There are a lot of questions...and I wouldn't trust that vet as far as I could throw him or her.
The type of blindness can be categorized by the appearance of the eyes, and a regular vet can only be unspecific; in order to know exactly why a cat is blind, an ophthalmologist must be seen. Our regular vet could tell that the latest acquired blind cat has been blind for a long time, but since there is nothing visual, the eyes look perfectly normal, the problem must be at the very back of the eye that only a specialist could determine. One of the cats that I just recued in Brooklyn last Sunday, his right eye has a big opaque spot in the middle, and our vet said that it was caused by a viral infection a while back (he's about 3 yrs old), and at least he does have peripheral vision. We also had a FIV+ cat that became blind - her eyes looked quite normal but her pupils were always very large - hers was caused by high blood pressure. Diabetic cats also become blind very often, just like people, if the disease is ignored or undetected. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Maureen Olvey Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 6:27 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Fletch I don't have as much experience as others but I know cats can get grouchy when they don't feel well. That's probably it. Your vet is probably right about him having FeLV because he appears to be ill. But, that's a probably, not a definite. It wouldn't hurt to re-test. Well other than the cost. That always hurts. I think an IFA test is about $100 on average. Why are they giving him amoxi? Does he definitely have an infection of some sort? Depends on the infection as to the type of antibiotic. I can't tell you what every antibiotic is for but I'm wondering what type of specific infection she thinks he has. I guess giving him prednisone depends on what she says is wrong with him. Why did he go blind? Is that something FeLV can cause? I've never read about it. Has she suggested trying immunoreglin? You need to ask her about it. It's what I hear a lot of people give to their FeLV kitties when they get sick. I think it's a super-power immune system stimulant but you can read more about it online. There's another one called interferon. I think there's different type of interferon and some are given as injections. I've never used immunoreglin or interferon because my FeLV kitty died within 24 hours of me noticing something was wrong with her breathing and it was only at her necropsy and blood test done then that we found out about the FeLV, but I know that's what sick FeLV kitties are supposed to get. Seems like I've heard of other things but the immunoreglin is always in the conversation. "I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn't..the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further." - Mark Twain > Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:01:50 -0400 > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Fletch > > On 08-24, Marcia Baronda wrote: > > > Fletch is exceptionally grouchy today. He swatted at one of the other > > cats today and continually growls at me(-; I asked my vet about > > retesting him and she said it's not necessary since he's already > > cliically ill. I know after reading everything all of you have posted > > that you don't agree. that is why I am here, for outside help from > > people that have years of experience with this. I will have him > > retested of course. Do you think his grouchiness is from not feeling > > well, or could he have some neurological issues? I know that he has > > totally lost his sight and I'm sure that is really scary to him, poor > > little guy.He's om amoxicillin and they said he could stay on that > > indefinitely. Do you agree? She also said we could try some > > prednisone. What are you opinions?? > > I think being blind would be terribly frightening for him until > he adjusted to it. Also being in pain and sick would make him > irritable. Can he be in a quiet room by himself for awhile? > > Lorrie > > > _______________________________________________ > Felvtalk mailing list > [email protected] > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
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