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Cat with one eye
DaoDao posted:
I recently adopted a cat from a rescue group. She had an eye removed 10+ months ago. After a couple of weeks, the cat began vomiting in the early morning hours. The first night it was just a hairball but it continued so I took her to my vet. The vet thought there was an abscess in the empty socket, as it had some swelling. It was drained but turned out to be clear fluid, which was unexpected and meant it wasn't an abscess. The vet and the other doctor in practice feel there may be fluid leaking from the optic nerve. First though, we put my kitty on antibiotics (to total 21 days). The area became swollen again within 2 days but the vomiting stopped. About day 14, the vomiting started again. Back to the vet, some meds for nausea/vomiting and a request to follow up in a few days - possibly including a surgery to go back in and check for any leakage and repair.
Meanwhile the animal welfare group requested I take the cat to see their vet who did the surgery, just so he could have a look.
Complete opposite opinion. The rescue vet says there's nothing wrong with the eye, the vomiting is a separate problem. Overall I was told the eye was bothering ME, not the cat (I wasn't even aware of an eye issue, first one eyed cat I've had, I went in for the vomiting). There was also a hinting that the only thing I'm doing right is feeding the cat good food.
My vet had talked about consulting with another vet who specializes in opthalmology, so I would prefer THAT specialist render an opinion on the fluid/eye situation and I will follow that advice.
I'm just curious about other one eyed cats and any complications. What is normal and what is not?
Has anyone ever had a one eyed cat, and if so, should this empty area of the eye be somewhat swollen and/or have liquid? To me this would be uncomfortable and create pressure and problems but I am no professional. I trust my vet a lot more than I trust someone else's vet but I feel stuck between two opposing opinions. I certainly would like to avoid the trauma of surgery again if at all possible.
Aside from vomiting, kitty plays, eats, drinks, and seems to otherwise be doing well. Has put on only a small amount of weight since adoption, but a stress related skin problem cleared completely up since coming here.
Meanwhile the animal welfare group requested I take the cat to see their vet who did the surgery, just so he could have a look.
Complete opposite opinion. The rescue vet says there's nothing wrong with the eye, the vomiting is a separate problem. Overall I was told the eye was bothering ME, not the cat (I wasn't even aware of an eye issue, first one eyed cat I've had, I went in for the vomiting). There was also a hinting that the only thing I'm doing right is feeding the cat good food.
My vet had talked about consulting with another vet who specializes in opthalmology, so I would prefer THAT specialist render an opinion on the fluid/eye situation and I will follow that advice.
I'm just curious about other one eyed cats and any complications. What is normal and what is not?
Has anyone ever had a one eyed cat, and if so, should this empty area of the eye be somewhat swollen and/or have liquid? To me this would be uncomfortable and create pressure and problems but I am no professional. I trust my vet a lot more than I trust someone else's vet but I feel stuck between two opposing opinions. I certainly would like to avoid the trauma of surgery again if at all possible.
Aside from vomiting, kitty plays, eats, drinks, and seems to otherwise be doing well. Has put on only a small amount of weight since adoption, but a stress related skin problem cleared completely up since coming here.
