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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.
21 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.
Kimmy92859 replied to DaoDao's response:
Good news!!! Just the fact that the vet would have consulted a specialist before surgery is good, sounds very trustworthy. Sometimes when they are traumitized and moved around alot, plus the medical issues, just upsets their whole psyche and I'm sure after some time with your consistent love and support everything will settle down. I wish you years of love and good health with your furchild!!
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeGood news!!! Just the fact that the vet would have consulted a specialist before surgery is good, sounds very trustworthy. Sometimes when they are traumitized and moved around alot, plus the medical issues, just upsets their whole psyche and I'm sure after some time with your consistent love and support everything will settle down. I wish you years of love and good health with your furchild!!
suzyncub2 responded:
I had to have my cat's eye removed. I know it sounds silly, but when he would get fluid build-up, and I would rub the area between his eye and ear (gentle circular rubbing). He'd wind up sneezing (with clear fluid). After a few sneezes he'd be more comfortable and once he felt better, he's go about his business. Sounds strange, but this worked for us for several years.
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeI had to have my cat's eye removed. I know it sounds silly, but when he would get fluid build-up, and I would rub the area between his eye and ear (gentle circular rubbing). He'd wind up sneezing (with clear fluid). After a few sneezes he'd be more comfortable and once he felt better, he's go about his business. Sounds strange, but this worked for us for several years.
I'll give that a try - he recently had to have the fluid drained again as it had become swollen and seemed to be causing him pain (he had taken up a new and unexplained hobby of meowing periodically through the night). It's dramatically reduced since - and now seems related to trying to get me to feed him early LOL
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeI'll give that a try - he recently had to have the fluid drained again as it had become swollen and seemed to be causing him pain (he had taken up a new and unexplained hobby of meowing periodically through the night). It's dramatically reduced since - and now seems related to trying to get me to feed him early LOL
kittymama5 responded:
I'm curious, but after the eye was removed, was the socket sewn shut? We adopted a cat that had an infection in her eye while roaming as a stray. Our vet removed the infected tissue and sewed the empty eye socket shut. She advised that leaving the socket open would only invite problems/infections in the future.
Approx 1 month later our new cat began vomiting. I changed her food, ruled out toxins, etc... but it wasn't until we found 3 roundworms in her vomit that we realized she still had worms.
Many times stray cats are dewormed prior to adoption, but the dewormers used only kill adult worms, not eggs and larvae. And if your cat can't seem to gain weight, the worms may be stealing nutrition during digestion. Take a stool sample to your vet and ask that it be screened for worms. If it is positive your cat will need to be on an anti-worming product that kills eggs and larvae as well as adult worms. (Profender kills all of those)
While our cat was a stray, she contracted an eye infection, worms, had a litter of kittens and almost starved to death.
We haven't had any problems with her eye since her surgery. I just wish we had known about the adult worms/eggs/larvae issue earlier.
Good luck!!
Approx 1 month later our new cat began vomiting. I changed her food, ruled out toxins, etc... but it wasn't until we found 3 roundworms in her vomit that we realized she still had worms.
Many times stray cats are dewormed prior to adoption, but the dewormers used only kill adult worms, not eggs and larvae. And if your cat can't seem to gain weight, the worms may be stealing nutrition during digestion. Take a stool sample to your vet and ask that it be screened for worms. If it is positive your cat will need to be on an anti-worming product that kills eggs and larvae as well as adult worms. (Profender kills all of those)
While our cat was a stray, she contracted an eye infection, worms, had a litter of kittens and almost starved to death.
We haven't had any problems with her eye since her surgery. I just wish we had known about the adult worms/eggs/larvae issue earlier.
Good luck!!
