Help, I’m feeling really lost right now. My sweet cat, Whiskers, has been having some scary eyesight troubles lately. She's my little shadow, always following me around, but I’ve noticed recently she's been bumping into furniture and seeming disoriented. The other day, she was fine in the morning, but by the afternoon, it was like she couldn't see at all—she was blind for a couple of hours. It absolutely broke my heart seeing her so confused, and I had no idea what to do to help her. She eventually started seeing again, but this keeps happening, and I’m terrified it’s going to become a permanent thing. Has anyone experienced something similar with their cats? I’m anxious about what it means for her long-term health and what steps I should take next. I'm taking her to the vet soon, but I would love to hear if anyone has advice or has been through this before.
Thanks for your question. I understand why you're concerned about your cat's eyesight problems and the episode of temporary blindness. Let's dive into some common issues that could be causing these symptoms.
Cats can experience vision problems for various reasons, such as high blood pressure, severe infections, or even issues like cataracts or retinal detachment. Hypertension, especially in older cats, can lead to temporary blindness if not managed. Infections or inflammations, such as uveitis, might also cause visual disturbances.
At home, you can ensure your cat's safety by keeping furniture in familiar places and using sound and scent cues to help them navigate. Consider providing a nightlight if your cat struggles to see in low light.
Keep an eye out for signs of a more serious problem, like persistent squinting, eye redness, discharge, or any other sudden behavior changes. These may warrant immediate veterinary attention.
To get a clearer understanding of what's happening with your cat, a video consult with one of our specialists at Dial A Vet would be a great next step. We can discuss symptoms in more detail and decide whether a physical examination or possible tests are necessary.
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