19 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeI recently adopted a cat from a rescue group. She had an eye removed 10+ months ago. After a couple of weeks, the cat began vomiting in the early morning hours. The first night it was just a hairball but it continued so I took her to my vet. The vet thought there was an abscess in the empty socket, as it had some swelling. It was drained but turned out to be clear fluid, which was unexpected and meant it wasn't an abscess. The vet and the other doctor in practice feel there may be fluid leaking from the optic nerve. First though, we put my kitty on antibiotics (to total 21 days). The area became swollen again within 2 days but the vomiting stopped. About day 14, the vomiting started again. Back to the vet, some meds for nausea/vomiting and a request to follow up in a few days - possibly including a surgery to go back in and check for any leakage and repair.<br /><br />Meanwhile the animal welfare group requested I take the cat to see their vet who did the surgery, just so he could have a look.<br /><br />Complete opposite opinion. The rescue vet says there's nothing wrong with the eye, the vomiting is a separate problem. Overall I was told the eye was bothering ME, not the cat (I wasn't even aware of an eye issue, first one eyed cat I've had, I went in for the vomiting). There was also a hinting that the only thing I'm doing right is feeding the cat good food.<br /><br />My vet had talked about consulting with another vet who specializes in opthalmology, so I would prefer THAT specialist render an opinion on the fluid/eye situation and I will follow that advice. <br /><br />I'm just curious about other one eyed cats and any complications. What is normal and what is not? <br /><br />Has anyone ever had a one eyed cat, and if so, should this empty area of the eye be somewhat swollen and/or have liquid? To me this would be uncomfortable and create pressure and problems but I am no professional. I trust my vet a lot more than I trust someone else's vet but I feel stuck between two opposing opinions. I certainly would like to avoid the trauma of surgery again if at all possible.<br /><br />Aside from vomiting, kitty plays, eats, drinks, and seems to otherwise be doing well. Has put on only a small amount of weight since adoption, but a stress related skin problem cleared completely up since coming here.
Anon_153925 responded:
Hi
I dont have a reply , but all I want to say that its obvious you have a heart of Gold .. adopting this kitty is a great deed on its own let alone the amount of care and love you are providing .. in my opinion a lot of love and love and love with some , positive energy and warmth will help a lot .
God bless always .
I dont have a reply , but all I want to say that its obvious you have a heart of Gold .. adopting this kitty is a great deed on its own let alone the amount of care and love you are providing .. in my opinion a lot of love and love and love with some , positive energy and warmth will help a lot .
God bless always .
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeHi <br />I dont have a reply , but all I want to say that its obvious you have a heart of Gold .. adopting this kitty is a great deed on its own let alone the amount of care and love you are providing .. in my opinion a lot of love and love and love with some , positive energy and warmth will help a lot . <br />God bless always .
Home2strays responded:
it sometimes happens with healing too. What weve found works best at our clinic is to pack the eye and leave a small opening with the end of the gauze roll out and to pull a little out each day for the next month that way it heals from the inside out, perhaps they just took the eye out and its got all the free space in there still and so is taking a long time to heal? sounds to me like the rescue is worried you are going to demand to be paid back for these visits and so they want documentation favoring them.
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeit sometimes happens with healing too. What weve found works best at our clinic is to pack the eye and leave a small opening with the end of the gauze roll out and to pull a little out each day for the next month that way it heals from the inside out, perhaps they just took the eye out and its got all the free space in there still and so is taking a long time to heal? sounds to me like the rescue is worried you are going to demand to be paid back for these visits and so they want documentation favoring them.
The fluid in the eye socket could be just serum or possibly fluid from a small part of the eye itself left in after surgery (although that's hard to do as the eye should be removed in its entirety.) Regardless, the veterinary ophthalmologist should be able to tell you what's going on with the eye. I also don't think the vomiting has anything to do with the removed eye. Vomiting can be caused by so many things but hairballs are the most common cause in a cat that seems otherwise normal. Let us know what you find out!
Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP
The Cat Doctor
Board Certified in Feline Practice
Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP
The Cat Doctor
Board Certified in Feline Practice
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeThe fluid in the eye socket could be just serum or possibly fluid from a small part of the eye itself left in after surgery (although that's hard to do as the eye should be removed in its entirety.) Regardless, the veterinary ophthalmologist should be able to tell you what's going on with the eye. I also don't think the vomiting has anything to do with the removed eye. Vomiting can be caused by so many things but hairballs are the most common cause in a cat that seems otherwise normal. Let us know what you find out!<br /> <br />Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP<br />The Cat Doctor<br />Board Certified in Feline Practice
thank you. This is such a sweet kitty, I just couldn't help but fall in love 
I'm trying to take good care of her.