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeI'm curious, but after the eye was removed, was the socket sewn shut? We adopted a cat that had an infection in her eye while roaming as a stray. Our vet removed the infected tissue and sewed the empty eye socket shut. She advised that leaving the socket open would only invite problems/infections in the future.<br />Approx 1 month later our new cat began vomiting. I changed her food, ruled out toxins, etc... but it wasn't until we found 3 roundworms in her vomit that we realized she still had worms.<br />Many times stray cats are dewormed prior to adoption, but the dewormers used only kill adult worms, not eggs and larvae. And if your cat can't seem to gain weight, the worms may be stealing nutrition during digestion. Take a stool sample to your vet and ask that it be screened for worms. If it is positive your cat will need to be on an anti-worming product that kills eggs and larvae as well as adult worms. (Profender kills all of those)<br />While our cat was a stray, she contracted an eye infection, worms, had a litter of kittens and almost starved to death.<br />We haven't had any problems with her eye since her surgery. I just wish we had known about the adult worms/eggs/larvae issue earlier.<br />Good luck!!
DaoDao replied to kittymama5's response:
Hi all - here is an update on my one eyed kitty. My vet consulted an eye specialist and was told that the most likely culprit was some piece of foreign matter that likely wasn't thoroughly cleaned out in the initial operation. Last month my vet drained the eye again and got 15 cc's of clear fluid (he is still amazed at the amount - he expected 3-4 cc's!).
So, in March, my vet will have to reopen the incision and try to clean it out. The specialist says the fluid is probably harmless, it's likely fluid from the eye trying to wash the object/matter out - just like when our own eyes tear up to wash out stray dirt, etc.
So while kitty has to have surgery again, poor fella, at least it's not as dramatic as cerebrospinal fluid my vet was concerned it could be.
(Kittymama5, the eye was sewn up. I don't have a lot of details on the surgery because it was done by the 'rescue vet'). Also, my vet worms every year during routine exams and I believe during one of his almost monthly visits he was tested & wormed. I have one kitty who is never sick and goes once a year for shots & worming and then one eyed kitty who is practically on a first name basis with the whole vet office staff!)
Also, the vomiting cleared up (except the occ. hairball barf they always manage to produce) with a change in diet to Blue Buffalo cat food. I created a 50/50% mix of indoor health and sensitive stomach which seems to do well for both cats. I also put the food in 'food balls' to prevent fast scarfing down of food and that helps also.
He does sometimes still have skin outbreaks but gets a little shot which helps. He hasn't had to get a shot in over 6 weeks now so that's good news too.
I hate that he'll have surgery again but I'm glad it doesn't seem to be a serious "leak" like we first thought it could be. Hopefully my vet will find whatever is causing the irritation and remove it.
Also, it turns out my kitty is about 10 years old but you'd never know it from his activity level.
Thanks all! I hope this thread will help another person one day
So, in March, my vet will have to reopen the incision and try to clean it out. The specialist says the fluid is probably harmless, it's likely fluid from the eye trying to wash the object/matter out - just like when our own eyes tear up to wash out stray dirt, etc.
So while kitty has to have surgery again, poor fella, at least it's not as dramatic as cerebrospinal fluid my vet was concerned it could be.
(Kittymama5, the eye was sewn up. I don't have a lot of details on the surgery because it was done by the 'rescue vet'). Also, my vet worms every year during routine exams and I believe during one of his almost monthly visits he was tested & wormed. I have one kitty who is never sick and goes once a year for shots & worming and then one eyed kitty who is practically on a first name basis with the whole vet office staff!)
Also, the vomiting cleared up (except the occ. hairball barf they always manage to produce) with a change in diet to Blue Buffalo cat food. I created a 50/50% mix of indoor health and sensitive stomach which seems to do well for both cats. I also put the food in 'food balls' to prevent fast scarfing down of food and that helps also.
He does sometimes still have skin outbreaks but gets a little shot which helps. He hasn't had to get a shot in over 6 weeks now so that's good news too.
I hate that he'll have surgery again but I'm glad it doesn't seem to be a serious "leak" like we first thought it could be. Hopefully my vet will find whatever is causing the irritation and remove it.
Also, it turns out my kitty is about 10 years old but you'd never know it from his activity level.
