considering his ongoing QOL I decided the best option for him was to let him go.
RIP Tribble. 18 and a bit years old, only a cat but a great friend and companion.
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