I'm trying to take good care of her.Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyethank you. This is such a sweet kitty, I just couldn't help but fall in love <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> I'm trying to take good care of her.
DaoDao replied to Home2strays's response:
Actually they keep saying they feel bad I'm spending money taking the cat to the vet - I think they were afraid I would return the kitty (no way!). They did offer to pay but I know most rescue groups are generally short on funds and I adopted the kitty knowing the history so I don't mind taking care of her.
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeActually they keep saying they feel bad I'm spending money taking the cat to the vet - I think they were afraid I would return the kitty (no way!). They did offer to pay but I know most rescue groups are generally short on funds and I adopted the kitty knowing the history so I don't mind taking care of her.
DaoDao replied to Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP's response:
One of the doctors in the practice felt the painful pressure of the fluid build up could be causing the vomiting. I will report back after our latest visit tomorrow. I've decided just to ask that my vet get the eye doctor opinion first and not just rush to do surgery.
There is something interesting however - when kitty yawns, I can see an inflamed looking area in the back of the mouth, directly below the eye area. It is not anywhere else in the mouth. Kitty eats just fine though.
thanks for the reply!
There is something interesting however - when kitty yawns, I can see an inflamed looking area in the back of the mouth, directly below the eye area. It is not anywhere else in the mouth. Kitty eats just fine though.
thanks for the reply!
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeOne of the doctors in the practice felt the painful pressure of the fluid build up could be causing the vomiting. I will report back after our latest visit tomorrow. I've decided just to ask that my vet get the eye doctor opinion first and not just rush to do surgery. <br /><br />There is something interesting however - when kitty yawns, I can see an inflamed looking area in the back of the mouth, directly below the eye area. It is not anywhere else in the mouth. Kitty eats just fine though.<br /><br />thanks for the reply!
DaoDao replied to Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP's response:
Well good news - no surgery for now. The swelling isn't as bad as it has been, so I'll just keep monitoring the eye area.
The vomiting has stopped for now as well. I know cats often manage to barf at least once a week so as long as it's not "too" often, kitty is in good shape !!!
Also weighed in at just over 9 pounds last night, yea!
The vomiting has stopped for now as well. I know cats often manage to barf at least once a week so as long as it's not "too" often, kitty is in good shape !!!
Also weighed in at just over 9 pounds last night, yea!
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeWell good news - no surgery for now. The swelling isn't as bad as it has been, so I'll just keep monitoring the eye area.<br /><br />The vomiting has stopped for now as well. I know cats often manage to barf at least once a week so as long as it's not "too" often, kitty is in good shape !!!<br /><br />Also weighed in at just over 9 pounds last night, yea! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
Byroney_WebMD_Staff replied to DaoDao's response:
DaoDao, thanks so much for the update! Glad to hear no surgery for now and that the vomiting has stopped. Your kitty sounds she's doing better.
Hope this trend continues,
Byroney
Hope this trend continues,
Byroney
Every dog has his day - but the nights are reserved for the cats ~ Unknown
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeDaoDao, thanks so much for the update! Glad to hear no surgery for now and that the vomiting has stopped. Your kitty sounds she's doing better.<br /> <br />Hope this trend continues,<br /> <br />Byroney
Home2strays replied to DaoDao's response:
yay! glad shes feeling better!
DaoDao replied to Byroney_WebMD_Staff's response:
Thanks, all !
Kimmy92859 responded:
AS an expert on 1 eyed pets[cat and dog>, don't waste time on anything but a specialist. My cat Sebastian had an ophthalmologist do his surgery with absolutely no complications, my Peke Ana's eye just didn't seem to heal right. After consulting same specialist it was determined that her system had rejected the sutures. While this is rare, the lesson is that an op. would have picked this up, as I did, that the healing was not healthy. If the socket is cleaned properly there should be little to no drainage and there should NOT be a little area left open for drainage. While it sounds as if there are other issues going on, even a small infection in the eye socket can cause symptons, however the way to moniter this is if there is any temp.[indicates infection>. Sad thing is this is a specialty surgery that should be trusted ONLY to specialist as there are so many things that can go wrong. Would you let your general physician take your eye out? #$% no!!! Lastly, remember that your cat knows no difference with 1 eye as opposed to 2. As long as he is fed, loved and nurtured and safe, he doesn't even realize his sight is compromised. God Bless.