Thanks all! I hope this thread will help another person one day
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeHi all - here is an update on my one eyed kitty. My vet consulted an eye specialist and was told that the most likely culprit was some piece of foreign matter that likely wasn't thoroughly cleaned out in the initial operation. Last month my vet drained the eye again and got 15 cc's of clear fluid (he is still amazed at the amount - he expected 3-4 cc's!). <br /><br />So, in March, my vet will have to reopen the incision and try to clean it out. The specialist says the fluid is probably harmless, it's likely fluid from the eye trying to wash the object/matter out - just like when our own eyes tear up to wash out stray dirt, etc. <br /><br />So while kitty has to have surgery again, poor fella, at least it's not as dramatic as cerebrospinal fluid my vet was concerned it could be.<br /><br />(Kittymama5, the eye was sewn up. I don't have a lot of details on the surgery because it was done by the 'rescue vet'). Also, my vet worms every year during routine exams and I believe during one of his almost monthly visits he was tested & wormed. I have one kitty who is never sick and goes once a year for shots & worming and then one eyed kitty who is practically on a first name basis with the whole vet office staff!)<br /><br />Also, the vomiting cleared up (except the occ. hairball barf they always manage to produce) with a change in diet to Blue Buffalo cat food. I created a 50/50% mix of indoor health and sensitive stomach which seems to do well for both cats. I also put the food in 'food balls' to prevent fast scarfing down of food and that helps also. <br /><br />He does sometimes still have skin outbreaks but gets a little shot which helps. He hasn't had to get a shot in over 6 weeks now so that's good news too.<br /><br />I hate that he'll have surgery again but I'm glad it doesn't seem to be a serious "leak" like we first thought it could be. Hopefully my vet will find whatever is causing the irritation and remove it.<br /><br />Also, it turns out my kitty is about 10 years old but you'd never know it from his activity level.<br /><br />Thanks all! I hope this thread will help another person one day <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
An_245741 responded:
Hi, I have a cat who lost an eye due to being hit by a car, after her operation her eye socket did leak out fluids but after that there shouldn't be any more puss like fluid, it should just been soft scar tissue.
The vomiting could be because of anything, my other cat throws up all the time but it's just from eating bugs, grass etc, it's part of their digestive system.
I applaud you for adopting a disabled cat, so many of them never get homes.
The vomiting could be because of anything, my other cat throws up all the time but it's just from eating bugs, grass etc, it's part of their digestive system.
I applaud you for adopting a disabled cat, so many of them never get homes.
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeHi, I have a cat who lost an eye due to being hit by a car, after her operation her eye socket did leak out fluids but after that there shouldn't be any more puss like fluid, it should just been soft scar tissue. <br />The vomiting could be because of anything, my other cat throws up all the time but it's just from eating bugs, grass etc, it's part of their digestive system. <br />I applaud you for adopting a disabled cat, so many of them never get homes.
Cuddos to you for one adopting, and two adopting a rescue animal. I come from a small town that didn't have a pound or animal society so a lot of stray animals were dumped on back roads. And my family happened to live on one of those back roads. I think at one time or another we've had between four and twenty four cats at one time. Don't ask me how my parents feed the hoard, I think they spend a bloody fortune in cat food, but every one of those cats has a name, a personality, and is loved. Me, I'll stick to my little goat and his hairy brother who likes to ambush his daddy from under the table.. Have a great day,
Report This| Share this:Cat with one eyeCuddos to you for one adopting, and two adopting a rescue animal. I come from a small town that didn't have a pound or animal society so a lot of stray animals were dumped on back roads. And my family happened to live on one of those back roads. I think at one time or another we've had between four and twenty four cats at one time. Don't ask me how my parents feed the hoard, I think they spend a bloody fortune in cat food, but every one of those cats has a name, a personality, and is loved. Me, I'll stick to my little goat and his hairy brother who likes to ambush his daddy from under the table.. Have a great day,
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