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eye<b>AS an expert on 1 eyed pets[cat and dog>, don't waste time on anything but a specialist. My cat Sebastian had an ophthalmologist do his surgery with absolutely no complications, my Peke Ana's eye just didn't seem to heal right. After consulting same specialist it was determined that her system had rejected the sutures. While this is rare, the lesson is that an op. would have picked this up, as I did, that the healing was not healthy. If the socket is cleaned properly there should be little to no drainage and there should NOT be a little area left open for drainage. While it sounds as if there are other issues going on, even a small infection in the eye socket can cause symptons, however the way to moniter this is if there is any temp.[indicates infection>. Sad thing is this is a specialty surgery that should be trusted ONLY to specialist as there are so many things that can go wrong. Would you let your general physician take your eye out? #$% no!!! Lastly, remember that your cat knows no difference with 1 eye as opposed to 2. As long as he is fed, loved and nurtured and safe, he doesn't even realize his sight is compromised. God Bless.<br /></b>
Anon_16263 responded:
I also have a one eyed cat from a humane society. His eye is not missing but he is blind in that eye. This came from being abused. Although he is blind in that eye his only problem is a mucousy substance that appears every few days. I clean it at that time. Sometimes this happens a lot. He did not have surgery but was seen by the humane society vet. He hardly ever vomits and then it's an occasional hair rope. We would not trade him for anything in the world.
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeI also have a one eyed cat from a humane society. His eye is not missing but he is blind in that eye. This came from being abused. Although he is blind in that eye his only problem is a mucousy substance that appears every few days. I clean it at that time. Sometimes this happens a lot. He did not have surgery but was seen by the humane society vet. He hardly ever vomits and then it's an occasional hair rope. We would not trade him for anything in the world.
felinemania replied to DaoDao's response:
Sooo glad to hear your kitty is doing better. I second the previous comment on your "heart of gold" for adopting and providing the necessary care to this little fur-baby!
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeSooo glad to hear your kitty is doing better. I second the previous comment on your "heart of gold" for adopting and providing the necessary care to this little fur-baby!
DaoDao replied to felinemania's response:
He's doing really well this week - the swelling in the eye area has gone down from what I can tell. They did take his temperature a few times and he never had one - but I think he would run warm at night.
Unfortunately I live in a small town in an area surrounded by smaller towns so specialists in this town just don't exist for animals. The nearest is an hour away and that's who my vet would have consulted for me first before any surgery
So far, so good though! Skin stress problems are gone, some periodic vomiting that seems hairball related so I'm switching to a mix of 1/2 sensitive stomach & 1/2 indoor health to help.
Unfortunately I live in a small town in an area surrounded by smaller towns so specialists in this town just don't exist for animals. The nearest is an hour away and that's who my vet would have consulted for me first before any surgery
So far, so good though! Skin stress problems are gone, some periodic vomiting that seems hairball related so I'm switching to a mix of 1/2 sensitive stomach & 1/2 indoor health to help.
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeHe's doing really well this week - the swelling in the eye area has gone down from what I can tell. They did take his temperature a few times and he never had one - but I think he would run warm at night.<br /><br />Unfortunately I live in a small town in an area surrounded by smaller towns so specialists in this town just don't exist for animals. The nearest is an hour away and that's who my vet would have consulted for me first before any surgery <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"><br /><br />So far, so good though! Skin stress problems are gone, some periodic vomiting that seems hairball related so I'm switching to a mix of 1/2 sensitive stomach & 1/2 indoor health to help.
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